political prisoners

Saudi Arabia, so we need friends like these?

On July 18th, in Westminster Hall, MPs lined up to list human rights abuses perpetrated by Saudi Arabia, particularly against women, and to ask the government to openly criticise Crown […]

execution

Justice and Death in Saudi Arabia

On April 9th President Trump spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman by phone, discussing the Kingdom’s role in Middle East stability, continued pressure on Iran and human rights […]

China

The death of Cao Shunli

China doesn’t like criticism. In September 2013 a Chinese Human Rights lawyer, Cao Shunli, was arrested when trying to fly to Geneva to attend China’s last periodic review by the […]

China

The erasure of Xinjiang

IS CHINA trying to erase the identity of the Uyghur people? Of the 10m Uyghurs in Xinjiang province, western China, around one in eight is now interned in a re-education […]

Cambodia

Hun Sen and the Democracy that Never Was

Cambodia’s ‘democratic’ elections have delivered the expected result and Hun Sen has been crowned again. His Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) said it had won all 125 seats in parliament with 77.5% […]

Crimea

A Bridge Too Far

As the World Cup heads to France and the lions head home from the warm and fuzzy Russia they have seen, the Doctor recalls that it was in the afterglow […]

Human Rights

The Human Rights Council has just reviewed Sri Lanka, and seem disappointed. Despite promises to reform (seeking the Holy Grail of trade deals), President Sirisena’s government continues to favour torture […]

cruel and inhumane punishment

Selling England by the Pound

The visit of the Saudi Crown Prince and de facto leader, Mohammed Bin Salman, to London brought human rights to the media forefront, but to little avail. The red carpet […]

Children's Rights

Propaganda, Israel and the West Bank – the story of Ahed Tamimi

The detention of Palestinian teenager Ahed Tamimi raises uncomfortable questions. […]

flogging

Saudi Arabia: doctors and corporal punishment

WHO IS RAIF BADAWI? Raif Badawi is a Saudi blogger sentenced to 10 years in jail and 1000 lashes for expressing liberal and secular views. He received the first 50 […]

cruel and inhumane punishment

Theresa talks Turkey

Our PM’s round of after-Brexit trade meetings kicked off in January with President Erdogan of Turkey, a man much in need of international admirers, not to mention international arms traders. Turkey […]