The International Court of Justice has ruled that a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right, establishing legal obligations for nations to address climate change and protect ecosystems.

Mongabay journalist Karla Mendes won the prestigious 2025 Oakes Award for her investigation linking cattle industry expansion to violence against Indigenous Guajajara people in Brazil, providing crucial evidence used in legal proceedings.

The International Court of Justice has ruled that a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right, establishing a strong legal foundation for climate justice and environmental protection worldwide.

First Nations peoples of the Millewa-Mallee have won a historic native title determination after a 25-year fight, granting them exclusive rights to control access to thousands of square kilometers of their traditional lands in northwest Victoria.

A court in Ecuador ordered the government to grant land title in the Amazon to the Siekopai Nation, creating a conflict with the Kichwa de Zancudo Cocha community who already has claimed rights to the same area, highlighting the need for proper Indigenous consultation in land agreements.

Colombia's Constitutional Court has ruled to protect 30 Indigenous Amazon communities from harmful mercury contamination, suspending gold mining licenses and establishing a remediation plan to safeguard their health, food security, and cultural survival.

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that countries must protect the climate system as part of their human rights obligations, establishing climate action as a legal requirement.

Victoria is set to establish a permanent First Peoples' Assembly with expanded powers to advise government and make decisions on matters directly affecting Aboriginal people.

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that states and corporations have legally binding obligations to address climate change as a human rights emergency, establishing the right to a healthy climate as a fundamental human right.

Comics and graphic novels give refugees the power to share their experiences in their own words and images, providing a counterpoint to mainstream media's dehumanizing portrayal of displaced people.

A new global Coalition on Dignified Climate-related Planned Relocation launched in New York City, bringing together over 40 community leaders and advocates to ensure communities forced to relocate due to climate change can do so with dignity and on their own terms.

Denmark's upcoming presidency of the EU Council creates an opportunity to champion human rights and rule of law across Europe, bolstering protections during a critical period of democratic backsliding.

Papua New Guinea communities won a delayed Supreme Court hearing to review an environmental permit for ocean mine waste dumping, highlighting their fight to protect vital marine ecosystems that sustain local livelihoods.

Western Australia has launched an A$85,000 reparations program for Indigenous Australians forcibly removed from their families before 1972, addressing historical injustices and providing long-awaited compensation for survivors of racist policies.

Poland abolishes its last remaining 'LGBT Ideology Free' zone in the town of Łańcut, ending a five-year period of discriminatory resolutions that stigmatized LGBT people across one-third of the country.

Australia's re-elected Labor government has an opportunity to amplify human rights in its foreign policy by imposing targeted sanctions, supporting multilateralism, and providing increased aid to humanitarian groups across the Asia-Pacific region.

Pope Francis transformed Catholic-Muslim relations through active engagement and collaborative initiatives like the Abrahamic Family House, creating lasting pathways for interfaith harmony and breaking down religious stereotypes.

Colombia's Indigenous communities are implementing their own environmental management plans to protect Amazon territories despite threats from mining companies, armed groups, and illegal logging.

Indigenous leaders from around the world are advocating for formal inclusion in the new High Seas Treaty, bringing traditional ecological knowledge that could significantly improve marine conservation beyond national waters.

A landmark legal victory in Peru grants personhood rights to the Marañon River, protecting it from contamination and recognizing Indigenous communities as its stewards.

Frontex aerial surveillance capacity can now be used to help prevent deaths in the Mediterranean Sea by enabling more timely rescues of vessels in distress.

A Taiwanese publisher faces 3 years in Chinese prison for publishing books critical of China's government, threatening freedom of expression across Chinese-language publishing globally.

Taiwan publisher Fu Cha has been sentenced to 3 years in prison in China after a secret trial, raising concerns about freedom of expression beyond China's borders.

The UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution focusing on development financing to help fulfill economic and social rights globally, marking progress toward fairer economic systems.

Colombia's displaced Nasa people are reviving their cultural practices and connection to nature through the traditional Saakhelu ritual, helping preserve Indigenous traditions despite displacement from ancestral lands.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi receives temporary release from prison for medical treatment while continuing her human rights advocacy work.

FIFA is being urged to recognize and support the Afghanistan Women's National Football Team in exile, enabling them to return to international competition and represent their country despite Taliban restrictions.

Environmental activist and sea captain Carola Rackete brings grassroots perspectives into the European Parliament to advance global climate justice and nature protection.

Ecuador's highest court ruled to protect uncontacted indigenous peoples in the Amazon from oil drilling, establishing stronger safeguards for their territories and cultural preservation.

Afghan women's relentless advocacy has led to important legal steps toward holding the Taliban accountable for systematic gender persecution, including potential proceedings at international courts.

A new farm certification system in Canada aims to improve working conditions and rights for migrant farm workers through market-driven standards and worker participation.

The High Court in Kenya ruled to restore citizenship rights to thousands of ethnic Somali Kenyans who were wrongly registered as refugees, enabling them to access essential services, education, and employment opportunities.

119 bronze artifacts looted from Nigeria's Kingdom of Benin in the 19th century will be returned by the Netherlands' Museum Volkenkunde, helping restore important cultural heritage to its rightful home.

The film 'I’m Still Here' highlights Eunice Paiva's historical contributions to Indigenous and environmental rights in Brazil, inspiring renewed recognition of her legacy.

The United Nations Human Rights Council is exploring new indicators to measure a country's progress beyond GDP, aiming to focus on human well-being and environmental sustainability.

The University of York is providing a sanctuary for scholars and human rights defenders, allowing them to study in safety and seek brighter futures.