Human Rights in the News: December 2019
/Curated by Nikki Bambauer
Welcome to the December 2019 edition of Human Rights in the News, Woven Teaching’s monthly collection of important stories from around the world.
Two smiling youth climate activists hold signs which read “school climate strike” and “the house is on fire” (Credit: UNICEF David Berkwitz)
Human Rights Day celebrates ‘tremendous activism’ of the world’s young people
UN News | December 10, 2019
At an event to mark Human Rights Day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged the international community to “invest in progress and hope” by supporting and engaging with youth. Learn more >
Cars, tents, and RVs seen from a bird’s eye view of the Wood St. homeless encampment in Oakland, California
Among the World’s Most Dire Places: This California Homeless Camp
Thomas Fuller and Josh Haner | The New York Times | December 17, 2019
There are more than 500,000 unhoused individuals in the United States. 1 in 4 live in California. What is it like to live in one of Oakland’s many homeless encampments? Learn more >
A hand holds up a smartphone; protest tracking app HKmap Live can be seen on the screen (Credit: Philip Fong)
Apple shareholders set to vote on human-rights policies
Sam Shead | BBC | December 16, 2019
Apple’s shareholders will soon be asked whether they want the company to disclose their policies related to human rights. Apple recently came under fire for removing an app called HKmap Live which tracks the location of pro-democracy protestors and police. Critics argue that this was done to appease the Chinese government. Learn more >
A member of the Red Cross, wearing protective gear, is rinsed to limit the spread of ebola (Credit: United Nations)
Congo in chaos: restore order to protect lives
Ann Strimov Durbin | Jewish World Watch | December 10, 2019
Deadly violence and an outbreak of ebola are putting hundreds of thousands of civilians in danger in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The UN estimates that at least 100 civilians have been killed since the beginning of November. Learn more >
Demonstrators, most with one arm raised, protest India’s new citizenship law (Credit: Nasir Kachroo/NurPhoto/Getty Images)
What you should know about India's 'anti-Muslim' citizenship law
Bilal Kuchay | Al Jazeera | December 15, 2019
A new citizenship law in India has caused mass public protests. The new law grants citizenship to religious minorities from neighboring countries, but makes no reference to Muslims, who make up 15 percent of India’s population. Critics argue that this move is part of a “Hindu supremacist agenda.” Learn more >
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