Syrian Government Distorting Aid Effort: Daily Brief

Syrian government distorting aid effort; Philippines' ‘drug war’ devastates children’s lives; Myanmar's internet shutdown risks lives; Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights reports on Poland; during Pride month, take a look at LGBT rights; Alabama punishes another pregnant woman; and Nigeria's wavering commitment to freedom of expression.

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The Syrian government is co-opting humanitarian aid and reconstruction assistance, and in places using it to entrench repressive policies. Our new report documents how the government is using aid and reconstruction policies to punish perceived opponents and reward its supporters.

The Philippine government’s brutal “war on drugs” has devastated the lives of countless children. Here are the tragic stories of some of them, which should energize the UN Human Rights Council to bolster efforts to put an end to the killings.

The Myanmar government has imposed internet restrictions on nine townships in Rakhine and Chin States. The disruption to internet services, which began last week, is depriving aid workers and rights monitors vital communications in a time of crisis. 

Today, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe published a report highlighting main human rights concerns in Poland: lack of judicial independence, attacks on women's rights, and insufficient policies for gender equality.

June is Pride Month in many parts of the world, and marriage equality still remains an issue. Here is a map with the status of same-sex marriage, civil unions and registered partnerships worldwide. 

Alabama's abortion law has found another pregnant woman to punish. Marshae Jones, 28, who was five-months’ pregnant, was indicted in Alabama yesterday – she’s apparently considered to blame for the death of her fetus for starting a fight and then allowing herself to get shot.

And Nigerian authorities appear to be on a renewed drive to muzzle free speech.

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