Florida has passed a bill that bans the provision of puberty blockers and hormone therapies for transgender children, and makes accessing these treatments more difficult for adults. At least 14 other American states have introduced similar laws, challenging the prevailing medical consensus that gender-affirming care for transgender individuals promotes better health. Proponents have deemed the therapy “dangerous and experimental”, with some describing it as “chemical castration or child abuse”. Opponents meanwhile assert that the Florida law and others like it impede the doctor-patient relationship while skewing healthcare access based on politics.
The appointment of an Iranian diplomat, Ali Bahreini, as the chair of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Social Forum in November 2023 has been criticised by human rights activists. They argue that Iran currently undertakes severe human rights violations, including the detention of more than 20,000 political prisoners and shooting people in the street who demand their basic rights. One activist, Mariam Claren, the daughter of Nahid Taghavi, a German-Iranian human rights activist who has been imprisoned in Iran since October 2020, stated that rewarding Iran with this role "is a slap in the face for all Iranians and anyone who loves freedom".
A report has argued that China's embrace of artificial intelligence (AI) for its military means the US needs to redesign its military to respond to the threat. Produced by the Special Competitive Studies Project, headed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt to speed up the adoption of AI in US defence establishment, the report argues that China’s 30-year effort to study US combat techniques will be greatly enhanced by the development of AI. The ratcheting up of AI usage by both countries has sparked concerns of an arms race, potentially exacerbating any diplomatic conflict. US concerns have included the risk of AI-enabled attacks against satellites in space and nuclear architecture, while Redwood City venture capitalist Vinod Khosla has argued that slowing down US AI research would benefit China. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a new international law on autonomy in weapons systems.
US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene told a hearing in the House that a left-wing activist murdered a state police officer in Georgia earlier this year and claimed that this was part of a rising trend of deadly left-wing extremism across America. Greene’s comments are inaccurate. In January, Georgia police shot and killed a peaceful activist named Manuel Teran, who was camping in an Atlanta-area forest to protest the construction of a controversial new police training facility nicknamed “Cop City”. Left-wing extremism is neither a major threat nor a deadly one, compared to other ideologies in the US where the majority of extremist violence is carried out by right-wing extremist groups.
Myanmar’s military has imported arms worth at least $1bn since seizing power in February 2021, despite “overwhelming evidence of its responsibility for atrocity crimes” committed during its attempts to suppress opposition, according to a UN report by the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar. Tom Andrews identified more than 12,500 unique purchases or recorded shipments directly to the Myanmar military or known arms dealers working with the military. The report also named Russia, China, Singapore, India and Thailand as the main sources of the arms, dual-use technology and materials used to manufacture weapons.
The New Hampshire House of Representatives will vote on a bill to create a “Parents’ Bill of Rights” that would require school officials, when asked by parents, to disclose whether their child is using a different name or gender to their biological sex. The proposal highlights a growing national debate surrounding transgender students and parental rights. Republican supporters argue the bill empowers a partnership between parents and teachers to most effectively help vulnerable children navigate situations that may involve life-altering decisions. Opponents argue the bill exposes students to the risk of abuse at home and does not allow adolescents the time needed for thoughtfulness and care. Similar bills have been passed in Republican-led legislatures around the US.
Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) and the Australian Football League (AFL) have announced their support for a proposal to recognise the country's Indigenous population in a forthcoming referendum, a move stated to be "long overdue". A poll published this week showed that support for including the proposal in the country's constitution had dipped to 53% compared to 58% at an earlier point this year. Under the proposed changes, a non-binding parliamentary committee would be established to advise on issues affecting the lives of Indigenous people.
The construction of a megacity in Saudi Arabia that the crown prince says will help lift the kingdom into a new era of economic diversity is under way, but it is coming at a heavy cost for some. People from the Howeitat tribe who live in the region earmarked for “The Line” have been displaced and their homes demolished, according to a United Nations report. Human rights groups accuse Saudi Arabia of violently and forcibly taking possession of land and homes, by expelling, arresting or imprisoning local residents opposed to the schemes, which also include the $500bn project Neom.
Unauthorized visa application brokers in Morocco are using software bots to quickly reserve appointments and sell them on at rates of up to 10 times the original fee. This has been blamed for making it more difficult for people in Morocco to travel to Europe even after travel restrictions were lifted this year. Some embassy services have begun to respond to increase tensions, with Dutch authorities introducing a digital waiting list and Spanish services introducing a photo-based self-verification system for applicants. The Italian Consulate General in Casablanca switched service provider to VFS Global, while Germany has not announced any concrete plans to improve the situation.
Pakistan's anti-corruption agency, the National Accountability Bureau, has called former prime minister Imran Khan for questioning into graft charges that led to his arrest on 9 May. It is unclear whether Khan, who denies the charges, will respond to the summons. Pakistan's worst-ever economic crisis has been worsened by the recent wave of political instability in the country following Khan's arrest on the charges. His wife, Bushra Bibi, was also granted bail until 23 May.
Critics claim that the UK’s new Public Order Act criminalises peaceful protest, prompting lawyers and civil rights groups to argue that the law is draconian in nature. The Act, implemented on May 2, makes it illegal to block major transport works, prevent access to “key national infrastructure”, or lock “onto another person, object or land” accurately enough so that more than two individuals or an organisation can suffer “serious disruption.” Police have the power to stop and search those who carry locking equipment too. Opposition politicians have been criticised for not promising to repeal the legislation.
Channel 4 will air a three-part documentary on the legal battle between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp in January. Director Emma Cooper’s Depp v Heard will reflect on what the 2022 proceedings showed “about violence, gender and the memeification of justice in the era of post-truth”, according to the broadcaster. Depp had sued Heard for $50m in 2022 after an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post on domestic abuse. Although she did not name Depp, he claimed her comments had cost him film roles. Heard countersued, alleging defamation, and the case was eventually settled in December. During seven weeks of court hearings, their legal teams attracted attention on social media. Among images that went viral were of Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez, two lawyers for Depp. Chew is known for his passion for candy and showtunes, as well as representing clients such as Cher and two Olympic gold medalists. Vasquez, meanwhile, appeared in images likened to Thor, and has become NBC News’ legal analyst.
Shelters in Chicago are struggling to house hundreds of migrants arriving on buses from the US-Mexico border, after it was revealed the city cannot afford to rent hotel rooms for all arriving immigrants and are pressing for more federal funding. The city's new Mayor, Brandon Johnson, reaffirmed a commitment to welcoming asylum seekers in his inauguration speech saying “there’s enough room for everyone." The scramble for housing in Chicago follows the end of COVID-19 border restrictions and a campaign of busing migrants to Democratic strongholds further north, including New York City.
Slovakia's parliament is expected to vote on a proposal that would prohibit transgender people from changing their gender identity on official documents, effectively removing their legal recognition. The amendment would only allow a change in gender on documents if a genetic test showed that it had been incorrectly identified, which would block transgender people from being able to make the change. Human rights groups have criticised the proposal and it is expected to be challenged in the constitutional court. At present, transgender people can legally change their gender and other personal information on their ID cards.
Tunisia frees two students arrested for satirical song criticising police
Reuters
23-05-18 14:51
Two Tunisian students have been freed after their arrest for posting a satirical song criticising the police on TikTok and Facebook drew criticism from President Kais Saied. Youssef Chelbi and Dhia Nsir were arrested on Wednesday, but Saied spoke out against the arrests on Facebook, calling for their release, and dozens of activists protested against restrictions on freedom of speech and trials targeting bloggers and journalists. Rights campaigners report the freedom of speech and media restrictions are worsening under Saied's rule.
Congress must exercise greater oversight over the international and foreign language education programs in US academic institutions, writes Adam Kissel in The Daily Signal. Primarily created to support US interests in international security, stability and economic vitality, reports from both the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law in 2014 and the National Association of Scholars in 2022 have found that the funding has gone awry. Instead of producing critical thinkers and experts, area-study programs have been attractive to proponents of certain ideologies and promote anti-Semitism. The proposed solution is that Congress cuts funds altogether and invests in trustworthy institutions that promote diverse perspectives. Alternatively, it is suggested that Congress invest in specialised business institutions, giving market forces the opportunity to incentivise salaries and increase the scope and reach of these programs, which are seen by many as essential for US interests.
Despite Japan’s aversion towards overseas assistance and immigrants, the 2,300 Ukrainian refugees in Japan demonstrate the country’s support for Ukraine, according to an article in the Japan Times. However the situation highlights Japan’s poor track record regarding asylum seekers, with officials almost certain to pass a bill making it easier to deport them. The article points out that Ukrainians in Japan are not unlike refugees in other countries who are struggling against anti-immigrant sentiment. The refugee issue is not on the agenda at the G7 summit taking place in Japan.
Police in Tunisia have summoned two of Radio Mosaique’s top broadcasters, Haythem El Mekki and Elyess Gharbi, for questioning. The radio station is the country’s most prominent independent voice, and the broadcasters are known critics of President Kais Saied, whose government has been accused of cracking down on the media and political opposition. Concerns have grown over the rights of journalists and freedom of speech under Saied’s rule. Protesters have called out restrictions on freedom and the ongoing legal cases against bloggers and journalists in the country.
Australian doctor freed by al Qaeda after 7 years in captivity
Reuters
23-05-18 23:41
Dr Kenneth Elliott, who had been held captive in West Africa by al Qaeda-linked extremists for over seven years, has been released according to the Australian government. The 88-year-old doctor, who was operating a 120-bed clinic in Djibo near Burkina Faso's border with Mali with his wife, Jocelyn, at the time of his capture in January 2016, is safe and well, according to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Five TikTok users in Montana have filed a lawsuit against US state legislation set to ban the video-sharing app from 1 January 2022. The plaintiffs, all Montana residents, argue that the law violates their constitutional right to free speech under the First Amendment. Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed off the legislation on 12 May. The proposed ban comes amid ongoing concerns over the potential for Chinese government influence over social media platforms. The lawsuit is assigned to Judge Donald Molloy, who was appointed by Democrat President Bill Clinton in 1995.
