Love Wins in Taiwan: Daily Brief
Love wins in Taiwan; International Day Against Homophobia, Interphobia, Transphobia and Biphobia; media under attack in Belarus as European Games approach; new arrests over social media posts in Bangladesh; Italy's anti-rescue proposals; and European Parliament candidates’ views on rights.
Good news from Taiwan, were same-sex marriage has been legalised. Taiwan becomes the first Asian country to do so, standing for the values of dignity and equality.
Coincidentally, this comes on the International Day Against Homophobia, Interphobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
Over the past two years, Belarusian authorities have carried out concerted attacks on media freedom. The European Games are being held in Belarus from June 21-30, and the European Olympic Committees should ensure that all journalists - foreign and local - can work free from harassment.
Bangladesh authorities have made a series of new arrests over social media posts in their latest crackdown on the right to free speech.
The Italian government should firmly reject a proposal to fine shipmasters up to 5,500 Euros (USD 6,150) for every person they rescue and take to Italy. Salvini’s latest salvo in his war on humanitarian rescue puts a price tag on the right to life.
And finally, European Parliament elections are happening next week, and it’s important for voters to know what the key parties’ views are on the EU’s democratic founding values. That's why HRW sent them a questionnaire to know where they stand on human rights issues. These were their responses.