Sudan

Fighting has escalated further in the region with Sudan’s military and the Rapid Support Force (RSF) battling for control. Most of the recent fighting has taken place in the Darfur region and near the capital city of Khartoum. This genocide has left more than 9,000 people dead and 5.6 million people displaced within the last seven months. It seems to be following similar patterns to the Darfur Genocide in the early 2000s. As the RSF makes rapid gains, civilians continue to be caught in the crosshairs. The UN has denounced atrocities committed against Darfurians as pure evil. With the recent rise in escalation of the conflict, the United States and others have renewed calls to end the fighting and restart peace talks. Hopefully tensions can calm and lead to negotiations, which are vastly needed for the country and those affected by the violence.

Tigray, Ethiopia

November 2 marked one year since the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front signed a peace agreement. Despite this, many human rights abuses have continued, committed by neighboring Eritrean forces, the Ethiopian military, and Fano militias. Mass killings, sexual violence, and the ethnic cleansing of Tigrayans have been significant atrocities in the nation. In the region of Amhara, a state of emergency placed the region under military control, blocked internet access, banned public gatherings, and allowed for searches and arrests without a warrant. It has yet to be lifted.

Although USAID suspended food aid to Ethiopia last March, it has recently reinstated it for a one-year trial period. It plans to monitor the program to prevent further theft and corruption, the cause of their initial suspension. Over 20 million people were in need of aid in the nation in 2023 because of conflict. Although the new program does not begin until December, it will hopefully make a difference.

Cameroon

Violence in Cameroon has continued without any progress towards peace. On November 6, a group of anglophone separatists carried out an attack in Egbekaw village in the western region of the country. The government reported that 25 people, including one child, were killed. No group officially claimed responsibility for the attack, but the government has accused the Manyu Unity Warriors. Separatists carried out a second attack on a market in a French-speaking area on November 21. They reportedly kidnapped 10 civilians in addition to looting and burning down businesses. The UN has called for the release of these villagers, but there have not yet been any more updates.

Southwest Asia 

Yemen 

 The Houthis in Yemen have continuously shown their opposition to the Israeli government. They have joined in the conflict in retaliation for the Israeli army’s bombardments of Gaza. On November 27th, Houthi forces fired two ballistic missiles towards a US warship carrying phosphoric acid, but the missiles landed in the water. The week before, on November 20th, the Houthi forces seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship, taking 25 crew members hostage. According to Houthi rebels, any ship belonging to the Israeli government will be targeted until the end of Israel’s campaign against Hamas. The Houthis have warned ships flying with the Israeli flag in the Red Sea, indicating that their ships are possible targets of violence.

Due to these actions, there are increased fears of the Israel-Hamas conflict widening, worsening violence in already war-torn Yemen. Responsive US or Israel strikes are likely to activate global involvement. Further provocations could possibly close Yemen’s ports to international shipping, putting immense pressure on the Yemeni people with the ongoing crisis of food insecurity and malnutrition. Their attacks may threaten the possibility of a new peace agreement with Saudi Arabia and there is pressure to redesignage them as a terrorist group, which would further hinder any deals.

Syria

A recent hearing in the International Court of Justice has found the Syrian government guilty of torture and declared that it must end the practice and work to protect the rights of civilians. France also issued arrest warrants for President Bashar al-Assad and three other important government officials for their use of chemical weapons, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Accountability is important to prevent further atrocities.

Additionally, conflict has continued this month. ISIL, also known as ISIS, still has a strong presence in the country and killed at least 30 soldiers in the military and pro-government militias. Both the United States and Russia are involved in the conflict as well, sending airstrikes and bombs. Tensions remain high throughout the country, and experts worry that conflict could escalate. 

Palestine

Qatar mediated a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, which lasted only through November 30. As part of this agreement, Hamas released more than 100 hostages, and Israel released more than 200 Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. Approximately 100 hostages have yet to be freed, while about 1,800 Palestinians are still held in Israel without charges or a trial. Part of the deal also detailed that humanitarian aid including food, water, and fuel are allowed to enter through Gaza’s ports.

Despite this progress, some violence continued during the ceasefire. Israel accused Hamas of violating the agreement. Israeli forces, however, also continued attacks in the West Bank and even killed at least eight Palestinians there during the ceasefire. They also warned people not to return to Gaza and opened fire on people who attempted to do so. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to continue attacking Gaza following the ceasefire, and violence is likely to escalate. The conflict has already killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and 15,000 Palestinians, and displaced over 2.3 million Palestinians.

East and Southeast Asia

Burma

As U.S. lawmakers continue to delay the finalization of the 2024 budget, the matter of U.S. humanitarian aid to Burma has been delayed until early 2024. Lawmakers are planning to pass a short-term resolution that would run until early 2024 that would fund the BURMA Act and other policies, but many activists are concerned that the delay and the lack of bipartisan communication may jeopardize the effectiveness of the BURMA Act. While the US has yet to do so, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Britain, and Canada have joined the genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that accuses Burma of committing genocide against the Muslim Rohingya ethnic group.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance, an ethnic resistance group, has launched dozens of coordinated attacks on military outposts in the northern part of the Shan state after capturing the border town of Shwe Haw. The alliance continues to gain ground and the junta has responded by sending fighter jets to bomb the areas reclaimed by the alliance, admitting that they are facing heavy assaults from anti-coup groups. This fighting in the Shan state has left 70 casualties and many residents have found themselves in a humanitarian crisis as resources decrease and environmental conditions worsen with heavy rain and a 5.7 magnitude earthquake.

As fighting on the border between the Chin state and India increases as well, many Burmese people have fled to India to escape the intense conflict. Resistance groups have taken over many towns and more than 100 security outposts from the Burmese military. However, as the situation calmed, over 5,000 people  were able to return to Burma. In an update from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as of November 9th, almost 50,000 people from the northern part of the Shan state have been displaced due to the escalating conflict between the junta and the resistance groups. An additional 40,000 people from the Sagaing region and Kachin state have been displaced as well. 

East Turkistan (Xinjiang, China)

This month, the historic 9th East Turkistan General Assembly concluded on a positive note in Washington D.C. The assembly discussed many ideas regarding the strengthening of the East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE), and how the national independence of East Turkistan can be secured. Emphasis was placed on the goal to strategize practical measures of addressing the ongoing genocide against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Turkic peoples. The assembly ended with new government leadership, including a new president and a 4 year strategic plan to advance East Turkistan’s cause for national independence. A 12 point Declaration was also adopted, focusing on the key resolutions of the ETGE and calling for the East Turkistan Diaspora and community to support the struggle for independence, providing necessary hope for the recognition of the crimes against humanity committed against Turkic peoples, and the sovereignty of the East Turkistan region.

The United States recently made the decision to lift the authority from the Chinese Ministry of Public Security’s Institute of Forensic Science in Beijing. This is extremely concerning as the IFS was previously removed from the U.S. entity list mid-November, prompting worry over involvement in national security and human rights. Although the United States has stated that the delisting of the IFS does not correlate to the removal of sanctioning, critics voice their dismay over the IFS genetic research targeting Uyghurs. Although more information is yet to come, more awareness must be raised over the safety of the Uyghur people as the intentions of the IFS are unclear and China has explained the move as a counternarcotics effort.

North America

United States

In November, many people celebrated Thanksgiving, while others marked the day as the National Day of Mourning to remember the genocide of Indigenous peoples by European colonizers. This is a day of protest and remembrance and draws attention to false narratives about peaceful pilgrims that are often shared on the holiday.

Within the United States, other human rights abuses have taken place as well. The UN Human Rights Committee has criticized the country for recent discriminatory legislation targeting members of the LGBTQ community by restricting access to gender-affirming care, preventing transgender people from joining sports teams or using bathrooms that align with their gender identity, banning books, and censoring classroom discussions. 

Since violence in Israel and Palestine escalated in early October, there has been a spike in antisemitic and Islamophobic hate incidents in the United States. Notably, three 20 year-old Palestinian college students were shot while they were walking before a Thanksgiving dinner in Burlington, Vermont. The shooting is being investigated as a likely hate crime.

~

Alishba Waqar is a senior at Westfield High School. She contributed to the Yemen and Palestine portions of this update.

Anika Gera is a junior at Terre Haute South Vigo High School. She contributed to the United States and East Turkistan portions of this update.

Anne-Sophie Hellman is a senior at Buffalo State University majoring in History. She contributed to the United States portion of this update.

Grace Harris is a junior at UCLA majoring in International Development Studies. She contributed to the Tigray and Syria portions of this update.

Jerry Harris is a graduate student at George Mason University in the Mass Atrocity and Genocide Prevention certificate program. He contributed to the Sudan portion of this update.

Mira Mehta is a junior at Brown University. She contributed to the Cameroon portion of this update.

Seng Hkawn Myitung is a junior at Albemarle High School. They contributed to the Burma portion of this update.

Burma

June

The U.S. has imposed new sanctions on the military junta’s defense ministry, the state-owned Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB), and the Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank (CICB), accusing them of spending over one billion dollars on natural resources, arms, and oil from Russia. In response, its spokespeople have claimed that the U.S. is doing this to create political and economic problems for the nation. These sanctions have been applauded by opponents of the junta’s regime, many of whom have called for imposing additional sanctions on Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) because the company continues to fund and support the junta.

At the same time, fighting between the junta and resistance fighters has left at least 26 civilians, including 6 children, dead. More than a hundred soldiers marched into Mobye, a group of villages in a predominantly-Karenni minority region, and arrested over 100 residents. Many were detained and released after a few days, but others were shot in their homes or caught in the crossfire. The junta continues to remain silent on the release of any information about the fighting in Mobye.

Additionally, it has blocked humanitarian aid from reaching those recovering from Cyclone Mocha in the Rakhine state. Many Burmese aid workers believe that this is politically-motivated. The blockage of this aid has made it difficult for aid workers to properly access damage, and they believe that the junta weaponized the cyclone to further bolster their control over minority ethnic groups. During the storm, it provided minimal notice or support for the evacuation of the 600,000 Rohingya detained in the region.

July

Over the month, the EU has continued to place sanctions on Burma’s ruling junta. This is the seventh round of sanctions imposed by the EU, and it has banned travel and frozen the assets of six individuals and the state-controlled No. 2 Mining Enterprise (ME 2).

Violence has continually been increasing in the Mindat area of the Chin State as well. The Mindat Chinland Defense Force has sent out warnings to civilians regarding military airstrikes. They have advised civilians against gathering in large groups and encouraged them to build bunkers and shelters for protection. This comes at the same time as attacks in late June and throughout July, where multiple villages in the Chin State have been targeted. Due to this ongoing conflict, over 1.5 million internally displaced persons have been recorded during this two-year period. Countless people have faced atrocities such as the burning of villages and food sources as well, leading to these high rates of displacement.

August 

Early this month, deposed leaders Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint were granted a partial pardon by the ruling military junta, although both remain in prison. However, the nation has once again postponed elections and extended the state of emergency, claiming that ongoing violence necessitates it. The National Unity Government, a group that claims to be the legitimate government of Burma, has said that this reflects the military’s lust for power and has called for revolutionary action.

Additionally, August 25 marked six years since the Rohingya Genocide began. Thousands of refugees rallied in honor of International Rohingya Genocide Rememberance Day to draw attention to this ongoing crisis. Nearly 740,000 Rohingya were forced to flee the country when conditions escalated and the former Burmese Government began the genocide. Six years later under new military rule, little has changed. The junta has continued persecuting minority groups still in the country and refugees live in uncertain conditions with recent cuts to food aid. Still, there is hope for peace and stability.

Yemen

June

Conflict between pro-Yemeni government forces and suspected al-Qaeda forces left three people dead in southern Yemen, reflecting the ongoing tensions in the nation’s civil war. Despite this, there is a general trend towards reconciliation. Saudi Arabian and Houthi forces agreed to exchange the bodies of dead fighters on both sides, and flights between Yemen and Saudi Arabia are now allowed. This comes after a series of peace talks to end the eight-year conflict and seems to be a step in that direction. 

However, in Yemen’s capital Sana’a, seventeen people were detained because they belonged to the minority Baha’i religion after a peaceful meeting was stormed by security forces.The Houthi have labeled the detainees as religious traitors and have called for their deaths unless they convert. Multiple other arrests have been made regarding hate speech and violence towards the Baha’i minority since this occurred, and the UN has denounced this persecution.

July

Throughout July, diplomatic efforts continued to reconcile Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. Since the truce expired last October, Yemen has been in a stalemate. Neither side seems inclined to compromise, although hostilities have decreased greatly. While those in power negotiate, the people of Yemen continue to advocate for peace. Over 40 Yemen-based organizations co-signed the Yemen Declaration for Justice and Reconciliation, highlighting the atrocities civilians have faced during the conflict and calling for accountability, reparations, and survivor-centered justice.

August

Negotiations between Yemen’s pro-government forces, the Saudi Arabian-led coalition that backs them, and the Houthi rebel group have continued with little change. Continued instability only serves to hurt civilians and promotes extremist groups. While these conflicting sides are willing to negotiate, there are no direct plans yet for lasting change. 

As these peace talks take place, another mass atrocity has been reported in Yemen. Over the last year, hundreds of Ethiopian migrants have been killed by Saudi Arabian border guards as they tried to cross over from Yemen. Many Ethiopians migrate for economic reasons, while others are refugees fleeing the conflict in Tigray and other human rights abuses. While it is not yet clear if these systematic murders are official Saudi policy, they have been internationally denounced.

East Turkistan 

June

Temu, a Chinese e-commerce and fast-fashion site, has been found to be linked to forced Uyghur labor in East Turkistan. Multiple products sold on Temu were made in factories in East Turkistan or with cotton from there. Despite the sanctions imposed by the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, companies like Temu and Shein have found a loophole because they fall below the $800 minimum value that requires them to report to US Customs and Border Protection.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas recently met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing and endorsed China’s treatment of the Uyghur people, claiming that it is countering terrorism and extremism. This statement was heavily criticized by human rights activists and organizations for delegitimizing the severity and existence of the Uyghur genocide. A representative of the Arab League has also recently visited Beijing and praised the Chinese government for their work in East Turkistan. Many human rights experts believe that this is just more propaganda spread by the Chinese government.

Additionally, a group of human rights organizations have sent a joint letter to the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging him to address China’s human rights violations, particularly concerning the Uyghur people, ahead of his visit to Beijing. The letter calls for a new approach and recommends supporting international investigations, releasing human rights defenders, seeking accountability for detained family members of U.S. citizens and promoting press freedom. 

July

On Wednesday July 5, the 14th anniversary of the Urumqi Massacre, the East Turkistan National Awakening Movemen organized a protest outside of the White House to draw attention to China’s continued genocide against the Uyghur people. Protesters chanted “time to stop the genocide” while carrying the flag of East Turkistan. Later this month, the World Uyghur Congress released a statement commemorating the victims of the Yarkand Massacre of July 28, 2014. The Yarkand Massacre resulted in the death of over 100 Uyghur people during a peaceful rally in Yarkand County in China at the hands of Chinese security forces. It was the bloodiest act of violence committed against the Uyghur people since the Urumqi Massacre of 2009. The World Uyghur Congress continues to urge governments and other human rights groups to work together to combat the Uyghur genocide.

Around the same time as these protests, China started a 100-day “Strike Hard” campaign against the Uyghur people in East Turkistan. Within these 100 days, the authorities will be cracking down on gatherings of more than 30 people, raiding people’s homes, and restricting Muslim and Uyghur cultural practices. Chinese authorities claim that this is just a part of regular action to combat illegal activities, but many human rights activists and Uyghur people living in East Turkistan that this campaign is just another effort to persecute the Uyghurs.

Efforts to prevent the use of forced Uyghur labor have increased in multiple countries as well. Canada has launched an investigation into Nike Canada and Dynasty Gold after a coalition of human rights groups filed claims that they used Uyghur forced labor. In response, Nike issued a statement saying they no longer have ties to the companies accused of using forced Uyghur labor, and one of Dynasty Gold’s chief executives called the report completely false. In Germany, Volkswagen has also agreed to complete an independent audit of their East Turkistan plant in China after pressure from human rights groups. To expand on previous sanctions, the US has reintroduced the Sanctioning Supporters of Slave Labor Act in Congress, a bill that would expand sanctions to include foreign companies that conduct business with companies known to contribute to human rights violations against the Uyghurs in East Turkistan.

August

On August 26, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech in Urumqi, the capital of East Turkistan, where he emphasized the government’s priority to maintain social stability in the region through hardline policies. He also highlighted the Chinese government’s efforts to “sinocize” Islam and called for further anti-terrorism efforts in East Turkistan. These policies have actually worked to persecute the Uyghur people, criminalizing and erasing their religion, language, and culture. 

President Xi Jinping has also called for more tourism in East Turkistan as China reopens to tourists after the pandemic. In response to this, many Uyghur activists and organizations have condemned the Chinese government. They stress to western tourists that casual tourism in East Turkistan normalizes Uyghur oppression. Multiple travel companies offer tours of the Id Kah mosque, where Uyghur Muslims are banned from prayer, the Xinjiang Regional Museum, which has been criticized for erasing history, and cities that host Uyghur detention centers.

Earlier this month, China invited leaders from multiple countries to promote tourism in the region as well and has increased its efforts to promote a happy image of East Turkistan. While the consensus of the visit was that no forced labor or human rights violations were taking place, Uyghur human rights groups have claimed that this was a propaganda tour. Diplomats and ambassadors were shown a version of East Turkistan that aligns with China’s narrative, and each was from a country that has strong economic ties to China and little incentive to criticize it.

United States

June

Since the expiration of Title 42, a Trump-era policy that used the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to force immigrants back across the border to Mexico, other restrictions on immigration have been instituted by the Biden Administration. The Pathways Rule requires migrants to apply for an asylum appointment and wait in the country they traveled through– a practice that has been challenged by civil rights groups for violating the right to claim asylum on US soil. At the same time, anti-immigrant sentiments remain high with calls to end birthright citizenship, stop a perceived “invasion” of migrants, and finish building a border wall by Florida Governor and Presidential Candidate Ron DeSantis.

Additionally, the state of LGBTQ+ rights in the United States is concerning. The Human Rights Campaign has declared a state of emergency in the country because over 75 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been signed into law this year alone. The Supreme Court has also ruled that businesses are allowed to discriminate based on religious views. On a more positive note, it also reaffirmed the rights of Indigenous children to stay with their tribes by upholding the Indian Child Welfare Act when it was challenged in a lawsuit.

July

A new immigration program has been put into place that will allow more South American asylum-seekers in Mexico to come to the United States as refugees. Although these migrants must go through a long and challenging process to prove that they were persecuted in their home countries, this program is an important step that will put many on the path to legal residency and citizenship. Additionally, refugee admissions in general have been on the rise in the US, with over 38,000 people admitted in 2023 so far. While this is higher than previous years, it is still far from the goal of resettling 125,000 people.

Additionally, the US House of Representatives passed a controversial defense spending bill this month. Alongside funding for the military, House Republicans added amendments banning flying the pride flag at military bases, ending funds for transgender healthcare in the military, cutting Department of Defense diversity, equity, and inclusion plans, and revoking a previous policy that offered time off and travel reimbursement for military members who have to go to another state to get an abortion. This bill is not yet law since it has to pass the Senate as well, and it has been met with resistance from Democratic members of Congress.

August

Although abortion rights continue to be under attack at the state level across the country, the Texas abortion ban has been temporarily lifted because it prosecuted doctors for performing abortions during medical emergencies. However, similar lawsuits in South Carolina and Nebraska failed, leaving the respective six-week and twelve-week abortion bans in place.

There are also over 30 new laws targeting LGBTQ rights in the classroom that have come into effect as the new school year started. Policies include book bans, idea censorship, requirements to out students to their families, restrictions on what pronouns teachers and students can use, and more. Because of policies like these, as well as bans on gender-affirming healthcare, Canada recently issued a travel warning for members of the LGBTQ community who plan to visit the United States.

As the world scrambles to help Ukraine, many have noticed a so-called Ukraine Effect. The effect is two fold. On one hand, countries began to focus more efforts and aid to Ukraine, while on the other, taking aid away from other countries. In Europe, Ukrainian refugees have gained access to health care, education and job opportunities while the repatriation of refugees from Syria and other Middle East countries has been instated. Recently, Hungary offered aid to around 600,000 Ukrainian refugees, but expelled thousands of Syrian refugees. Syria has been at war for 11 years and donors are losing interest in the cause while they rush to help Ukraine. This can be seen within UN funding as Ukrainian aid is 78% funded while Syrian aid is only 47% funded. While some tie the suddenness of Ukraine’s war to the amount of aid, other countries have also been suddenly thrown into peril. Afghanistan underwent a sudden dramatic change in 2021, yet aid is only 59% funded. These slashes in funding have real time effects. Food rations have been instituted in Yemen, a nation already dealing with famine and food insecurity. Somalia almost declared an official famine in 2022 with 7.8 million people in crisis levels of hunger and 700,000 starving in 2023. Despite this, the UN received only 57% of the 2.3 billion dollars of aid requested, and the money came in late.

Other problems have also been heightened because of the war in Ukraine. Russia has fueled another global food crisis by driving up prices and wheat supplies. This affects countries in the Black Sea and worsens problems in Yemen and Somalia. Additionally, as Russia causes inflation in countries like Lebanon and Turkey, it takes away from their spending to Syrian refugees.

While Europe has accepted the most Ukrainian refugees, other powerful countries’ treatment of refugees has been brought to light.  Within the US, there is discrimination against refugees, especially from South America. The number of people displaced by the Venezuelan refugee crisis is very similar to the amount of refugees from Ukraine, at 6.8 million refugees and migrants. However, in 2022 the $1.79 billion regional response plan was less than 14% funded by the time that the $1.85 billion Ukraine regional plan was 62% funded. Despite this, the conflicts between Ukraine and Venezuela do have stark differences. While Ukraine’s refugee crisis appeared suddenly and in the face of a war, Venezuela’s crisis developed over years and has been affected by many factors, not just war. Venezuelan refugees leave because of a lack of food and medicine and an increase in violence and death, all worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, many refugees do not get the help they need in the US because of the politicalization of the issue. 

Migrants and refugees are being used as political stunt props as they are sent on buses from state to state. While President Biden extended Temporary Protected Status to Venezuelan refugees in 2021, the project is still very underfunded. 

Going forward, the US must work to depoliticize the issue of immigration and refugees. Countries across the world must work to help refugees from all countries and follow through on their promises.

Ultimately, the Ukraine Effect demonstrates the need to reform systems of global aid and assistance. It should go beyond temporary food provisions that can be taken away if funds are reallocated and center long-term goals like building infrastructure, making transportation accessible and strengthening equal education systems. Long-term aid must focus not only on providing necessities, but also providing training and opportunities to empower those who need it.

~

Krisna Kumar is a senior at Friends School of Baltimore. She is interested in human rights and diplomacy and has been a member of STAND’s Yemen, Burma, United States, and East Turkistan action committees since last spring.

Sudan

May marked one month since fighting began in Sudan. Since the latest escalation in April, this conflict has left approximately 550 people dead and more than 4,900 people wounded. The Khartoum region has faced a plethora of bomb explosions and air raids, including a school in Darfur that was burned down. The UN refugee agency stated that the number of people seeking refuge in another country due to conflict will reach 860,000 people. 

Additionally, in response to the conflict, the World Health Organization provided 30 tons of medical supplies to Sudan. This is one of the first shipments to arrive in Sudan since the fighting began. The WHO plans to send more shipments to Khartoum in order to supply hospitals with adequate resources to respond to the fighting as soon as it is able to get the clearance to do so. Likewise, other countries have been making an effort to provide humanitarian assistance to Sudan.

While the situation seemed to be improving as negotiations between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took place, agreeing on a week-long ceasefire, both sides seemed to ignore the agreement and continued fighting. On May 31, the last day of the month, Sudan’s army withdrew from the agreement, citing this ceasefire violation and criticizing the RSF for their lack of commitment to negotiations. 

South Sudan

Tens of thousands of people fleeing violence in Sudan have entered South Sudan. With little infrastructure to support them and interethnic tensions already high, this has created fears about how sustainable this will be in the future. Already, there have been interethnic conflicts over limited resources, which have further displaced people. In addition, because South Sudan has historically relied on trade with Sudan to support its economy and to provide important supplies, the war has led to a spike in food prices, making resources even more scarce and inaccessible. While violent incidents have occurred at a relatively small scale thus far, there are concerns that they might escalate. South Sudanese officials have helped to mediate conflict in Sudan, but during this time, peace talks within the country have not made any progress. The head of the UN Mission in South Sudan has warned that the country is behind in the peace process and in achieving the goals of the transitional government, including writing a new constitution. More economic support and political progress will be necessary to prevent larger ethnic conflict.

Tigray, Ethiopia

May 2 marked six months since the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) signed the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and began working towards lasting peace. While significant progress has been made so far, there are still complications, particularly regarding the involvement of the neighboring Eritrean military. While both signing parties agreed to the removal of Eritrean troops months ago, they have yet to withdraw. This is a major point of contention due to the atrocities they committed against Tigrayan civilians during the war on the side of the Ethiopian government. Recently, thousands of people protested in Tigray to demand the withdrawal of all foreign troops. They also sought to aid the return of those displaced by two years of conflict.

Humanitarian aid access has also been made more difficult by these tensions. Early this month, both USAID and the World Food Programme ended food shipments to Tigray after discovering they were being sold on the black market instead of given to those most in need. There are still 20 million people in need of humanitarian aid in the region, and conditions will likely worsen as a result of this. Furthermore, remaining Eritrean forces blocked a United Nations humanitarian mission from entering a village in Tigray. Locals reported that atrocities are still being committed by the Eritrean military, adding to the urgency of their withdrawal. Aside from blocking humanitarian aid, they continue to commit rape and sexual violence and destroy local infrastructure. Eritrea’s government denies any involvement.

Central Africa

Cameroon

On May 20, Cameroon observed National Unity Day. While some people saw the occasion as a chance to celebrate peace and come together, conflict between anglophone separatists and government forces has continued with little interruption or progress towards peace. The same day, thirty elderly women who had protested the taxes separatists placed on residents of the predominantly English-speaking Northwest region were abducted. The women were released three days later after experiencing torture. This came after 50 women had been abducted, beaten, and released on May 19. Civilians have also faced violence at the hands of government forces. Those who have reported on the conflict have been arrested, with some even dying while in custody. Despite claims of unity, the divisions and violence remain.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

While violence has been ongoing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the region was also recently swept up in a deadly natural disaster. Around 400 people were killed in floods that affected much of East Africa, including the DRC, which has hampered aid efforts. These events, including a recent attack by a rebel group that killed 17, make the violence seem everlasting as people continue to be displaced, still have no access to food, and remain exposed to many diseases with little healthcare services.

Despite this, the DRC has registered around 43.9 million people to vote in the upcoming election in December. Opposition groups have complained about irregularities in polling and led protests against the government. Hopefully change can take place as a result and bring about a lasting peace in the region.

Southwest Asia 

Yemen

Procedures to remove 1.1 million barrels of oil from a deteriorating tanker anchored off Yemen’s coast will begin soon, according to the UN. The tanker may release four times the amount of oil as the 1989 Exxon Valdez catastrophe off Alaska, according to U.N. authorities, putting the Red Sea and Yemen’s coastline at risk. With Yemen’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, oil leaks or an explosion could cause a significant environmental catastrophe. The Houthis currently control the region where the tanker is docked and view the oil as a possible resource.

Despite this, progress continues with Yemen’s ceasefire agreement. The UN has noted that all sides seem willing to participate in the process and important gains have been made, although 21.6 million people are still in need of humanitarian aid. While the war seems to be over for now, this has not ended human suffering in the country. The Houthis continue to target the Baha’i community, a religious minority group in Yemen, and recently detained and disappeared 17 Baha’is  who were meeting at a community gathering. This is just the latest move in a history of persecution.

Syria

Israel’s air strikes have recently targeted the international airport in Aleppo. This attack killed one Syrian soldier and put the airport out of commission. This is a harmful development, as the airport has been crucial in efforts to bring in humanitarian aid during the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Syria in February. Israel has carried out hundreds of attacks on Syria in the hopes of stopping Iranian influence on other countries. 

Turkish intelligence has also claimed to have killed Abu al-Hussein al-Qurayshi, the leader of ISIS. Syria and ISIS have not commented, but Turkish occupation in Syria continues despite the tension between the two countries. This comes at the same time as Russia, Turkey, and Syria are holding talks in Moscow and all sides are striving to work with each other. 

Palestine

Israel is responsible for the deaths of five members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command (PFLP-GC) in an explosion in eastern Lebanon, close to the Syrian border. Unnamed Israeli sources, however, claimed to news organizations that Israel was not responsible for the attack. Israeli officials, the Lebanese army, and the Hezbollah organization, which is sponsored by Iran, all remained silent. There were conflicting accounts from Palestinian and Lebanese sources that the explosion was caused by mines going off while being relocated or by an outdated rocket exploding in an armaments storage.

Additionally, for the first time in history, the United Nations commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, the mass displacement of Palestinians during the construction of the modern state of Israel. This is an important step of global recognition, particularly as violence continues in Gaza, putting countless civilians at risk. The UN has condemned this as well. Israel called for its allies to boycott this event, and the US was one of a few countries that did not attend.

East and South Asia

Burma

As violence in Burma has increased, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have become increasingly concerned that their efforts to control violence have been ignored by the country’s military-led government. On May 9, the military used a vacuum bomb in an air attack that killed more than 160 people in the Sagaing region. The junta continues to blame independent resistance groups, yet their destruction and violence has increased and they are now targeting smaller villages and community centers. Members of organizations like Human Rights Watch say that this is more proof that other countries need to impose stricter sanctions and cut off funding for the junta’s arms and jet fuel.

Cyclone Mocha also has increased the need for humanitarian aid in Burma. Sittwe, the capital city of the Rakhine state and home to many Rohingya, has been badly damaged. Many homes have been destroyed and countless people have been displaced as numbers continue to rise. Both the total damage and aid needed are hard to evaluate because of the sheer destruction of the cyclone.

East Turkistan (Xinjiang, China) 

This month, human rights groups reported that Abuduwaili Abudureheman, a Uyghur scholar born in East Turkistan, went missing after arriving in Hong Kong. In his last known encounter, Abudureheman was reported to have texted his friend that he was being questioned at the city’s airport. In an announcement last Tuesday, Amnesty International noted that he was accounted for, reiterating that while he was actually safe in this case, they will continue to do all they can to support those who believe their loved ones are in danger of human rights violations. Notably, the announcement contradicted previous accounts in reporting that Abudureheman didn’t voluntarily travel to Hong Kong, contributing to the unusual circumstances surrounding his disappearance. 

In response to the ongoing genocide in East Turkistan, the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party held two panels. The first panel recorded first-hand testimonials from survivors of camps in East Turkistan, while the second one was composed of experts on the subject. Drawing upon testimonials from both panels, the Committee provided legislative recommendations for Congress that include putting sanctions on tech companies using Uyghur forced labor, restricting investment from American actors towards sanctioned Chinese companies, strengthening US-funded groups like Radio Free Asia that report human rights violations in East Turkistan,  eliminating alleged loopholes in the Uygur Forced Labor Prevention Act. While the report advises action, it is worth noting that the bipartisan committee of 13 Republicans and 11 Democrats is unable to draft or amend laws to be voted on by Congress. 

Kashmir

India, the host of the G20 Summit this year, plans to host the summit in Kashmir. China has chosen to boycott the summit, as Chinese representatives have spoken and said that they refuse to participate in any event in the disputed territory. 

At the same time, rebels opposing Indian rule in Kashmir killed 5 soldiers in a recent altercation with the military. This is one of the major attacks that has happened in Kashmir in the past two weeks, and security has been heightened due to the upcoming G20 Summit. India has claimed that Pakistan is training rebels while Pakistan has not responded to these claims. In response, the Indian army killed 2 rebels in Kashmir and continues to watch over Kashmir. The National Investigation Agency of India has also ramped up their searches and efforts to dismantle rebel groups. More than a dozen raids have been conducted in the Agency’s increased terror efforts to prevent rebel sympathizers.

North America

United States 

May has seen a wave of transgender healthcare bans in various states. Texas passed a bill that banned transgender medical care for youth, including hormone, puberty, and surgical treatments. Children that are already getting these treatments may continue but are required to slowly stop these forms of treatment eventually. This bill drew outrage from many, inspiring protests. This is the largest transgender ban for youth in the US. Similarly, Nebraska also passed transgender health bans for youth. This bill bans surgeries for trans youth starting on October 1. Nebraska also passed an abortion ban that limits abortions after 12 weeks. North Carolina overrode its governor’s veto of a similar law and continued a 12 week abortion ban. While the ban is now in place, the override had a very slim majority in the state legislative body. 

There have also been freedom of speech concerns after Montana banned the use of the social media platform TikTok. Many constitutional researchers and TikTok users believe this ban is unconstitutional as it impedes on free speech. Some TikTok users even sued the state because of the ban. The predicted conclusion of the lawsuit is unknown. 

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election. His actions as governor concern many human rights activists. His previous bills include a six week abortion ban, the creation of a low threshold for death penalty sentences, lessened gun control, and a ban on sexual orientation and gender identity education in elementary and middle schools. 

~

Alishba Waqar is a junior at Westfield High School. She contributed to the Yemen and Palestine portions of this update.

Allison Weiner is a sophomore at DePauw University majoring in Global Health, and minoring in Peace and Conflict Studies. She contributed to the Sudan portion of this update. 

Grace Harris is a sophomore at UCLA majoring in International Development Studies. She contributed to the Tigray portion of this update.

Jerry Harris is a recent graduate of George Mason University with a BA in Psychology. He contributed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo portion of this update.

Krisna Kumar is a junior at Friends School of Baltimore. She contributed to the United States portion of this update.

Mira Mehta is a sophomore at Brown University. She contributed to the South Sudan and Cameroon portions of this update.

Robert Liu is a junior at Durham Academy. They contributed to the East Turkistan portion of this update.

Seng Hkawn Myitung is a sophomore at Albemarle High School. She contributed to the Burma, Syria, and Kashmir portions of this update.

Sudan

On March 11th, Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, along with the Rapid Support Forces leader, Mohamad Hamda Dagalo, met in Khartoum. There has been tension between the two groups, as the army is trying to gain authority over all of Sudan’s military forces, while the Rapid Support Forces are aiming for independence. 

This month, talks began about military reforms, which are a major aspect of the democratic transition. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan came out with a statement saying that the army will be run under a new civilian-led government. He also stated that it is time to end the dictatorship form of government that has been in place for so long and shift to a democracy. Additionally, he stated that part of the reform will include creating a military force that will remain separate from politics and that civilians can rely on for completing the shift to a more democratic state. 

South Sudan

The government of South Sudan resumed peace talks with holdout rebel groups before quickly adjourning to resolve differences on the structure of the negotiations. Rebel groups have asked for a conference that includes all relevant stakeholders, while the government would prefer to focus on only the issues they see as most relevant, picking up where they left off from the most recent round of negotiations. Talks are set to resume on May 8th.

At the same time, the government is facing its own rifts, which threaten a fragile peace agreement.  On March 8, President Salva Kiir dismissed the country’s foreign minister without any apparent reason. This came less than a week after he did the same to the country’s ministers of defense and interior, the former of whom is Vice President Riek Machar’s wife.  While Machar condemned the move, he has remained committed to the peace agreement that guides his and Kiir’s unity government. However, these developments indicate potentially fragility in the arrangement.

Tigray, Ethiopia

The US State Department, in its annual global human rights report, has determined that all sides of the conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia committed crimes against humanity, including murder, rape and sexual violence, persecution, civilian starvation, deportation, and the ethnic cleansing of Tigrayans. It is estimated that 500,000 civilians were killed in Tigray alone over the course of the two-year war. While important steps are being taken towards peace, it is necessary to reckon with the impact these atrocities have had on the people of Ethiopia.

On a more positive note, Ethiopia has established a new interim government in the region of Tigray. Getachew Reda, appointed by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) was chosen as the head of this new administration on March 23, and this collaboration is an important part of the November 2022 peace agreement. The TPLF has also been removed from Ethiopia’s list of terrorist organizations, signaling an improvement in the relationship between both sides of the conflict and a hope for lasting peace.

Central Africa

Cameroon

Violence has continued with no signs of progress towards peace in the last month. Although there has been little news about Canada’s proposed peace agreement for Cameroon, the two countries have partnered for other purposes. They have begun an initiative in which Canada will support local business development in Cameroon, which could signal greater cooperation and a potential future plan for peace negotiations. Cameroon has also experienced significant political developments domestically. On March 12, President Paul Biya’s party won all Senate seats up for election. This sets the majority party up for continued rule, while minority parties, including anglophones, remain unrepresented in formal government.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been heating up for the past month despite efforts to end the ongoing violence between the government and other rebel forces. While the UN has called for rebel groups, including the M23 group, to honor a ceasefire agreement early in the month, acts of violence continue to surge, breaking the agreement. Islamist militant groups have committed multiple violent attacks, killing 40 people in one attack and 19 people in another, as well as destroying a medical facility. These events have prompted neighboring countries like Angola to send troops to quell the violence in the eastern part of the country. As a result, 300,000 people have had to leave their homes in the last month, joining a total of 800,000 who have been displaced since last year. The humanitarian crisis will likely not end until lasting peace can be ensured for the region. 

Southwest Asia 

Yemen

After years of continuous hostilities, hopes have been elevated that the Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen might finally come to an end due to an unexpected deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran this month. Nevertheless, analysts caution that if Saudi Arabia were to decide to cease military activities, the conflict there would still be far from over and may potentially get more violent. The long-standing animosity between the Houthis and their rivals, as well as the conflicts and strains that rule the anti-Houthi camp, cannot be resolved by Iran and Saudi Arabia uniting.

Syria

As Syria continues to recover from the devastating earthquake that struck in February, the nation has become more and more vulnerable to internal conflict. Last month, the UN reported that the humanitarian crisis has been at the highest level since the start of the conflict. Since the defeat of ISIS in 2019, over 65,000 detainees have been held in northwestern Syria. As ISIS starts to regain power in Syria, they have also made moves to free their captured fighters, along with allied women and children. There have been calls from humanitarian organizations for the removal and rehabilitation of those detained in these camps.

Despite the lull in conflict for much of the month due to earthquake recovery, air strikes and bombings from all sides have recently begun to re-escalate last week. Israel carried out an airstrike on Aleppo International Airport, where much of the recent humanitarian aid has come in. Following a Syrian militia drone attack that killed a U.S. contractor and injured six other Americans, the US killed 19 in retaliatory air strikes. After that, the Iran-backed militias involved struck multiple US coalition bases in a further attack. The ongoing humanitarian crisis is only worsened by this violence and destruction.

Palestine

Last week, Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich caused outrage by denying the existence of Palestine and Palestinians. Earlier this month, he also stated that a Palestinian village in the West Bank should be wiped out. This reflects a destructive colonial mentality that only serves to worsen the conflict.

The United Nations has also expressed concern over the ongoing conflict in Palestine. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has reported that the occupation must end in order for the violence to end. The death toll has risen alongside escalating violence, and 2022 was the deadliest year in the past 17 years for Palestinians and in the past 6 years for Israelis. Over half a century of occupation, oppression, and human rights violations have deeply impacted the people of Palestine, creating lasting legacies of harm. Change is needed.

East and South Asia

Burma

The U.S. Treasury Department has recently imposed sanctions on Tun Min Latt and his wife, Win Min Soe and the companies they run under their names, Sia Sun Group, Asia Sun Trading Co Ltd, and Cargo Link Petroleum Logistics Co Ltd, along with three other firms involved in importing weapons and military equipment, such as drones and aircraft parts. This is important because the Burmese military has increasingly used airstrikes to attack villages and other countries have imposed sanctions on jet fuel suppliers. These actions align with the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union’s decision to impose more sanctions on Burmese companies that are giving direct aid to the Junta.

On Armed Forces Day, greeted by lavish parades and thousands of perfectly placed troops, General Min Aung Hlaing vowed to crush acts of terror by armed resistance groups. In the same speech, he continued to blame former leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the democratic party for the alleged election fraud in November 2020. He promised an eventual return to democracy where he promised that the winning group would be able to peacefully rule, but his promises of democracy seem to be shallow as support from China and Russia sat side-by-side with the General as he gave his speech.

East Turkistan (Xinjiang, China)

As tensions rise between the United States and China as Xi Jinping enters his third term as China’s president, the issues surrounding East Turkistan still remain at the forefront of this contentious relationship between both countries.This month, the United States convened a committee in the House dealing with competition with China. This drew bipartisan support, although some fear it could escalate tensions with the ruling Chinese government. At a recent hearing, two Uyghur and Uzbek women, both oppressed minority groups in China, spoke of the horrors of being placed in internment camps that they described as being like a war zone. As the month of Ramadan has come, celebrated by Muslims around the world including the ethnic minorities that live in East Turkistan, President Biden has expressed his solidarity with the Uyghur population as they struggle with the oppression that the Chinese government has inflicted upon them. With this clear message from the US, it is imperative that change will come as a result of these hearings.

Kashmir

The UN has urged India to immediately stop its repression of Kashmiri activists. The government must be held accountable for the violation of human rights that they are responsible for upholding. This call comes from the arrest and ongoing detainment of prominent Kashmiri activist Khurram Parvez and the manipulation of laws used by the government to detain the activists. He was charged with financing terrorism for his investigation into India’s human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir, an arrest that has been widely criticized by the international community.

North America

United States

This year, a record number of bills targeting transgender people and all members of the LGBTQ+ community have been introduced in numerous State governments. The ACLU is currently tracking 435 anti-LBGTQ bills in the United States, many of which revolve around removing access to gender affirming healthcare, censoring education, and banning trans people from playing on the sports team and using the bathroom that aligns with their gender. At the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), right-wing political commentator Michael Knowles called for the eradication of trans people. This is just one instance of the transphobic rhetoric that is becoming increasingly mainstream and is a warning sign of the early steps of genocide.

Gun violence also continues to run rampant in the United States. This month, 38 mass shootings have killed 57 people and injured another 133. Six people, including three children, were just killed this Monday on March 27. It is clear that change is needed to end this epidemic of gun violence. 

~

Alishba Waqar is a junior at Westfield High School. She contributed to the Yemen portion of this update.

Allison Weiner is a sophomore at DePauw University majoring in Global Health, and minoring in Peace and Conflict Studies. She contributed to the Sudan portion of this update. 

Grace Harris is a sophomore at UCLA majoring in International Development Studies. She contributed to the Tigray, Palestine, and United States portions of this update.

Jerry Harris is a recent graduate of George Mason University with a BA in Psychology. He contributed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and East Turkistan portions of this update.

Mira Mehta is a sophomore at Brown University. She contributed to the Cameroon and South Sudan portions of this update.

Seng Hkawn Myitung is a sophomore at Albemarle High School. They contributed to the Burma, Kashmir, and Syria portions of this update.

Download the lesson plan here

Sudan

This month, the need for humanitarian assistance for the people of Sudan has reached an all time high. The four risks that are the most significant at the moment for the Sudanese people are conflict, disease outbreak, an extremely poor economic state, and natural disasters. Additionally, many Sudanese people are experiencing a lack of access to water, along with food insecurities that are causing starvation and malnutrition. Humanitarian organizations plan to provide food, healthcare, and basic necessities, but there is still a lot of uncertainty, and the situation continues to deteriorate.

Likewise, a disease outbreak is sweeping the nation. Some people have contracted malaria while others have contracted dengue fever. While most people thought they had malaria due to the malaria-like symptoms, it turns out that they had actually contracted the dengue fever virus. One of the biggest factors contributing to the disease spike in the nation is the poor public health system, along with a lack of access to health care. 

South Sudan

On February 3, the Pope arrived in South Sudan and encouraged leaders and civilians to support meaningful peace. Ahead of his visit, President Salva Kiir announced that the government would resume participation in peace talks with holdout opposition groups. The announcement was cautiously welcomed by opposition leaders, but it is unclear what progress in the peace process has been made since then.

Some progress has been made in achieving transition goals, as the government continues to work on a new constitution. It was announced this month that a law allowing arrests without warrants would be removed, indicating room for compromise and more democratic governance. Leaders have also said that they plan to have elections next December, with a formal transition of power in early 2025. This could force more action towards comprehensive peace in the coming year.

Tigray, Ethiopia

On February 3, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and senior leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) met in person for the first time since the peace deal was signed to discuss progress in the restoration of communications, disarming of armed groups, withdrawal of Eritrean troops and access to humanitarian aid. However, many Tigrayans have reported that attacks on civilians, especially sexual assault, are still ongoing. One woman recounted how she was raped by a soldier on the same day of this meeting. Progress cannot be made if the people of Tigray are still suffering.

On this note, the Ethiopian government has called for an end to investigations into its human rights abuses during the war. The UN has ordered an inquiry into the massacres, rapes, and arbitrary detentions that took place in Ethiopia, but the government is opposed to this. Ethiopia has claimed that this is a politically motivated stunt to block funding, but these crimes have been widely documented. Ending the investigation would set a bad precedent and not hold Ethiopia accountable, but continuing it may result in diplomatic conflicts.

Central Africa

Cameroon

The Cameroonian government has refused to participate in peace talks proposed by Canada and conflict has continued to escalate, especially due to controversy over the upcoming Senate elections. Anglophone separatists vowed in January to disrupt this process and killed two election officials. Clashes have continued over the past month, with both sides claiming to have killed scores of opposing soldiers. The government has refused to release exact numbers of troops who have been killed, but touted their successes in detaining separatist soldiers who have surrendered. They plan to continue with elections as scheduled.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Despite the recent visit of the Pope last month, tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) still remain high as the government clashes with rebel forces. The government has also blamed rebel forces, especially the M23 group, for violence, including the death of an UN peacekeeper. However, many civilians have been expressing anti-UN sentiments since last year, claiming they were not being protected by these UN peacekeepers.

Conflict has continued, and eight civilians were killed in clashes after protestors blocked an UN convoy. In addition to this, Amnesty International has reported that the M23 group was involved in numerous killings and mass rapes on a large scale since Novemeber of last year. While things may be looking up as people in the DRC have registered to vote in this year’s election in December, it remains to be seen if any lasting change will happen in this ongoing crisis.     

Southwest Asia 

Yemen

During a national conference on Monday to contribute to humanitarian assistance funding for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, international donors donated roughly $1.2 billion. The amount is much less than the $4.3 billion goal established by the UN to avert the humanitarian disasters in Yemen. The United Nations, Sweden, and Switzerland jointly sponsored the national conference in the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Yemen needs the funds to cover food expenses and medical services as more than 21 million people are in desperate need of humanitarian aid.  The ongoing armed conflict has resulted in violence, displacement, and food shortages, but there is hope that peace will improve the conditions for Yemenis.

Syria

On February 6th, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck northern and western Syria, along with southern and central Turkey. Tens of thousands of people were killed and just as many people were injured as a result of the earthquake. Millions of Syrians have been left homeless and in need of humanitarian aid because of the earthquake. This is especially concerning because the humanitarian crisis in this region was already at the highest level since the start of conflict in Syria in 2011. Over 4 million people were already in need of aid before the earthquake occurred, and hundreds of thousands more will need help because of it.

On a more positive note, in the Netherlands, the first case trying the Syrian armed group Daesh for crimes against humanity has begun. Daesh has targeted Yazidi and Christian religious minorities with genocide, committing murder, enslavement, forced displacement, sexual violence, and other atrocities. Twelve women rescued from a prison camp have spoken out against the abuse they faced in these hearings. This is an important step for justice and accountability.

Palestine

Israeli and Palestinian officials held a summit in Jordan for the first time in a number of years in an effort to improve relations before the holy month of Ramadan, which many worry might serve as the ignition for a larger escalation. At this meeting, representatives from Israel and Palestine pledged to start working right away to stop additional conflict.

This comes at a time of conflict and high tensions. Late last month, the Israeli military killed nine Palestinians in the occupied West Bank in the deadliest raid in decades. There is hope for peace and reconciliation, but Israel’s plans to build more housing in and fully annex the West Bank negate that. The participants agreed to meet again in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt next month for additional discussion.

East and South Asia

Burma

February 1 marked the second anniversary of the military coup in Burma, and life in Burma has not changed much since then. Around 3,000 people have been killed, 17,000 detained, and 1.5 million displaced. The international response has been strong, with both the United States and the European Union (EU) imposing sanctions on the military government. The EU recently placed a sixth round of sanctions on Burma, targeting 9 high ranking officials and 7 companies. It placed restrictive measures on private companies involved in supplying fuel, weapons, and funding to the military and travel bans on certain individuals who have sentenced protesters to death, overseen air strikes, ordered massacres, and committed other atrocities. 

East Turkistan (Xinjiang, China)

A major data leak from Chinese police documents has been released, revealing mass systems of surveillance and enabling people to search for files on their missing family members. Tens of thousands of people were listed as detained, mainly between 2016-2018, and there are around 750,000 total people in the files. The Chinese government has not yet spoken on this, but previously claimed that similar reports were misinformation and propaganda. Through these documents, multiple Uyghurs who have fled the country have found that their family members were targeted because of them and arrested for arbitrary reasons such as taking a vacation in a so-called suspicious country and associating with political dissidents. 

Canada has also recently voted to take in 10,000 Uyghur refugees over the next two years, a strong show of support following their recognition of the genocide in 2021. While this is a non-binding measure, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet have stated that they intend to make this happen. 

Kashmir

The Rawalpindi Arts Council in Pakistan held a photography exhibit early this month highlighting Indian atrocities in Kashmir. At this event, speakers called for Kashmiri freedom and self-determination and declared that Pakistan stands with Kashmir. This was just one of many events, protests, and other demonstrations held on Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5. At the main state ceremony, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for India to end its occupation of Kashmir and honor previous agreements.

There was also diplomatic conflict between India and Pakistan at a recent United Nations assembly. Pakistan reiterated a call for India to end its occupation of Kashmir and brought up the recent death of a young Kashmiri boy after being tortured by Indian forces. India responded, declaring that Kashmir is an integral part of the nation and criticizing Pakistan for harboring hatred towards India. Tensions continue to rise between these two countries over Kashmir.

North America

United States

There have been multiple proposed bills in the United States Congress relating to genocide and atrocity issues. On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Congressman Josh Gottheimer and three others introduced the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act. This House bill follows a startling rise in antisemitic incidents and Holocaust misinformation over recent years. The HEAL Act would direct the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to evaluate state-level Holocaust education and report its findings to Congress. Late last month, Senator Tammy Duckworth re-introduced the Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act. During the Second World War, the United States forcibly removed over 120,000 Japanese Americans and incarcerated them in camps. This Senate bill would clearly prohibit the incarceration of individuals based on their identity and rectify the loophole created by the Non-Detention Act of 1971, which does not specify this. 

In other news, Judge Susan Eagen sentenced the domestic terrorist who killed ten people and injured three at a Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, New York, to life in prison without parole. The gunman was convicted of one act of domestic terrorism motivated by hate and ten counts of first-degree murder after he targeted a supermarket within a predominantly Black neighborhood last year. 

Additionally, this month marks one year since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. Vice President Kamala Harris declared at the Munich Security Conference that Russia is committing crimes against humanity in Ukraine. The United States Department of State released a press statement reporting summary executions, mass rape, and child deportations. Furthermore, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution imploring Russia to withdraw from Ukraine.

~

Alishba Waqar is a junior at Westfield High School.  She contributed to the Yemen and Palestine portion of this update.

Allison Weiner is a sophomore at DePauw University majoring in Global Health, and minoring in Peace and Conflict Studies. She contributed to the Sudan portion of this update. 

Anne-Sophie Hellman is a junior at Buffalo State University majoring in History. She contributed to the United States portion of this update. 

Grace Harris is a sophomore at UCLA majoring in International Development Studies. She contributed to the Tigray and East Turkistan portions of this update.

Jerry Harris is a recent graduate of George Mason University with a BA in Psychology. He contributed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo portion of this update.

Mira Mehta is a sophomore at Brown University. She contributed to the Cameroon and South Sudan portions of this update.

Seng Hkawn Myitung is a sophomore at Albemarle High School. She contributed to the Burma, Kashmir, and Syria portions of this update.

Ukraine, part of the former Soviet Union (USSR), declared independence in 1991. The country gravitated towards the West after ousting a Russian-aligned president in 2014 and announcing interest in joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a Western-headed group formed in part to prevent Soviet expansion. Under the pretenses of “protecting” Russians and Russian speakers residing in Ukraine, Russia has gradually increased militarization around Ukrainian borders with tensions heightening to late February’s ultimate invasion. Since February 24, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that over 1 million people have fled Ukraine and currently endure freezing temperatures and rapidly-changing asylum laws in host countries. 

STAND condemns the acts of violence committed by the Russian government and military. We support a no-fly zone to protect Ukraine from Russian airstrikes, stronger Russian sanctions that completely cut Russia from the SWIFT messaging network, and financial and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine. We fear that the situation will only worsen, as indiscriminate attacks on civilians mark an early warning sign of further atrocities. Russia has been reported to the International Criminal Court by 38 countries, reflecting global opposition to the militarization and authoritarianism STAND has always opposed. As STAND also focuses its work on genocide education and awareness, we condemn Russia’s distortion of the Holocaust as a means to justify its attacks on Ukraine following a missile strike that hit dangerously near the Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial. 

Additionally, as a youth-led organization committed to ending mass atrocities, we stand with the young people of Ukraine advocating for a peaceful future, notably the students of color who are facing discrimination and barriers to both exiting Ukraine and entering host countries. Both Ukrainian and Russian youth are uniquely affected by war, already being vocal about their opinions of the future of both countries. 

STAND would also like to highlight the importance of this conflict in a global context- as an organization that works on issues in a number of regions, the response and attention paid to Ukraine is different from the attention given to other conflicts in notably non-white and Global South countries. STAND also closely monitors the ongoing atrocities in Yemen, and is concerned about the country’s famine potentially worsening as Ukraine’s ability to export food supplies dwindles. You can read our conflict updates on our blog for more information about the conflicts STAND has been working on in the Global South.

Click here for information and resources to support the Ukrainian people. Click here to view a webinar on the role of young people in gaining peace for Ukraine. We also encourage donating to organizations such as Voices for Children and Razom for Ukraine while continuing to follow the current situation and prioritizing local Ukrainian journalists. Use our call script to contact your Congressional representatives to stand in solidarity with Ukraine. 

STAND’s Managing Committee is STAND’s central decision-making body.

Burma

After the coup was staged at the beginning of 2021, an increasing number of civilians have joined armed resistance groups and protest movements, specifically women. Once army chief Min Aung Hlaing took control of the government, more women became involved in resistance efforts to protect themselves and their families. Garment factory workers have taken to the streets and are at the forefront of protests, sewing flags to humiliate guards and Hlaing. The government has increased its crackdown on women; according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 87 women have been killed, and 1,300 have been dragged to jail. In general, civil resistance is rising with a coalition burning down a police station in order to deter the military from using the station to attack local villagers. 

Tired of fleeing, many of the displaced have decided to join coalitions. According to the United Nations, 165,000 citizens have migrated to the southeast of Burma, waiting for a time of safe return. They have become medics, combat fighters, and farmers in an attempt to care for those injured by the government. As the humanitarian crisis continues to grow, civilians and the people of Burma are increasing the resistance efforts in an effort to bring justice back to the country.

East Turkistan (Xinjiang, China)

Although there is a high level of secrecy regarding the Chinese government hiding their crimes, the situation has started to become more widely acknowledged by the people as well as by officials and experts. A video taken by Chinese journalist/activist Guanguan has resurfaced, where he took it upon himself to go out and find information over these concentration camps, amounted to an approximately 20-minute long documentary. This documentary video provides new proof of the existence of these horrific camps, free to the public domain to view.

The severity of the conditions in these camps has also been acknowledged by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide published a report with all the evidence they have gathered over these Uyghur Muslim concentration camps, regarding crimes the Chinese government has been accused of, such as torture, persecution, forced labor, rape, forced sterilization, and mass genocide. Additionally, the museum held a virtual launch event in which people such as Senator Marco Rubio, Dolkun Isa (President of the World Uyghur Congress), Sara J. Bloomfield (Director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum), Congressman Jim McGovern, and Uyghur journalist Gulchehra Hoja spoke on the current situation in Xinjiang and the report the museum released this month. On December 23, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act was signed into law.

Kashmir

Within the past couple of months, the rate of violence has escalated in Kashmir, especially in its largest city, Jammu. Militant groups in the town of Bijbehara, located in southern Kashmir, attacked Mohammad Ashraf, an assistant sub-inspector serving the Jammu & Kashmir Police, and Rouf Ahmad Khan, a civilian and property dealer who had just prior left his house to purchase crackers for his daughter. After several hours, J&K police officers investigated the crime scene, claiming that a possibly unknown, unidentified terrorist group was responsible for the attack. Khan’s family expressed devastation towards the situation and the ongoing violence in Kashmir. These attacks and the ongoing conflict have pushed leaders to promote discourse on potential solutions, with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan mentioning the “Kashmir agenda” to member states during a meeting called by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Khan stated that Palestinian and Kashmiri civilians desired a “unified plan” for the region to curtail the attacks and possible terrorist threat that exists. The outcome of these attacks has worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the annual 40-day “chillai kalan”, a period of drastic temperature drop in Kashmir. Although J&K and Ladakh have received less snowfall this year, the harsh winter has fueled a public health crisis. Hospital officials are working to develop a solution that accommodates wounded individuals due to militant attacks, COVID-19 issues, and health problems caused by the extreme cold weather. 

Middle East

Palestine

In early December, Airwars, an independent conflict monitoring group, reported 192 Palestinian casualties in the Gaza Strip, with several more civilians injured over a period of 11 days of back-and-forth bombing and fighting. Armed Palestinian militant groups within the Gaza Strip initiated a shooting attack against Israeli and other Palestinian troops after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited Israel, generating mass protests from Hamas supporters and members. The attack, which resulted in the death of an Israeli civilian, incited the Israeli Defense Forces to retaliate with another tank attack, harming three Palestinian farmers with severe wounds. As this back-and-forth probing and armed confrontation continues, the rate of deaths in both Israeli and Palestinian territories increases as well. Recently, Jamil al-Kayyal, a Palestinian civilian, was shot several times in the head after a gunfight in Nablus, a city in the northern part of the occupied West Bank territory. Israeli police reported that the fight broke out after soldiers detected the presence of a wanted suspect in the Ras al-Ain region of Nablus. Palestinian civilians are still distraught over the gunfight and Israeli’s military presence, which often carries out arrest raids, in the West Bank. 

Syria

The consequences of the Syrian Civil War continue to worsen, with violence between other countries escalating. The Syrian Observatory for Human rights officially declared 3,746 casualties as a result of the Civil War in 2021, with 1,505 of these individuals being part of the local civilian population and 360 being children. Additionally, 158 individuals were presumed as part of the Syrian Democratic Forces, a coalition between Arab and Kurdish militant groups, and 600 dead Islamic State (ISIS) members. Although these numbers represent a significant death toll, they remain much lower than previous counts during the war. However, misery surrounding the conflict grows amongst Syrian citizens and displaced persons due to the large-scale political corruption, lack of infrastructure and welfare services, and immense poverty and COVID-19 crisis that populates the region. Over 78,000 Syrians applied to the European Union to seek asylum due to the food, water, and electricity shortages created by the war—a 70% rise from 2020. Many Syrian individuals report feeling hopeless due to the lack of resources and continued political instability and violent attacks that occur within the country.

Amidst this, Israel continues to attack Syria over territorial conflict over the Golan Heights. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) fired several missiles at three bases located close to Homs and Damascus, the two largest cities in Syria. The attack signified fears over Syria constructing chemical weapons and gaining access to materials that would expand their artillery and rocket capabilities. The attack resulted in the death of seven Syrian soldiers and an engineer working in one of the bases. 

Yemen

In November, Yemen’s Houthis were accused of attacking several Saudi cities, citing the escalation of Saudi Arabia’s violent efforts in Yemen. The Houthi rebels appear to be gaining momentum in the war and have managed to detain Yemenis working at the U.S. embassy. The U.S. State Department said that the Houthis are continuing to hold employees of the U.S. government hostage. In the capital of Yemen, Sanaa, a Saudi-led coalition struck Houthi-controlled military sites. Citizens in the area claimed that it was the “longest and most intensive” in recent years. The increased tension in the region does not help promote efforts for a ceasefire. 

Africa

Cameroon

Violence continues to escalate, harming many innocent civilians in the process. On November 1, a police officer killed an 8-year-old child with a stray bullet after firing at a car of people who supposedly disobeyed orders at a checkpoint. Similar to another killing in October, this sparked smaller-scale uprisings, which turned into violent riots. Several other children became casualties of the ongoing conflict on November 24, when people attacked a bilingual high school with guns and explosives. Acts of violence like this one have contributed to the fact that 700,000 children currently lack access to education.

At the same time, multiple countries have cracked down on Cameroonian refugees. Throughout November, Equatorial Guinea deported thousands of people who had been living in the country illegally back to Cameroon. The government of Equatorial Guinea has pointed to national security concerns as their reason for the deportations, and it is uncertain what the future will look like for Cameroonians seeking safety away from the civil war. In addition, Nigeria, which was once a safe haven in opposition to the government of Cameroon, has begun allowing the Cameroonian military to enter the country in search of separatist fighters.

DR Congo

Violence rose in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a suicide bomber attacked a local restaurant in late December. Officials blame the Allied Democratic Forces which is claimed by ISIS as its central African unit. Earlier in December, there were reports of Ugandan troops present in DRC working to fight the Allied Democratic Forces. However, this presence was only temporary and thus led to a rise in violence after the retreat of the Ugandan troops.  

The Allied Democratic Forces continue to operate along the border of both Uganda and DRC. The countries are working to defeat the groups together. However, lack of infrastructure and economic means are proving to be a barrier. In the meantime, the presence of the group is proving to be a very dangerous situation for all civilians in the region. 

Sudan

Since the October military coup in Sudan, protests denouncing the event have been at the forefront of all news in the country. Sudanese security forces have continued to fire tear gas to disperse protesters in Khartoum in late December. This has led to an increase in violence in the region and no transition to democracy is in sight. 

Prime Minister Hamdok, a former UN official, was reinstated in December. He is seen as a face of Sudan’s transitional government and there was large pressure put on the country ro call for an independent technocratic Cabinet under military oversight that was led by Hamdok. However, this deal was rejected by many protesters. Even at the end of 2021, the political deadlock in the region is at an all-time high and is proving to be detrimental for a peaceful transition of power.

United States

As the border crisis escalates near Texas, thousands of migrants are finding themselves in extreme environments in an effort to avoid U.S. Border agents. Reports have found that many migrants are taking daunting journeys across the Sonoran desert. However, the journey often proves to be too much on their health. Migrants crossing the border have long been a political target and with instituting detention and child separation policies, the migrants have been compelled to find their ways to the states without any help, leading to more dire conditions at the border. 

Migrant numbers have increased steadily since April 2020 due to conflict in many South American countries; however, President Biden has encouraged many migrants to not make the perilous journey to the states. Furthermore, a policy known as Title 42 aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 in holding facilities is causing many migrants to have to take dangerous paths to enter the country. This has caused discourse on how the United States could revise its border policies to ensure more migrants are not hurt. 

Writers

Aparna Parthasarathy is a student at South Brunswick High School. Aparna contributed to the Burma portion of this update.

Alondra Becerra is a senior at Texas State University studying international relations. Alondra contributed to the Yemen portion of this update.

Mira Mehta is a student at Brown University. Mira contributed to the Cameroon portion of this update.

Alvina Mastakar is a student at Terre Haute South. Alvina contributed to the East Turkistan portion of this update. 

Shreya Satagopan is a student at the George Washington University. Shreya contributed to the Kashmir, Syria, and Palestine portion of this update. 

Ishreet Lehal is a student at the University of Southern California. Ishreet contributed to the DRC, Sudan, and United States portions of this update.

Burma

Following the National Unity Government’s declaration of the people’s defensive war against the military junta, clashes between defense forces and the military have been increasing. Ethnic minority regions have been the focus of several of the military’s attacks and violence against civilians, with churches and homes being burned down in Chin State and whole populations abandoning their towns to seek refuge in Mizoram, India. Harsher repressions are also occurring in the northern and central parts of Burma, where artillery strikes have injured civilians including children. The humanitarian crisis is growing. As of October 18th, there are 589,000 internally displaced persons within Burma, and since February 1st, there have been 22,000 refugee movements to nearby nations. 

On the global stage, the BURMA Act, legislation authorizing targeted sanctions against the military junta and its conglomerates, was introduced in the United States Congress on October 5th. This act would also pressure the Biden administration to acknowledge the war crimes committed by the Burmese military, as well as to determine the violence targeting Rohingya people as genocide. The European Union parliament has voted to recognize the National Unity Government, although there have not been any changes in the struggle for recognition at the United Nations. ASEAN has also taken a step away from its usual non-interference policy by excluding the junta leader Min Aung Hlaing from its summit, although it invited a diplomat from the junta’s foreign ministry, who did not end up attending. The military has attempted to deflect growing international pressure against it by giving amnesty to prisoners in a strategy similar to those used by the previous Burmese dictators when they wanted to divert pressure, and many of those released were re-arrested almost immediately. Many journalists, politicians, activists, and civilians still remain unjustly arrested. 

East Turkistan

Uyghur Muslims continue to be persecuted and forced into concentration camps in Xinjiang, China. Recent developments with Taliban control over Afghanistan have affected the livelihood and displacement of several Uyghur Afghan and Muslim refugees. Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar met with several Chinese officials to discuss policy options, despite tensions between both countries. This alarmed several Uyghurs due to fear of Chinese officials encouraging the Taliban to deport Uyghur Afghans into these camps. Amidst these discussions, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a militant group dedicated to establishing an independent East Turkestan state, and the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) expressed warnings to China to recruit Uyghur Muslims to help fight against attacks in Afghanistan. China remains wary of both militant groups attacking concentration camps and attempting to regain control of the region.

Kashmir

After experiencing immense surges of violence within the past month, Indian military and government officials began moving hundreds of migrant workers to safer locations away from the Himalayan valley. The attacks targeted non-native Kashmiris and Hindu and Sikh laborers residing in the eastern Bihar state. Indian military forces increased patrolling in other less-populated locations as well, with police camps set up for families and displaced individuals. These attacks have further fueled anti-Muslim sentiments within the Indian parliament. Recently, right-wing politician Vikram Randhawa of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received backlash for hateful rhetoric against Muslim populations in Kashmir after encouraging his supporters to “skin them alive” and that Muslim parents must recognize their giving birth to “ungrateful children.” This hate speech continues to heighten tensions between India and Pakistan and exacerbate the conflict in Kashmir.

Middle East

Palestine 

This month, Palestine has begun its olive harvest season and there have been reports by Palestinian farmers that they are being harassed by Israeli settlers. The settlers have stolen crops,  uprooted saplings, and ruined trees. The olive season is a main source for farmers in Palestine.  Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors conflict and violence in the northern West Bank described these attacks as “planned and not spontaneous.” International organizations have commented on the attacks of Palestinian farmers and landowners. The IRC released a report at the beginning of the month that explained how climate change and unstable weather patterns have harmed the livelihoods of these Palestinian farmers. These attacks only exacerbate the problems Palestinian farmers along the West Bank already face; climate change decreased their harvest yield by 55% in 2020.

The end of September and the beginning of October saw many civilian deaths along the Gaza strip and the West Bank. According to a report by the United Nations, twenty-nine Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces or Israeli settlers. Among these victims was a three-year-old boy. There were also Palestinians wounded during Israeli raids at Damascus Gate and the surrounding area. There were 23, mostly minors, arrested, and 22 injured. These raids came at a time when Palestinians celebrated the birthday of their Prophet Muhammad. 

Syria

On October 20th, two drone strikes followed by rockets hit a U.S. military outpost on Syria’s southern border. Officials reported that the attack did not harm any American troops, despite repeated measures to do so. The outpost exists for the U.S. military to train Syrian forces to eliminate the presence of militia groups, especially the Islamic State militant group (ISIS). Alongside this, Syrian air defenses recepted Israeli missiles that targeted Damascus and injured two Syrian soldiers. Israel and Syria have been carrying out nightly air raids and attacks within the past month, with Israel targeting Iran-backed militias in and aiding Syrian forces, such as Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia. Amidst these tensions, recently, the Syrian government sentenced twenty-four individuals to death and another eleven to life in prison for starting wildfires in the northern region of the country last year. The Assad regime stated that these wildfires signified an act of terrorism versus arson, which worsened the instability caused by the ongoing civil war and COVID-19 pandemic. These outcomes have contributed to more polarized opinions on Assad’s government and the outcomes of the war.

Yemen

On the 7th of October, the United Nations Human Rights Council voted to end the mandate of experts investigating war crimes in Yemen. According to human rights activists, this is a major turning point in the ongoing crisis, which will lead to serious consequences on human rights protection. The activists on the field accused the UN of betraying the people in Yemen and allowing Saudi Arabia-led coalition to avoid accountability of the possible violations of international law. They emphasized the need for a new resolution that will broaden the scope of the investigation on human rights violations and examine the conflict in a wider political, ethnic, and cultural context. Al Jazeera reported that this is the first time the United Nations’ top rights body has ever rejected a draft resolution since its foundation in 2006.

On the 20th of October, the London-based organization named Guernica 37 had submitted its key findings to the UK Metropolitan Police to investigate Saudi Arabia and UAE complicity in crimes against humanity in relation to Yemen. The lawyers had clarified, that under the rule of general jurisdiction, the UK has the right to prosecute the perpetrators of gross human rights violations regardless of where and when these violations occurred.

Africa

Cameroon

On October 14, a mob lynched a military police officer after he had killed a five-year-old girl at a checkpoint in the anglophone South West region. The girl was shot after her parents refused to stop at the checkpoint and reportedly also refused to pay the requested 500 francs to continue past it. Residents of the region have expressed frustration not only with the girl’s death, but with the way they are consistently treated by militarized security forces. This led to mass protests, in which people carried the girl’s body to the regional governor’s office and waved 500 franc notes.  There were also reports of gunfire, but nobody was linked to this shooting. This incident is just the latest way in which tensions between the government and residents of anglophone regions have spilled over to harm civilians.

DR Congo

Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to preside and exacerbate ongoing tensions between the regime, military, rebel groups, and civilian population. In the past month, a rebel fighter group, known as “M23,” seized two villages located on the eastern border of DRC, near Rwanda and Uganda. The M23 group, which is notorious for committing human rights abuses, forced families out of Tashanzu and Runyoni and targeted and hurt several female civilians and refugees through sexual violence. Although this violence prevails, the DRC regime has been gradually maintaining international government relations to ensure domestic infrastructure development. Recently, the President, Felix Tshisekedi, met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow, Scotland. This new relationship was started over mutual agreement to stop deforestation in the DRC’s parks and cities. Both parties expressed desires to invest in clean, sustainable technology to ensure business development, reducing poverty, and increasing healthcare across the DRC and in de-escalating military conflict along the borders. This new partnership shows promise in ensuring stronger relations between European and African countries and in promoting global economic, social, and environmental progress.

Sudan

Within the past month, the Sudanese military executed another coup that resulted in the arrest of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. The current transitional government, which focused on ensuring free elections and bringing about more democratic change to the regime, was also forcibly dissolved, causing mass unrest and protests in the capital, Khartoum, and another major city, Ondurman. Government and health officials reported seven casualties by gunfire, where another one hundred and forty protesters were severely injured due to encounters with military officials. General Abdel-Fattah Burham, the leader of the Sudanese military, declared that the military will form a “technocratic government” that manages the upcoming elections for July 2023. These actions have incited several negative international responses. Immediately, U.S. President Joe Biden announced his stopping of $700 million that was allocated to the former Prime Minister’s transactional government and infrastructure development. The United Nations Security Council called for an exclusive meeting between the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Norway, Estonia, and the United States, all of which condemned the military’s actions and asked for the release of government officials. This sudden action has caused massive unrest within the country and worsens prospects for economic and social development in the near future.

United States

Immigrants are being arrested and jailed with no legal representation at the Texas border. A man who crossed the Rio Grande to get to Texas was arrested after trying to find a better life. It has been four months since he was without a lawyer, without charges, and unable to communicate with anyone outside of the case, including his wife and seven-year-old son. Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s efforts to arrest undocumented immigrants on private property have drawn the ire of hundreds of migrants, who say their constitutional rights are being violated. While many migrants have been released to immigration authorities, others are waiting for attorneys, charges, and court appearances. Governor Abbott and his partners continue to increase personnel, legislation, and resources.

Writers

Alondra Becerra is a student at Texas State University. Alondra contributed to the Palestine portion of this update.

Ana Marija Apostoloska is a member of the Yemen Action Committee. Ana Marija contributed to the Yemen portion of this update.

Mira Mehta is a student at Brown University. Mira contributed to the Cameroon portion of this update.

Su Than Thar Nyi is a student at Smith College. Su Than Thar contributed to the Burma portion of this update.

Shreya Satagopan is a student at the George Washington University. Shreya contributed to the East Turkistan, Kashmir, DR Congo, Sudan, and Syria portions of this update. 

Trinity Anthony is a student at the Academy of Health Sciences at PGCC. Trinity contributed the United States portion of this update.