The new CIA chief's background in torture; Burundi's referendum violence; Hope for Gaza justice in Geneva today; Pride cancelled in Lebanon; Italian court confirms Libya not safe for returned refugees; Searching for justice nine years after Sri Lanka's brutal war; and "silent diplomacy" - does it really work, or is it just an excuse for inaction on human rights?
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The US Senate voted to confirm Gina Haspel as the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency: a dark day for human rights in the US. The torture at the center of the CIA’s rendition, detention, and interrogation program - which Haspel was involved in - was a crime plain and simple, but the US government has never been willing to admit that or to take appropriate action. Until it does, the US aligns itself with countries that undermine respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law.

Burundi’s security services & ruling party youth league members killed, raped, abducted, beat & intimidated suspected opponents in the months leading up to yesterday's constitutional referendum. A vote that takes place amid widespread abuse, fear, and pressure is clearly not conducive to free choice.

The UN Human Rights Council is holding a special session today. It should launch an independent investigation into the Israel's killings and maimings at the Gaza border.

The Lebanese Internal Security Forces arrested a prominent LGBT rights activist and pressured him to cancel Beirut Pride events. The crackdown violates freedom of assembly and association and is a step backward in a country that has made progress toward respecting the rights of LGBT people.

An Italian court has ruled that, "Libya is not a safe harbour as defined by international law and people cannot be sent back there.”

Nine years after the end of Sri Lanka's brutal civil war, enormous questions for justice remain.

Malaysia’s opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is finally free from prison. Did the neighborhood's democracies do enough to help get him out? Spoiler alert: no. 

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