MIL Email Publisher – Foreign Submissions

Source: Amnesty International

Responding to the Hong Kong Court of Appeal rejecting the appeals of 12 defendants in the ‘Hong Kong 47’ case, Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas spokesperson Fernando Cheung said:

“The court’s dismissal of these appeals underlines the grave state of human rights in Hong Kong and once again demonstrates the politically motivated nature of the Hong Kong 47 case.

“None of these 12 defendants committed an internationally recognized crime; they have been serving lengthy sentences simply for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and participation in public affairs.

“It is deeply concerning that, since the introduction of ‘Article 23’ in 2024, at least eight defendants in the Hong Kong 47 case have reportedly been denied early release on the basis of vague and new national security justifications, in contrast to previous long-standing practice in Hong Kong.

“This shows how ‘Article 23’, like the Beijing-imposed National Security Law used to prosecute the Hong Kong 47, has been weaponized to impose additional punitive and retroactive measures against dissidents, including silencing those already behind bars.

“By failing to overturn these wrongful convictions and sentences today, the court has missed a critical opportunity to correct this mass injustice.

“Peaceful opposition to a government is not a crime, and all remaining jailed members of the Hong Kong 47 should be released immediately and unconditionally.”

Background

The Hong Kong Court of Appeal today dismissed the appeals of 12 defendants in the ‘Hong Kong 47’ case.

In Hong Kong’s largest prosecution under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law, which was enacted in June 2020, 47 opposition figures were jointly charged with “conspiracy to commit subversion”. Thirty-one of the 47 pleaded guilty to the charge while 16 pleaded not guilty, two of whom were acquitted.

The charges against the “Hong Kong 47” relate to their organization and participation in self-organized “primaries” for the 2020 Legislative Council elections that were ultimately postponed by authorities on Covid-19 grounds before a new electoral system that strictly vetted who could stand for office was brought in.

To treat self-organized “primaries” conducted by political parties to select candidates to put forward for elections as a genuine threat to Hong Kong’s existence, territorial integrity or political independence does not meet the high threshold of application for “national security” that international human rights standards require.

In March 2024, Hong Kong introduced its Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, often referred to as the ‘Article 23’ law. The law has further squeezed people’s freedoms and enabled authorities to intensify their crackdown on peaceful activism in the city and beyond.

‘Article 23’ has also been used to impose additional punitive measures against dissidents already serving sentences. Before the enactment of ‘Article 23’, the Prison Rules provided that prisoners with good conduct were eligible for early release after serving two-thirds of their sentences. However, under new rules introduced pursuant to ‘Article 23’, the prison authorities can deny the early release on “national security” grounds.

Source: deVere Group

February 20 2026 – US President Trump's signature economic agenda, his tariff regime, appears to be visibly crumbling, yet financial markets are poised to rally through the debris, asserts the CEO of global financial advisory giant deVere Group.

The assessment from Nigel Green comes after the US Supreme Court determined on Friday that President Donald Trump overstepped his legal authority in rolling out sweeping global tariffs without congressional approval, handing the White House a major setback on a policy that has defined his economic agenda, and to a lesser degree foreign strategy since returning to office in January 2025.

Nigel Green says: “This ruling strikes at the core of the administration's economic doctrine.

“Trade confrontation was positioned as the engine of renewed domestic strength.

“Instead, it now faces constitutional limits, market scrutiny, and diminishing economic returns.”

He continues: “Tariffs were sold as a lever to rebalance trade and protect US industry. In practice, they have functioned as a tax on importers, many of whom passed costs directly to consumers.

“Corporate margins have tightened in sectors reliant on global supply chains, and investment decisions have been delayed amid policy uncertainty.”

Recent economic data underscore the fragility of the current environment. Growth has moderated from last year's pace, while inflation measures have shown renewed firmness in categories exposed to higher import costs.

Wage growth remains solid, yet household purchasing power is constrained by elevated prices in services and goods.

The deVere CEO explains: “The economy's not collapsing, but it's losing velocity. Inflation remains persistent enough to limit policy flexibility, and business confidence is sensitive to abrupt regulatory and trade shifts.

“Today's Supreme Court's decision injects a new variable into that equation.”

Despite the political blow, he argues markets are unlikely to respond with sustained panic.

“Investors differentiate between political theatre and earnings power. Equity markets are forward-looking, and they are being supported by strong balance sheets in major US corporations, continued capital expenditure in AI and tech, and expectations that policymakers will ultimately avoid extreme outcomes.”

He adds: “Large-cap equities, particularly in AI infrastructure, semiconductors, and cloud computing, continue to attract global capital.

“Even if tariff authority is curtailed, the structural investment cycle in advanced computing and automation remains intact.”

Bond markets, however, may react with greater nuance.

“If tariffs are rolled back or diluted, some inflationary pressure tied to import costs could ease over time, which may support the longer end of the Treasury curve. Yet persistent fiscal deficits and firm wage growth can also be expected to keep upward pressure on yields.”

Currency markets face competing forces.

“The US dollar could experience bouts of volatility. Reduced trade tension may support global risk appetite, tempering safe-haven flows into the dollar.”

He cautions against simplistic conclusions. “A judicial setback does not automatically reverse the economic trajectory. Implementation timelines, potential legislative responses, and geopolitical reactions all matter.

“Markets will price in probabilities.”

Corporate America, he observes, is likely to adapt quickly.

“Many multinationals have already diversified supply chains and restructured sourcing strategies in anticipation of prolonged trade friction.

“A recalibration of tariff authority may ease cost pressures incrementally, but strategic shifts made over the past year will not be undone overnight.”

Nigel Green concludes: “President Trump's tariff-driven strategy is under clear strain following this ruling.

“The legal boundary has been reinforced, and the economic case for broad-based trade barriers has weakened.

“Yet financial markets are pragmatic. If the result is greater clarity, reduced policy unpredictability, and sustained investment in AI and tech, equities can advance even as the political narrative fractures.”

“Investors should expect volatility around policy announcements and court developments, firmer scrutiny of fiscal sustainability, and selective strength in sectors with durable earnings growth.”

deVere Group is one of the world's largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.

Source: Amnesty International

Ahead of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday 23 February, Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard said:

“Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s long-awaited day in court is a significant step towards delivering justice for victims and survivors of his administration’s deadly so-called ‘war on drugs’.

“It also reminds the international community that nobody is above the law, no matter the ferocity of attacks, sanctions and threats aimed at the ICC from some world leaders.

“The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber must now swiftly reach a decision on confirming the charges of crimes against humanity against Duterte so that justice can proceed.

“Just as Duterte has the right to a fair trial, timely progress towards justice remains essential to uphold victims’ rights. Should the charges be confirmed, the trial must proceed promptly and witnesses must be protected from intimidation.

“We urge the Philippine government to cooperate with the ICC’s ongoing investigation into crimes committed in the country, including by promptly enforcing any further arrest warrants issued by the Court.

“The government’s surrender of Duterte to the ICC does not absolve it of responsibility to deliver domestic accountability for violations in the ‘war on drugs’. Alongside the ICC, the government must carry out effective investigations against all others suspected of involvement in extrajudicial executions and hold perpetrators accountable in fair trials.”

Background

In March 2025, former President Duterte was arrested by the Philippine government and surrendered to the ICC to face charges of murder and attempted murder as crimes against humanity linked to his government’s so-called “war on drugs” and previously his time as mayor of Davao City between 2013 and 2016. Duterte’s initial appearance before the Court took place on 14 March 2025.

Since his arrest, he has been awaiting trial in ICC custody in the Netherlands. Lawyers for the former President have challenged the Court’s jurisdiction, his ongoing detention and his fitness to stand trial. Most recently, they have sought the disqualification of Filipino lawyers who were appointed to represent victims before the Court.

A challenge to the Court’s jurisdiction remains pending before the Appeals Chamber. In January 2026, a Pre-Trial Chamber determined, following a review by medical experts, that Duterte is fit to stand trial.

The Pre-Trial Chamber needs to make its decision on whether to confirm some or all of the charges within 60 days after the 23-27 February hearings conclude. Should it do so, the case would be transferred to a different chamber for the actual trial.

During the Duterte administration from 2016 to 2022, thousands of people, mostly from poor and marginalized communities, were unlawfully killed by the police – or by armed individuals suspected to have links to the police – as part of the “war on drugs”.

Amnesty International has published major investigations detailing extrajudicial executions and other human rights violations by police and their superiors. The organization has determined that the acts committed reach the threshold of crimes against humanity.

The ICC continues to investigate further potential crimes against humanity, during the “war on drugs” and by the Davao Death Squad in Davao City while Duterte served as mayor from 2011 to 2016. On 13 February 2026 a “Public Lesser Redacted Version” of the document containing charges listed eight other persons as co-perpetrators of crimes alongside Duterte. No further arrest warrants have been made public yet.

Source: Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA)

An impressive line-up of leading international and Australian refugee advocates will headline this year’s second Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA) National Conference.

Iranian Kurdish journalist, human rights defender and writer Behrouz Boochani and former UNHCR Assistant Commissioner, former President of the Australian Human Rights Commission Dr Gilian Triggs and human rights advocate Nyadol Nyuon, OAM, are among the keynote speakers at the conference held at the Adelaide Festival Centre on March 25 and 26.

Mr Boochani was held in the Manus Island detention centre in Papua New Guinea between 2013 and its closure in 2017. He now lives in New Zealand where he is a research fellow at the University of Canterbury.

Also speaking at the conference will be the Co-Executive Director of the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network Noor Azizah, Co-Secretary General Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network Hafsar Tameesuddin, Chief Executive Officer, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Centre for Multicultural Youth Carmel Guerra OAM, CEO of migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia Melinda Collinson, Executive Director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation Hass Dellal AO and CEO of Refugee Legal David Mann.

Also, among the speakers from South Australia are Mr Muzafar Ali, CEO of Cisarua Learning, Ms Mirsia Bunjaku, CEO of the Australian Migrant Resource Centre, Mr Sebastian Geers, Manager of Welcoming Cities, Ms Blur Abdulla SA Manager of AMES Australia, Ms Helena Kyriazopoulos OAM, CEO of the Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia (MCCSA), Dr Natasha Elsley, GP Consultant, South Australia Refugee Health Service, and many prominent academics, heads of organisations and advocates.

The Second RCAA National Conference 2026 is supported by a grant from the “Department of the Premier and Cabinet”, Multicultural Affairs, Government of South Australia.

The conference will focus on facilitating conversations, sharing knowledge, and increasing awareness of the lived experiences of new and emerging communities, migrants, and multicultural communities as well as highlighting their contributions to Australia.

Under the theme “Empowering Refugees and Multicultural Communities Together”, the conference will explore how refugee communities move beyond initial settlement to multicultural leadership, ensuring their voices actively influence policies, services, and decision-making at all levels.

The long-term goal of RCAA is to establish a framework fostering a self-reliant, progressive, and culturally inclusive approach, strengthening refugee leadership through policy, advocacy, support, capacity building, and working with all stakeholders.

The conference is expected to bring together more than 250 delegates, representing more than 50 organisations. Attendees will include new and emerging communities, multicultural communities, refugee organisations, service providers, policymakers, academics, businesses, and representatives from all levels of government.

The conference will serve as a platform for meaningful engagement, collaboration, and innovation in multicultural leadership and integration. The conference will provide an opportunity to:

Advance multicultural leadership and amplify their voices within Australian society
Promote awareness of the contributions of refugee communities to the social and economic wellbeing, and rich cultural fabric of Australia
Foster dialogue that encourages the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and solutions between new and emerging communities, service providers, and policymakers
Strengthen the advocacy capacity of ‘lived experience’ led organisations and build a stronger, more cohesive network
Develop a foundation of lived experience and evidence-based insights to shape policy and service delivery

RCAA Chair Parsu Sharma Luital said the conference would also feature case studies of successful multicultural sector led initiatives and examine how their approaches can be adapted and implemented by other agencies to enhance their leadership and support systems.

“It will also celebrate the role of lived experience in shaping service provision, employment pathways, and community programs and explore opportunities for partnerships between new and emerging communities, service providers, businesses, and government agencies,” Mr Sharma Luital said.

Kamal Dahal, RCAA Treasurer and Co-Chair of the Conference Organising Committee, said, “I am sincerely thankful to the Government of South Australia for generously supporting our RCAA conference. We are delighted to welcome delegates from across Australia and beyond borders, joining a large contingent of our South Australian delegates. South Australia is proudly a multicultural state, which is home to people from over 200 countries, speaking over 250 languages and practising more than 125 faiths and beliefs”.

“As a member of the inaugural Multicultural South Australia Ambassador Program, established under the South Australian Multicultural Commission, I see this conference as a strong reflection of our state’s commitment to meaningful engagement and purposeful representation of our multicultural community,” said Mr Dahal.

A conference dinner will honour the rich cultural diversity of South Australia and celebrate the contributions of multicultural communities from across Australia.

Bringing together delegates, community leaders, and stakeholders, the dinner will be a night of connection, recognition, and cultural appreciation, reflecting the strength and resilience of our diverse communities.

The Second RCAA National Conference 2026 is being supported by a grant from the Government of South Australia.

Conference website and registration link: https://rcaaconference2026.com.au/registration/

About RCAA

The RCAA is Australia’s first membership-based, refugee-led organisation (RLO), distinguished by its strong grassroots foundation and extensive reach with refugee communities and key stakeholders. RCAA unites over 70 member organisations nationwide and thousands of individuals, each embodying the resilience, strength, and rich diversity of refugee communities.

Together, RCAA forms a collective force that amplifies diverse voices, advocates for systemic change, and strengthens the already rich fabric of Australia’s multiculturalism. With leadership drawn directly from those with lived experience, RCAA ensures that policies and programs impacting these communities are shaped by those with lived experience.

Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

Port Sudan, February 10, 2026 – Drone attacks carried out by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are hitting civilian areas and critical infrastructures, including schools, markets, healthcare facilities, and water sources, across Sudan. In the first two weeks of February, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams have treated 167 patients suffering from penetrating injuries at level of thorax and abdomen, multiple fractures of limbs, head injuries and drone shrapnel. MSF warns that this pattern of attacks is placing civilians and humanitarian workers at grave risk and calls for their immediate protection.

On February 15, an MSF team in Adré, eastern Chad, received 18 civilians—including four women and three children—who were injured in SAF drone strikes on a fuel market just across the border in Adikong, West Darfur state. On February 6, 29 people sustaining injuries were treated at MSF supported hospital in Tine, also in eastern Chad, following two RSF drone attacks in western Sudan which killed at least 10 people, four of whom died in the hospital. Since that date, patients have been arriving frequently due to strikes.

“Among the patients we received, a nine-year-old boy arrived with a large shrapnel wound to his eye, extensive facial fractures, and two amputated fingers. He was in severe pain and exposed to dust after a long journey to reach the facility. Even with optimal care, he is likely to face long-term disability. He was transferred to Ndjamena for further treatment,” says Virginia Moneti, MSF Project Medical Coordinator in Tine.

Our teams in Zalingei, Central Darfur, also treated 29 patients this month following several attacks, including at least 8 civilians.

Following drone strikes on 3 November in North Darfur, MSF was forced to withdraw from Kornoi and Tina, halting vital medical and humanitarian services. These attacks have made it impossible for MSF to maintain a safe presence, leaving people without essential care.

“The war in Sudan is being fought with drones beyond the front lines. Our teams are regularly treating large numbers of drone wounded people, including women and children. These strikes are used to disrupt supply lines, damage civilian infrastructure, and at risk of creating siege-like conditions in contested areas,” says Esperanza Santos, MSF head of emergencies.

In North Kordofan, where MSF recently launched an emergency response in El Obeid, drone strikes reportedly hit a humanitarian convoy, a vehicle carrying displaced people, and a bus station on 6-7February. Drone attacks reportedly also hit various health facilities in Kadugli and Dilling, South Kordofan state, in the first two weeks of February.

“Recent incidents reveal a disturbing pattern in the conduct of the war in Sudan. Drone strikes are not limited to military targets, sometimes with multiple follow-ups strikes on the same location, and are causing devastating harm: civilians, including children, are being killed or severely injured in blatant disregard of international humanitarian law,” adds Esperanza Santos. “Armed actors must take immediate measures to protect civilians and humanitarian workers. Civilians must be always spared.”

MSF is deeply alarmed by this situation. When civilian areas and humanitarian infrastructure are not respected, our teams cannot operate safely, leaving communities without essential care. This is the exact opposite of what the people of Sudan urgently need, as humanitarian needs are immense and an immediate scale-up of assistance is critical.

MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation.  MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. Every year more than 120 Australians and New Zealanders go on assignment with Médecins Sans Frontières  working as: doctors, midwives, psychologists, laboratory technicians, human resource/finance coordinators, pharmacists, mental health specialists and logisticians. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

Source: ONEKEY

Program targets manufacturers of connected digital devices, machines, and systems facing new regulatory requirements under the Cyber Resilience Act

Düsseldorf, February 19, 2026 – The Düsseldorf-based product cybersecurity company ONEKEY has introduced a program called “CRA Fast Start” that allows manufacturers of networked devices, machines, and systems to efficiently and systematically verify their products' compliance with the new EU security standard, the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). According to estimates, the cybersecurity directive affects hundreds of millions, if not billions, of digital products in the EU. After the transition periods have expired, products will only be permitted to be placed on the market if manufacturers can demonstrate continuous vulnerability management, documented security processes, and ongoing monitoring of their software and firmware components throughout the entire product life cycle. ONEKEY's “CRA Fast Start” is accordingly based on three pillars: CRA Readiness Assessment, systematic vulnerability management, and continuous monitoring.

The program is designed for organizations at different stages of Cyber Resilience Act Readiness. For manufacturers approaching the CRA for the first time, the assessment provides structured guidance and an initial orientation. Companies already familiar with the regulation and seeking faster implementation can move directly into vulnerability management and continuous firmware monitoring. Additionally, a compliance check and a ONEKEY Compliance Wizard support the initial CRA compliance review. The ONEKEY Compliance Wizard is continuously developed and adapted to future regulatory requirements and expected harmonized standards.

“With CRA Fast Start, we enable manufacturers to systematically and quickly implement the required CRA compliance,” said Jan Wendenburg, ONEKEY's CEO, explaining the new offering.

First Step: Assessing CRA Readiness

A key component of the new program is an initial, structured CRA Readiness Assessment. This assessment involves analyzing a company's current level of maturity in relation to CRA requirements. In addition to product requirements, the assessment examines processes for addressing vulnerabilities, software bills of materials (SBOMs) documentation, and organizational responsibilities, among other things. Based on the results, compliance gaps can be identified and prioritized action steps can be defined. ONEKEY particularly recommends this assessment to companies that are unsure of the extent to which they are affected by the CRA and what they need to do.

For organizations ready to move forward, continuous vulnerability management combined with ongoing firmware monitoring enables early detection of new risks while maintaining full visibility into the software supply chain through SBOM transparency. Newly discovered vulnerabilities, affected libraries, and security-relevant changes are continuously tracked, creating lasting transparency into the security posture of digital products. This approach not only supports CRA compliance but also strengthens internal governance and risk management processes. The program is delivered through the ONEKEY Product Cybersecurity & Compliance Platform.

“Our platform, coupled with the CRA Readiness Assessment, combines our expertise in consulting with the ONEKEY platform's comprehensive analytical power. This new program addresses the urgent need for short-term action by introducing a long-term strategy to achieve compliance,” Jan Wendenburg explains. He clarifies, “Ultimately, manufacturers must not only meet mandatory legal requirements but also make their product range truly resilient to cyberattacks. After all, any vulnerability that is exploited poses legal and reputational risks.”

Urgency Is Required

The CRA requires manufacturers to systematically identify, assess, and remedy vulnerabilities throughout the entire product lifecycle, among other things. ONEKEY meets this requirement by using a continuous vulnerability management approach that automatically analyzes software and firmware components and identifies known security gaps. This creates a robust database for assessing risks in a traceable manner and fulfilling regulatory documentation requirements.

There is no time to waste. Starting in 2026, the Cyber Resilience Act stipulates that actively exploited vulnerabilities must be reported to national authorities within 24 hours. Starting in 2027, all affected products must meet the full security requirements, including documented vulnerability management processes. Companies that fail to meet these deadlines risk fines of up to €15 million or 2.5 percent of their global annual turnover.

ONEKEY is the leading European specialist in Product Cybersecurity & Compliance Management and part of the investment portfolio of PricewaterhouseCoopers Germany (PwC). The unique combination of the automated ONEKEY Product Cybersecurity & Compliance Platform (OCP) with expert knowledge and consulting services provides fast and comprehensive analysis, support, and management to improve product cybersecurity and compliance from product purchasing, design, development, production to end-of-life.

Critical vulnerabilities and compliance violations in device firmware are automatically identified in binary code by AI-based technology in minutes – without source code, device, or network access. Proactively audit software supply chains with integrated Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) generation. “Digital Cyber Twins” enable automated 24/7 post-release cybersecurity monitoring throughout the product lifecycle.

The patent-pending, integrated ONEKEY Compliance Wizard already covers the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and requirements according to IEC 62443-4-2, ETSI EN 303 645, UNECE R 155 and many others.

The Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) is effectively supported by the integrated automatic prioritisation of vulnerabilities, significantly reducing the time to remediation.

Leading international companies in Asia, Europe and the Americas already benefit from the ONEKEY Product Cybersecurity & Compliance Platform (OCP) and ONEKEY Cybersecurity Experts.

Source: Hellmann Worldwide Logistics

Osnabrueck, February 19, 2026. Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is pleased to announce that Alexandra Olvera will join the company as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) effective March 1, 2026. In her new role, Alexandra Olvera will lead the global sales organization as the company continues to advance its Forward2030 strategy, with a strong focus on deepening global sales integration, expanding strategic customer segments like automotive as well as fashion, and further enhancing the overall customer experience.

Alexandra Olvera brings more than 20 years of international commercial and leadership experience in the logistics industry. She has held various senior roles across North and South America as well as in Europe, building a strong track record in developing high-performing, customer-centric commercial organizations.

“We are delighted to welcome Alexandra Olvera to the Hellmann FAMILY. Her global perspective, commercial expertise, and strong commitment to customer relationships will be instrumental in shaping the next phase of our growth journey,” says Jens Drewes, CEO, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.

About Hellmann
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is a global logistics service provider with a comprehensive service portfolio that includes air- and seafreight, road and rail transport, and contract logistics. With annual sales of EUR 3.8 bn and around 12,000 employees in 61 countries, Hellmann moves over 20 mio shipments annually. Based on this broad product range and many years of experience, Hellmann offers innovative logistics solutions for the complex requirements of each individual customer and relies on visionary technical products to ensure maximum customer transparency while creating a more efficient supply chain.

Source: United Nations – ESCAP

At the current pace, the Asia-Pacific region is set to miss a staggering 103 out of 117 measurable Sustainable Development Goals targets by 2030. The Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2026, issued today by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), also reveals a picture of deeply imbalanced development in the region.

Gains in health and well-being, and poverty reduction these past decades, are being overshadowed by severe environmental decline and widening inequalities. Evidence shows setbacks in ensuring equal access to education (SDG target 4.5) and compliance with labour rights (SDG target 8.8). Furthermore, insufficient data on gender equality (SDG 5) and peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG16), is obscuring policymakers' understanding of how effectively the most vulnerable are being reached.

In critical areas such as climate action, marine conservation and biodiversity, the situation is not just stalling but rapidly deteriorating. For cities and communities, persistent regression, including damage to critical infrastructure, underscores a dangerous gap between planning and resilience on the ground.

“This report reveals a sobering reality. The very engines of growth that once lifted millions out of poverty and fuelled rapid industrialization are now undermining our future,” shared Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP. She underscored, “Our greatest collective challenge is also our greatest opportunity: to build a region that is not only wealthier but smarter, healthier and more just.”

There are areas of solid progress. The region continues to advance on industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9) and on good health and well-being (SDG 3), driven by steady reductions in maternal and child mortality. Progress in reducing income poverty and expanding access to electricity are notable achievements for the region.

Data availability is improving. Today, 55% of SDG indicators have enough data for progress assessment, placing Asia and the Pacific ahead of the rest of the world.

An annual publication, the Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report uses the latest data for global SDG indicators to determine where additional effort is needed in the region and where momentum for future progress is building.

This year, ESCAP has also issued a companion analysis paper which places special emphasis on performance across six transitions: food systems, energy, digital connectivity, education, welfare and social protection, and the environment, reflecting the multifaceted sustainability challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region.

Source: Amnesty International

Responding to today’s guilty verdict and life sentence for former South Korean President Yoon for the imposition of martial law in December 2024, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director Sarah Brooks said:

“Today's verdict and sentence is an important step towards accountability which demonstrates that no one is above the law in South Korea, including a former president.

“This ruling holds Yoon accountable for the unlawful imposition of martial law in December 2024, which lacked proper legal justification under both domestic and international law and placed fundamental rights at risk.

“South Korea's independent courts and citizen resistance have shown how the rule of law and strong institutional checks can effectively counter authoritarian practices. This decision must now be followed by comprehensive measures to ensure such violations never happen again.”

Background

Seoul Central District Court today handed down a life sentence to former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection over his declaration of martial law. The ruling follows prosecutors’ call for the death penalty in this case in January 2026. This case is among eight criminal trials with Yoon as the defendant.

On 3 December 2024, former President Yoon declared martial law in a late-night address broadcast live on TV. The move was met with mass protests, and lawmakers forced their way into the National Assembly to vote to lift the martial law order within hours. Yoon was subsequently impeached and removed from office in a separate case by the Constitutional Court.

Source: AMES

An impressive line-up of leading international and Australian refugee advocates will headline this year’s second Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA) National Conference.

Iranian Kurdish journalist, human rights defender and writer Behrouz Boochani and former UNHCR Assistant Commissioner, former President of the Australian Human Rights Commission Dr Gilian Triggs and human rights advocate Nyadol Nyuon, OAM, are among the keynote speakers at the conference held at the Adelaide Festival Centre on March 25 and 26.

Mr Boochani was held in the Manus Island detention centre in Papua New Guinea between 2013 and its closure in 2017. He now lives in New Zealand where he is a research fellow at the University of Canterbury.

Also speaking at the conference will be the Co-Executive Director of the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network Noor Azizah, Co-Secretary General Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network Hafsar Tameesuddin, Chief Executive Officer, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Centre for Multicultural Youth Carmel Guerra OAM, CEO of migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia Melinda Collinson and Executive Director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation Hass Dellal AO.

The conference will focus on facilitating conversations, sharing knowledge, and increasing awareness of the lived experiences of new and emerging communities, migrants, and multicultural communities as well as highlighting their contributions to Australia.

Under the theme “Empowering Refugees and Multicultural Communities Together”, the conference will explore how refugee communities move beyond initial settlement to multicultural leadership, ensuring their voices actively influence policies, services, and decision-making at all levels.

The long-term goal of RCAA is to establish a framework fostering a self-reliant, progressive, and culturally inclusive approach, strengthening refugee leadership through policy, advocacy, support, capacity building, and working with all stakeholders.

The conference is expected to bring together more than 250 delegates, representing more than 50 organisations. Attendees will include new and emerging communities, multicultural communities, refugee organisations, service providers, policymakers, academics, businesses, and representatives from all levels of government.

The conference will serve as a platform for meaningful engagement, collaboration, and innovation in multicultural leadership and integration. The conference will provide an opportunity to:

Advance multicultural leadership and amplify their voices within Australian society
Promote awareness of the contributions of refugee communities to the social and economic wellbeing, and rich cultural fabric of Australia
Foster dialogue that encourages the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and solutions between new and emerging communities, service providers, and policymakers
Strengthen the advocacy capacity of ‘lived experience’ led organisations and build a stronger, more cohesive network
Develop a foundation of lived experience and evidence-based insights to shape policy and service delivery

RCAA Chair Parsu Sharma Luital said the conference would also feature case studies of successful multicultural sector led initiatives and examine how their approaches can be adapted and implemented by other agencies to enhance their leadership and support systems.

“It will also celebrate the role of lived experience in shaping service provision, employment pathways, and community programs and explore opportunities for partnerships between new and emerging communities, service providers, businesses, and government agencies,” Mr Sharma Luital said.

A conference dinner will honour the rich cultural diversity of South Australia and celebrate the contributions of multicultural communities from across Australia.

Bringing together delegates, community leaders, and stakeholders, the dinner will be a night of connection, recognition, and cultural appreciation, reflecting the strength and resilience of our diverse communities.

The Second RCAA National Conference 2026 is being supported by a grant from the Government of South Australia.

Conference website and registration link: https://rcaaconference2026.com.au/registration/

About RCAA

The RCAA is Australia’s first membership-based, refugee-led organisation (RLO), distinguished by its strong grassroots foundation and extensive reach with refugee communities and key stakeholders. RCAA unites over 70 member organisations nationwide and thousands of individuals, each embodying the resilience, strength, and rich diversity of refugee communities.

Together, RCAA forms a collective force that amplifies diverse voices, advocates for systemic change, and strengthens the already rich fabric of Australia’s multiculturalism. With leadership drawn directly from those with lived experience, RCAA ensures that policies and programs impacting these communities are shaped by those with lived experience.