Articles tagged with Human Rights
A new book ranks countries on human rights measures, revealing overachievers like Rwanda and the Philippines, and underachievers like China and Iran. The CIRIGHTS Data Project provides numerical scores on human rights protection, showing how well countries protect internationally recognized rights.
A new book by University of Illinois professor Colin Rhinesmith explores how community coalitions address digital inequality and social injustice. The book, titled Digital Equity Ecosystems, presents five case studies of cross-sector coalitions working to promote digital inclusion and combat technological inequity.
Recent shifts in federal policy and funding have impacted hundreds of clinical trials designed to study disease burdens in underrepresented populations. The report highlights a systemic crisis in medical research, citing a disruption at scale that has affected over 74,000 participants across 383 trials.
Researchers at Stockholm Environment Institute developed a new method to identify and reduce risks of violating Sámi rights linked to industrial projects on traditional lands. The method highlights significant risks to human rights, particularly for the Gabna Sámi reindeer herding community.
The study highlights the negative impacts of war on Israeli adolescents' personal safety, equality, and freedom of expression. Despite parents being a trusted source of information, adolescents report feeling less free to express their opinions than their parents think.
A new Canadian study found that people living with dementia are often excluded from research due to assumptions of incapacity and institutional processes. The study recommends standardized guidance for meaningful inclusion through rights-based approaches.
Researchers found that complexity, including ground truth, real-world complexity, and stakeholder involvement, are key factors in reducing AI biases. By accounting for these complexities, developers can create more fair AI models.
A University of Cambridge-led study reveals that more than two years of war in Gaza has left Palestinian children too weak to learn or play, with some living on as little as a bowl of lentils a day. The report warns of a 'lost' generation emerging in Gaza due to the war's educational, physical and psychological impacts.
The 2025 Global Rights Project report highlights troubling trends in worldwide inhumane treatment, with state-committed atrocities reaching an all-time high in 2022. The US is at high risk for mass atrocities due to its history of human rights violations and lack of commitment to international norms.
Researchers at the University of Missouri are exploring the use of extracellular vesicles to target lung cancer. By manipulating these tiny messenger particles, scientists can deliver specific instructions to kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.
University of Missouri researchers are helping farmers prevent disease outbreaks by teaching biosecurity practices, such as hand sanitizing and wearing farm-dedicated shoes. They also provide guidance on safe composting methods to dispose of dead livestock, reducing the risk of disease spread.
Researchers at Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown used machine learning techniques to show that mice's facial movements reflect their hidden thoughts. This discovery could offer unprecedented insight into brain function and potential new research tools.
A study by Utrecht University researchers found that previous fairness and ambition assessments were biased, rewarding high emitters at the expense of vulnerable ones. The proposed method avoids delaying emission reduction obligations and calculates immediate ambition gaps that can be filled by climate measures and international finance.
Two former Department of Justice scientists argue for transformative crime prevention research prioritizing social justice alongside public safety. They emphasize the need for research incorporating community perspectives and collaborative approaches to prevent harm and promote justice.
The UCI-OC Poll found significant partisan and generational divides on immigration policy, with a majority supporting more open policies. Age is also a critical factor, with younger residents preferring legal status opportunities. The survey results suggest Orange County's evolving demographics are shaping its views on immigration.
The Journal of Medical Ethics has been ranked the world's leading bioethics journal according to 2025 Google Scholar Metrics. The journal is co-led by Associate Professor Brian D Earp and a new editorial team seeking to promote ethical reflection and conduct in scientific research and medical practice.
A UN-backed study highlights the lasting effects of Gambia's state-sponsored witch hunt, including stigma, social exclusion, and trauma. Researchers found a strong desire for official recognition and reconciliation, with recommendations for reparations and rebuilding social roles.
Xu Zhangrun, a prominent Chinese legal scholar, has received the Human Rights Award from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg for his advocacy of democracy, academic freedom, and freedom of expression. The award is a recognition of his tireless efforts to challenge autocratic injustice in China.
The Annual Antisemitism Worldwide Report found that despite a decline in the antisemitic wave after the war, levels remained significantly higher than before. Countries such as Australia, Italy, and Canada reported record-high numbers of incidents, with notable increases in physical assaults in France.
A new study from Texas A&M University's Mosbacher Institute found that reducing violent crime in El Salvador significantly decreased Central American emigration to the US. Homicide rates dropped by 87% after President Nayib Bukele implemented a crackdown, resulting in a 45-67% reduction in border apprehensions.
The 'equity by design' framework proposed by Daryl Lim aims to maximize AI benefits while minimizing harm, particularly for underrepresented individuals. The approach embeds equity principles throughout the AI lifecycle, addressing biases and increasing inequality.
A study by Technical University of Munich finds that digital violence discourages political participation, particularly among women, who experience sexualized online attacks. The survey shows that more than half of those affected modify their behavior, including giving up on politics entirely.
New research from Lancaster University highlights the devastating impact of the UK's unprecedented use of citizenship stripping on British children trapped in dire camps in North-East Syria. The study calls for a children's right approach to repatriation decision-making to ensure safe return and family reunification.
Alianza Americas co-founder Oscar Chacón will be awarded the 2025 Inamori Ethics Prize for his tireless advocacy on immigrant rights and economic justice. He has been recognized for his compassion and humanity in raising awareness about global challenges and promoting human dignity.
A new paper reveals widespread transnational human rights violations (THRVs) due to repressive states' intensifying tactics. The authors urge the establishment of 'Transnational Rights Protection Offices' to provide support and guidance for individuals affected by these actions.
The University of Rhode Island-based report card gives failing grades to over half the world's countries, with a median score of 52. Democratic countries tend to have better human rights records, but exceptions exist. The US scored a 62.5, ranking 66th, despite being a wealthy democratic country.
The #16to365 campaign, launched by CUNY SPH's SRJ Hub, aims to shift norms and secure accountability for women's and girls' rights. The new initiative connects bodily autonomy with other causes of gender-based violence, promoting a fundamental human right.
A new book by Dr Merten Reglitz proposes a human right to free internet access, including protections against government censorship and surveillance. The research argues that governments should provide guaranteed access to the internet with sufficient quality to meet basic human rights needs.
The World Health Organization calls for a unified response to protect healthcare in conflict settings. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasizes that two-thirds of those dying are women and children, highlighting the need for an end to the war and negotiations between parties.
The book uses a 'history from below' approach to center the voices of petitioners, revealing how they framed their demands using language like justice, rights, and equity. Through over 4,000 petitions, Dr. Bright Alozie shows the significance of this genre in shaping colonial society and influencing decision-making.
A study proposes declaring coral protection a human right to save coral reefs from extinction. The measure would speed up coral protection and have dramatic consequences for millions of marine species and humans.
A new study reveals that Brazil's democracy has been weakened by authoritarian populism, which has undermined welfare systems and human rights protections. This has created an exclusionary view of citizenship and intensified social conflicts, posing a threat to the country's democratic future.
A UT Arlington study suggests that speaking up is key to ethical decision-making in research groups. The researchers found that fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to voice concerns can help prevent unethical behavior. An 'ethical champion' who steps up to speak out against potential issues was a common finding.
A human rights-based approach to coral reef protection could ensure governments are held accountable for safeguarding marine ecosystems. An estimated one billion people rely on healthy coral reefs globally for food security and income, highlighting the catastrophic impact of their loss on human health and economic wellbeing.
A new JAMA commentary by Boston University School of Public Health researchers warns that Project 2025's conservative blueprint would undermine healthcare and public health. The playbook's proposals, led by The Heritage Foundation, include deregulating healthcare, weakening the ACA, and allowing discrimination within healthcare settings.
A new study reveals a significant evolution in the UN's approach to human rights, with growing emphasis on disability and business-related rights. The research highlights the importance of corporate responsibility and suggests a move toward a more comprehensive understanding of human rights that encompasses economic and social rights.
Researchers call for a rethink of environmental decision-making to consider foreseeable harm and integrate key scientific and ecological evidence, including local community knowledge. The update aims to address biodiversity loss as a human rights issue and align with advances in international human rights law.
Toxic pollution is the single largest cause of death and poor health, killing up to 9 million people each year. Business can play a critical role in addressing it and mitigating its effects by embracing innovations like adaptive construction and alternative energy options.
A US study has compiled data on 2,904 juvenile 'lifers', revealing significant progress in resentencing and release, but also highlighting challenges faced by those returning to society. The research underscores the need for comprehensive support systems to facilitate successful reintegration.
A UBC Okanagan study reveals that 98% of respondents reported experiencing intimate partner violence, with 70% showing symptoms consistent with a brain injury. The research highlights the need for tailored approaches to address IPV in queer relationships and acknowledges the intersectional nature of oppression.
A majority of people in Afghanistan support human rights for Afghan women, with men more likely to back women's rights when considering their eldest daughters. The study found that fathers of eldest daughters are a key constituency for elevating women's status in Afghan society.
Research by Associate Professor Shannon Bosch challenges Russia's classification of foreign fighters as mercenaries, arguing that international law and Ukrainian domestic legislation protect their rights. The study highlights the need for full combatant immunity and prisoner of war status for these foreign fighters.
A study found that transgender people experience barriers in accessing gender-affirming surgery, with participants describing the need for self-advocacy when interacting with healthcare professionals. The findings highlight the need for improved access to gender-affirmation surgery and reduced wait times.
A majority of the American public favors providing incarcerated pregnant women with access to abortion, particularly in cases of rape or health risk. Most also support parental aid for these women, with conservative Republicans being least supportive of both
Research from Binghamton University reveals that worker rights, including forming trade unions and bargaining collectively, are the most vulnerable human rights. The study finds that economic globalization has led to increased competition between governments and corporations, resulting in reduced labor protections in many countries.
A new study by Dr. Ben Hudson from the University of Exeter Law School criticizes the European Court of Human Rights for reversing its principles on protecting asylum seekers. The research finds that the court has become uncertain about what makes an applicant 'sufficiently vulnerable' to receive special protection.
Researchers at the University of Sydney and Queensland University of Technology have developed a new approach to designing cameras that process and scramble visual information. The approach, known as 'sighted systems,' creates distorted images that can still be used by robots to complete tasks but do not compromise privacy.
Research has identified common issues homeless women face when experiencing periods, including practical challenges and feelings of embarrassment. The study highlights the need to address menstrual health resource provision as a basic human right.
A new study published in The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology reveals that high-tech bots are more likely to be held responsible for civilian deaths, even when the incidents are identical. Researchers found that people perceive robots as more culpable if described in a more advanced way.
The UC3M study highlights the need to address structural discrimination and promote person-centered care models. It emphasizes the importance of considering people in need as subjects of rights and promoting social participation and inclusion in the community.
The initiative's programs help K-12 educators address difficult issues like racism through trauma-informed and asset-based practices. Researchers published their work in three peer-reviewed journals, highlighting the effectiveness of inquiry-based approaches for teachers' professional learning.
The UC3M project, BRAVIOO, aims to establish or modernize University Ombudsmen in eight universities in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Honduras. The initiative focuses on improving the practical implementation of human rights through various tools and promoting greater inclusivity and respect for diverse identities.
Boston University School of Public Health researchers Sondra Crosby and Leonard Glantz denounce rectal feeding practices at CIA secret prisons, equating them to torture. They call for medical officers who authorized or participated in these nonconsensual practices to be held accountable for violating ethical and legal standards.
The Guantanamo Bay detention camp has held hundreds of individuals suspected of terrorism without charge or trial for up to 22 years. International human rights organizations have widely condemned the conditions, leading to calls for its closure. The facility's legacy highlights the need to balance security with human rights and dignity.
Child marriage declined nationally in India, but one in five girls and nearly one in six boys remain married as children. The practice has become more prevalent in some states/union territories, with a significant increase observed between 2016 and 2021.
A new study warns that public bodies in England and Wales are 'overwhelmed' by the task of implementing human rights laws, with staff placing greater weight on implementation than on understanding the laws themselves. The research suggests that those who view equality and human rights law as malleable are more likely to trust individua...
A Concordia-led study found that human rights are frequently absent from national climate change adaptation policies. The researchers assessed 147 countries and discovered that vulnerable groups, including poor people, elderly individuals, and Indigenous communities, are often excluded from planning and decision-making processes. This ...
A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that the US Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision led to an increase in public support for abortion rights, with 2.4 percentage points more respondents believing abortion should be legal for women who choose to have one.
A new report from The Lancet Commission highlights the importance of understanding medicine's role under Nazism to strengthen medical education and ethics. The study aims to empower health professionals to face moral and ethical dilemmas, stand up to power, and protect vulnerable populations.
A virtual, home-based exercise program using cognitively enriched tai ji quan improved global cognition and reduced walking interference associated with dual tasking in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. The intervention also showed favorable improvements in cognition, function, executive function, and working memory.