Overseas news archive

10.04.2006 An "Underground Railroad" is being set up to help rescue Iraqi women threatened with honour killings.

10.04.2006 The Bush Administration's focus on promoting abstinence and fidelity to prevent HIV infection around the world has been criticised by a US Government Accountability Office report.

10.04.2006 Any soldiers with the African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur, Sudan, found guilty of sexual exploitation and abuse must be punished and not just repatriated, a leading refugee group said in a statement on the allegations.

10.04.2006 An HIV-positive woman in Switzerland has received a suspended prison sentence after having consensual unprotected sex, even though none of her partners subsequently became infected with HIV, and she informed the men of her infection before having sex.

10.04.2006 The London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, has been asked to raise the cases of some of China's many victims of censorship during his promotional visit to the country.

10.04.2006 A call for action on global education funding was issued in Mozambique today by former South African president Nelson Mandela, the finance ministers of Britain, Nigeria and South Africa and UK International Development Secretary Hilary Benn.
* Every child needs a teacher
* UK Government makes major contribution to education in poor countries
* Children join forces with Nelson Mandela to challenge Gordon Brown on global education

10.04.2006 The independent Forest Stewardship Council has launched an initiative in China that marks the first formal steps toward the development of a forest certification scheme in the country.

10.04.2006 Events are planned in 90 US cities today - in a National Day of Action on Immigrant Rights - to show immigrant strength.

08.04.2006 Racism, abuse, severe poverty and unhealthy and dangerous living conditions – in one case leading to rape – are among the experiences of 50 asylum-seekers in London documented in a shocking new report by the Refugee Media Action Group.

08.04.2006 Over 500,000 demonstrators took part in rallies throughout Nepal on Saturday, despite severe restrictions imposed by the government to prevent political protests against King Gyanendra.
* Beatings, arrests as Nepali clampdown continues
* Violence takes toll during Friday demonstrations
* Banned demonstrations in Nepal draw light attendance, prompt more arrests

07.04.2006 A human rights monitor was badly beaten by Nepali police and disabled people detained but observers said the four-day national strike had "paralysed" life in the Kathmandu valley and had been widely observed outside the capital.
* Violence takes toll during Friday demonstrations
* Banned demonstrations in Nepal draw light attendance, prompt more arrests

07.04.2006 The Indian police are criticised for using "excessive force" against a protest over the government's failure to resettle people displaced by a major dam project.
The Narmada Agitation

07.04.2006 On World Heath Day, the International Monetary Fund is urged to end policies that prevent African governments from recruiting nurses and doctors.
* Health workforce crisis is having a deadly impact
* World Health Report
* 'Lack of urgency' in tackling Africa's healthworkers' shortage
* Four million more health workers needed worldwide
* Academies unveil health projects in developing world

07.04.2006 Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has announced his resignation, continues to harass the independent press with criminal cases against at least six journalists and media for “defamation", according to an international media watchdog.

07.04.2006 Following widespread arrests at the outset of a four-day national protest by political parties in Nepal, King Gyanendra's government is accused of dropping the rule of law and democratic values.

07.04.2006 Washington's decision not to seek election to the new UN Human Rights Council undermines its claims to leadership in promoting human rights, an international rights group said today.

07.04.2006 Following moves that "demolish the commercial foundation of the Japanese whaling industry", Greenpeace has urged five Pacific countries to stop voting with Japan at the International Whaling Commision.

07.04.2006 Recent rains in parts of drought-hit East Africa will not bring a speedy end to the food crisis there, an international charity warned today, and could even spread disease and block access for food aid.

07.04.2006 Anti-poverty agencies have made a last-ditch plea for the proposed Competition Commission investigation into Britain's supermarket giants to probe claims that they abuse their market power against suppliers in poor countries.

07.04.2006 If two weeks of world trade discussions on services remain on the same course, the negotiations could have a disastrous effect on human rights around the world, two leading trade union bodies warned today.
* Oxfam urges WTO chief to remember development promises