News from the World - November 2024 🍁

LGBTQ+ Rights 

Dispute between the European Commission and Hungary before the ECJ over a law restricting LGBTQ+ rights 🇭🇺 ❌ 🇪🇺 🏳️‍🌈

The European Court of Justice has begun hearing a case between the European Commission and Hungary regarding Hungary’s 2021 child protection law. The Hungarian government claims the law is intended to protect children from potential threats. However, it also restricts the depiction of homosexuality and gender identity in media and educational materials for individuals under 18. The European Commission has called this a “massive and flagrant violation” of fundamental EU rights and rules. Sixteen member states, including France and Germany, have joined the case, while the European Parliament has passed a resolution condemning the law as stigmatizing the LGBTQ+ community and undermining democracy in Hungary.

The European Commission argues the law breaches principles of non-discrimination, human rights, and the single market. In contrast, the Hungarian government defends it as necessary for child protection, supported by a national referendum. The case could result in financial sanctions or even suspension of Hungary’s EU voting rights. The dispute highlights broader tensions within the EU, such as Hungary’s relations with Russia and reluctance to aid Ukraine, serving as a significant test of the EU’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law. [1]

Threat to the LGBTQ+ community in Mali: New law criminalizes homosexuality 🇲🇱 ⛓️ 🏳️‍🌈

Mali has taken a drastic step by passing a law criminalizing homosexuality. The legislation, adopted by the military-led government in power since 2021, poses a severe threat to the LGBTQ+ community by fostering stigma, discrimination, and violence. While homosexuality was not explicitly banned in Mali before, vague provisions in the penal code regarding “public indecency” were used to persecute individuals with diverse gender identities or sexual orientations. The new law further prohibits “promotion of homosexuality,” leaving the term undefined, thus broadening the scope for criminal prosecution.

This measure violates Mali's international commitments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It has led to increased arbitrary arrests and abuses, often based on appearance. The new penalties exacerbate insecurity for the LGBTQ+ community, which faces mounting discrimination. The Malian government should immediately suspend the law and focus on safeguarding the rights of all its citizens in line with its constitutional and international obligations! [2]

Authoritarian Regimes

Venezuela: Children among the victims of Maduro regime's repression🇻🇪 💔

Amnesty International has revealed shocking findings about widespread human rights violations against children during Venezuela’s post-election crackdown under Nicolás Maduro's regime. Between July 29 and 31, 2024, 6 children were arbitrarily detained and tortured, with at least 198 others facing unjust charges, detention, or severe physical and psychological harm from mistreatment. Amnesty describes these practices as unprecedented abuses of state power, violating both international law and Venezuela’s constitution. Amnesty’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard has called for the immediate release of these children and restoration of their rights.

The report underscores Venezuela's long-standing human rights crisis, including violent crackdowns on opposition figures, activists, and other vulnerable groups. Both the UN and the International Criminal Court are investigating crimes against humanity, such as political persecution, torture, arbitrary detention, and sexual violence. Amnesty urges the international community to support ongoing investigations and pressure Venezuela to end repressive practices and respect basic human rights. [3]

Remaining Category, or What You Shouldn't Miss Either

EU adopts new regulation against forced labor 🇪🇺 🫂

The European Union has approved new legislation banning the sale of products on its market that involve forced labor in their production. This regulation aims to combat labor exploitation in global supply chains and increase corporate accountability. According to 2022 estimates by the International Labour Organization, 17.3 million people are subjected to forced labor in the private sector, with another 3.9 million under state coercion, especially in regions like Xinjiang, Turkmenistan, and North Korea.

The regulation requires EU member states to enforce the ban and builds on the 2024 corporate sustainability directive, which mandates that large firms ensure respect for human rights and environmental standards throughout their supply chains. Effective implementation will depend on robust enforcement and the creation of a database of high-risk regions. The European Commission is expected to strengthen investigative capacities and target products linked to state-imposed forced labor, with the potential to drive systemic change in combating these serious human rights abuses. [4]

Australia tightens migration policy amid criticism of refugee rights violations 🇦🇺 ⚖️❗️

Australia has passed new laws significantly toughening its migration policy. These legislative changes expand the government’s authority to maintain offshore detention centers and strike agreements with third countries, even if these states are not signatories to the Refugee Convention. The laws also allow for imprisonment of individuals who refuse to cooperate with deportation efforts, including asylum seekers, and introduce blanket bans on mobile phones in detention facilities.

Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, warn that the measures risk breaching the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they may face persecution. Up to 80,000 people could be deported under the new legislation. [5]

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[1] EU court starts hearing case over Hungary’s alleged anti-LGBTQ law. Online. Al Jazeera. 2024. Available from: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/19/eu-court-starts-hearing-case-over-hungarys-alleged-anti-lgbtq-law. [cit. 2024-12-01].

[2] KOJOUÉ, Larissa. New Mali Law Disastrous for LGBT People. Online. Human Rights Watch. 2024. Available from: https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/11/06/new-mali-law-disastrous-lgbt-people. [cit. 2024-12-01].

[3] Venezuela: Torture, arbitrary detention and abuse of dozens of children must stir international justice into action. Online. Amnesty International. 2024. Available from: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/11/venezuela-tortura-abusos-contra-ninos-ninas/. [cit. 2024-12-01].

[4] DE RENGERVÉ, Hélène. EU Adopts New Regulation to Curtail Forced Labor. Online. Human Rights Watch. 2024. Available from: https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/11/19/eu-adopts-new-regulation-curtail-forced-labor. [cit. 2024-12-01].

[5] HENNESY, Annabel. Australia Passes Harsh New Anti-Migration Laws. Online. Human Rights Watch. 2024. Available from: https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/11/28/australia-passes-harsh-new-anti-migration-laws. [cit. 2024-12-01].