Clean water for all in Canada; Remembering Japan's mass killing; Indonesia LGBT; International Day of the Disappeared; Syria chemical attacks; free speech in Palestine; EU refugee crisis; child soldiers fighting in Iraq; criminalize enforced disappearances in Indonesia, and investigate such crimes in Kenya; and Turkmenistan's rights record.
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Canada is not lacking in a supply of clean water, but First Nations indigenous communities lack access to it. There are currently over 150 water advisories in over 100 indigenous communities, posing a serious health risk to hundreds.
One month after what many are calling the worst mass killing in Japan since World War II, we still do not know much about the nearly 20 people killed, other than that they were disabled and they were targeted because of it. Rather than keep disabled people isolated from society in institutions, Japan - as well as other countries - should make sure they are not discriminated against and not locked away.
Last week, Indonesia's Alliance of Independent Journalists gave a freedom of expression award to two transgender people, the first time it had done so. And given the unprecedented surge in attacks on LGBT people in Indonesia, the recognition couldn't have come at a better time.
From earlier today: There's a crackdown on free speech in the West Bank and Gaza as authorities arrest, abuse, and criminally charge journalists and activists who dare criticize them. In a new report published today, Human Rights Watch calls on Palestinian leaders to listen to criticism, not punish it.
Yesterday, 6,500 refugees were saved from the waters between Libya and Italy. In a single day. With slow progress on resettling refugees to the EU or providing other safe and legal routes, this year alone saw more than 3,000 people die attempting the perilous journey.
Child soldiers are fighting not only within the ranks of Islamic State (also known as ISIS), but also with Iraqi militias. Human Rights Watch calls on Iraq and its foreign allies to take action now.
Today, the UN Security Council will discuss its report on chemical weapons in Syria. With accountability for atrocities long overdue, the body should urgently impose sanctions on the Syrian government and refer the situation to the ICC.
Today, 30 August, marks International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances. Enforced disappearances are devastating. Family and friends of those disappeared suffer tremendously, often never learning whether their loved one is alive or dead.
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