The Andes
Colombia: ‘impunity’ seen in deal with FARC
Human Rights Watch rejected a "transitional justice" deal between Colombia's government and FARC rebels, claiming it "sacrifices victims' right to justice."
East Asia
China: prominent rights lawyer released
Chinese human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang received a suspended sentence and was released—after protesters clashed with police at the courthouse when he was convicted.
The Amazon
Peru: miner protests paralyze rainforest region
Informal gold-miners paralyzed Peru's southern rainforest region of Madre de Dios for weeks to demand the overturn of executive decrees restricting their activities.
Greater Middle East
Syria: ‘peace deal’ signals escalation (of course)
The UN resolution on a democratic transition in Syria assumes this can happen under Assad's rule. The US is now openly blocking with Russia over support for the dictatorship.
Africa
Rwanda votes to extend presidential term limits
Rwandans approved a referendum potentially allowing President Paul Kagame to stay in power for another 17 years—drawing protests from the US State Department.
Africa
Nigerian farmers can sue Shell in Netherlands
In a landmark victory for Nigerian farmers, the Hague Court of Appeals ruled that Royal Dutch Shell can be sued in a Netherlands court over oil spills in the Niger Delta.
North Africa
US Special Forces repulsed in Libya: report
Libya's rival regimes agreed to form a national unity government, but a contingent of US Special Forces sent to fight ISIS withdrew after being confronted by a local militia.
The Andes
Colombia: colonel exonerated in ‘disappearances’
Colombia's Supreme Court overturned the conviction of an army colonel who had been found guilty of forced disappearances in the 1985 Palace of Justice siege.
Afghanistan
Pakistan: anti-narco ops militarize tribal areas
A military campaign against the Taliban in Pakistan's Tribal Areas has left a million displaced over the past year—and is now compounded with anti-hashish operations.
The Amazon
Brazil: ‘zero deforestation’ push
Greenpeace sent 1.4 million signatures to Brazil's congress demanding a "zero deforestation" law—while cattle and timber barons push a bill to further open indigenous lands.
Africa
Nigeria: army massacre of Shi’ites claimed in north
Human rights advocates are demanding an investigation following a Nigerian army raid on a Shi'ite sect in which hundreds of followers were reportedly killed in Zaria city.
Greater Middle East
Syria and Ukraine wars headed for convergence?
Russian naval forces got in a confrontation with Turkish vessels in the Black Sea, with control of contested oil platforms off the Crimean Peninsula at issue.