Human rights

Workers package human remains recovered from the mass grave in Damascus, Syria, on Dec. 17, 2024.

Nine bodies unearthed in Latakia mass grave, one of dozens found in post-Assad Syria

As part of the efforts by new Syrian authorities to bring justice to victims of the Assad regime, dozens of mass graves containing thousands of bodies — believed to be victims of former regime forces — have been discovered across Syria.

Protesters hold up placards and rainbow flags as they take part in the LGBTQ Pride March in Istanbul, June 25, 2023.

Turkey blocks Instagram account of leading LGBTQ+ group Kaos GL

The ban targeting the group, a leading LGBTQ+ organization, follows earlier bans affecting its website and X account.

An undated image of Enes Hocaogullari.

Turkey arrests youth delegate over Council of Europe address: What to know

The youth activist’s arrest adds to Ankara’s growing isolation as Turkey faces suspension from Europe’s top human rights body.

Turkmen Alabai

Fears mount over fate of missing Turkmen dissidents in Turkey

The pair vanished after being released from a Turkish deportation center, prompting concerns they were abducted or secretly returned to Turkmenistan.

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Iran executions double to 625 as parliament mulls harsher espionage penalties

Iranians cross a street by a billboard with a portrait of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Enqelab Square, Tehran, July, 9, 2025.

What to make of Egypt's removal of Alaa Abdel-Fattah from terror list

Egyptian blogger and activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah exits the police headquarters in Cairo following his release on December 25, 2011.

Sharaa reportedly mulls action against Lebanon over Syrian prisoners

Roumieh

Rebuking 5-year sentence, France urges Algeria to pardon Sansal: What to know

RICCARDO MILANI/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

ABBAS MOMANI/AFP via Getty Images

Expulsion of French-Palestinian detainee 'clouds' relations with Israel, diplomats say

The French Foreign Ministry criticized Israel for deporting French-Palestinian lawyer Salah Hamouri, shortly after ending his nine-months’ administrative detention, and without letting him appeal the expulsion.

Tunisian demonstrators take part in a rally against President Kais Saied, called for by the opposition "National Salvation Front" coalition, in the capital Tunis, on December 10, 2022. (Photo by FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images)

The Takeaway: Tunisia's Saied visits US, days before controversial elections

Plus, Iran is expelled from a United Nations women's rights body and Morocco's underdog team is knocked out of the World Cup.

A still from the Turkish film "Burning Days."

Turkey's government wants refund for movie following LGBTQ controversy

The move is widely seen as a fresh episode of the culture war the government has been waging against the country’s artistic scene over critical opinions and queer content.

The delegation from Ethiopia arrives at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on December 11, 2022, to attend the US-Africa Leaders Summit. - The summit will take place in Washington, DC, December 13-15. (Photo by OLIVER CONTRERAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

At Biden's first Africa summit, US plays catch-up to China

The three-day summit will bring together African leaders from across the continent, including several with problematic rights records.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr gives a speech in the central holy shrine city of Najaf, Iraq, Aug. 30, 2022.

Iraq's Sadr takes aim at LGBTQ community

Leader of the Sadrist movement Muqtada al-Sadr made the headlines again in Iraq by announcing his opposition to homosexuality, several months into his withdrawal from the political process.

Maoz

Israeli mayors stand against anti-gay legislator on education

Mayors of liberal cities in Israel have joied the protest of outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid against anti-LGBTQ Knesset member Avi Maoz controlling the unit that decides on external education programs.

Beirut gay

Lebanon's Shura Council suspends ban on LGBTQ event

Despite the court's ruling in August, the Lebanese interior minister has continued to ban LGBTQ gatherings.

A general view taken on Nov. 24, 2022, shows the assembly during a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on the situation in Iran, at the United Nations in Geneva.

Iran denounces UN fact-finding mission

Iran has said it won't cooperate with a fact-finding mission by the UN Human Rights Council.

Smotrich Ben Gvir

Israeli ministers-to-be attack human rights groups

Far-right politician Bezalel Smotrich and ultranationalist Itamar Ben Gvir, both likely to serve in Israel's next Cabinet, are ramping up their attacks on human rights organizations.

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (C) arrives at the parliament ahead of a confidence vote on a new government, Baghdad, Iraq, Oct. 27, 2022.

Iraqi PM tries to assure skeptics of anti-corruption initiative

The new Iraqi prime minister says there will be no tolerance for human rights abuses in battling corruption.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan speaks to the press at the White House on Nov. 10, 2022, in Washington, DC.

US alarmed by death sentence, sham trials of protesters in Iran

National security adviser Jake Sullivan warned of consequences if Iran's repression of peaceful protesters continues.

PATRICK BAZ/AFP via Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: November 9, 2022, 10:20 am

US woman detained in Saudi Arabia released amid guardianship battle

US citizen Carly Morris has been released from a Saudi prison, but says she's still unable to leave the kingdom with her young daughter.