March 1, 2021 10:56:52 am
Cuban artists and dissidents presented testimony to the European Parliament Friday claiming violations of human rights by the Cuban government. They testified, based on their own experiences, about the censorship each of them has suffered because of their political beliefs.
The event was hosted by MPs Dita Charanzová and Leopoldo López Gil. Members of the European Parliament stated their concerns about the situation in Cuba and showed solidarity with the Cuban cause. The meeting was scheduled after the attacks Cuban artists have suffered following the release of the song “Patria y Vida” (Homeland and Life).
On February 16, Grammy winner Yotuel Romero and his compatriots December Bueno, Gente de Zona with the collaboration of dissident rappers from Cuba Maykel Osorbo and El Funky members of the San Isidro Movement joined their voices to launch the song, which advocates for the dignity and freedom of the Cuban people. The title of the song is a comple
Belarus: Acts of harassment against the Human Rights Centre Viasna
26/02/2021
Harassment /
February 26, 2021
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and FIDH requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Belarus. Description of the situation:
The Observatory has been informed by the Human Rights Centre ‘Viasna’ about the acts of harassment and intimidation against them as reprisals for their work documenting human rights abuses and providing legal assistance to victims amid the ongoing crackdown on human rights defenders and organisations in Belarus.
On February 19, 2021, 85 Members of the European Parliament and ambassadors to Belarus received a fraudulent email from an address named ‘viasna.spring97@gmail.com’ under false pretenses. The email stated that ‘Viasna’ was “seriously concerned about the unprecedented increase in violations of citizens’ rights to
India s plan for supplying affordable Covid vaccine gains traction among WTO members Rahul Shrivastava
India s aim to provide affordable Covid vaccine to poorer nations across the world has received a shot in the arm, with its request gaining traction among members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The country and South Africa had earlier submitted a request for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) waiver for the Covid vaccine at the WTO in October 2020. India s request is now gaining traction at the WTO.
At the moment, some western nations are under immense pressure to accept India s proposal at WTO, with 115 MPs of the European Parliament supporting TRIPS Waiver. They joined 57 WTO members, who have backed India s leadership to demand a waiver of intellectual property on COVID medicine for containment and treatment of Covid-19.
February 26, 2021
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and FIDH requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in
Belarus.
Description of the situation:
The Observatory has been informed by the Human Rights Centre ‘Viasna’ about the acts of harassment and intimidation against them as reprisals for their work documenting human rights abuses and providing legal assistance to victims amid the ongoing crackdown on human rights defenders and organisations in Belarus.
On February 19, 2021, 85 Members of the European Parliament and ambassadors to Belarus received a fraudulent email from an address named ‘viasna.spring97@gmail.com’ under false pretenses. The email stated that ‘Viasna’ was “seriously concerned about the unprecedented increase in violations of citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in a number of European countries” and called