AGP Executive Report

Sudan Drone Deaths: UN human rights chief Volker Türk says drone warfare has sharply escalated, killing over 1,000 civilians in Sudan in the first five months of 2026, alongside rampant rape and attacks on hospitals, markets, and water and energy infrastructure. Gaza/West Bank Rights: Israel’s “spatial restructuring” demolitions are razing hundreds of homes in West Bank refugee camps to widen roads for military vehicles, a shift that deepens displacement and collective punishment. UK Protest Crackdown: UK Court of Appeal upholds the terror ban on Palestine Action, backing the government’s view that the proscription was “justified and proportionate,” while activists vow to press on to higher courts. Fiji Accountability Fight: Fiji’s government rejects calls to dismantle a joint police-military drugs taskforce despite allegations tied to deaths and alleged torture during raids. Armenia Detention Case: Russian mathematician Mikhail Verbitsky was released from custody after detention at Yerevan airport, but remains unable to leave Armenia while wanted by Russia. Philippines Disappearances: Human rights groups demand transparency over conflicting reports on convicted kidnapper Jovito Palparan’s whereabouts after notices were returned unserved. Belgium Social Rights Warning: Belgium’s Federal Institute for Human Rights warns reforms to unemployment, pensions, and reintegration for the long-term sick could erode social rights for hundreds of thousands. EU Sanctions: The EU adopts a new Russia sanctions package targeting drone and tech suppliers plus shadow-fleet-linked energy revenue and state propaganda networks. Ukraine Cultural Site Hit: Kyiv Pechersk Lavra was set on fire in a major Russian strike, with damage reported to the UNESCO-listed Dormition Cathedral.

Argentina Human Rights: Taty Almeida, president of the Madres de Plaza de Mayo Founding Line and a global symbol of the fight against dictatorship-era disappearances, has died at 95 after decades demanding truth and justice for victims. UK Protest Policing: London’s High Court will rule on whether the government overreached by banning Palestine Action under terrorism laws, a move tied to thousands of arrests. Palestinian Rights & Settler Violence: Fresh West Bank attacks saw Israeli settlers burn Palestinian cars and target a mosque, as rights groups warn of a surge in violence. Refugees & Deportation Risks (South Africa): Displaced refugees in Durban say they were pressured to leave a reception site and fear transfer to Lindela, a detention center criticized for conditions. Kurdish Rights in Turkey: Lawyers and Nobel laureates renewed calls for Turkey to implement the “Right to Hope” ruling tied to Abdullah Öcalan, saying the process is stalled. Afghanistan UN Oversight: The UN Security Council is set to vote on renewing UNAMA’s mandate for another year, after a shorter extension earlier this year. Human Rights Watch on Health Deals: HRW warns US-Africa health agreements could trade aid for access to sensitive health data and samples, raising privacy and sovereignty concerns. EU Asylum & Rights: Amnesty International says Mindanao’s disaster crisis shows how accountability failures become human rights disasters, while broader rights groups flag shrinking asylum protections.

West Bank Civilian Killing: A Palestinian father says an Israeli soldier “just wanted to kill” after a seven-month-old baby was shot with an armour-piercing bullet near Bethlehem, with complaints rarely leading to charges. Protest and Repression in PoJK: Thousands of British Kashmiris rallied outside UK Parliament over alleged Pakistani security force abuses, while a Rawalkot crackdown reportedly left at least two dead and injured protesters, with communications disrupted. World Cup, Immigration Policing: In the U.S., asylum and refugee soccer communities say ICE presence and deportation fears are casting a shadow over the tournament. LGBTQ+ Rights Under Pressure: In the UK, disability safeguards for people under restrictive care were rolled back by the Supreme Court, and in Worcester draft guidance tied “sex” to biology sparked protests by trans rights groups. Afghanistan Women Under Taliban Rule: UN and NGOs report Taliban violence against Herat protesters and arrests of women over dress-code enforcement, including detention of an MSF staff member. Iran Prisoners and Scams: Families of imprisoned Iranian protesters were targeted by fraud schemes offering bail or reduced charges for payment, while Hamas mourned a prisoner’s death in Gilboa prison amid allegations of torture and medical neglect. Israel-Palestine Rights and Education: Arab League talks focused on protecting Palestinian education from occupation-related attacks, as rights groups accuse UNHRC reporting of bias. Nigerian Security and Terror Talks: Femi Falana warned Nigeria’s federal and state governments that negotiating with terrorists is illegal, urging prosecutions instead of “pampering.” London Property Protest: Police arrested 14 during rival demonstrations over a London event promoting Israeli settlement land sales, with activists calling it illegal under international law.

Gaza: A Palestinian human rights group says Israeli forces are escalating home demolitions and expanding military control, framing it as genocide and warning that evacuation orders are being used to justify forced displacement. Afghanistan: EU talks with Taliban officials over deportations are sparking backlash as police fire on protesters against arrests of women over dress rules; activists warn women’s rights are shrinking fast. Taliban policy: A US lawmaker renews efforts to block any US recognition of the Taliban, calling legitimation “reckless and dangerous.” Baha’i rights (Qatar): Human Rights Watch reports Qatar ordered Baha’i officials to leave without due process, risking family separation and deportation. Forced migration: UNHCR says 118 million people are forced migrants worldwide, with asylum seekers rising toward 9 million. Digital rights (Cyprus): A rights-focused report warns online “public shaming” can cause irreversible harm without fair process. South Africa: Research highlights anti-migrant campaigns using “democracy” language to justify exclusion and potentially violence. Pakistan-occupied Kashmir: Reports describe renewed PoJK unrest and crackdowns, with rights groups urging accountability. Libya: A humanitarian convoy group says detention of 10 volunteers was extended without clear safeguards. World Cup and rights: Canada’s visa refusal for Ghana star Thomas Partey fuels legal and diplomatic controversy, while trafficking-prevention volunteers in Houston warn of risks around the tournament.

Police Use of Tear Gas and Civic Space: Nigeria’s Democracy Day protests in Abuja saw police fire tear gas at close range, with lawyers and rights groups demanding accountability and footage release as activists link the crackdown to a long pattern of suppressing peaceful assemblies. Kidnappings and Public Anger: Amnesty and local groups say abductions and banditry are spiraling, with protests on the Nyanya–Karu Bridge demanding rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers and warning of a wider security collapse. Prisoner Transfers and Due Process: Nigeria and Ethiopia signed a transfer deal for nearly 100 Nigerian inmates, offering repatriation to complete sentences, while rights advocates continue to press for humane treatment and consent safeguards. Women’s Rights Under Taliban Rule: Médecins Sans Frontières reports a female doctor detained in Herat over dress-code enforcement, highlighting how morality policing restricts movement and healthcare access. LGBTQ+ Equality in Europe: Tens of thousands marched in Romania and Bulgaria for Pride and civil partnership rights amid conservative backlash and low legal protections. Gaza Finance and Banking Responsibility: UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese urged global banks to stop funding Israel’s Gaza genocide, citing links to Israeli bond purchases. Migration Crackdown in the EU: The EU’s Migration and Asylum Pact took effect, tightening screening and returns and raising concerns for Moroccans facing faster asylum processing. Afghanistan/Herat Detentions: UN experts warned of ongoing detentions of women and girls in Herat for dress violations, calling for an end to arbitrary arrests and excessive force. Kenya Civic Forum Violence: Kenya’s religious leaders and lawyers condemned “goon” violence that disrupted a public budget forum in Nairobi, urging investigations to protect democratic participation. Human Rights in Sports and Iran: Iranian athletes and freedom advocates say Iran uses sports as a surveillance tool, with persecution of athletes who resist the regime.

Armed Conflict Update: A new PRIO study says state-based armed conflicts hit 65 in 2025, the highest since WWII, with about 245,000 battle deaths and “unprecedented” simultaneous wars driven by Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan. EU Migration & Rights: The EU Migration and Asylum Pact takes effect as human rights groups warn it could make asylum harder, with faster border screening, limited appeals, and possible detention during processing. Nigeria Democracy Day Crackdown: CEFSAN and other voices condemn tear-gassing and attacks on June 12 protesters in Abuja and beyond, as analysts warn insecurity is eroding democratic credibility. Detention & Torture Oversight: Sri Lanka’s UN torture-prevention body (SPT) returns for a follow-up visit to check reforms under OPCAT. Myanmar & FIFA: A Myanmar rights group urges FIFA to revoke World Cup media rights granted to Mytel, citing military-linked revenue and sanctions concerns. Afghanistan Women’s Rights: Taliban officials warn women in Mazar-e-Sharif could face arrest for dress-code noncompliance after recent Herat detentions and protests. Rohingya Hate in Malaysia: Rights advocates warn online hate is fueling raids and disruption of Rohingya communities, after dozens of deaths linked to dangerous crossings. UK Protest Sentencing: Four Palestine Action activists receive long prison terms after a Bristol Elbit raid, with courts treating the case as having a “terrorism connection.” Cuba Sanctions: Cuba’s foreign minister rejects new US oil sanctions as “crude lies,” warning they worsen daily life and fuel blackouts. China Rights Through Development: At a Beijing forum, officials and speakers highlight China’s “right to development” approach and digital tools as a human-rights strategy.

Armed Conflict Surge: A new PRIO study says state-based wars hit 65 in 2025, the highest since WWII, with about 245,000 battle deaths, driven by Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan. Cuba Sanctions Harm Children: UN rights chief Volker Türk says US sanctions are contributing to child deaths in Cuba, with infant mortality and cancer survival worsening. EU Rights and Security: EU foreign ministers are set to review sanctions and move toward EU-wide settlement trade restrictions, while also advancing Ukraine and Russia-related measures. Afghanistan Protest Crackdown: Taliban forces fired on Herat demonstrators over arrests of women and girls, following earlier deadly repression. Council of Europe Justice: The CoE Committee of Ministers again calls for the immediate release of jailed Kurdish politicians Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ. Nigeria Democracy Day Crackdown: Protesters in Abuja say police used tear gas at close range against Omoyele Sowore and others, drawing condemnation from Amnesty and SERAP. ILO Gig Workers Treaty: The ILO adopted a landmark convention to extend protections for platform-based gig workers, including pay, safety and social security. UK Palestine Action Ruling: A UK judge jailed Palestine Action activists, branding the Elbit Systems raid “terrorist” despite their stated aim to disrupt weapons used in Gaza. Canada Forced Labour Bill: Canada tables a bill to keep forced-labour products out by requiring importers to prove goods aren’t made with slavery-linked practices. Human Rights in Development: India’s HRF urges suspension of a data centre clearance over water and ecology risks near a key reservoir.

Cuba Sanctions Under Fire: UN rights chief Volker Türk says U.S. blockade-linked shortages are driving child deaths and collapsing cancer survival rates on the island. World Cup Rights Alarm: UN warns the tournament is being shadowed by U.S. visa denials, racial profiling, and aggressive enforcement; Somali referee Omar Artan’s U.S. refusal and later UEFA appointment spotlight the issue. Afghanistan Crackdown on Women: UN experts condemn Herat morality-police violence over dress-code arrests, alleging unlawful detention and deadly force. EU Asylum Hardening: New EU Migration and Asylum Pact rules start, expanding border screening, fast-track rejections, and rights-group fears of detention and rushed appeals. Palestinian Activism vs Deportation: Columbia grad student Mohsen Mahdawi fights a deportation order tied to pro-Palestinian speech. Detention and Disappearance: South Sudanese businessman Athorbey Al-Gaddhaffy-Dit is reported held in military intelligence in Juba after abduction in Nairobi. Civil Liberties Win: Namibia’s High Court orders police and the home affairs ministry to pay activists damages for unlawful 2023 protest arrests. Refugee Protections Scrutiny: Thailand faces a UN review after reports of arbitrary detention, forced returns, and abuses against refugees. Local Justice: Telangana HC orders colleges to stop withholding students’ original certificates over fee reimbursement disputes.

Cuba Sanctions Under Fire: The UN human rights chief says U.S. economic sanctions are driving child deaths in Cuba, citing doubled infant mortality and collapsing cancer survival rates as medical supplies run short. Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir Crackdown: J&K leaders urge the UNHRC to investigate deadly unrest and civilian killings in PoK amid protests and reports of dozens killed. Nigeria GBV Crisis: Nigeria’s NHRC reports 2,755 cases of gender-based violence and intimate partner violence in four months, with family members and religious leaders named as major perpetrators. Secret Detention in Kano: A Kano resident says DSS held him since Nov. 2025 without lawyer or family access for months. Afghanistan Protest Violence: UN experts and EU condemn Taliban force in Herat, where protesters were shot at after women were detained over dress-code rules. World Cup Rights Tensions: German lawmakers criticize the U.S. for denying a Somali referee entry, while FIFA and host politics fuel broader human rights debate. Cuba Political Prisoners: Prisoners Defenders says Cuba hit a record 1,281 political prisoners by end of May amid arrests tied to shortages. Disability Support Bill Push: Disability advocates in New Zealand call for major changes to a proposed DSS Bill that would shift care burdens to families. LGBTQ+ Aid Abroad: LGBTQ+ advocates urge Canada to double foreign aid for minorities as anti-LGBTQ+ laws spread. World Cup and Speech vs Threats: U.S. prosecutors indict pro-Palestinian U-M activists over alleged threats tied to divestment efforts, raising free-speech concerns.

Migration & Dignity: Pope Leo arrives in Spain’s Canary Islands to meet migrants after deadly Atlantic crossings, urging humane treatment and spotlighting the human cost of irregular migration. Due Process Under Fire: Thailand’s court sentences two Uyghur men to death for the 2015 Erawan Shrine bombing in Bangkok, while lawyers warn of unresolved concerns after a decade-long case. Humanitarian Crisis—Cuba: UN human rights chief Volker Turk says US sanctions and blockade conditions are driving child deaths and worsening access to essentials, as Washington defends its measures. War Risk & Rights: The US and Iran trade strikes again, with threats around the Strait of Hormuz raising fears of wider conflict and civilian harm. Accountability in Custody: Goa’s Human Rights Commission orders reports after allegations of custodial assault and a fatal shooting of a youth, including injuries allegedly sustained while detained. Racism in Prisons: An Australian prison watchdog reports systemic racism may have shaped an Aboriginal woman’s pepper-spraying, handcuffing and strip-search response during a mental health crisis. UN Leadership Debate: UN secretary-general hopefuls argue for restoring multilateralism, with Geneva framed as a “school” for diplomacy and international law. Rights in Conflict Zones: In Gaza, Rafah reopening allows limited medical evacuations, while UN agencies warn operations remain severely constrained. World Cup & Rights: FIFA’s kickoff is shadowed by visa denials and immigration crackdowns, with critics warning the tournament is becoming a test of human rights in practice.

World Cup & human rights scrutiny: The UN human rights chief Volker Turk urged a “massive rethink” of U.S. immigration policy ahead of the 2026 World Cup, citing racial profiling, surveillance and enforcement practices; reports also say FIFA-linked officials and a Somali referee were barred from entry, fueling outrage. Democracy & governance: South Africa’s SAHRC recommended dissolving Makana’s council after a scathing report on water and sanitation failures violating residents’ dignity. Armenia election dispute: Kocharian’s bloc says it will challenge results in Armenia’s constitutional court, alleging pressure, arrests and electoral violations. Artsakh property rights: Artsakh Armenians filed hundreds of applications to the ECHR over Azerbaijan’s seizure of property, seeking return and related rights. Middle East conflict & protections: A UN inquiry report says Palestinian civilians are trapped between Israeli forces and settlers and Hamas; UN investigators are set to assess potential legal violations in Lebanon. Afghanistan protest crackdown: UNAMA confirmed a boy was killed and women were detained in Herat after Taliban suppression of protests. Tunisia repression: HRW says Tunisia’s post-2021 crackdown has hardened into systematic repression of civil society, journalists and opponents. Women’s rights data gaps: Curaçao told the UN CEDAW committee that lack of reliable, gender-disaggregated data remains a major obstacle to effective policy. LGBTQ+ rights debate: Canada’s Bill C-9 and Pride flag politics are driving renewed legal and cultural fights over state support for LGBTQ+ rights. Indonesia accountability: An Indonesian military court sentenced officers over an acid attack on rights activist Andrie Yunus. Police in schools: B.C. civil liberties groups renewed calls for a provincewide ban on police embedded in schools, citing lack of transparency and harm.

EU Migration & Asylum: Human Rights Watch warns the EU’s Migration and Asylum Pact takes effect June 12 with faster, harsher “border procedures,” more detention, and easier denials of asylum—HRW says it “slams the door” on people needing protection. West Bank Settler Violence: The UK for the first time issues guidance urging businesses to avoid economic activity in Israeli settlements, alongside new sanctions targeting networks accused of enabling settler violence. Afghanistan Rights: Taliban forces fired on a Herat protest over women’s dress-code arrests, with witnesses reporting injuries and shots into the air; opposition leader Mohaqiq condemned the crackdown as violating dignity and rights. Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir: After Pakistan banned the JAAC, protests and clashes left at least 20 dead and dozens injured; reports also claim mass killings and network disruptions. Sudan Accountability: Human Rights Watch urges SAF to hold RSF defectors accountable for serious crimes, including abuses tied to the siege of El Fasher. DRC Conflict Minerals: Global Witness links smuggled conflict coltan from M23-held areas to global tech supply chains, raising questions about corporate responsibility for atrocities. Disability Rights (Australia): Disabled Australians and advocates warn proposed NDIS changes could break families and endanger lives, with the disability discrimination commissioner warning of rights impacts. Armenia Elections: Rights activists and observers allege falsified or violated parliamentary elections, while ruling officials dispute the claims. Cuba Sanctions: UN rights chief Volker Turk says US sanctions are incompatible with human rights law and that children are dying due to lack of medical supplies. LGBTQ Workplace Inclusion (US): BAYADA Home Health Care earns a top Equality 100 score from the Human Rights Campaign for LGBTQ workplace inclusion. World Cup & Rights Debate: Multiple reports highlight human-rights concerns around the 2026 World Cup, including immigration restrictions affecting participants and calls for boycotts tied to US politics.

Afghanistan Women’s Rights: Taliban morality police used sticks, whips and live fire to disperse a rare Herat protest over arrests tied to women’s dress code, with witnesses reporting injuries and at least one death. Gaza & West Bank Abuses: A UN inquiry says civilians are trapped between Israeli forces, armed settlers and Hamas, describing systematic repression in Gaza and rising settler violence in the West Bank. Palestinian Health Access: Gaza’s health ministry says Israel is blocking medical evacuations for over 16,500 patients despite a ceasefire. Iran Executions & Prison Resistance: A hunger strike across 56 prisons continues under the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign as activists warn of an execution surge. Pakistan-Administered Kashmir Crackdown: Protests tied to a banned civil alliance and election seat reservations shut cities in Azad Kashmir; Amnesty reports internet blackouts, mass detentions and deadly force. Migration & Detention Risks: Reports allege a loaded gun was lost inside ICE’s Camp East Montana detention center, while BBC coverage describes migrants kidnapped in Libya and threatened with organ removal unless ransoms are paid. West Bank Settler Violence Sanctions: Australia, UK, Canada, France, Norway and New Zealand announce new sanctions on Israeli settlers and entities tied to violence. Religious Minorities in Nigeria: UN experts warn of killings, forced conversions and disappearances targeting Christian and other minority women and girls amid deteriorating security.

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir: At least 11 people were killed and 70+ injured in clashes after authorities banned the JAAC ahead of a region-wide shutdown, with deaths disputed by residents. Sri Lanka (PTA detention): Human rights scrutiny is intensifying around former SIS chief Suresh Sallay, as lawyers and the HRCSL press for medical care and clarifications over his Prevention of Terrorism Act detention. Liberia–U.S. health pact secrecy: Human Rights Watch says U.S. health aid agreements may condition support on broad access to health data and pathogen samples, raising alarms about transparency and data sovereignty. Israel–Lebanon: A New York Times investigation reports white phosphorus use over populated areas, with Israel denying violations. Australia (prison conditions): WA’s custodial inspector warns of “cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment” tied to overcrowding and a broken system, issuing a show-cause notice. Digital rights: Meta says it has shut down NSO Group-linked spyware campaigns targeting WhatsApp users after a U.S. court order. Humanitarian/rights in conflict: Pope Leo XIV urged respect for migrants and international law in a rare address to Spain’s parliament.

Canada’s new Governor General Louise Arbour: Sworn in Monday, Arbour used her first remarks to warn against both polarization and “extreme consensus,” urging Canadians to listen across differences and protect reconciliation. Turkey detention scrutiny: The European Court of Human Rights has communicated questions to Turkey over the lengthy pretrial detention of 154 people linked to the Gülen movement after the 2016 coup attempt, including whether remedies and suspicion standards were met. Pope on abuse accountability in Spain: Pope Leo XIV met abuse survivors and told bishops to strengthen safeguarding, listen to victims, and provide reparations, after Spain’s ombudsman reported massive clergy abuse. Gaza sanctions pressure: UN human rights chief Volker Turk urged the US to lift tough Cuba sanctions, warning of children dying from lack of medicines—while other coverage highlights humanitarian aid being halted amid regional escalation. South Africa xenophobia protests: Hundreds marched near Johannesburg demanding tougher action on undocumented migrants after Ramaphosa warned against vigilantes. Nigeria rights and justice: A Lagos petition seeks scrutiny of continued detention in the Ajiran crisis, while Omoyele Sowore says a former AG aided terrorism and questions insecurity responses. LGBTQ+ rights backlash: Ghana’s anti-gay bill debate continues as Sister Derby attacks the minister’s “mental illness” framing. Human rights and tech: Reports allege Israel is expanding AI-controlled drones with reduced human oversight, raising concerns about autonomous targeting.

Zimbabwe: MDC leader Douglas Mwonzora says he will meet retired Air Marshal Henry Muchena despite a Shona death threat tied to the CAB3 constitutional amendment debate. Police accountability: A Chitungwiza teenager shot during a robbery chase sues Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga and Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe for alleged unlawful force and long-term harm. Press freedom: Ghana’s President Mahama reaffirmed media freedom as a pillar of democracy and human rights, urging fearless journalism. South Africa immigration: President Ramaphosa announced a crackdown on undocumented migrants while warning against vigilantism, as protests and xenophobia fears grow. Human rights in detention: Sri Lanka’s Saliya Pieris warned that laws like the PTA and ICCPR Act have enabled prolonged detention and a culture of torture, calling for judicial control of custody. Tech and rights: Microsoft said it is tightening human-rights and security safeguards after an inquiry into Israeli military use of its cloud for surveillance of Palestinians. Syria security: A U.S. House committee amendment backs integrating Syrian Democratic Forces units into state security structures while urging professionalization and scrutiny of abuses. Occupied territories: Courts ordered Tete settlers in Papua New Guinea to leave a hospital site by July 24, 2026.