Germany Charges Senior Syrian Officials With Crimes Against Humanity: Daily Brief
Germany charges senior Syrian officials with crimes against humanity; China bans Hong Kong pro-democracy activist from running as political candidate; WhatsApp sues an Israeli firm for allegedly spying on human rights defenders and journalists; Russia cracks down on Jehovah's Witnesses; half of the world has officially endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration; 23 countries press China to stop detaining Uyghurs; and US Congress officially recognizes the Armenian genocide.
Germany has charged two alleged former Syrian officials with crimes against humanity over claims they presided over a regime of torture and murder in a notorious Damascus prison during the country's civil war. This is an international precedent and an important step towards justice for victims.
There's bad news from China, where the government is repressing freedoms inside and outside the country. Joshua Wong, a prominent pro-democracy activist, has been barred from running in the upcoming elections in Hong Kong.
The messaging service WhatsApp has sued an Israeli cyber-surveillance firm, claiming that the company's spy technology was used to target journalists, prominent female political leaders and human rights activists who used the app.
Russia's persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses is escalating, including with a raid on a campsite last week where more than 50 people had gathered to pray.
The Marshall Islands have officially joined the Safe Schools Declaration, which means half the world now supports the protection of students, teachers, and schools during times of armed conflict.
Twenty-three countries have issued a joint statement at the United Nations against China's detention of Uyghurs.
And for the first time, the United States Congress has officially recognized the mass killings of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians in 1915 as a genocide.