Trial Begins for Istanbul Mayor Amid Political Influence Concerns
Istanbul mayor and opposition figure Ekrem İmamoğlu began a high‑profile trial on Monday, facing charges of corruption, bribery, extortion and money‑laundering. The case involves more than 400 co‑defendants, many of whom are municipal employees and CHP officials. Opposition leaders allege President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is steering the prosecution to cripple the Republican People’s Party. Human Rights Watch has warned the proceedings reflect a broader judicial campaign that threatens Turkey’s democratic standards.
Pakistan Anti-Terrorism Court Sentences 47 PTI Leaders and Supporters in Absentia
Pakistan's Anti‑Terrorism Court sentenced 47 Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) leaders and supporters to ten years in prison, handed down in absentia. The convictions were issued under Section 21‑L of the 1997 Anti‑Terrorism Act, which carries a five‑to‑ten‑year term and a fine...
Iranian Authorities Urged by Rights Groups to Lift Restrictions on Internet Access
Human Rights Watch urged Iran to end its sweeping internet shutdown amid the escalating US‑Iran conflict. Cloudflare Radar reported a 98% drop in traffic on Feb 28, leaving roughly 92 million citizens offline. The regime’s “tiered internet” grants fast access to state...
Amnesty International Decries New Criminal Regulation in Afghanistan as Assault on Rights for Women, Minorities
Amnesty International condemned Afghanistan’s newly adopted Criminal Procedure Regulation, labeling it a regressive law that curtails women’s and minorities’ rights. The regulation decriminalizes domestic violence unless visible injuries are present and imposes three‑month imprisonment on women who visit relatives without...
US Appeals Court Rules Trump May Suspend Refugee Admissions
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that President Donald Trump possesses statutory authority to suspend refugee admissions under 8 U.S.C. § 1182(f), echoing the broad discretion affirmed in Trump v. Hawaii. The court, however, limited the suspension by preserving benefits for refugees...
US Senate Rejects War Powers Resolution on Iran
The U.S. Senate voted 47-53 to reject a War Powers Resolution that would have forced President Trump to obtain congressional approval before further military action against Iran, and the House followed with a 212-219 defeat of a similar measure. The...
Greece Appellate Court Upholds Convictions of Extreme Right-Wing Party Leadership
An Athens appellate court confirmed the 2020 convictions of Golden Dawn’s leadership, reaffirming the party’s status as a criminal organization. The ruling was praised by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias as a historic milestone for Greece’s justice system. The convictions stem...
British Columbia Chief Coroner Orders Inquest Into Tumbler Ridge Mass Shooting
British Columbia’s chief coroner has launched a formal inquest into the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting that claimed nine lives. The inquiry will scrutinize systemic and procedural failures, including how the shooter’s use of two ChatGPT accounts—one banned but not reported...
Bank of Russia Challenges European Commission over Frozen Assets
The Bank of Russia has filed a claim at the EU General Court challenging a December 2025 EU regulation that freezes its assets until the European Union’s demands related to Ukraine are satisfied. The bank argues the measure violates the...
Vietnam Implements Sweeping AI Law
Vietnam’s new Law on Artificial Intelligence took effect on March 3, becoming Southeast Asia’s first comprehensive AI regulatory framework. The legislation mirrors the EU’s AI Act with a tiered risk system, banning high‑risk applications such as non‑consensual facial recognition and...
Abrego Garcia Alleges Vindictive Criminal Prosecution, Asks US Judge to Dismiss His Case
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadorian granted withholding of removal, asked a Tennessee federal judge to dismiss human‑smuggling charges, alleging vindictive prosecution by the Department of Justice. After an unlawful, warrant‑less arrest and mistaken deportation, the Supreme Court ordered his return,...
UN Experts Call on the UK to Ensure Equal Rights for Women, Girls, and Transgender Individuals
UN human rights experts have urged the United Kingdom to ensure that the ongoing review of Equality Act 2010 guidance complies with international human‑rights standards and protects women, girls, and transgender people. Their call follows a 2025 Supreme Court ruling...
US Federal Court Blocks SNAP Funding Cuts over States’ Refusal to Share Recipient Data
A U.S. District Court in Northern California issued a preliminary injunction preventing the USDA from withholding SNAP funding from 21 states and the District of Columbia after they refused to provide detailed recipient data. The judge found the states likely...
UN Calls for Ocean Governance to Abide by International Law
UN experts urged that upcoming seabed governance regulations, including deep‑sea mining rules, be anchored in international human‑rights and environmental law ahead of the International Seabed Authority's 31st session. They stressed state obligations to protect the climate system, prevent human‑rights harms,...
Rights Experts Warn Angola Must Reject Draft Law Restricting Civil Society
Human Rights Watch warned that Angola’s new civil‑society bill, passed on Jan. 22 with a 106‑77 vote, grants authorities sweeping powers to control NGOs. The draft imposes a vague licensing regime, permits monitoring of finances, and allows license suspensions of up...
US Court Denies Illegal Search Challenge in Child Pornography Conviction
The Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld a child‑pornography conviction, finding that Google’s automated scan of a user’s Photos account did not constitute an illegal government search. The court applied the “totality of the circumstances” test and concluded Google acted for its...
Global Commitment Crucial for Ukraine Justice, Amnesty International Says
Amnesty International urges the world to keep pressure on Russia as the fourth anniversary of the invasion marks a test of global resolve. The organization highlights waning sanctions, reduced U.S. aid, and an unexecuted ICC arrest warrant for President Vladimir...
UN Experts Call for Fairness and Transparency in Brazil Murder Trial
UN human‑rights experts urged Brazil to ensure fairness and transparency in the upcoming trial of the Brazão brothers, accused of ordering the 2018 murder of councilwoman Marielle Franco and driver Anderson Gomes. The trial follows convictions of the gunmen and...
India AI Impact Summit Draws Criticism for Failing to Deliver Binding Human Rights Safeguards
The Indian AI Impact Summit 2026 concluded without binding human‑rights safeguards, drawing sharp criticism from Amnesty International and digital‑rights groups. Observers said the event prioritized geopolitical ambition over enforceable regulation, relying on voluntary industry pledges that lack legal force. The...
Taliban New Penal Code Legalizes Domestic Violence Against Women
The Taliban’s newly issued Criminal Procedure Code for Courts legalizes limited domestic violence, allowing husbands to beat wives unless severe injury occurs. Signed by Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada on Jan. 7, the code limits criminal liability to cases causing wounds, imposes...
US Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Tariffs as Unlawful
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6‑3 ruling that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not grant the president authority to impose tariffs. The majority applied the major questions doctrine, concluding that Congress must provide clear authorization for such...
UN Experts Criticize Ireland Police Use of “Less-Lethal” Weapons at Protests
UN special rapporteurs condemned Ireland’s Gardaí for acquiring double‑strength pepper spray and tasers, warning that the weapons pose serious human‑rights risks and were introduced without public debate. They classified tasers as Category A items, inherently cruel and therefore prohibited under UN...
French Appeals Court Rejects Award for Nicaragua Banana Plantation Workers
A French appeals court has rejected an appeal to enforce a $805 million compensation award for Nicaraguan banana plantation workers harmed by the pesticide Nemagon. The court ruled the sums were manifestly disproportionate and violated French public policy, upholding the lower...
US Dispatch: Jury Selection Set to Begin September 8 in Luigi Mangione’s Federal Case
Judge Margaret Garnett set September 8 for in‑person jury selection in Luigi Mangione’s federal murder case, with a non‑death‑penalty trial slated for October 13 and a death‑penalty trial for January 11. The defendant faces four federal counts for the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare...
JURIST Launches 30th Anniversary Webinar Series with UN Human Rights Expert Robert McCorquodale
JURIST, the student‑run international legal news service, launched a 30th‑anniversary webinar series in February 2026. The inaugural session features Robert McCorquodale, a member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, and will be streamed on February 18 at noon...
UN Member States Urged to Fulfil Climate Change Obligations Following Vanuatu Draft Resolution
Amnesty International has called on all UN member states to honor their climate‑change obligations under international law, following Vanuatu’s draft UNGA resolution. The resolution references the International Court of Justice’s July 2024 advisory opinion, urging adoption of enhanced nationally determined contributions,...