Berlin: In 2025, wars and active conflicts threatened civilians around the world. Human rights were also under threat in otherwise "peaceful" regions.
According to Deutsche Welle, despite these challenges, the year also witnessed significant strides in human rights across various countries, marking notable advancements in areas like marriage equality, gender rights, child protection, education, and minority rights.
In January 2025, Thailand made history by becoming the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage, receiving commendation from the UN Development Program. The landmark decision allowed more than 1,800 couples to marry on January 23, the day the law took effect. This progressive move places Thailand among the nearly 40 countries globally that have legalized same-sex marriage, with Liechtenstein joining the list as well.
Italy took a crucial step in addressing gender-based violence by making femicide a distinct criminal offense punishable by life imprisonment. In response to the grim reality where 106 women were murdered due to their gender in 2025, the Italian parliament passed this law on November 25, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The legislation also included stricter penalties for crimes like stalking and revenge porn, alongside increased funding for women's shelters and awareness campaigns.
Efforts to abolish child marriage saw progress as several countries acted decisively. Colombia eliminated all legal loopholes for under-18 marriage in February, followed by Bolivia in September. Portugal, Kuwait, and Grenada also took measures to close such loopholes. Burkina Faso raised its minimum marriage age to 18, although uncertainties remain about possible judicial exemptions.
In the realm of education, Malawi, Vietnam, and Japan made significant changes by eliminating school fees. Malawi announced that from 2026, secondary school fees would be abolished, a move welcomed by political observers despite families still needing to cover material and uniform costs. Vietnam and Japan also removed various school fees, enhancing access to education for millions of children.
Pakistan made strides toward protecting religious minorities with the passage of the National Commission for Minority Rights Bill in December. This initiative aims to establish a commission to represent minorities in legislative processes, a long-overdue response to the 2014 Supreme Court criticism of inadequate minority protection. Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasized the commission's role in promoting equality for all religious communities within Pakistan.