Finland Halts Deportations to Afghanistan: Daily Brief
Finland suspends all deportations to Afghanistan; the UN Human Rights Council condemns abuses against the Rohingya in Myanmar and puts Ethiopia’s Tigray region on the agenda; Israeli authorities won’t allow detained Palestinian parliamentarian to attend daughter’s funeral; prominent human rights defender convicted in Russia; divide in access to Covid-19 vaccines continues; and ten years since landmark adoption of business and human rights principles.
As US troops withdraw from Afghanistan and thousands of Afghan soldiers flee the country, the Taliban are rapidly retaking territory and imposing severe restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights in areas they control. In view of these developments, Finland has suspended all deportations to the country. Other European countries should follow suit.
The UN Human Rights Council has unanimously adopted a resolution condemning abuses against the Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar and calling for bringing those responsible for torture and war crimes to justice.
Finally, the grave rights abuses and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region have also been added to the agenda of the UN Human Rights Council.
Israeli authorities have denied a request for detained Palestinian parliamentarian Khalida Jarrar to attend her daughter’s funeral. Suha Jarrar, a Palestinian rights defender, died on Sunday night at her home in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
A court in Russia has convicted Semyon Simonov, a prominent human rights defender, on criminal charges related to the country’s “foreign agents” law.
There continues to be a striking divide in access to Covid-19 vaccines between continents. Some countries, especially in Africa, have yet to start vaccinating people. When will the EU finally stop opposing a proposal to temporarily waive certain intellectual property rules – a measure that would save lives worldwide?
And lastly: Ten years ago, the United Nations adopted a landmark set of guiding principles on business and human rights. To find out how we can we make sure these guiding principles are followed, listen to the latest Inside Geneva podcast.