WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - WhatsApp said on Tuesday (May 14) that a security breach on its messaging app had signs of coming from a government using surveillance technology developed by a private company, and it may have targeted human rights groups. WhatsApp, a unit of Facebook, said it had notified the US Department of Justice to help with an investigation, and it encouraged all WhatsApp users to update to the latest version of the app, where the breach had been fixed. WhatsApp, one of the world's most popular messaging tools, is used by 1.5 billion people monthly. It has touted its high level of security and privacy, with messages on its platform being encrypted end-to-end so that WhatsApp and third parties cannot read or listen to them. The company said it was still investigating the breach but believed only a "select number of users were targeted through this vulnerability by an advanced cyber actor". It said its advice to all users to update came "out of an abundance of caution" and … [Read more...] about WhatsApp security breach may have targeted human rights groups
Human rights
Beaten human rights watchdog turns against itself
To call it failure would be an understatement. Hypocrisy would be a better word to describe the current course of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Thailand in pleasing its political masters. After coming into being over a decade ago, the Commission had stood up to repeated interference from successive governments. Initially it was deemed a model for national human rights bodies in Southeast Asia. Now, though, the NHRC appears to be caving in to political influence by permitting one of its own, Angkhana Neelaphaijit, to be pushed around by the junta. Just a week ago, the NHRC launched a disciplinary inquiry against Commissioner Angkhana, who has spoken out repeatedly about the deteriorating condition of human rights under the military regime. The inquiry was triggered by comments from Tuang Attachai, a junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly member, and a complaint filed with the commission by Surawat Sangkharuek, a pro-junta activist. The inquiry … [Read more...] about Beaten human rights watchdog turns against itself
CHR condemns ‘senseless killing’ of BARMM human rights prober
CHR condemns ‘senseless killing’ of BARMM human rights prober (Philstar.com) - May 3, 2019 - 11:28am MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights on Friday condemned the killing of an investigator in the Bangsamoro Commission on Human Rights, calling the case the latest in the string of attacks targeting human rights defenders in the Philippines. The 28-year-old Archad Ayao, who had brief stints as a television reporter and as a civilian writer for the civil-military relations office of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, died on the spot from bullet wounds. “The growing number of human rights advocates who died in the hands of unidentified gunmen under the Duterte administration is gravely alarming for the Commission. It is a testament that violent rhetoric and vilification of human rights concepts is deadly,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann De Guia said in a statement. … [Read more...] about CHR condemns ‘senseless killing’ of BARMM human rights prober
Thai Human Rights Commission being undermined again
On April 30, the rights commission began a disciplinary inquiry of Angkhana, accusing her of political partiality. The inquiry was triggered by comments from Tuang Attachai, a junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly member, and a complaint filed with the commission by Surawat Sangkharuek, a pro-junta activist. The inquiry focuses on Angkhana’s role in observing legal proceedings and documenting rights violations against opposition politicians and critics of the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). She faces possible impeachment. “Thailand’s rights commission is sinking to a new low by seeking to punish Angkhana for doing her job by exposing rights abuses and demanding accountability,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The commission’s leadership has repeatedly failed to hold the military government to its human rights obligations, but it appears now to be doing the junta’s dirty work.” The … [Read more...] about Thai Human Rights Commission being undermined again
UN chief tells China to uphold human rights in Xinjiang
UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised the plight of ethnic Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang region during talks with Chinese leaders and stressed that China must fully respect human rights, his spokesman said on Monday (Apr 29).Guterres faced calls to speak out on human rights during his visit to Beijing where he attended a summit on Saturday of China's prized Belt and Road Initiative and held talks with President Xi Jinping.The UN chief delivered a three-point message that stressed that human rights must be upheld in the fight against extremism, while recognising China's sovereignty and condemning terrorism."Human rights must be fully respected in the fight against terrorism and in the prevention of violent extremism," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters."Each community must feel that its identity is respected and that if fully belongs to the nation as a whole."As many as one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities are being held in internment … [Read more...] about UN chief tells China to uphold human rights in Xinjiang