Human Rights in the News: January 2021
/Curated by Nikki Bambauer
Welcome to the January 2021 edition of Human Rights in the News, Woven Teaching’s monthly collection of important human rights stories from around the world.
Baseball legind Hank Aaron, wearing a blue mask mask, gets a COVID-19 vaccination from a medical professional in a white coat, mask, and face shield (Credit: Jack Dunham)
Doctors forge ahead to allay fears about COVID-19 vaccines
Patrick Boyle | Association of American Medical Colleges | January 21, 2021
Historical and contemporary mistreatment and deception by medical professionals has created strong feelings of distrust in Black, Latinx, and immigrant communities. As a result, doctors around the country are working alongside community organizations to provide information about COVID-19 vaccines to these communities in hopes of easing their concerns about vaccinations. Learn more >
A person with short, dark hair looks at a computer screen showing satellite imagery. The hand of another person points to something on the screen (Credit: Amnesty International)
Amnesty International and Advocacy Assembly launch online courses on open-source human rights investigations
Amnesty International | January 15, 2021
In partnership with Advocacy Assembly, human rights organization Amnesty International has created two free online courses to train people how to conduct open-source research on human rights issues. Among other tools, the courses will teach users how to analyze satellite imagery and verify digital content. Learn more >
A building with many small windows from a distance. The facility pictured is believed to be a “re-education” camp in the Xinjiang region of China (Credit: Greg Baker/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images)
U.S. Says China’s Repression of Uighurs Is ‘Genocide’
Edward Wong and Chris Buckley | The New York Times | January 19, 2021
The State Department, under the Trump administration, announced that the government of China is committing genocide against its Uighur population. Governments around the world are often hesitant to use the word “genocide” to describe atrocities. The move may lead to increasing sanctions against China under the Biden administration. Learn more >
Hands wearing medical gloves hold a scalpel (Credit: Dureuil Philippe/Getty Images via VeryWell Health)
European Human Rights Court Fines Romania For Transgender Rights Violations
Radio Free Europe | January 19, 2021
The European Court of Human Rights has convicted Romania of violating the rights of two transgender people. The government prohibited the individuals from obtaining identity cards acknowledging their gender identity because neither had undergone surgical gender transition. Learn more >
Red and white text on a dark blue background. Text reads “The 1776 Report”
Biden rescinding the 1776 Commission doesn't end the fight over history
Nicole Hemmer | CNN | January 20, 2021
As one of his first acts as president, Joe Biden ended Donald Trump’s ‘1776 Commission.’ Former President Trump’s ‘commission had released its last report on January 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The report – compiled by a commission whose members notably did not include any academics specializing in U.S. History – argued that the United States must return to “patriotic education.” The report also made excuses for the brutality of American slavery. The report has already been removed from the White House’s website. Learn more >
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