Iranian Officials Cause Confusion Over Morality Police
Confusion broke out Friday as a senior Iranian official declared that Iran’s infamous morality police force had been disbanded, reports The New York Times.
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Human Rights
Iranian Protests Escalate Despite Government Crackdown
As these protests continue to break out across Iran, the Iranian government is intent on restoring stability. Initially, Iranian security forces only used tear gas, riot police, and batons; however, they have since begun to use metal pellets, and even lethal force, reports TIME.
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World Cup Kicks Off in Qatar Amidst International Concerns
Before the start of the tournament, FIFA president Gianni Infantino urged the 32 nations participating to focus on the game in Qatar and avoid taking any political stances, ESPN reports.
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Midterm Election Cycle Roundup
The 2022 election was also notable for a high voter turnout for young people, along with increased diversity in candidates for both the Republican and Democratic parties.
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The Hazara Women’s War of Education
To think Public Education is accessible to everyone comes from a privileged mindset, and many of us are unaware that there are women worldwide still fighting to the death to continue their education. Sadly, this is the case for Afghan women belonging to different ethnic and religious minorities and living under the control of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
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FOCUS on the Laws of War: The Geneva Conventions
War, like any other human endeavor throughout history, has historically had rules. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the actions of its soldiers in alleged incidents, such as in the suburb of Bucha the capital of Kyiv, have led members of the international community to accuse the Russian government of war crimes. The modern outlook on what constitutes a war crime can be traced far back, most notably to 20th-century agreements like the Geneva Conventions.
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Russia Accused of Atrocities as Massacre Continues in Ukraine
On April 3, Ukraine accused Russia of committing a massacre of the Ukrainian people located in Bucha, a city located north of Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. The accusations arose following Russia’s retreat from Kyiv. Numerous images and videos being circulated show the violence Russian soldiers inflicted upon the Ukrainian citizens. Images show numerous atrocities, such as a picture of at least twenty male corpses, lining a singular street in Bucha.
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FOCUS on the Laws of War: Treatment of Civilians and POWs
Amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, information has come out pointing to incidents that could be considered violations of civilian and prisoner of war (POW) rights in many areas of the country. Many experts believe that the actions of the Russian Federation could violate the protection of civilians and POWs during wartime under the Geneva Convention of 1949, Protocol 1, and the Hague Convention of 1907, which Russia is party to, according to Human Rights Watch.
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El Salvador Declares State of Emergency over Soaring Homicide Rates
Homicide rates soared in El Salvador during the last weekend of March, with the country reporting 89 homicide deaths in a period of four days compared to 79 homicide deaths in the entire month of February, says NBC News. Friday saw 14 homicides and Saturday saw 62 more, reports The Washington Post. This sparked President Nayib Bukele to declare a 30-day state of emergency, which began early morning on Sunday March 27.
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Colombia Decriminalizes Abortion, Highlighting a Departure from Stigma
On February 21, 2022, Colombia’s Constitutional Court ruled 5-4 to decriminalize abortions, making the procedure legal up to 24 weeks of gestation, reports The Guardian. The historic ruling will change the lives of women and young girls who often resorted to clandestine abortions and were penalized under the healthcare system, says Al Jazeera. Many pro-choice individuals and feminists in Colombia welcomed the decision as a reaffirmation of women’s bodily autonomy, hoping the ruling will inspire other countries to push for legislation protecting women’s rights.
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