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International Updates
Hungary enacts law to regulate foreign-funded NGOs
The Hungarian parliament has approved a law that imposes strict regulations on foreign funded NGOs in the country. Ostensibly passed to curb money laundering and terrorism funding, it is believed that the law will be used to stifle dissent, discriminate, and delegitimize NGOs. The new law requires that organisations that receive more than €24,000 a […]
Turkey: Disallowing married women from using just their maiden name is discriminatory, rules ECHR
In the case of Leventoğlu Abdulkadiroğlu v. Turkey, the European Court of Human Rights has unanimously held that disallowing married women from using their maiden name alone amounts to a violation of the right to respect for private and family life, and the right against discrimination enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. Turkish […]
Canada’s new foreign aid policy puts focus on women, rights
Canada has released a new International Assistance Policy, which aims to direct 15 percent of all Canadian aid to gender equality programs, compared to 2 percent in 2015-2016.The new policy focuses ongender equality, human dignity, inclusive growth, environment and climate action, inclusive governance, and peace and security. Significantly, all projects, regardless of sectors, will have […]
Chad: Special Tribunal convicts Hissène Habré of war crimes
A special tribunal in Senegal sentenced the former dictator of Chad to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and torture, including sexual slavery, sexual violence, and rape, from 1982 to 1990. During his tenure, Habréused the police and the army to spread terror among the population. Thousands were tortured and murdered, and great […]
German parliament and New York state enact law prohibiting child marriage
The state of New York has enacted a new law prohibiting marriage for 14-16 year olds, while permitting 17 year olds to marry with parental and judicial consent. Under the previous law, the minimum age for marriage in New York was 18, but the law allowed children of 16 and 17 to marry with parental […]
Egypt enacts law to regulate civil society, continues crackdown on foreign funded NGOs
The Egypt has enacted a law to regulate civil society organisations, requiring them to seek permission from “a state appointed administrative entity” to carry out their operations. The administrative entity will have the power to determine whether an NGO’s work is in line with the Government’s development and social welfare plans. Civil society groups will […]
Kyrgyzstan enacts new Domestic Violence Law
The Kyrgyzstan legislature has enacted a Law on the Prevention and Protection against Family Violence, which replaces the 2003 law on domestic violence. It includes measures for protecting victims, and strengthening police and judicial response to domestic violence. It has been welcomed as a progressive piece of legislation, as it takes into account reports of […]
Indonesian court convicts politician under blasphemy law
Jakarta’s Governor Ahok Tjahaja Purnama was sentenced to two years of imprisonment for violating the country’s discriminatory blasphemy law. A Christian politician, was charged with blasphemy in 2016, after he made a reference to a Quranic verse which was perceived as disrespectful. This prosecution was extensively used by militant Islamist groups to polarise the electorate […]
Taiwan legalises same-sex marriage, becomesfirst country in Asia to do so
In a landmark case filed by gay rights activist Chia-Wei Chi, Taiwan’s Court of Grand Justices has held that the provisions of the Civil Code relating to family that do not allow two persons of the same sex to marry are in violation of both the people’s freedom of marriage emanating from the right to […]
Nepal SC stays impeachment motion against country’sfirst womanChief Justice
In a welcoming move, the Supreme Court of Nepal has issued an interim order against an impeachment motion against Chief Justice Sushila Karki and directed the Legislature-Parliament to put the motion on hold, allowing the first female head of the judiciary to return to the bench. Ms Karki had been accused of being partisan, breaching the […]