Myanmar’s Military Junta Receives Warning: Daily Brief

Myanmar's military junta told by UN that heavy-handed response to peaceful protests will have consequences; two Central African Republic rebel leaders face trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC); high-profile pro-democracy activists on trial in Hong Kong; arrest of Indian climate activist sparks outrage; Mexican Senate should extend protections against violence to women with disabilities; US Congress set to discuss slavery reparations.

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The UN has told Myanmar's military junta that "the right of peaceful assembly must fully be respected" and has warned that “any form of heavy-handed response is likely to have severe consequences.” Meanwhile, deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been charged with a second offence.

 

 

The trial of two anti-balaka leaders before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for serious crimes committed during conflict in the Central African Republic since 2012 begins today. Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona and Alfred Yékatom are the highest ranking anti-balaka leaders to face trial, and the first at the ICC. They are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Nine high-profile activists and pro-democracy leaders have gone on trial in Hong Kong on charges linked to a rally on 18 August 2019, that brought 1.7 million people to Hong Kong’s streets. It is one of the biggest court cases since Beijing started to crack down on the protest movement that paralysed the city for more than a year.

The arrest of 22-year-old Indian climate activist Disha Ravi has sparked outrage in India and abroad. Ravi was detained at the weekend after sharing a document intended to help Indian farmers protest against new agriculture reform laws. 

Mexico’s Senate has the opportunity to clearly commit to equal protection of women with disabilities who have survived violence when voting on amendments to the General Law on Women’s Access to a Life Free of Violence. The initial draft of the law failed to include measures needed to extend its protections to women with disabilities.

And lastly, the US Congress is set to discuss slavery reparations this week. To find out more about why these are needed, follow Human Rights Watch’s Instagram Live.

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