human rights

Medieval-like contraption used in Iran after public prosecutor promised stricter corporal punishment

Sandiford has until 12 February to submit appeal against death penalty.

Report by B'Tselem claims Israeli forces have fired tear gas to hit protesters and used rubber bullets at point-blank range.

Mohammed Mursi declares emergency in Port Said, Suez, and Ismailia vowing tougher action.

Scores injured when guards search overcrowded cells for illicit weapons.

Syrian colonel believed among those killed by rebel al-Nusra terror group's double bombing near Israeli border.

Nafeek's parents say they forgive those responsible for their daughter's execution - but want her body home.

Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alekhina say act that landed them in jail was protest not blasphemy.

Eritrea-based journalist says reported bid to overthrow President Isaias Afwerki misinterpreted.

Tan Yong cut off wife's finger and stubbed cigarettes out on her face before she snapped and killed him.

MPs call for probe into union claims thousands of construction workers blacklisted during Crossrail and London 2012.

Sixteen-year-old rape victim killed herself after she was forced to marry her rapist.

Human rights group says death by firing squad for non-lethal crime is cruel in the extreme.

Greek neo-Nazi MP labels immigrants as 'sub-humans' sparking calls for far right crackdown.

Unaccompanied migrant children summarily sent back to Greece without access to social services.

State-run TV back on air after information ministry was besieged by rebel soldiers in Asmara.

The small, secretive Horn of Africa country is one-party state led by Isaias Afewerki.

United Nations report lifts lid on gory methods used by police to extract confessions.

Bashar al-Assad forces attack farming hamlet of Haswiyeh and target Sunni Muslims.

Ansar Dine, MUJAO and Al-Qaida in Maghreb recruiting hundreds of children.

Twin explosion in Syria's Aleppo University kills 83 people and injures 160 others

Strasbourg human rights rulings in favour of gay rights reduce space for Christians, claims religious group.

Nadia Eweida hails court ruling but secularists greet defeat on three other cases.

Prime minister says red tape is going but TaxPayers' Alliance claims quangos are still sprouting up.

Chandrashekar Srinivasan looks at the sad decline of the lion population in west and central Africa, and the worrying trends which suggest extinction is not far away.

International revulsion grows following beheading of Sri Lankan domestic worker Rizana Nafeek, who was denied legal representation and forbidden from presenting vital evidence.

France fears strong retaliation from al-Qaida-linked Islamic extremists over Mali and Somalia situations.

A year after an Israeli soldier killed Mustafa Tamimi, there are no signs of justice, let alone lessons being learnt, argues Steve Hynd.

Capture of strategic Taftanaz airbase in Idlib province by rebels leads to fierce battle.

French forces drive out al-Qaida-linked Islamist rebels from Konna in a move that has backing of US and UK.