Human Rights by TOPIC

Hot Topics

Poster for World Refugee Day on June 20. Six adult refugees and one child walk in front of a globe with two arms wrapped around hugging them protectively
Mei Lau | Better World Info

World Refugee Day, June 20 - Solidarity

With more than 123 million displaced people worldwide, 47 million of which are children, it is more important than ever that we uphold the rights, safety, and dignity of all refugees. This day we honour those forcibly displaced by conflict and persecution for their strength and bravery, and highlight their need for protection, assistance and inclusion. The 2025 theme is Solidarity. This means honouring refugees by hearing their stories, defending their rights, supporting their host countries, providing opportunities for refugees to thrive, finding solutions to their plight, and ending conflicts so they can return to their home safely.

World Refugee Day, June 20 - Solidarity
Black keyboard with a chained white hand on top of it with a blue background | World Press Freedom Day is written on the left side in large pink and white letters
Flickr | Marco Verch

World Press Freedom Day - May 3

Every year on May 3 the United Nations marks World Press Freedom Day as a chance to raise awareness of the importance of a free press. This year the theme is ‘Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis’. It highlights the importance of sharing stories of upheaval and loss for those on the frontlines of climate change. Exposing the crisis is the first step to solving it. In the face of censorship, economic pressures, and threats to their safety journalists play a pivotal role in exposing how climate change is affecting people across the planet. The UNESCO conference held in Santiago, Chile will assess the state of press freedom worldwide, and solutions for the challenges to press freedom ahead.

World Press Freedom Day - May 3
Tiktok application logo 3d rendering on blue background
Freepick | gcarolau

TikTok Ban

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act was passed on 13 March 2024, requiring TikTok's parent company, the China-based ByteDance, to sell the app or face a nationwide ban. The legislation followed allegations that the app could enable the Chinese government to access user data and influence Americans through the platform’s addictive algorithms. Content creators argue that a ban would harm countless individuals and businesses that depend on TikTok for a substantial portion of their income. Meanwhile, civil liberties and digital rights groups contend that such a ban would infringe upon freedom of speech.

TikTok Ban
Image by Capri23auto from Pixabay

The ongoing European refugee crisis

Escaping from war, violence, and poor living conditions, huge numbers of refugees face the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea. They are often greeted with equally poor living standards, and few opportunities. Here we provide information on the causes, the organisations working to help, how you can help, and individual stories of those whose lives have been directly impacted.

The ongoing European refugee crisis
Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

Forced labour and modern slavery - 21st century problems

Shockingly, the estimated number of those who fall under this category is somewhere between 21-46 million people. Contemporary slavery includes those who are exploited in the private sector and those who are forced into work by government authorities. It also includes those who are exploited sexually or forced into marriage. We explore the causes, the organisations fighting against this human right violation, and the industries who refuse to change thier ways.

Forced labour and modern slavery - 21st century problems
Many broken tents sit with lots of rubbish on the floor infront at a migrant camp in Calais
Flickr | Christian Payne

Calais Migrant Crisis & Calais Jungle

An estimated 10,000 homeless asylum seekers waiting to enter the UK are living in sprawling make-shift migrant camps under deplorable conditions. The sites have poor sanitation, limited access to education and healthcare, and almost no protection from harsh weather, with the additional threat of surprise evacuations, and often violent treatment from the local authorities. Human rights have been forgotten for these refugees in their long wait for safety and freedom. Find information on organisations, blockades, protests, demolitions, and the legal issues involved.

Calais Migrant Crisis & Calais Jungle
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Greek island refugee crisis

Due to their geographical position, many of the Greek Islands have become a stepping stone to enter Europe - those from the Middle East and Africa are seeking an escape from violence and poor living conditions. They are faced with overcrowded and unsanitary camps as the islands struggle to cope with the mounting numbers. Tensions are high between the locals and the new arrivals as the humanitarian crisis grows, and new refugees arrive every day.

Greek island refugee crisis
International Migrants Day

International Migrants Day - December 18

The UN estimates that there are 281 million migrants globally. With increasing conflict, corruption, degradation of democracy and freedoms, poverty, and natural disasters, that number is set to increase significantly over the next coming years. The 2022 theme is 'Building the future with migrants and refugees'. We must ensure that the fundamental human rights of displaced people are protected, their dignity upheld, and that equal access to education, healthcare, employment, and all other opportunities are provided.

International Migrants Day - December 18