UN special rapporteur on torture warns: "Assange will not get a fair trial in Virginia"
wsws.org | 2019-10-17
A panel discussion at Columbia University on Tuesday laid bare the fraudulent character of the charges brought against Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning and put the spotlight on those who committed the war crimes that WikiLeaks exposed.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/10/17/melz…
A Coalition of Support: Parliamentarians for Julian Assange
Binoy Kampmark | counterpunch.org | 2019-10-17
Australian politicians, and the consular staff of the country, are rarely that engaged on the subject of protecting their citizens. In a couple of notorious cases, Australian authorities demonstrated, not only an indifference, but a consciously venal approach to its citizens in overseas theatres. Mamdouh Ahmed Habib, a dual Australian-Egyptian national, was detained in Pakistan…
counterpunch.org/2019/10/17/a-coalition-of-support-parliamentarians-for-julian-assange/
British family "emotionally and psychologically destroyed" by detention in US immigration prison
wsws.org | 2019-10-17
The tragic experience faced by the Connors family is a small glimpse into the horrors faced by those who flee their home countries, undertaking a perilous journey only to be detained, separated, and abused in America's brutal concentration camps.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/10/17/immi…
Venezuela, Poland and Sudan amongst 14 new Human Rights Council members
United Nations | un.org | 2019-10-17
14 new members were elected to the Human Rights Council on Thursday, following a secret ballot held in the General Assembly Hall in New York.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/10/1049461
Venezuela, Brazil Become New Members in UN Human Rights Council
telesurenglish.net | 2019-10-17
Venezuela and Brazil scored seats on U.N. Human Rights Council Thursday as the General Assembly chooses 14 new members of the panel. | The 193-member General Assembly is electing 14 members to the 47-member Human Rights Council for three-year terms starting 1 January 2020. | "We should thank the countries that voted in favor of Venezuela and congratulate the other members of the #HumanRights Commission," Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said. "Venezuela has proposals so that there are no armed interventions or economic blockades." | The Geneva-based council can spotlight abuses and has special monitors watchin…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-Brazil-Become-New-Members-in-UN-Human-Rights-Council-20191017-0009.html
Art In Struggle For Women & Prisoners In Iran: The Mural, The Artists & Women
Labor Video Project | indybay.org | 2019-10-17
An opening for an art mural about women and the prisoners of Iran was held on October 6, 2019 at Clarion Alley. The mural portrays the women who are fighting for human rights and worker rights in Iran…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/10/15/18827319.php
Basta Weekly Save Chelsea from Torture and Death Vigil&Music
orion edmonson | indybay.org | 2019-10-17
MacArthur & Fruitvale Oakland 94602…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/10/17/18827354.php
Rep. Elijah Cummings Dies at 68
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-10-17
Rep. Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat and chairman of the House Oversight Committee, died at Johns Hopkins Hospital at the age of 68 Thursday from "complications concerning longstanding health challenges," his office said in a statement. | Cummings played a significant role in numerous investigations into President Donald Trump's conduct and policies, including his mass detention of children at the U.S.-Mexico border. | The Maryland D…
truthout.org/articles/rep-elijah-cummings-dies-at-68/
U.S., Turkey Agree on Turkish Cease-Fire with Syrian Kurds
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-10-17
ANKARA, Turkey — The U.S. and Turkey agreed Thursday to a cease-fire in the Turks' deadly attacks on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, requiring the Kurds to vacate the area in an arrangement that largely solidifies Turkey's position and aims in the weeklong conflict. The deal includes a conditional halt to American economic sanctions. | After negotiations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence hailed the five-day cease-fire as the way to end the bloodshed caused by Turkey's invasion of Syria. He remained silent on whether it amounted to a second abandonment of America…
truthdig.com/articles/syrian-kurdish-force-to-abide-by-ceasefire/
UAW sanctions plant closings, expansion of temps in new GM deal
wsws.org | 2019-10-17
As details of the UAW-GM tentative contract begin to leak out, it becomes increasingly clear that the UAW has betrayed everything for which workers have fought in the month-long strike.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/10/17/auto…
Celebrating the Rights of the Child
United Nations Association | indybay.org | 2019-10-17
Resource Center for Nonviolence | 610 Ocean Street | Santa Cruz, CA…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/10/15/18827327.php
Ohio Purge Targeted 40,000 Active Voters — Including Head of Voting Rights Group
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-10-17
Ohio's government admitted that nearly 20 percent of voters targeted in the state's looming purge of "inactive" were actually active voters. | Earlier this year, the Ohio secretary of state's office issued a list of 235,000 names targeted for removal from the voter rolls because, the state purported, they had not participated in the last three elec…
truthout.org/articles/ohio-purge-targeted-40000-active-voters-including-head-of-voting-rights-group/
New labour laws in Qatar benefiting migrant workers a 'momentous step forward': ILO
United Nations | un.org | 2019-10-17
New legislation in Qatar which will allow foreign workers to freely change jobs and leave the country without the approval of their employers, has been praised by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as "a momentous step forward in upholding the rights of migrant workers."
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/10/1049471
Nobody Has a Plan for Thousands of ISIS Fighters Detained by Kurds in Syria
Umar Farooq | theintercept.com | 2019-10-17
The abrupt U.S. withdrawal from Syria means nobody knows who will eventually control the 10,000 ISIS fighters there or where they will wind up.
theintercept.com/2019/10/17/syria-turkey-kurds-isis/
Fight poverty through solidarity, not charity
Fred_F | greenleft.org.au | 2019-10-17
welfare rights Steve O'BrienIssue 1241 Australia Raise the rate NewcastleOctober 17, 2019All of us know someone who is worse off than ourselves. Chances are that person is someone barely surviving…
greenleft.org.au/content/fight-poverty-through-solidarity-not-charity
Report Exposes Right-Wing Effort to Ban Criticism of Israel in US Schools
Jessica Corbett, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-10-17
Human rights and free speech advocates responded with alarm Thursday to a Guardian report revealing that pro-Israel and right-wing lobbyists are encouraging Republican state lawmakers to pass legislation that could outlaw discussions about the Israeli government's human rights abuses and occupation of Palestinian territory at all levels of the U.S. public education system under the guise of fighting anti-Semitism. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/news/2019/10/17/report-exposes-right-wing-effort-ban-criticism-israel-us-schools?cd-origin=rss
John Yoo, Infamous Bush-Era Author of Torture Memos, Dunked on for Claiming US Founders Would Oppose Trump Impeachment
Julia Conley, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-10-17
John Yoo, the former Justice Department official who became infamous for authoring the "torture memos" during the George W. Bush administration, provoked ridicule on Thursday after he spoke on behalf of the framers of the U.S. Constitution—suggesting they would object to the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/news/2019/10/17/john-yoo-infamous-bush-era-author-torture-memos-dunked-claiming-us-founders-would?cd-origin=rss
Malta: Human rights experts call for justice in case of murdered journalist
United Nations | un.org | 2019-10-16
Two years since the murder of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia on the Mediterranean island of Malta, justice has yet to be served for the shocking crime, UN-appointed independent rights experts said on Wednesday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/10/1049351
Prosigue en Costa Rica foro de consulta sobre afrodescendencia
Prensa Latina | peoplesworld.org | 2019-10-16
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica (Prensa Latina) — El Foro de Consulta Acelerando la acción global para el cumplimiento de los derechos de las personas afrodescendientes en América Latina y el Caribe prosigue hoy aquí con mesas de trabajo para construir una propuesta de acción. La propuesta de acción permitirá el avance de los derechos de …
peoplesworld.org/article/prosigue-en-costa-rica-foro-de-consulta-sobre-afrodescendencia/
Trump promises 'devastating' sanctions on Turkey if Erdogan-Pence meeting on Syria op fails
rt.com | 2019-10-16
US President Donald Trump has issued a new threat against NATO ally Turkey, promising to impose "devastating" sanctions on the country if the upcoming meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US VP Mike Pence flops. | Speaking during a joint press conference with his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella, Trump did not mince his words, warning the Turkish leadership that the Thursday meeting better be a success. | "I think they will have a successful meeting. If they don't, the sanctions and tariffs and other things that we're going, we will do and are doing to Turkey, will be devastating to Turkey's…
rt.com/usa/471078-trump-turkey-devastating-sanctions/
Photo Essay: Home for the Kurds?
Giacomo Sini | progressive.org | 2019-10-16
The Kurds living in northern Syria worked together to create an independent region called Rojava, based on workers rights, equality, feminism, and ecology.
progressive.org/dispatches/photo-essay-the-kurds-sini-191016/
Bulgarian Soccer Chief Quits Over Racist Chants, PM Condemns
telesurenglish.net | 2019-10-16
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev weighed in on Wednesday on the fallout from the racist chanting by Bulgarian fans when they hosted England on Monday night. | RELATED: | Mexico: Unnamed Soccer Teams Investigated for Money Laundering | Bulgarian police said on Wednesday they had detained six people in connection with the racist abuse faced by England's black players during the Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia with more arrests likely. | Radev cited the nation's history in helping pro…
telesurenglish.net/news/Bulgarian-Soccer-Chief-Quits-Over-Racist-Chants-PM-Condemns-20191016-0021.html
Newark protesters: Democratic Party machine an accomplice in Trump's war on immigrants
Esteban Guevara | liberationnews.org | 2019-10-16
Protesters gathered in Newark, New Jersey for a rally and 3-mile march up to the detention center organized by the Resist the Deportation Machine Network on Oct. 12 to demand the closure of the ICE concentration camp in Essex county.
liberationnews.org/newark-protesters-democratic-party-machine-an-accomplice-in-trumps-war-on-immigrants/
Tuesday's Daily Brief: UNICEF child health report, Peacekeeping operations end in Haiti, Syria-Turkey latest, Haitian migrants deported from Bahamas
United Nations | un.org | 2019-10-15
A recap of Tuesday's stories: Millions of children undernourished and overweight says landmark report; Security Council marks transition after 15 years of 'blue helmets' in Haiti; violence continues 'on both sides' of Syria-Turkey border; UN human rights office raises concerns over deportation of Haitian migrants from the Bahamas; UN migration agency helps migrants in Algeria return to Niger; rural women celebrated on International Day.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/10/1049281
California Lawmakers Passed a Bill Banning Private Prisons
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-10-15
Activist Amani Sawari talks about what the impact on people in private prisons and immigration detention centers will be if Governor Gavin Newsom signs AB32, which would phase out private prisons by 2028.
therealnews.com/stories/california-bans-private-prisons
Coalition to March on the DNC 2020 gets off to a good start with its first action
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-10-15
Milwaukee, WI – The first meeting for the Coalition to March on the DNC took place on the evening of October 11, concluding with a demonstration and rally. The coalition is comprised of many progressive activist groups united around nine demands – or points of unity – that serve as a basis and also a guide to action. Some of these points are "Legalization for all; no more deportations" and "Fight to expand union and worker rights." | The coalition plans to march during the Democratic National Convention next July. Though a request for a permit to march has been submitted, the coalition is still awaiting a respons…
www.fightbacknews.org/2019/10/15/coaliti…
UN's Bachelet addresses progress and setbacks in human rights worldwide
United Nations | un.org | 2019-10-15
The world is undeniably facing rising challenges to multilateralism, however work can be done with Member States to strengthen the agreement of the landmark Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN's top rights official told the committee charged with tackling social, humanitarian and cultural issues, on Tuesday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/10/1049301
Our Online Speech Rights Are Under Threat
Kate Ruane | aclu.org | 2019-10-15
Congress on Wednesday will examine a little-known law that has made the internet the space for self-expression and connection that it is today. The law, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA 230), is one of the most speech protective laws Congress has ever enacted and it is now under threat. | The internet today provides us an indispensable platform to communicate freely with others who might otherwis…
aclu.org/news/free-speech/our-online-speech-rights-are-under-threat
Will the Supreme Court Sanction the Use of a Religious Litmus Test For Foster Parents?
Leslie Cooper | aclu.org | 2019-10-15
There are currently 440,000 children in foster care across the | country. And the Supreme Court has been asked to hear Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, | a case that could profoundly impact all of them. | In a petition filed with the court, a taxpayer-funded foster care agency is claiming a constitutional right to exclude prospective foster families that don't meet its religious criteria when providing public child welfare services. The ACLU and the ACL…
aclu.org/news/lgbt-rights/will-the-supreme-court-sanction-the-use-of-a-religious-litmus-test-for-foster-parents
A Coalition of Support: Parliamentarians for Julian Assange
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-10-14
Australian politicians, and the consular staff of the country, are rarely that engaged on the subject of protecting their citizens. In a couple of notorious cases, Australian authorities demonstrated not only an indifference, but a consciously venal approach to its citizens in overseas theatres. Mamdouh Ahmed Habib, a dual Australian-Egyptian national, was detained in Pakistan …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/10/a-coalition-of-support-parliamentarians-for-julian-assange/
Monday's Daily Brief: 70,000 children displaced in northeast Syria, Guterres commends UN-led peace deal for Ecuador, deadly airstrikes in Libya's Tripoli
United Nations | un.org | 2019-10-14
A recap of Monday's stories: UNICEF estimates some 70,000 children have been newly displaced in northeast Syria; UN chief sounds alarm on threat of ISIL amid fighting in Syria; Secretary-General welcomes start of Ecuador peace dialogue; Deadly Libya attacks 'blatant violation' of human rights; Food agencies reveal scale of global food waste problem.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/10/1049221
Tampa Bay demands Supreme Court uphold LGBT job rights
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-10-14
Tampa, FL – On October 7 and 8, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) rallied against the lack of federal job protections for LGBT workers. On October 8, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) began discussions on three cases that relate to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which protects against job discrimination on the basis of "race, color, religion, sex, or national origin," in order to decide whether sexual orientation and gender identity are also protected under Title VII. Tampa Bay SDS held two rallies in response to this, as a part of a National SDS call to action. SDS demanded that…
www.fightbacknews.org/2019/10/14/tampa-b…
In Iowa, Politicians Protect the Meat Industry by Making Animal Rights Activists Criminals
Leighton Akio Woodhouse | theintercept.com | 2019-10-12
Our short documentary tells the story of one undercover investigator whose footage of a pig factory farm is at the center of Iowa's ag-gag backlash.
theintercept.com/2019/10/12/meat-industry-ag-gag-laws/
Real life and resistance in Venezuela — Ben Norton reports on effects of US blockade
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2019-10-11
Ben Norton speaks about his reporting in Venezuela, where he investigated how bipartisan US sanctions and Trump's embargo are making…
thegrayzone.com/2019/10/11/life-resistance-venezuela-ben-norton-us-blockade/
Resisting Anti-Immigrant Hate in the City of Big Shoulders
Teresa Albano | progressive.org | 2019-10-11
A gaggle of far-right MAGA men showed up at a Chicago church to protest its immigrant rights work. Bad decision.
progressive.org/dispatches/chicago-anti-immigration-sentiments-albano-191011/
Houthis Vow Retaliation As Saudi Naval Blockade Sparks Fresh Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen
Ahmed Abdulkareem | mintpressnews.com | 2019-10-11
Saudi Arabia has stepped up its seizure and detention of ships carrying food and fuel into Yemen, sparking shortages that experts warn will push the country's civilians into even more dire straits.
mintpressnews.com/yemen-retaliation-saudi-naval-blockade-humanitarian-crisis/262285/
Day 5: What the #WaterForRivers bus tour was really like
Mat Ward | greenleft.org.au | 2019-10-11
Aboriginal rights Mat WardIssue 1241 Australia Aboriginal culture Murray Darling River crisis Save Our Rivers…
greenleft.org.au/content/day-5-what-waterforrivers-bus-tour-was-really
After Trump Abandoned Kurds, Turkish Invasion Raises Fear of Kurdish Genocide & ISIS Resurgence
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-10-10
Turkey has launched an aerial and ground assault on northern Syria targeting Kurdish-controlled areas. The offensive began Wednesday, just days after President Trump ordered U.S. troops to fall back from their positions on the Turkish-Syrian border. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports at least 16 Kurds have been killed so far. Turkey is claiming the death toll is far higher. The Trump administration has faced widespread criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers for abandoning the stateless Kurds who had helped the U.S. fight ISIS. Turkey is claiming the assault is needed to establish a "
www.democracynow.org/2019/10/10/turkey_a…
SCOTUS Deeply Divided on LGBTQ Rights
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-10-10
The Justices heard cases that would broaden sex discrimination under Civil Rights Act to include Gays, Lesbians and Transgender citizens.
therealnews.com/stories/scotus-deeply-divided-lgbtq-rights
US 'Walks Back' Syria "Withdrawal," Kurd's '10,000 ISIS' Warning & The FBI 'Violated Privacy Rights'
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2019-10-09
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (10/8/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/us-walks-back-syria-withdrawal-kurds-10000-isis-warning-the-fbi-violated-privacy-rights/
'This is an emergency:' New Haven demands a real Sanctuary City
PSL Connecticut | liberationnews.org | 2019-10-04
" øQue queremos? °Ciudad Santuario! øCuando? °Ahora!" was the chant that rang out from the steps of New Haven City Hall on Oct. 2, as a crowd of 50 people gathered to demand immediate action from the Board of Alders on an ordinance establishing strong sanctuary city legislation.
liberationnews.org/this-is-an-emergency-new-haven-demands-a-real-sanctuary-city/
Palestinian civil society calls on Egyptian authorities to immediately release activist Ramy Shaath
patrick | bdsmovement.net | 2019-10-02
Palestinian civil society calls on Egyptian authorities to immediately release activist Ramy Shaath: Open Letter30 Palestinian civil society organizations call on the Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release human rights activist Ramy Shaath, and call on all Palestinian, Arab and international organizations to show solidarity with Ramy's just cause and also…
bdsmovement.net/news/palestinian-civil-society-calls-egyptian-authorities-immediately-release-activist-ramy-shaath
Venezuela's CITGO in Danger as Maduro Seeks Debt Renegotiation
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-10-02
US financial sanctions have stopped Venezuela from renegotiating foreign debt since 2017.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14678
Venezuela: Trump Imposes Travel Ban, Putin Backs Dialogue
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-09-26
US officials and the Venezuelan opposition have also lobbied the EU to impose harsher sanctions against Caracas.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14671
Weekend Read: Marchers today will demand rights for transgender people amid hate crimes and Trump administration assault
splcenter.org | 2019-09-26
Thousands of people will be marching in Washington, D.C., and across the nation today.
splcenter.org/news/2019/09/28/weekend-read-marchers-today-will-demand-rights-transgender-people-amid-hate-crimes-and
Washington Gives Guaido $52M in Funding, Slaps Venezuela with New Sanctions
Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-09-25
The new aid package dovetailed with fresh sanctions targeting Venezuela-Cuba oil shipping.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14668
Opinion by Legal Scholar Prof. John Dugard on Relations Between University of Cape Town and Israeli Universities
PACBI | bdsmovement.net | 2019-09-24
Opinion by Legal Scholar Prof. John Dugard on Relations Between University of Cape Town and Israeli Universities : AnalysisAs the University of Cape Town weighs refraining from relations with Israeli Universities enabling the gross violation of Palestinian human rights, renowned South African international law scholar Prof. John Dugard finds that UCT "would be acting in accordance with So…
bdsmovement.net/news/opinion-legal-scholar-prof-john-dugard-relations-between-university-cape-town-and-israeli
Iran Narrative Implodes, Saudis Bomb Yemen In Retaliation, MSM Silent, & US Sanctions Venezuela Food
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2019-09-23
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (9/22/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/iran-narrative-implodes-saudis-bomb-yemen-in-retaliation-msm-silent-us-sanctions-venezuela-food/
US imposes New Sanctions Targeting Venezuela's Food Program
Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-09-18
The Treasury Department has targeted people and companies involved in imports for Venezuela's CLAP program.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14659