In the past few months, RFK Human Rights has closely monitored protests in several countries around the world, all of which have been violently repressed by state authorities. 

In Uganda, the protests were sparked by allegations of corruption against government officials, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The demonstrations in Kenya were in response to the rising cost of living in the country and the government’s proposed Finance Bill which cuts funding for government programs benefiting most of the population. Similarly in Nigeria, the protests were in response to increased cost of living and food inflation resulting from government policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies which the President announced on the first day of his administration in May 2023. 

In Venezuela, protests began in response to the presidential elections held on Sunday, July 28, 2024, after the transparency of the electoral process was called into question by the international community and independent observers. What followed was a violent response from State authorities. As of today, 1,229 individuals have been arrested, including 105 adolescents and 157 women.

In Bangladesh, student protests sparked over civil service job quotas perceived as discriminatory and corrupt. Met with violent crackdown from law enforcement, demonstrations quickly escalated into a wider anti-government movement and the response included arbitrary detention, internet blackouts, and armed violence against protestors. Over 300 people were killed, 7,000 injured, and more than 11,000 arrested; ultimately, Prime Minister Sheik Hasina fled the country and an interim government was established.