Macron, Le Pen & Human Rights: Daily Brief

France's 2022 presidential election is an opportunity for voters to make their vote count for human rights, by examining the candidates’ commitment to human rights values, says Human Rights Watch. We have released a guide for voters that should be useful before the second round of the election scheduled for April 24. President Emmanuel Macron won the first round on Sunday, with far right candidate Marine Le Pen coming in second. The presidential race is now between these two politicians. "Voting for Human Rights: A Guide for 2022" provides voters with basic elements and references on ten core human rights issues. "Every election, especially a presidential election, gives France’s voters the power to choose candidates who put respect for the rights and freedoms of everyone at the heart of their platform. With the rhetoric of intolerance and rejection of human rights principles permeating politics and the presidential campaign in France, the impact voters can have if they stand up for human rights when exercising their vote, can be more important than ever” said HRW's France director Bénédicte Jeannerod.

As new reports about possible war crimes in Ukraine emerged over the weekend, and the International Criminal Court and researchers from other institutions and organizations conduct their research, it is important to also think about who could be culpable for these crimes. Another focus should be the fate of children during this conflict, and the need for accountability for crimes that are being committed against them.

 

On Friday, Russia’s Justice Ministry, canceled the registration of HRW, along with Amnesty International and 13 other offices of foreign nongovernmental organizations and foundations. HRW had maintained an office in Russia for 30 years. The action was announced just days after an appeals court upheld the liquidation of Russia’s human rights giant, Memorial. “Human Rights Watch has been working on and in Russia since the Soviet era, and we will continue to do so,” said Kenneth Roth, HRW's executive director. “This new iron curtain will not stop our ongoing efforts to defend the rights of all Russians and to protect civilians in Ukraine.”

There's terrifying news from Egypt, as economic analyst Ayman Hadhoud has been "found" dead in a psychiatry hospital in Cairo. Hadhoud had been abducted and forcibly disappeared since February 5.

And in case you missed it last week: HRW and Amnesty International have published a ground-breaking report about crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing in Ethiopia's Western Tigray Zone. We also published an extensive Q&A document and video. And on Tuesday we will be hosting a Twitter Space on-topic, at 16:00 CET, 17:00 in Addis Ababa. Mark it in your calendar!