AGP Executive Report

Yemen Detention: The UN is demanding an independent investigation after its human rights staff member Mohammad el Shami died in Houthi custody; his family says they learned of his death more than a month later. The UN is also calling for the release of other detained staff. Gaza: Israeli strikes killed eight Palestinians, including a four-year-old boy, as near-daily attacks continue despite the ceasefire. Political Rights: Thousands protested in New Delhi against a voter-roll revision they say could disenfranchise voters and benefit the ruling party; election officials deny bias. Prison Conditions: Human Rights Watch says solitary confinement is harming people with disabilities in South Australian prisons and urges stronger oversight and alternatives to incarceration. Arbitrary Detention: UN experts called on Eritrea to free people held for decades without trial and disclose the fate of hundreds who disappeared in detention. Equality: Ghana’s AIDS Commission warned that denying people jobs, school admission or healthcare because of their HIV status is unlawful discrimination.

Custody and Accountability: UN human rights chief Volker Türk demanded an independent investigation after UN staff member Mohammad al-Shami died in Houthi custody; his family learned of his death weeks later and received no explanation. Seven other UN Human Rights Office staff remain detained. Humanitarian Crisis: Residents of Russian-occupied Oleshky reached Ukrainian-controlled territory during a ceasefire, with evacuees describing severe food shortages and starvation. Political Repression: Pakistani human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were sentenced to 10 years in prison, drawing condemnation from rights groups. In Thailand, activist Arnon Nampa’s sentence was extended to more than 34 years. Gaza: UN officials warned that displacement is deepening and the risk of ethnic cleansing continues. Immigration Rights: Minnesota’s Truth Council said federal immigration operations violated state and federal constitutions, citing racial profiling, unlawful detentions and family separations. Prison Deaths: Salvadoran families gathered to mourn detainees who died in custody and demand answers; rights group Cristosal has documented 454 deaths under the country’s state of exception.

Ukraine Evacuation: Civilians from Russian-occupied Oleshky reached Ukrainian-held territory after a rare ceasefire enabled their evacuation through Russia and Belarus. Ukraine’s president called for continued humanitarian access to the city. Thailand: Human rights lawyer and pro-democracy activist Arnon Nampa received another prison sentence, bringing his cumulative term to more than 34 years for lèse-majesté convictions. Gaza and West Bank: UN experts warned of continuing grave abuses, including crimes against humanity and war crimes in the West Bank, and said the risk of ethnic cleansing in Gaza remains acute. Press Freedom: Niger’s military government has acknowledged journalist Moussa Kaka’s detention, but has not disclosed his whereabouts, the legal basis for his arrest or whether he has access to a lawyer. Drug War Accountability: A Philippine truth commission member urged investigations into doctors who allegedly recorded natural causes on death certificates for people killed by gunfire during the drug war. Pakistan: Rights groups condemned 10-year prison sentences imposed on lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha in a security case.

Nigeria: Armed men reportedly abducted presidential candidate and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore in Ekiti; his whereabouts were unknown, prompting calls for an urgent investigation. Gaza: The UN human rights office warned that Israeli forces’ confinement of civilians and destruction of vital infrastructure are worsening displacement and threatening survival. Drug-war accountability: A Philippine truth commission flagged 13 death certificates that listed illness or natural causes for people found to have been shot, and called for investigations and corrected records. Press freedom: Russia’s Novaya Gazeta says it will close on November 9 after years of state pressure, including blocked platforms and revoked licenses. Political prisoners: A Thai court added two years and eight months to activist Arnon Nampa’s sentence, bringing his total to more than 34 years; in Pakistan, human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha received 10-year sentences. Ukraine: Civilians evacuated from Russian-held Oleshky during a local ceasefire, in a rare joint humanitarian operation.

Accountability: A Philippine Truth Commission is calling for reforms to death-certificate procedures after flagging doctors who recorded questionable deaths in the Duterte-era drug war. Rights under pressure: Pakistani lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were sentenced to 10 years in prison in a security case; they say they are being targeted for their human rights work. Press freedom: Russia’s Novaya Gazeta says state pressure has forced it to close, ending 33 years of independent journalism. Civilians in conflict: Aid and evacuations began in Russian-occupied Oleshky under a temporary ceasefire, offering residents a chance to leave after months of shortages. Civil liberties: UN officials and Sri Lankan advocates warn proposed counterterrorism laws could threaten free expression, assembly and due process. Afghanistan: A UN expert urged governments not to normalize Taliban rule while repression of women and girls deepens.

Pakistan: Human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Chattha, were sentenced to 10 years in prison each in a security-barrier case; supporters say the prosecution targets their rights work. Yemen: Human Rights Watch warns that the renewed Houthi siege of Taiz is causing acute shortages and could amount to using starvation as a weapon of war. A separate Saudi airstrike reportedly killed at least 13 people. Ukraine: Russian strikes killed civilians, including 14 people at a Dnipro train station. In occupied Oleshky, demining is complete and a humanitarian convoy is ready, but aid delivery has not yet been confirmed. Accountability: UN experts say Nicaragua’s leaders may have committed crimes against humanity, while a UN panel says Israel continues genocidal acts in Gaza and war crimes in the West Bank. Detention and dignity: Rights advocates condemned the reported shackling of an Indigenous woman during childbirth in an Australian hospital, saying restraints violate international standards.

Occupied West Bank: Israeli operations in Hebron have displaced 537 Palestinian families and disrupted schooling for about 262,000 students, local officials say. Iran: Three men arrested during protests have reportedly been sentenced to death; their whereabouts are now unknown. Pakistan: Rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband were each sentenced to 10 years in prison in a case they say targets their human rights work. Sudan: The government accused more than 20 countries of supporting the Rapid Support Forces as drone attacks and mass arrests deepen civilian suffering. Trafficking: Amnesty International linked five Cambodian security firms to scam compounds where trafficked workers were confined and abused, and said serving police and military officers were connected to some sites. Refugee safety: Kenya’s human rights commission condemned the alleged abduction of Tanzanian activist Twaha Salim Mwaipaya, whose whereabouts remain unknown. Ukraine: A local ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky is enabling plans for aid and evacuations, even as a Russian drone strike on a crowded Dnipro train station killed at least 14 people. Deportations: Germany sent 40 Afghans convicted of crimes back to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, renewing concerns over returns to a country where rights remain severely restricted.

Sri Lanka: Human Rights Watch warns a proposed organised-crime law could enable arbitrary detention and torture, echoing powers the government pledged to repeal. Press Freedom: Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman says Russian forces are holding captured journalists in inhumane conditions and subjecting them to torture; in the Philippines, lawmakers are preparing a bill to decriminalize libel after journalist Philip Lustre Jr.’s arrest. Ukraine: A fragile ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky has held into its third day, but Ukrainian officials and lawmakers fear residents could be forced to Russia or occupied Crimea rather than safely evacuated. Accountability: UN experts say there are reasonable grounds to believe Nicaragua’s leaders committed crimes against humanity through detentions, disappearances and political persecution. Sudan: UN investigators warn drone attacks and arrests are putting civilians in El Obeid at growing risk as the conflict spreads. Indigenous Rights: Indigenous leaders in Bolivia report death threats against an advocate challenging illegal mining and are seeking protection and an investigation. Indonesia: A landmark court ruling requires reforms so military personnel accused of ordinary crimes can face civilian courts.

Press Freedom: Philippine lawmakers plan to decriminalize libel and cyberlibel after journalist Philip Lustre Jr.’s arrest, warning the laws are used to silence reporters. In Egypt, a court ordered independent outlet Mada Masr closed and its editor detained. Gaza: A UN inquiry says Israeli forces continued to commit genocidal acts and other crimes in Gaza despite the ceasefire, and documented serious abuses in the West Bank. Mining Abuses: An investigation in Nigeria found 37 young men died from asphyxiation in “inhumane” custody after mining raids; a panel recommended compensation and prosecutions. Advocates across Africa warn crackdowns often punish vulnerable artisanal miners while leaving powerful actors untouched. Refugee Rights: Malaysia says it is pursuing diplomacy with Myanmar over Rohingya refugees, but rights groups question whether safety can be guaranteed for people sent back. Use of Force: A US strike killed five people on a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Pacific; Washington has not publicly shown evidence of narcotics, prompting concerns over the legality of the killings.

Gaza and West Bank: A UN inquiry says Israeli authorities continued “genocidal acts” in Gaza after the ceasefire and committed grave crimes in the West Bank; Israel rejected the findings. Indigenous Rights: Mindanao advocates warn that demand for transition minerals cannot justify environmental destruction or abuses against Indigenous communities. Ethiopia: The Orthodox Church says attacks in Arsi killed 60 people, burned 20 homes and injured more than 20, urging authorities to protect communities and bring those responsible to justice. South Sudan: At least 72 people were killed in coordinated cattle raids in Warrap, with homes burned and vulnerable residents left needing aid. Press Freedom: Egypt ordered independent outlet Mada Masr shut and fined its editor, Lina Attalah, in a case critics call a blow to media freedom. Russia: A UN expert says repression of dissidents is institutionalized and increasingly extends across borders. UN Leadership: Rights groups oppose UAE candidate Lana Nusseibeh, citing allegations of Emirati support for Sudan’s RSF, which Abu Dhabi denies.

Forced Recruitment: A UN commission says Russia trafficked men from 29 countries into its military through deception or coercion, calling for their discharge and citing war crimes in Ukraine. Gaza and West Bank: UN investigators say Israeli authorities committed grave crimes, including extermination, torture and sexual violence, and that abuses continued in Gaza despite the ceasefire. Press Freedom: An Egyptian court ordered independent outlet Mada Masr shut and fined editor Lina Attalah, in a case rights groups call an attack on journalism. Asylum Rights: Spain deported 16 asylum seekers from Ceuta to Morocco, drawing rights groups’ concerns about risks to migrants. Humanitarian Protection: A local ceasefire began in occupied Oleshky to allow aid deliveries and civilian evacuations; residents face severe shortages as fighting continues elsewhere. Missing Activist: Tanzania is following up on reports that activist Twaha Mwaipaya was abducted in Kenya; Amnesty urged authorities to establish his whereabouts and ensure his safety. Civilian Protection: Ethiopia’s Orthodox Church says attacks in Oromia killed at least 60 Christians and urged authorities to protect civilians and bring those responsible to justice.

Palestine: A UN commission says Israel continued genocidal acts in Gaza after the ceasefire and committed crimes against humanity in the West Bank. Israel rejected the report as misinformation; UN officials also warned that operations in Hebron have displaced thousands and raised ethnic-cleansing concerns. Ukraine: A UN-backed inquiry found Russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity, and said men from 29 countries were recruited through deception or coercion. Sudan: The UN human rights chief says drone strikes killed 306 people in October and is calling for a ceasefire. Justice: Amnesty warns the Central African Republic’s Special Criminal Court could close by 2028 without new funding, leaving victims of grave crimes without recourse. Women’s rights: UN experts condemned Australia’s major parties for blocking bills to ban shackling women during childbirth and strip-searching children in custody. Reproductive rights: Human Rights Watch urged South Korea to ensure planned abortion-pill rules do not make care inaccessible or unaffordable. Asylum: UK MPs are demanding transparency over AI used in asylum decisions, after checks found a tool summarising interviews failed basic accuracy tests.

West Bank: A UN-mandated inquiry accused Israeli forces of crimes against humanity, including extermination. Separately, reports say more than 3,000 Palestinians have been displaced by the Hebron operation. Sudan: The UN rights chief says drone strikes killed 306 people in October; rights groups are marking a year since atrocities in El Fasher and pressing for accountability. Nigeria: Gunmen killed 50 people in Taraba State. Rights groups also seek an independent inquiry into alleged disappearances, torture and deaths in custody in the southeast. Migrant rights: A Congressional Research Service report says advocacy groups estimate more than 25,000 people have been sent to third countries, while DHS has not disclosed transfer data. Workers’ rights: Bangladesh plans a garment-worker wage review as protests mount; the current minimum wage is about $101 a month. Indigenous rights: Saamaka communities in Suriname are using mapping and forest patrols to defend ancestral lands from logging and mining. Press freedom: Philippine journalist Philip Lustre’s arrest on a cyber-libel warrant has prompted warnings that such cases could intimidate the media.

West Bank Displacement: Israeli forces ordered evacuations in Hebron, displacing more than 2,000 Palestinians and restricting movement after a deadly attack, according to local officials. Sudan: UN human rights chief Volker Türk said drone strikes killed 306 people in three weeks, raising alarm over civilian deaths. Children’s Rights: Saudi Arabia executed a man for a crime committed when he was 14; UN experts also warned two others convicted of childhood offenses face imminent execution. Political Accountability: In El Salvador, fewer than 12% of more than 96,000 people detained under the anti-gang crackdown have been convicted, leaving most in pretrial detention. Press Freedom: Veteran Philippine journalist Philip Lustre said his cyber-libel arrest was targeted and procedurally flawed; lawyers warned it could deepen fear among journalists. Serbia’s Election: A student-led opposition movement won a parliamentary majority, ending Aleksandar Vučić’s rule and raising hopes for stronger democratic institutions and media freedom. UN Leadership: UAE diplomat Lana Nusseibeh has emerged as a leading contender for secretary-general, drawing criticism from rights advocates over allegations that the UAE supplies weapons to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces.

West Bank: Israeli forces imposed a lockdown in Hebron after a checkpoint attack, detaining at least 47 Palestinians and forcing about 2,500 from their homes, reports say. Gaza: Flour shortages have shut 10 of the territory’s 17 bakeries, worsening food access as prices soar. Tanzania: Opposition leader Tundu Lissu says he will begin a hunger strike to demand private access to lawyers, after his party said prison officials defied a court ruling. Press Freedom: Thousands of Turkish journalists protested censorship and called for jailed reporters’ release. In the Philippines, veteran journalist Philip Lustre was arrested on a cyberlibel warrant he says he did not know about; his lawyer alleges due-process violations. Civic Space: Cambodian rights groups say authorities again denied permission for a peaceful gathering marking the Paris Peace Agreements, raising concerns over freedom of assembly. Public Accountability: SERAP has asked the ECOWAS court to order Nigeria to account for ₦78.8 billion in alleged irregularities involving cash-transfer and social-protection funds. Legal Aid: New Philippine Supreme Court rules will recognize and support public-interest lawyers serving marginalized communities.

Occupied West Bank: Israeli forces have begun demolitions and forced evacuations around Hebron after two Israeli soldiers were killed. Rights group B’Tselem warns the operation risks mass displacement and collective punishment; reports say about 1,500 Palestinians were ordered from their homes. Detention Rights: An immigrant died in a Georgia detention complex as detainees continued a hunger strike over conditions. Senators have called for an investigation into alleged retaliation and medical neglect. Humanitarian Relief: Russia and Ukraine confirmed a temporary ceasefire in occupied Oleshky from Oct. 27 to allow aid deliveries and civilian evacuations, as residents face worsening shortages. Food Security: Gaza bakeries are running short of flour, while aid agencies say funding gaps are limiting assistance and families face dwindling food supplies. Access to Justice: The Philippine Supreme Court has adopted rules to support public-interest lawyers and groups serving marginalized communities. Civilian Protection: Amnesty International says as many as 40 people may have been killed in an attack on a village in Nigeria’s Taraba State; police confirmed at least 10 deaths.