AGP Executive Report

Digital Rights & Speech: The Philippines’ House approved a Digital Media Anti-False Information Act that would criminalise spreading false information, but civil society warns vague definitions could be used to silence dissent. Refugee Protection: NGOs say hundreds of asylum seekers removed from the UK to France under a “one in, one out” deal have disappeared, including children whose ages are disputed. AI & Human Rights: Anthropic reports a UAE-linked influence operation used its Claude chatbot to run a global campaign against the Muslim Brotherhood, including fake NGO work and profiling. Criminal Justice: Amnesty says Russia’s recruitment of foreign nationals to fight in Ukraine amounts to human trafficking, citing coercion, fraud and broken promises. Civil Liberties in Courts: Hong Kong sentenced Tiananmen vigil leaders to up to seven years, citing incitement under the National Security Law. Religious Freedom & Heritage: In India’s Saharanpur, a century-old mosque was demolished after a court dismissal, raising due-process and minority-rights concerns. Water as a Rights Issue: South Africa’s municipal water debt threatens the right to access water, with a rights-focused “whole-of-society” approach urged. Prison Conditions: UK reporting highlights “indefinite” IPP prisoners facing severe harm, with UN-linked criticism of the system as psychological torture.

Human Trafficking & War in Ukraine: Amnesty International says Russia’s recruitment of foreign nationals to fight in Ukraine “amounts to human trafficking,” citing coercion, fraud, broken pay promises, and incentives tied to citizenship. Women’s Rights & Power: UN Women warns that women’s political leadership gains are being reversed worldwide, with an organized backlash limiting access to real authority. Violence Prevention & Public Health: Minnesota’s violent death dashboard highlights patterns in suicide and homicide, including firearm use and intimate-partner killings, as advocates push for better prevention. Domestic Violence Survivors: A survivor’s account challenges the “why didn’t you leave?” question, stressing that leaving and staying safe are different—and systems often fail families. 9/11 Justice & Accountability: Families mark 25 years since 9/11, still frustrated by trial delays and legal setbacks for terror plotters. Gaza, AI & Accountability: A documentary on Israel’s AI-powered killing systems in Gaza draws major attention at Venice, featuring whistleblower accounts. Forced Labour Law: UK lawmakers face renewed pressure to strengthen modern slavery rules after criticism that current protections lag behind forced-labour risks. Prisoners’ Rights: A US appeals court revived a North Carolina prisoner’s lawsuit over shackling during pregnancy and denial of opioid treatment after childbirth. Western Sahara Monitoring Gap: Sahrawi activists urge UN action, saying restricted access and lack of human rights monitoring leave violations unprevented.

Israel-Palestine Accountability: Human Rights Watch reports Israel used white phosphorus in at least 23 verified incidents in southern Lebanon, urging tighter international rules on incendiary weapons. Gaza Civilian Harm: A new documentary, “NAZA,” presents testimony from 24 Israeli military insiders about secret systems used to target Palestinian civilians, including AI-enabled surveillance and remote killing. Arms & War Crimes: HRW also says Hezbollah’s cluster munition attacks on northern Israel may amount to war crimes, warning unexploded submunitions can kill for decades. Civil Rights in Education: The U.S. Education Department is probing alleged antisemitism at New York’s American Musical and Dramatic Academy and at California’s Etiwanda School District after complaints of harassment and retaliation. Due Process & Detention: Tunisia’s pro-Palestinian flotilla organizer Wael Naouar’s hunger strike worsens as he remains in pre-trial detention. Human Trafficking & Recruitment: Amnesty says Russia’s recruitment of foreign nationals to fight in Ukraine amounts to human trafficking, citing deception, coercion, and threats. Press Freedom: Pakistan’s cybercrime case detention of journalist Muhammad Bilal Ghauri draws condemnation from press-freedom groups.

Gender-affirming care under pressure: Canada’s B.C. Human Rights tribunal ordered Dr. Henry Ajaero to pay $28,100 after refusing a prescribed puberty blocker for a transgender teen, rejecting his religious-based justification. Immigration rights in limbo: The Trump administration said Salvadorans with Temporary Protected Status will, for now, keep protections as TPS for El Salvador was set to expire, leaving about 170,000 people facing uncertainty. Civic rights and representation: The U.S. proposed census changes would exclude millions by counting only citizens and permanent residents and dropping race/ethnicity questions, raising alarms about distorted districts and funding. Occupied Western Sahara: South Africa urged stronger UN-backed action to end arbitrary detention, torture and fair-trial violations against Sahrawi defenders and protect self-determination. War crimes and civilian harm: Russia’s drone strike hit a Sumy shopping center, killing at least two and injuring 20, including children. GBV commitments: South Africa’s deputy minister reflected on turning Generation Equality GBV pledges into enforceable laws and budgets. Indigenous rights: In the Philippines, Baguio Ibaloys plan to challenge moves that would amend the IPRA framework to remove their exclusion from the country’s indigenous protection law.

UN Syria Watch: UN investigators warned that Israeli operations in Syria, including raids and detentions, may amount to war crimes, citing escalating ground activity and harm to civilians. West Bank Settler Violence & Sanctions: The EU condemned rising settler violence and said it has adopted sanctions against extremist settlers and linked groups, while Britain announced a ban on imports from illegal settlements and wider restrictions on those enabling settlement expansion. UN Rights Council Mandates: Sri Lanka urged the UN Human Rights Council to treat country-specific mandates as time-bound, with clear objectives and measurable outcomes rather than indefinite renewals. Belarus Rights Diplomacy: Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski met US envoy John Koul in Washington, in a sign of continued international attention on Belarusian human rights. NGO Oversight Debate (Nigeria): Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong questioned Nigeria’s proposed Foreign Aid Bill, warning it could create new burdens and enable interference in NGOs. Prison Health (Iraq): Iraq’s Basra human rights commission called for a full disinfection campaign at overcrowded Basra Central Prison and detention sites run by security agencies. Child Safety Online (India): India’s child rights body summoned senior Meta India officials over allegations that Instagram ads were linked to child sexual abuse material. Women’s Rights & Police Abuse (India): Telangana opposition leaders alleged police manhandled BRS women MLAs outside the assembly, including claims of assault during confrontations. Property Rights (Zimbabwe): A court ordered a council to release a seized church vehicle after officials allegedly fined and confiscated it over firewood transport without a permit.

Gaza War Crimes & Evidence: UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese warned that Israel’s rubble-removal in Gaza could destroy evidence needed for war-crimes accountability, saying reconstruction must not be conditioned on erasing victims’ past. Israel Settlements Trade Sanctions: Human Rights Watch called the UK, France and Canada’s ban on trade with illegal West Bank settlements a “positive and long-delayed” step, urging wider action including arms limits and accountability. UNGA 81 Leadership: Khalilur Rahman opened the 81st UN General Assembly, pledging to restore trust in multilateralism amid conflicts, weak development and intensifying climate impacts. Myanmar Accountability: UN High Commissioner Volker Türk urged UN member states to refer Myanmar to the ICC and push an arms embargo as rule of law collapses and abuses deepen. Afghanistan Rights: At the UN Human Rights Council, CIVICUS and Pohana Foundation condemned Taliban repression, calling for protection of civil society and evidence-preserving mechanisms. South Korea Work Discrimination: HRW reported systemic age and gender discrimination against women at work, linking it to narrowing opportunities, harassment, and pension gaps. Australia–Nauru Deportation Deal: An Australian senator said released terms for the NZYQ deportation cohort raise more questions, citing secrecy and missing documents. Nigeria Police Detention Concerns: Lawyers petitioned Nigeria’s IGP demanding release of activist Mezie, alleging unlawful detention tied to criticism of a police commissioner; police deny involvement.

AI and Human Rights: UN rights chief Volker Türk warned advanced AI could pose an “existential risk,” calling for international “red lines,” safety testing, and accountability before systems are released. Gaza Evidence Concerns: UN experts said Israel’s rubble-clearing in Gaza could erase traces of atrocity crimes, raising fears for accountability. UK–Israel Settlement Sanctions: The UK is set to announce a ban on trading goods from Israeli West Bank settlements, a move expected to spark backlash and intensify pressure on settlement-related commerce. Kenya Migrant Crackdown: KNCHR warned Kenya against unlawful, discriminatory enforcement targeting foreign nationals, stressing due process and fair application of rules. Nepal Gen Z Anniversary: Nepal marked the first anniversary of the Gen Z movement, honoring victims of last year’s deadly protests and renewed calls for accountability. India Student Housing Rights: India’s NHRC ordered Delhi and the UGC to deliver a time-bound plan to fix Delhi University hostel shortages after the Satya Niketan collapse killed seven. Pakistan Cybercrime Trials: Amnesty urged Pakistan to release imprisoned human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, citing misuse of cybercrime laws and fair-trial concerns. Ecuador Gang Violence Displacement: Reuters reported thousands fleeing Ecuador as gang fighting drives mass abandonment of homes and kidnappings.

Gaza Evidence Under Threat: UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese warned that large-scale Israeli rubble removal could erase evidence of atrocity crimes and genocide, with thousands still buried under debris. AI Governance: UN rights chief Volker Turk urged “cast iron” safeguards after warning advanced AI could pose an existential threat, noting power concentration among a few companies and “almost unlimited” control. Western Sahara Decolonization: Polisario leader Brahim Ghali urged UN action to accelerate decolonization, as Germany’s Thuringia hosted solidarity days calling for German firms to withdraw from occupied areas. Cambodia Displacement: Conflict-displaced families in a “waiting village” near the Thai border say they want to return home, but Thai control blocks many from going back. Surveillance and Rights: Worcester police refused to answer questions about license plate reader use while a records request is pending. Judicial Independence and AI: Quebec courts issued guidelines limiting generative AI in judging, stressing human responsibility and accountability. Yemen Prison Attacks: Rights groups condemned Saudi-led strikes on Al-Hazm correctional facility as violations of international humanitarian law. Sudan Humanitarian Focus: Qatar told the UN Human Rights Council it condemns violations in Sudan and funded QR 18m in 2026 aid for displacement, food, health, shelter, and water.

UN Human Rights: Volker Türk warned that advanced AI could become an “existential threat,” urging urgent safeguards as power over AI concentrates among a few companies and men. US Immigration Custody: Türk also demanded accountability after 23 deaths in 2026 in immigration detention, urging the US to halt deportations to places where people face “irreparable harm.” Sri Lanka Accountability: UN reporting says there’s been little recognition or accountability for war-era crimes since the 2024 government took office, with continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act against rights defenders and journalists. ICC Under Pressure: ICC President Tomoko Akane vowed to continue investigations despite US sanctions targeting Hague judges. DR Congo Indigenous Rights: Displaced Pygmy families in Beni face extreme hardship after fleeing rebel violence far from their forest livelihoods. Uganda Detention: Charles Rwomushana was freed after a security detention following a live radio arrest. Philippines Due Process: Activists accused the justice system of a “double standard” after VP Sara Duterte posted bail. South Africa Media Ethics: SANEF hailed a BCCSA ruling against SABC for airing serious allegations without proper verification ahead of local elections. India Building Safety: Delhi High Court ordered a high-level probe into the Satya Niketan collapse, questioning MCD and Delhi University responsibilities. Nigeria Kidnapping Horror: Amnesty reported captives in southern Kaduna are threatened, starved, raped and beaten, with deaths in custody.

Philippines Police Reshuffle: The PNP reassigned seven senior officials, including new leadership for the Firearms and Explosives Office and the Human Rights Affairs Office, as rights oversight roles shift within the force. Northern Ireland Legacy Accountability: A UK parliamentary committee urged lawmakers to require Attorney General consent for future Troubles prosecutions, warning the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill must better protect human rights and public confidence. ICC Sanctions Pressure: Japan’s former defense chief urged Prime Minister Takaichi to more forcefully challenge U.S. sanctions against the ICC and its president, calling it an attack on the rule-based order. Sara Duterte Safety Assurances: The Palace said the Marcos administration will not use the police to harm Vice President Sara Duterte or her supporters after she raised fears following an arrest warrant. Gaza Missing Persons Risk: A Palestinian center warned that removing Gaza rubble could destroy evidence needed to identify thousands of missing people. Yemen Civilian Harm: Yemen’s human rights commission condemned Saudi artillery shelling in Sa’ada as deliberate attacks on civilians and property, calling it a war crime. Bangladesh Rights Lawmaking: Parliament passed a new National Human Rights Commission framework and an enforced disappearance prevention bill with severe penalties. Serbia LGBTQ+ March: Thousands held Belgrade Pride amid threats and ongoing demands for safety and rights protections.

Philippines Political Safety: Palace says the Marcos administration’s police won’t be used to harm Vice President Sara Duterte or her supporters after she posted bail over grave threats charges. Nigeria Niger Delta Deaths: An NGO reports at least 37 deaths after people inhaled fumes during illegal fuel siphoning in Rivers State, with others missing. Myanmar Political Prisoner Legacy: Ramon Magsaysay laureate Bo Kyi reflects on prison lessons about torture and urges rule of law and keeping the military out of politics. Kenya Street Trader Crackdown: Ruto’s order banning foreign hawkers sparks backlash and fear among urban traders. Lesotho Journalist Torture: Human rights defender Kananelo Boloetse says armed men abducted, handcuffed, duct-taped, and tortured him near Thaba-Bosiu; a case is opened. Gaza Burials: Families in Zeitoun bury about 100 recovered remains, including 60 children, after weeks of digging through rubble. India Custodial Assault Probe: India’s NHRC seeks an FIR into alleged Punjab police torture after a man was detained for allegedly displaying a black flag. Pakistan Balochistan Escalation: Rights group condemns the arrest of retired surgeon Dr Ayesha Faiz, calling it part of escalating “undeclared martial law.” Ecuador Adoption Rights: HRW and LGBTQ+ advocates condemn a new law barring LGBTQ+ couples from adoption and raising custody risks tied to gender-affirming care. Rohingya Diplomacy Push: Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin urges stronger UN-backed pressure for safe, dignified Rohingya returns to Myanmar. Sudan Arms Embargo Call: Sudanese civil society urges the UN Security Council to expand an arms embargo nationwide amid drone-strike civilian deaths.

Gaza Human Toll: UN rights chief Francesca Albanese says Gaza has seen mass killing, torture, injuries and near-total homelessness, with about two million Palestinians displaced. Sudan Chemical Weapons: A Washington Post investigation, based on internal military records reviewed by experts, alleges Sudan produced and tested chlorine munitions and tried to hide evidence of chemical attacks. Police Torture in Punjab: India’s NHRC ordered inquiries after allegations that an anti-drug activist was tortured in custody; Punjab transferred a DSP and reassigned officers. Migration Rights: Haiti faces mounting strain as nearly 200,000 Haitians were forcibly returned in early 2026, while Guyana agreed to host vetted deportees from the US under “third-country” arrangements. EU Migration Policy: Denmark and four EU states plan “return hubs” abroad starting in 2027, drawing criticism from rights groups. Accountability & Courts: Quebec courts set rules limiting generative AI in judging, saying it can’t replace judicial reasoning. Civil Society vs Data Centers: South African rights groups urge a pause on new data centers over water, land and power concerns. Election Integrity: Morocco criminalized fake news and misleading digital content ahead of Sept. 23 elections. Death Penalty: Egypt sentenced TV presenter Sarah Khalifa to death in a major drug case.

Custodial torture & police accountability (India): Punjab ordered transfers of a DSP and three other officers after allegations of custodial torture of anti-drug activist Mohanjit Singh, signaling the first major administrative action in the case. Public order & political rights (Kenya): The National Police Service says organizers must notify police at least three days before public meetings or processions, aiming to balance election security with constitutional human-rights standards. Human rights in migration policy (EU): Germany, Austria, Greece, Denmark and the Netherlands agreed on steps toward “return hubs” outside the EU for rejected asylum seekers, with critics warning of serious human-rights risks. Detention abuse (US/Cuba): A judge allowed ICE to force-feed a Cuban hunger striker using a non-consensual surgical tube, raising alarms about mistreatment in detention. Women’s rights & safety (Pakistan): A report warns that foreign support for Pakistan is enabling a misogynistic culture marked by violence against women and targeted killings of influencers. Data centres & rights (South Africa): South African civil groups and the human rights commission urge a pause on new data-centre construction over transparency and impacts on water, land and electricity. Impunity & state spectacle (Colombia): Colombia’s president used video of dead bodies as part of a “law and order” campaign, with experts warning this normalizes treating alleged terrorists as beyond due process. Impeachment & accountability (Philippines): A lawmaker urged subpoenaing Vice President Sara Duterte personally over alleged misuse of confidential funds in her impeachment case. Disability inclusion (Spain): Health launched a campaign to make psychosocial disability visible, reduce stigma, and promote supportive community responses. Return to power & parallel justice (Pakistan): Coverage highlights how military influence is being embedded across governance, while jirga-style parallel courts expand where formal justice is weak.

UN Rights & Accountability: UN warns Israel’s West Bank actions amount to forcible transfer and possible “ethnic cleansing,” citing displacement from three refugee camps and long-term inability to return. Middle East Tensions: Qatar rejects Iran’s legal claims over Feb. 28 attacks, telling the UN Security Council that the strikes violate the UN Charter. War Crimes & Civilian Protection: Yemen’s National Human Rights Commission condemns Saudi-linked attacks on a civilian home in Al-Jarahi as war crimes. Humanitarian Crisis: Ukraine’s Kharkiv evacuations highlight the human cost of frontline shelling, with rescuers and psychologists supporting families leaving danger. Migration Rights: Denmark and four EU states push “return hubs” outside the bloc, aiming to start in 2027, while rights groups warn of detention-style abuses. Child Protection: UN General Assembly adopts an International Day to eliminate child marriage, calling for stronger national strategies. Rights in Practice: Pakistan’s Sindh reports a rise in sexual-crime conviction rates to 32%, but notes many cases still end without convictions. Digital & Age Rights: UN expert says Korea can lead age-inclusive AI, stressing older people as rights-holders, not just beneficiaries.

Detention and due process: Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj’s lawyers say they will challenge his detention at the European Court of Human Rights after Albania’s Constitutional Court issued rulings in his favor, seeking Strasbourg review of alleged rights violations. Press freedom under pressure: Belarusian political prisoner journalist Andrei Aliaksandrau has been named a laureate of the Free Media Awards for defending independent journalism amid repression. Freedom of expression: The ECtHR has notified Cyprus about part of former auditor-general Odysseas Michaelides’ appeal tied to alleged interference with his right to speak on matters of public interest. Accountability and impunity: UN rights chief Volker Türk’s office warns Sri Lanka risks losing momentum on truth and justice, citing a “long legacy of impunity.” Political trials in Tunisia: Amnesty says Tunisia’s Court of Cassation upheld harsh sentences in a mass “conspiracy case,” calling it a sham trial aimed at silencing dissent. Balochistan abuses: A rights group alleges Pakistan’s military operations in Zehri, Balochistan, included a drone strike on homes and enforced disappearance of 25 civilians amid a months-long curfew. Migration and rights: Denmark says it hopes to start sending rejected asylum seekers to non-EU “return hubs” as early as 2027, raising new concerns for detainee protections. Family separation in immigration detention: ICE’s California facility continues denying contact visits, leaving families separated by glass and barriers. Food safety as a rights issue: Indonesia’s free school meals program is linked to outbreaks affecting over 2,000 students and teachers, prompting calls for police investigation and kitchen suspensions. South Sudan scrutiny: UN human rights experts will visit South Sudan to assess worsening rights and security conditions ahead of elections.

Tunisia: The Court of Cassation upheld mass convictions of opposition figures and rights defenders, with sentences up to 45 years, as Human Rights Watch warned the judiciary is being used to silence dissent. Iran/US war: Iran’s officials and rights advocates condemned a reported US strike on an Iranian wedding that killed at least four, including children, while the US says it is investigating and denies targeting civilians. Iran crackdown on women: A rights group reported IRGC-linked forces detained a woman in Seqiz without a court order and sentenced three women protesters in Isfahan, including a death sentence. Palestinian rights/ICC: Human Rights Watch said most Swedish parties back stronger measures against Israel’s violations, including support for ICC arrest warrants and targeted sanctions. Colombia IHL: A judge ordered the government to temporarily suspend guerrilla bombings when minors may be present, after airstrikes killed dozens including teenagers. Nigeria: An NGO reported at least 37 deaths after people inhaled toxic fumes during suspected fuel theft in Rivers State. Nicaragua: Constitutional reforms bar “traitors to the homeland” from elections, drawing condemnation as a move to formalize power usurpation. Uganda SGBV justice: A coalition petitioned police and district leaders over barriers and alleged extortion that deter survivors from reporting sexual and gender-based violence.