Human rights

The Latest

Zambian flag.

Zambian bishops encourage 'people-driven' constitution

Jun 13, 2013

The Catholic bishops of Zambia have urged locals to be vigilant in calling for a new, “people-driven” constitution to help... Read more

Rep Chris Smith listens during an October 4 Helsinki Commission hearing.

Britain urged to investigate murder of Irish human rights champion

May 16, 2013

By Adelaide Mena

Witnesses and congressmen at a U.S. hearing renewed a call to the British government to launch a public inquiry into... Read more

A demonstration is held outside Primark flagship store over Bangladesh factory disaster.

Bangladesh tragedy sparks call for retail accountability

May 15, 2013

By Carl Bunderson

After the collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh which killed at least 1,127 workers, demands for better oversight from... Read more

California State Capitol.

Critics say Calif. infertility bill violates children's rights

May 1, 2013

By Carl Bunderson

A California bill ensuring that health care coverage for infertility treatments would be provided to same-sex couples is a violation... Read more

CNA

Murdered Guatemalan bishop remembered for peace efforts

Apr 30, 2013

During a Mass to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Bishop Juan Jose Gerardi’s death, Archbishop Oscar Julio Vian of Guatemala... Read more

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

Human rights include religious freedom, commission says

Apr 23, 2013

By Kevin J. Jones

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has asked Secretary of State John Kerry to focus on religious liberty as... Read more

Speaker Boehner greeting Chen Guangcheng.

Blind activist appeals to US over China's human rights abuses

Apr 11, 2013

Blind Chinese human rights activist and lawyer Chen Guangcheng criticized China for its human rights abuses and asked that the... Read more

Anglican Archbishop Desmond speaks during a UN press conference on October 11, 2012

Anglican archbishop lands massive prize for peace efforts

Apr 5, 2013

South African apartheid fighter Archbishop Desmond Tutu has been awarded the prestigious Templeton Prize in recognition of the Anglican churchman's... Read more

CNA

UN harshly criticized for pushing abortion in Peru

Apr 2, 2013

Health and legal experts throughout Peru are denouncing a recent recommendation by the U.N. Human Rights Commission that the nation... Read more

Red Light District by Petr Kratochvil (CC0 1.0).

Priest says modern slave trade rooted in abortion, contraception

Mar 3, 2013

Unprecedented rates of human trafficking can be traced to the rise of abortion, contraception and pornography in modern culture, says... Read more

Young professional women walk along the street in Bangalore, India.

Outcry over rape cases could mean change for India's women

Jan 19, 2013

Public admonishment of the brutal cases of gang rape in India could be the sign of changing views towards women... Read more

Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles.

Legal reform emphasized during National Migration Week

Jan 8, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

The U.S. bishops' migration committee is calling for prayer and action during National Migration Week to ease the struggles of... Read more

CNA

Mexican cardinal warns of immigrants forced to transport drugs

Dec 17, 2012

A retired Mexican cardinal warned that drug traffickers are leveling death threats against immigrants from Central America to recruit them... Read more

CNA

Cardinal says American Catholics should head battle for human rights

Dec 13, 2012

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops, said the Catholics of America should be “on the front... Read more

Fr. Federico Lombardi.

Vatican spokesman calls China's suspension of bishop 'serious'

Dec 11, 2012

The Chinese government has suspended a Catholic bishop who resigned from the government-run Catholic association, leading the Vatican's spokesman to... Read more

Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett speaks at a Dec. 6, 2012 press conference to announce the Defending Freedoms project.

New project allows Congress members to adopt conscience prisoners

Dec 11, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

A new initiative in the nation’s capital invites members of Congress to “adopt” international prisoners of conscience to advocate for... Read more

House Speaker John Boehner greeting Chen Guangcheng.

GQ magazine names pro-life activist 'Rebel of the Year'

Nov 29, 2012

A secular men's magazine has praised Chinese anti-abortion advocate Chen Guangcheng in its December 2012 issue, placing him on the... Read more

CNA

Spanish group calls for bolstering of disabled children's rights

Nov 21, 2012

On Universal Children's Day marked worldwide on Nov. 20, the organization Down Spain called for increased protection of the rights... Read more

A nurse holds an orphan with a cleft lip. Courtesy Little Flower Projects.

Catholic couple's 'apostolic hobby' assists 1,400 Chinese orphans

Oct 25, 2012

For the past decade and a half, an American couple living in China have cited total reliance on God as... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (Center) listens during an Helsinki Commission hearing on sex trafficking and abuse of children, October 4, 2012.

Dutch leaders urged to investigate child trafficking case

Oct 7, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

Witnesses at an Oct. 4 Helsinki Commission briefing called for increased pressure on the Dutch government to look into numerous... Read more