The Ecuadoran government's financial crimes agency froze the bank accounts of several indigenous and environmental groups, using secret intelligence information in an apparent effort to silence protests, Human Rights Watch said on Dec. 9. Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch, commented that the measures in question constitute a misuse of anti-money laundering mechanisms, which "should be used to fight crime and not environmental groups."

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) warned Nov. 28 that the Burma military junta's planned elections could only worsen repression and instability rather than restore democracy. OHCHR spokesperson Jeremy Laurence described the elections, scheduled for Dec. 28, as a military-controlled process conducted in an environment "rife with threats and violence." He stated: "Far from leading a political transition from crisis to stability or restoring democratic and civilian rule, this process will almost certainly deepen insecurity, fear, and polarization throughout the country."

A coalition of local and international human rights groups has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a case against Tanzanian President Samia Hassan and senior members of her government over killings by the security forces during post-election unrest in October. How many people died in the protests over the "sham" elections is still unknown. Hassan's government has remained silent on an official death toll, but the opposition—who were effectively barred from the polls—claims thousands were shot dead by the police and Ugandan special forces that were called in. Gruesome images were widely shared online of armed men firing indiscriminately at people, and of overflowing morgues. A CNN investigation found that satellite imagery suggested the existence of mass graves.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the military coup in Guinea-Bissau that took place just days after national elections, saying that it gravely violates constitutional order and democratic principles. The African Union Commission similarly condemned the coup, while the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended Guinea-Bissau from the organization's decision-making bodies until there is a full restoration of constitutional order.

President Trump called for "reverse migration" and a "major reduction in illegal and disruptive populations" in a racist late-night online rant Nov. 27. In the bizarre Thanksgiving message, Trump vowed to "permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries" and to revisit immigration decisions made under his predecessor, Joe Biden. He said deportations will target "anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country" or "non-compatible with Western Civilization." Trump's message followed the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington DC, apparently by an Afghan refugee. Hours before the Washington shooting, the White House had already confirmed plans to re-vet refugees already settled in the US.

Hong Kong issued written notices to two organizations on Nov. 24 that the government has promulgated orders to prohibit their operation, citing "reasonable grounds" to believe that they aim to subvert state power. The organizations can make representations in their defense before the prohibitions take effect.

President Donald Trump praised Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as "incredible in terms of human rights" during an Oval Office meeting Nov. 18, preemptively deflecting questions about the kingdom's extensive record of abuses as the crown prince pledged $1 trillion in US investments.

In a decisive referendum held on Nov. 16, Ecuadoran citizens overwhelmingly rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed foreign military bases on the country's soil. Early counts show nearly two-thirds of ballots cast opposed the measure. President Daniel Noboa introduced the referendum, arguing that foreign cooperation, such as hosting bases for allied nations, was essential to combat the ongoing surge in violence related to drug-trafficking.