Tag: Region Middle East
Watch: Warnings Grow over Nuclear Annihilation as Tensions Escalate Between U.S., Russia & China
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Australia applies Magnitsky sanctions for first time
On 29 March 2022, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs (the Minister) designated 39 individuals, including a number of Russian individuals engaged in serious corruption and human rights abuses, using the new powers set out in the Magnitsky sanctions amendments. Targeted financial sanctions and travel bans will apply to these persons from 30 March 2022. This is the first time…
Hong Kong: Arrests under Security Law, a serious concern
The human rights lawyer, who was arrested on 8 September, was a member of the Hong Kong Alliance, an advocacy group which organized an annual candlelight vigil marking the 1989 protests in Tiananmen Square.
Several other activists have been similarly arrested and charged under the National Security Law.
The law came into force at the end of June last year, giving Chinese central authorities greater power and control over all aspects of life in Hong Kong.
“Terrorism and sedition charges are being improperly used to stifle the exercise of fundamental rights, which are protected under international law, including freedom of expression and opinion, freedom of peaceful assembly and the right to participate in public affairs”, the Special Rapporteurs said, urging authorities to refrain from the using the National Security Law and to reconsider its application.