New thread – @amnesty’s Crisis Evidence Lab documented 3 attacks, possible war crimes, killing at least 9 civilians, including children, in #Kharkiv, on 28 February, around the same time that peace talks began at the border with Belarus.
At approximately 12:30 local time, an apparent indiscriminate attack in North #Kharkiv killed at least 4 civilians, including a child and 3 people collecting drinking water. At least 16 more people were injured. Our 3D model is based on verified videos and witness testimonies.
A verified image first acquired by @bellingcat shows the attack included Russian-manufactured 300mm Smerch rockets with 9N235 cluster munitions. The 2019 manufacture date, after Russia stopped selling these arms to Ukraine, indicates that the attack was launched by Russia.
Around the same time, footage verified by the Crisis Evidence Lab from an apartment block on Klochkivska Street in #Kharkiv shows a group of people fleeing and taking cover from another 300mm Smerch rocket.
The impact of the strike blew off the leg of a woman who was reportedly shopping in the area at the time. She later died as a result of her injuries as reported by the @guardian.
A third 300mm Smerch rocket salvo struck the area around a shopping centre and car park in NE Kharkiv. A witness told Amnesty that they saw two people severely injured in the area of the attack.
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Our worst fears have been realized. After weeks of escalation, a Russian invasion that is likely to lead to the most horrific consequences for human lives & human rights has begun. Amnesty International calls for unerring respect for international human rights & humanitarian law.
As bombs and rockets are falling on Ukrainian military bases, & the first reports are coming in of the use of indiscriminate weapons by the Russian army, we re-iterates our call on all parties to adhere strictly to international humanitarian law & international human rights law.
Civilian lives, homes & infrastructure must be protected; indiscriminate attacks & the use of prohibited weapons such as cluster munitions must not take place.
After analyzing over 500 videos and photos of incidents, Amnesty International has documented 125 separate examples of police violence against protesters in nearly 40 states and DC in the US between May 26 and June 6.
Police across the U.S. are committing egregious violations of human rights by using excessive force on peaceful crowds exercising their right to protest.
These acts of excessive force included beatings, misuse of tear gas and pepper spray, and the inappropriate firing of “less-lethal” projectiles like sponge rounds and rubber bullets.
Sex workers are already marginalised and the pandemic is making things worse. With lockdowns & social distancing measures many sex workers can’t work; but unlike others they are largely excluded from social protection due to stigma and barriers to accessing help.
Without income through sex work, many struggle to provide food & means of survival for themselves & families. This is especially true for undocumented migrants, racialised, trans or homeless people in the sex industry, who often struggle to access other forms of work or support.
As the whole world waits in uncertainty amidst a worldwide #coronavirus pandemic, it's important to remember those for who uncertainty has become a way of life 🌍
Movement restrictions: Free movement of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian territories has been controlled by the Israeli army for over 50 years.
Access to food & medicine: In the Arab world's poorest country, Yemen, people have been lacking access to food & medicine.
Today is the International Sex Workers' Rights Day!⚡Here's a thread about how they work courageously for the defense of their human rights and why they should be listened and taken into account.
Sex work is high-risk. Women who engage in it often endure human rights violations such as gender-based torture, barriers to access justice⚖️and health🩺and education📝of quality. They also face barriers in defending their rights.
The review process of #Beijing25 can be an inclusive space for all 🌈Today, we call on States and organizations to ensure that all women, including sex worker advocates and human rights defenders, are actively involved in these spaces.