Rights watch

UK: Priti Patel’s record on human rights prompts ‘extreme concern’ | The Guardian

Priti Patel’s appointment as home secretary has been met with an outpouring of “extreme concern” over her hard-right record on key issues covered by her new brief.

Philippines: Lawyer included in ‘hit list’ killed | Bulatlat.com

The killing of another lawyer in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental is proof that red-tagging of rights defenders has dire consequences for their lives and security, says human rights group Karapatan.

Japan: Top bar association urges Diet to legalize same-sex marriage | The Japan Times

In a first, the country’s top bar association on Thursday called on the government and the Diet to legalize same-sex marriage.

Egypt: Detention of human rights ‘yellow vest’ lawyer renewed | Middle East Monitor

A human rights lawyer who was detained in December for sharing a picture of himself wearing a yellow vest on Facebook in solidarity with protesters in France has had his appeal rejected by a court in Egypt.

India: State persecutes leading legal advocate for people who use drugs | Filter

Raids and bank account suspensions are described by human rights organizations as “politically motivated” and undermine India’s democracy.

US: US-born teen detained for weeks by CBP, ICE says he was told ‘you have no rights’ | CNN

The Texas-born high school student who was detained by immigration officials for more than three weeks told CNN Thursday he was treated less than human at a US Customs and Border Protection facility.

Philippines: Libel trial of journalist critical of Rodrigo Duterte begins | The Guardian

A libel trial against the editor of Rappler, a Philippine news site critical of the regime of President Rodrigo Duterte, has begun in a case widely seen as an attempt by the government to intimidate journalists and curtail press freedom.

Thailand: Dissidents targeted in brutal crackdown | The Guardian

Ever since sham elections in March, activists have been singled out in a series of brutal attacks as the military tightens its grip on power.