human rights

Ombudswoman, ’s investigation on Bangladeshi man’s death ‘on hold’

by
Ombudswoman, ’s investigation on Bangladeshi man’s death ‘on hold’

Anisur Rahman, a 24-year-old Bangladeshi national, died on April 10 after jumping off a fifth-floor balcony during a police raid on the Limassol apartment he was living in with 10 other individuals. The ombudswoman’s independent investigation into his death has been put on hold as the police file was denied to her and is being investigated by an independent authority following a complaint by Kisa NGO. The other individuals found living in Cyprus illegally are detained for possible witness testimony. The landlord of the apartment where Rahman lived has not been found at fault and other tenants continue to live there. Rahman’s death sparked protests in Limassol and Nicosia against racism faced by third-country nationals in Cyprus.

Egypt cracks down on pro-Palestine activism with student arrests

by
Egypt cracks down on pro-Palestine activism with student arrests

Egypt has detained students promoting pro-Palestinian boycotts and solidarity campaigns, along with many others protesting against Israel’s military campaign. At least 125 people have been arrested since the Gaza war began in October, with 95 still in pre-trial detention. The crackdown on dissent in Egypt has intensified since 2013, with tens of thousands arrested for speaking out against the government. Public demonstrations are outlawed, and authorities fear protests over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could fuel political dissent.

Migrants stranded in Cyprus buffer zone as asylum applications suspended

by
Migrants stranded in Cyprus buffer zone as asylum applications suspended

Fourteen migrants are stranded in the buffer zone near the University of Cyprus campus in Aglantzia, unable to enter government-controlled areas due to the temporary suspension of asylum applications by the Republic of Cyprus. The group includes women and children from Afghanistan, Sudan, Cameroon, and Iran, with assistance being provided by the UNFICYP and UNHCR. Patrols have been increased along the buffer zone to deter migrant arrivals, resulting in a 95% decrease in arrivals by boat from Syria. Pushbacks in Lebanese waters have contributed to this decrease, but the Mediterranean crossing remains the deadliest route for migrants. The U.N. human rights office has reported gross human rights violations faced by Syrian refugees returning to Syria, including torture, abduction, sexual harassment, and violence. Pushbacks are measures used by states to force refugees and migrants out of their territory, circumventing international protection safeguards.

US State Department official resigns, says US report on Gaza inaccurate

by
US State Department official resigns, says US report on Gaza inaccurate

Stacy Gilbert, a U.S. State Department official, resigned in protest after a report to Congress falsely claimed that Israel was not blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza. Gilbert, who worked in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, stated that the report’s conclusions were incorrect. The report was submitted in accordance with a new National Security Memorandum issued by President Joe Biden. Gilbert’s resignation came after she disagreed with the final version of the report, which she believed did not accurately reflect the situation in Gaza.

Clinics , ‘may suspend operations’ due to nurse shortage

by
Clinics , ‘may suspend operations’ due to nurse shortage

Cyprus is facing a nursing shortage of between 450 and 500 nurses, which is impacting the operations of clinics and hospitals. The shortage is expected to increase as nurses retire. To address this issue, the employers’ and industrialists’ federation (Oev) is suggesting hiring nurses from third countries and utilizing third country nationals who study nursing in Cyprus. Private hospitals are already struggling to find staff to hire, and there are concerns about lowering the number of hours required to train nurses in Cyprus, which could impact patient safety.

Turkish Cypriot conscientious objector Karapaşaoğlu jailed for defying call-up

by
Turkish Cypriot conscientious objector Karapaşaoğlu jailed for defying call-up

Turkish Cypriot conscientious objector Halil Karapaşaoğlu was sentenced to three days in prison for refusing to pay a fine related to his mobilisation call. This is his second trial in the occupied north for defying the call-up, with his initial declaration of conscientious objection in 2013 leading to military court trials until 2019. Despite receiving a fine in 2019, his refusal to pay resulted in a 20-day prison sentence, later reduced to three nights and four days by a higher court. Critics, such as Murat Kanatlı, have condemned the ruling, pointing out the officials’ hypocrisy in advocating for human rights in European forums but failing to implement relevant ECHR decisions domestically. Karapaşaoğlu’s lawyer, Öncel Pili, has pledged to continue fighting for conscientious objector rights despite the imprisonment.

UK, ’s first black woman MP barred from running for Labour

by
UK, ’s first black woman MP barred from running for Labour

Diane Abbott, Britain’s first black woman lawmaker, was barred from running as a Labour candidate in the July 4 election after being suspended for comments about Jews and racism.

UN envoy expresses hope for Cyprus resolution

by
UN envoy expresses hope for Cyprus resolution

The fact described in the text is that the monument ‘In The Service of Peace’ in Cyprus honors 150,000 uniformed personnel who have served in Cyprus, 187 of whom have died there.

Reports of ‘horrifying’ mass casualties in Rafah, UNRWA says [PHOTOS]

by
Reports of ‘horrifying’ mass casualties in Rafah, UNRWA says [PHOTOS]

UNRWA described reports of attacks on families seeking shelter in Rafah as “horrifying”. Israeli air strikes killed at least 35 Palestinians in a designated area for the displaced in Rafah. The Israeli military targeted Hamas officials in Rafah, causing civilian casualties. The International Committee of the Red Cross reported an influx of casualties in Rafah. The Israeli military continued operations in Rafah despite a U.N. court ruling. Hamas fired rockets in response to Israeli attacks. Nearly 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

‘When I saw Thanasis’ body, my life stopped’

by
‘When I saw Thanasis’ body, my life stopped’

– After 19 years, a court has ruled that Thanasis Nicolaou was murdered, not that he committed suicide.