Human Rights Wins Of 2023; What To Expect In 2024?

In many countries, human rights are being gravely undermined. From fighting poverty to ensuring the right to education, human rights activists fight to promote human rights across the world. This year, activists witnessed several changes in support of human rights. They have shown that change is always possible. In this article, let’s discuss the human rights wins of 2023. 

Human rights wins of 2023

Ghana removes the death penalty

Ghana, a country in West Africa, became the 29th country in Africa to abolish the death penalty. Ghana’s parliament removed the death penalty from the 1960 Criminal and Other Offences Act and the 1962 Armed Forces Act. 

Malaysia repeals mandatory death penalty

Malaysia removes the mandatory death penalty for the 12 offenses, including drug trafficking, murder, treason, terrorism, attempted murder and kidnapping. Under the amendments passed, alternatives to the death penalty included imprisonment of between 30 to 40 years. 

Gun violence prevention in the US

Joe Biden, the President of the United States, announced the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to reduce gun violence. US politicians believe it’s important to reduce mass shootings that plague the nation. 

Paraguay’s Programme for Prevention and Care of Child and Adolescent Victims of Sexual Abuse

Paraguay, a country in South America, approved the National Programme for the Prevention and Care of Child and Adolescent Victims of Sexual Abuse in order to protect the victims of sexual violence. 

Human rights lawyer Mohamed Baker released

In July, human rights lawyer Mohamed Baker was released after 45 months of arbitrary detention. Mohamed Baker was arrested solely for his crucial human rights work. He was in detention without charge or trial.

Four Yemeni journalists finally freed

Four Yemeni journalists were finally freed after being held hostage by Houthi rebels in Sanaa for eight years. During their detention, they were subjected to a series of gross human rights violations by Houthis. 

Taiwanese human rights advocate Lee Ming-che returned to Taiwan

Taiwanese human rights advocate Lee Ming-che finally returned to Taiwan after being wrongfully charged with crimes endangering China’s national security. Human rights activists campaigned for his release.

Afghani Education activist Matiullah Wesa released

Matiullah Wesa, an Afghan girl’s education activist and the founder of The Pen Path organization, was released by Taliban authorities after spending 215 days in Taliban prison. Taliban arrested Matiullah Wesa in March. He had to spend seven months in Taliban prison. Amnesty International said that Wesa should never have been jailed for promoting girls’ rights to education in Afghanistan.

Iran’s Narges Mohammadi wins Nobel Peace Prize

Jailed Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian human rights activist, won the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her “fight against the oppression of women in Iran.” The Norwegian Nobel Committee also lauded Narges Mohammadi for promoting women’s rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Narges Mohammadi fought against the Iranian regime for the promotion of human rights in Iran.

Mahsa Amini, women’s protest in Iran, win EU’s Sakharov freedom prize

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, also known as the Sakharov Prize, was awarded to Iranian woman Mahsa Amini who died in September 2022 in the custody of Iranian police. The European Union (EU) parliament also awarded its annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protest in the Islamic Republic of Iran. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said, “The brutal murder of 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini has triggered a women-led movement that is making history.”