Missed Chance to Beat the Pandemic: Daily Brief

Leaders at a virtual Covid-19 summit on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly have pledged to mobilize millions of doses of Covid-19 vaccines and billions of dollars to “build back better”. But these promises fail to address issues central to meeting global need.

The Taliban in Afghanistan’s western city of Herat are committing serious human rights violations against women and girls. Since taking over the city in August, the Taliban have instilled fear among women and girls by searching out high-profile women; denying women freedom of movement outside their homes; imposing compulsory dress codes; severely curtailing access to employment and education; and restricting the right to peaceful assembly.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday that the Chinese government would “not build new coal-fired power projects abroad” and would instead “step up support for other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy.” If implemented, this could mark the beginning of a shift by China to support clean energy and end coal plant construction in the Global South. But to be a genuine leader, Beijing needs to confront its own domestic coal problem by not building new coal plants at home.

Meanwhile, Chinese state media outlets are railing against Hong Kong's unions, claiming they are involved in money laundering, inciting riots, and supporting gangsters. Often, after Beijing spotlights people in its papers, Hong Kong police swoop into action. A number of prominent unionists and labor activists have already been arrested and jailed. Empowered workers would indeed be a threat to the authoritarian rule of the Chinese Communist Party.

In the United States, lawmakers are spending September discussing the details of what could be one of the most consequential US legislations in generations. The reconciliation package is aimed at combatting economic and racial inequality that leaves millions unable to access adequate and affordable housing, health care, or other basic protections.

 

Finally, on today's International Day of Sign Languages, Human Rights Watch joins the call for more equal and meaningful inclusion in society of people who are deaf and hard of hearing. These face numerous barriers to accessing information and basic services, and have been unable to access vital information during the Covid-19 pandemic. In a video produced with a global conference in Sydney on equality for deaf people, Human Rights Watch documents the opportunities sign language education offers to deaf children and young people.