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Human rights

Human rights

Latest news, features and analysis on human rights, with a focus on civil liberties in Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia.

A member of the Iranian community holds a poster depicitng Iran’s exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi and US President Donald Trump outside the US embassy in Bucharest, Romania, on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Trump thanks Iran for ‘cancelling’ hanging of hundreds of political prisoners

The president has suggested for days that the US might strike Iran if its government triggered mass killings in its crackdown on protesters.

1 minute agovideocam

Iran cleric demands death for protesters, threatens Trump amid unrest

2 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong society

Hongkonger reported missing in Iran amid internet shutdown, protests

3 hours ago

Trump admin closer to deporting pro-Palestinian activist after court ruling

The ruling, which reversed an earlier decision to release Khalil, is a win for the Trump administration’s efforts to deport the ex-student.

16 Jan 2026 - 5:52AM

Mahmoud Khalil attends a “Welcome Home” rally on the steps of the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York in June. Photo: EPA

Minneapolis on edge as Trump threatens to use Insurrection Act and send troops

US president wants to quickly ‘put an end to the travesty’ in Minnesota where protests have flared after violent encounters involving federal agents.

16 Jan 2026 - 1:10PM

Man shot by US officer in Minneapolis as tensions flare over crackdown

A week after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, an agent fired ‘defensive shots’ during a struggle involving a snow shovel and three people.

15 Jan 2026 - 1:36PM

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Trump claims ‘killing in Iran is stopping’, but keeps US options open

US president says that Iran hangings are off the table, and to ‘watch it and see’ about military action.

15 Jan 2026 - 12:27PM

Women cross a street under a huge banner showing hands firmly holding Iranian flags in Tehran on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Iran signals fast trials and executions for detained protesters

As the death toll surpasses 2,500, Iran’s judiciary chief calls for fast action for suspects arrested over protests.

14 Jan 2026 - 9:30PM

At least 4 migrants have died in US ICE custody since start of 2026

Reported deaths occurred in the first 10 days of the year; two of them attributed to ‘heart-related issues’.

14 Jan 2026 - 2:05PM

Uganda shuts down internet as Museveni seeks to extend 40-year rule

Government imposes a blackout as the 81-year-old leader moves to secure a seventh term in Thursday’s election.

14 Jan 2026 - 2:10PM

A wall decorated with posters supporting Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni. Photo: AFP

Trump urges on protesters in Iran as crackdown death toll surges

As Tehran accuses the US of inciting violence, Trump warns of ‘very strong action’ if Iran hangs protesters.

14 Jan 2026 - 3:12PMvideocam

Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran on January. 9. Photo: AP

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong activist loses legal fight over prison shorts ban for female inmates

High Court judge Russell Coleman upholds prison rules, citing ‘little merit’ in Chow Hang‑tung’s equality challenge.

14 Jan 2026 - 6:56AM

Iran hits back as Germany’s chancellor says leadership facing ‘final days’

Germany’s Friedrich Merz warns that a government relying on violence is ‘effectively finished’.

14 Jan 2026 - 2:34PMvideocam

Exiled shah’s son emerges as a rallying figure as Iranians protest

After decades in the US, Reza Pahlavi’s prominence in Iran’s latest protests has surprised some observers.

13 Jan 2026 - 2:35PMvideocam

A person holds a picture of Reza Pahlavi at protest in Paris, France, on January 11. Photo: Reuters

‘Easier targets’: is Japan safe for foreigners if disaster strikes?

Rising xenophobia, ‘vigilante’ patrols and memories of 1923 have rights advocates concerned that history could repeat itself.

14 Jan 2026 - 9:13AMvideocam

Foreign tourists visit a temple in Tokyo, Japan, last month. Photo: EPA

Myanmar’s pro-junta party wins Aung San Suu Kyi’s seat: ‘surprise no one’

The military-backed party claims to have won 90 per cent of the available seats so far in a poll activists have derided as ‘engineered’.

12 Jan 2026 - 4:24PM

US surges hundreds more agents to Minneapolis amid furore over ICE killing

Kristi Noem defends actions of the ICE agent who shot Renee Nicole Good, a killing that has sparked renewed protests nationwide.

12 Jan 2026 - 2:06PM

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Trump says Iran wants to negotiate after reports of hundreds killed in unrest

Amidst unrest, Trump claims Iran seeks talks, but warns of strong action. Tehran blames the US and Israel, but signals openness to diplomacy.

12 Jan 2026 - 7:31PMvideocam

A masked demonstrator holds a picture of Iran’s Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi during a protest in Tehran on Friday. Photo: UGC via AP

Israel-Gaza war

Hamas says will dissolve its Gaza government when Palestinian body takes over

Militant group agrees to cede power to technocratic committee under Trump-brokered plan, but silence remains over disarmament.

12 Jan 2026 - 11:17AM

Israel-Gaza war

Gaza clings to Medecins Sans Frontieres following Israeli aid ban

Israel announced it would ban 37 aid groups, including MSF, from operating in Gaza from for failing to provide information on Palestinian staff.

11 Jan 2026 - 5:58PM

‘Inviting danger’: Trump’s immigration crackdown sparks violent confrontations

The contentious encounters stem from a dramatic shift in the approach to immigration enforcement, current and former officials say.

10 Jan 2026 - 9:05PM

A person holds a sign as people protest against increased immigration enforcement, after the ICE shooting of Renee Nicole Good, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Friday . Photo: Reuters

Singapore steps up migrant worker reforms amid calls for deeper change

The government has rolled out a slew of new initiatives, such as improved safety and living conditions and better healthcare access.

10 Jan 2026 - 8:13PM

Migrant workers in the back of an open lorry in Singapore on December 6, 2025. Photo: Kyodo

‘Tools of repression’: crackdown fears grow as Iran rocked by new rallies

Activists warn authorities could intensify suppression of the protests under cover of the internet blackout.

10 Jan 2026 - 9:50PM

Trump says protest-hit Iran in ‘big trouble’, again threatens military strike

The US president warned that ‘we’ll start shooting too’, if the authorities kill demonstrators.

10 Jan 2026 - 7:55AMvideocam

Protests sweep Iran amid internet blackout and state TV warning of casualties

Iranian state media breaks silence on protests as internet and phone access is restricted amid widening unrest.

9 Jan 2026 - 7:44PMvideocam

Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Kermanshah, Iran on January 8. Photo: AFP

Video | Iran shuts down internet amid growing protests

The latest unrest, sparked by Iran’s worsening economy, has led to the deaths of at least 35 people.

9 Jan 2026 - 3:00PM

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US-Venezuela conflict

Venezuela frees opposition figures and activists, which Trump says US requested

The releases are the first by Venezuela’s new leaders in an apparent concession to the US after its ouster of Nicolas Maduro.

9 Jan 2026 - 2:27PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

‘Where is the ceasefire?’: Israeli gunfire kills 11-year-old in Gaza ‘safe zone’

Despite the agreement, Israel has killed 424 people since the ceasefire started nearly three months ago.

8 Jan 2026 - 8:06PM

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