(2019-01-29). 86% of Venezuelans Oppose Military Intervention, 81% Against US Sanctions, Local Polling Shows. grayzoneproject.com The vast majority of Venezuelans oppose military intervention and US sanctions to try to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power,…
(2019-01-29). 2-year-old expelled by mall, community demands disability rights. fightbacknews.org Wyoming, MI – Discrimination against a two-year-old girl with a disability brought close to 150 people to Rogers Plaza Town Center for "Walking with Claire" on January 27. | On a Sunday afternoon, the normally empty mall was filled with family, friends and disability rights activists wearing, "Walking with Claire" t-shirts. Some held signs reading, "Disabled lives matter!" and "We heart our community! Everybody belongs!" | The large crowd gathered to walk slowly behind Claire and her parents, Andrew Dykstra and Hiliary Goddard-Dykstra, to the far end of the mall. There everyone sat down on the floor together to r…
(2019-01-29). Defying War and Defining Peace in Afghanistan. zcomm.org We in the U.S. have much to learn from Afghan women human rights advocates and the People's Peace Movement regarding the futility of war…
(2019-01-29). Headlines for January 29, 2019. democracynow.org U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Venezuela in Latest Challenge to Maduro, White House Raises Specter of Military Intervention in Venezuela, CBO: Gov't Shutdown Caused $3 Billion Permanent Loss to Economy, Joshua Tree Damage from Shutdown Could Take 300 Years to Recover, DOJ Charges Huawei with Bank Fraud, Seeks CFO's Extradition, Yemen: Attack on Camp Kills 8 Civilians as Ceasefire Is Delayed, Polar Vortex Hits Midwest, Bringing Dangerous Conditions, Senate Advances Anti-BDS Bill, Acting AG: Mueller Probe "Close to Being Completed", Virginia Teachers Protest for Fair Wages and Education Funding, Immigrant Rights Activis…
(2019-01-29). Sudan intelligence chief orders release of protest detainees. aljazeera.com Decision to free those arrested during protests comes as international pressure mounts over handling of demonstrations.
(2019-01-29). Animals Scored Significant Victories With the 2018 Farm Bill. commondreams.org While Big Agriculture with its factory farming model is not too kind as a general rule, the Farm Bill did right by animals in several important respects. (Photo: Farm Sanctuary/flickr/cc) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files……
(2019-01-29). George Orwell's Message in a Bottle. counterpunch.org 
Last June the United States became the only nation to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council, which a Trump official called a "cesspool of political bias." Just one day earlier, the U.N. Human Rights office had called Trump's detention of children at the Mexican border "unconscionable." Three days later, when the U.N. rapporteur More
(2019-01-29). Statistics of 1,400 Days of the Saudi-led Coalition War on Yemen. globalresearch.ca Ein Insaniah Center for Rights and Development in Sanaa on Wednesday released the latest statistics that included the number of civilian casualties during the 1400 days of the Saudi-led coalition war on Yemen, as well as the loss of infrastructure …
(2019-01-29). The One Wall Trump Doesn't Like. aclu.org The Trump administration continues to push laws and policies that breach the wall separating religion and the government. | President Trump may be the world's most renowned fan of building walls, but there's at least one wall he loathes: the wall of separation between church and state. From the Muslim ban to his so-called "religious freedom" executive order, Trump and his theocratic supporters have pushed l…
(2019-01-29). Trump Says 58,000 Texans Voted Illegally. Here's What Actually Happened. aclu.org Voter fraud is extremely rare. States using unreliable data to justify purges of eligible voters, unfortunately, is not. | The president of the United States is once again spreading unsubstantiated claims about rampant voter fraud and undermining faith in the integrity of our democracy. This time, he's claiming that 95,000 noncitizens were registered to vote in Texas and more than half have actually voted. These numbers,…
(2019-01-29). Massive Democracy Reform Legislation Gets Its Day In Congress. thenation.com Massive Democracy Reform Legislation Gets Its Day In Congress…
(2019-01-29). China VP Arrives in US For Talks, Huawei Detention Concerns. telesurenglish.net Chinese Vice Premier Liu He arrived in Washington D.C. on Monday in an attempt to move forward a new round of trade negotiations with the White House despite the extradition request of Huawei CFO sticking out like a sore thumb. | RELATED: | Canada: Gov't Sacks Diplomat Critical of Huawei CFO Extradition | Liu is heading a delegation composed of stat…
(2019-01-29). China Affirms Support for Venezuela, Condemns Sanctions. telesurenglish.net China condemned the economic sanctions imposed on Venezuela by the United States and warned that the North American nation must answer for the serious consequences of this measure towards the South American country. | RELATED | Russia, China Caution US Against A Venezuelan Coup | "The sanctions of certain countries against Venezuela will deteriorate the lives of the population. They must be responsible for the serious consequences tha…
(2019-01-29). US Threatens to Funnel Venezuelan Oil Revenues to Guaido. telesurenglish.net In a further move to execute a coup to overthrow the Venezuelan government bringing to power the self-declared interim president Juan Guaido, the United States government started diverting the oil revenues of the country to the opposition leader. | RELATED: | Maduro Denounces Citgo Takeover as 'Robbery' | The first time an official from the U.S. governme…
(2019-01-29). Chapter 4: Online Tourism Companies Doing Business in the Settlements. amnesty.org …
(2019-01-29). PETA leads outrage after killer whale at SeaWorld dies in 'prime of life' from mysterious illness. rt.com 
Animal rights activists have lambasted SeaWorld, a chain of US amusement parks famous for its circus-style killer whale shows, over the death of a 30-year-old orca, who was apparently killed by a mysterious illness.
(2019-01-29). China: Founder of human rights website jailed for five years. amnesty.org | Responding to the five-year prison sentence imposed by a Chinese court against Liu Feiyue, founder of human rights website "Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch, for "inciting subversion of state power", Patrick Poon, China Researcher at Amnesty International, commented: | "Today's deplorable verdict against L…
(2019-01-29). Mozambique: Woman human rights defender facing threats online: Fátima Mimbire. amnesty.org Woman human rights defender Fátima Mimbire has been receiving intimidating messages on social media from unknown people since 18 January. These threats began after she took up an active role in the Centre for Public Integrity's (CIP) campaign against the Mozambique government seeking to repay loans it acquired illegally and secretly. There has also been a smear campaign aimed at Fátima on social media in an attempt to further intimidate her and delegitimize her work.
(2019-01-29). 1. Background: The Israeli Occupation. amnesty.org …
(2019-01-29). US Unveils Criminal Charges Against China's Huawei for Violating Iran Sanctions. theantimedia.com 
(MEE) — The United States announced criminal charges against China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, escalating a fight with the world's biggest telecommunications equipment maker just days before trade talks take place between Washington and Beijing. The Justice Department charged Huawei and its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou on Monday with conspiring to violate US sanctions on Iran …
(2019-01-29). Pakistan: Asia Bibi must finally get her freedom. amnesty.org Responding to the Supreme Court's decision to uphold its ruling, again acquitting Asia Bibi of blasphemy charges and ordering her release, Amnesty International's South Asia Campaigner, Rimmel Mohydin, said: | "Asia Bibi must finally get her freedom and an end to her ordeal. After nine years behind bars for a crime she didn't commit, it is difficult to see this long overdue verdict as justice. But she should now be free to reunite with her family and seek safety in a country of her choice. | "The authorities must also resist and investigate any attempts to intimidate the Supreme Court. They have a duty to protect…
(2019-01-29). Chapter 3: Israeli Settlements and International Law. amnesty.org …
(2019-01-29). Bolton's Notepad Ominously Reads, "5,000 Troops to Colombia" truthout.org Intensifying speculation that the Trump administration is serious about its repeated threats of military action against Venezuela if President Nicolas Maduro does not hand over power to a hand-picked member of the nation's opposition coalition, scrawlings on a notebook held by US National Security Advisor John Bolton at a press conference Monday afternoon contained the words: "5,000 troops to Colombia." | The press conference was held to announce new sanctions against Venezuela's state-owned oil company, including the freezing of billions of dollars in assets, but also came with a fresh warning from Bolton tha…
(2019-01-29). Chapter 2: The Tourism Industry of the Settlements. amnesty.org …
(2019-01-29). UN Rights Expert Independently Investigates Khashoggi Murder. hrw.org 
| | Candles lit by activists protesting the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi are placed outside Saudi Arabia's Consulate in Istanbul. | © 2018 Lefteris Pitarakis/AP Photo | The decision by the United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, Agnes Callamard, to investigate the brutal killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi shows courage and initiative. It is likely to anger Saudi Arabia and the kingd…
(2019-01-29). Guatemala: Bill could grant immunity for grave crimes. amnesty.org Guatemala's Congress could imminently pass a law that would grant an amnesty to those suspected or found guilty of crimes such as genocide, torture, and enforced disappearances during the internal armed conflict (1960-1996). The bill could lead to the release of those found guilty within 24 hours of its approval. It would also lead to the suspension of ongoing investigations into these crimes. Guatemala's Congress must refrain from passing this bill to respect the rights of victims to justice, truth and reparation.
(2019-01-29). Chapter 6: CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY UNDER INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS. amnesty.org …
(2019-01-29). Chapter 5: Human Rights Violations | Five Case Studies. amnesty.org …
(2019-01-29). Chapter 6: Settlements and Third State Responsibility. amnesty.org …
(2019-01-29). Iran: Labour rights activists at risk of further torture: Esmail Bakhshi and Sepideh Gholian. amnesty.org Iranian labour rights activists Esmail Bakhshi and Sepideh Gholian, who were rearrested on 20 January after speaking out about beatings and other abuse they suffered in detention in late 2018, are at grave risk of further torture. The authorities must release them immediately and unconditionally as they are prisoners of conscious jailed solely on the basis of their peaceful activism in defence of workers' rights.
(2019-01-29). Trump Warns Europeans Not to Defy US Sanctions Against Iran. theantimedia.com 
(ANTIWAR.COM) — With reports that the European Union is close to establishing its trade vehicle for facilitating trade with Iran, the Trump Administration has issued a statement warning them not to defy the US sanctions in any way. The US reimposed sanctions on Iran after withdrawing from the P5+1 nuclear deal. EU nations did not withdraw from …
(2019-01-29). –ö–∞–∑–∞—Ö—Å—Ç–∞–Ω: –ë–µ—Å–ø—Ä–µ—Ü–µ–¥–µ–Ω—Ç–Ω–æ–µ –ø—Ä–µ—Å–ª–µ–¥–æ–≤–∞–Ω–∏–µ –ø—Ä–∞–≤–æ–∑–∞—â–∏—Ç–Ω–∏—Ü—ã. amnesty.org –ï–ª–µ–Ω–∞ –°–µ–º—ë–Ω–æ–≤–∞ — –ø—Ä–∞–≤–æ–∑–∞—â–∏—Ç–Ω–∏—Ü–∞ –∏–∑ –ü–∞–≤–ª–æ–¥–∞—Ä–∞, –Ω–∞ —Å–µ–≤–µ—Ä&ndash…
(2019-01-29). Trump Looks Set to Lock Horns With Europe Over Iran Nuclear Deal. theantimedia.com 
(MEMO) — The Trump administration is apparently exasperated at the European Union's bid to bypass US sanctions on Iran. Infuriated by the EU's effort to save the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) agreed in 2015 when Barack Obama was in the White House, Washington has threatened to punish any efforts seeking to circumvent the sanctions. The …
(2019-01-29). Trump administration imposes sanctions on Venezuelan oil industry. wsws.org The sanctions, which amount to an act of war, were imposed in order to bolster support for a coup among Venezuelan military officers.
(2019-01-29). US accuses Huawei of stealing trade secrets & dodging Iran sanctions. rt.com 
The US Department of Justice has unsealed two indictments charging the Chinese technology giant Huawei of fraud and conspiracy to steal T-Mobile's robot technology and dodge the US sanctions to do business in Iran.
(2019-01-29). Afghanistan: Protect human rights defenders. amnesty.org Against the backdrop of unrelenting civilian casualties in Afghanistan, Amnesty International called on the government to do more to protect human rights defenders as the country's human rights record was reviewed at the UN Human Rights Council. | At Afghanistan's Universal Periodic Review last week, member states of the UN Human Rights Council emphasized that the Afghan government needs to do more to introduce a protection mechanism for human rights defenders, implement existing laws, enhance women's participation, and protect civilians in conflict. | "There have been some welcome advances when it comes to human…
(2019-01-29). Chapter 8: Conclusion & Recommendations. amnesty.org …
(2019-01-29). A Member of Congress Tried to Go to an Immigration Activist's ICE Check-in. ICE Tried to Block Her. theintercept.com "It's a way for ICE to continue doing their work in the shadows, like secret police. It's much easier to detain someone when nobody's watching."
(2019-01-29). China: Rights Website Founder Sentenced to 5 Years. hrw.org 
(New York) — Chinese authorities should immediately quash the conviction and unconditionally release the founder of a human rights news website, Human Rights Watch said today. On January 29, 2019, a court in Hubei province sentenced Liu Feiyue to five years in prison after convicting him on charges of "inciting subversion of state power." | | | Liu Feiyue. | Source: CHRD | Liu, 48, is a veteran activist and founder of Minsheng Guancha (Civil Rights and Livelihood Wat…
(2019-01-29). Cameroon: Post-election crackdown escalates with arrest of opposition leader Maurice Kamto. amnesty.org Following the arbitrary arrest of Cameroon's main opposition leader Maurice Kamto, Samira Daoud, Amnesty International's West and Central Africa Deputy Director said: | "The arrest of Maurice Kamto and four of his staff supporters signals an escalating crackdown on opposition leaders, human rights defenders and activists in Cameroon. The authorities must immediately and unconditionally release them, as well as peaceful protesters detained at the weekend simply for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. |
(2019-01-29). South Korea: TV producer held in North Korea for 50 years: Hwang Won. amnesty.org Hwang Won, a former TV producer from South Korea, was not allowed to return to his home country after arriving involuntarily to North Korea on a hijacked plane on 11 December 1969. Despite repeated requests from his family, the North Korean authorities have refused to disclose information regarding Hwang Won's vital status or whereabouts for the last 50 years. South Korean authorities must call on the North Korean authorities to provide accurate information on Hwang Won, who will turn 82 this year.
(2019-01-29). "Very Dangerous": US Seizes Venezuela Oil Assets, Renews Threat of Military Action. theantimedia.com 
(CD) — The Trump administration intensified its interference in politically-fractured Venezuela on Monday by announcing the seizure of billions of dollars in assets connected to the nation's state-owned oil company, a move critics decried as part of a "dangerous" U.S. policy to help opposition forces overthrow elected president Nicolás Maduro. National Security Adviser John Bolton and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced the sanctions …
(2019-01-29). .Tell TripAdvisor to pull out of illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine. amnesty.org Learn to shoot like a soldier, ride a camel or take a tour of historic sites — all on stolen land! Thanks to help from TripAdvisor, these are all activities you can do when visiting one of the many illegal Israeli settlements. : | TripAdvisor lists more than 70 different properties, activities and attractions in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). By doing so, TripAdvisor is boosting the settlement economy and contributing to settlement expansion. The company's promotion of settlements as a tourist destination helps to "normalise" and legitimise them to the pub…
(2019-01-29). Kazakhstan: Unprecedented attacks on a human rights defender. amnesty.org Elena Semionova, a human rights defender in Pavlodar, in Northern Kazakhstan, is being targeted by the Kazakhstani authorities because of her work on behalf of victims of torture. Since 2015 she has been subjected to ongoing harassment ranging from verbal threats to physical violence by police officers and even an arson attack on her house.
(2019-01-28). Headlines for January 28, 2019. democracynow.org U.S. & Taliban Agree to Path for Afghan Peace Deal, Federal Employees Return to Work as Gov't Agencies Temporarily Reopen, Venezuela: Maduro Gov't Defies U.S. and European Calls to Support Opposition, Philippines: Twin Bombs Rock Cathedral, Killing At Least 20, U.N. Condemns Killing of Palestinian by Israeli Settlers, Israeli Forces Kill 3 Palestinians Across Occupied Territories, Brazil: Mining Dam Collapse Kills At Least 58, Hundreds Still Missing, France: Protesters Take Streets for 11th Week, Call Out Police Brutality, Germany to Shut Down All Coal Plants by 2038, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Reinstates…
(2019-01-28). Twitter Explodes Over Male UAE Gender Equality Award Winners. telesurenglish.net A storm of tweets bombarded the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after it was clear women had been completely excluded from this year's gender-equality awards ceremony. | RELATED: | Yemeni Mothers Protest Detentions of Sons in Infamous UAE-run Prisons | "Gender balance has become a pillar in our governmental institutions," said UAE vice president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as he handed out medals and certificates to the delegation of men representing the finance…
(2019-01-28). Former UN Expert: US Sanctions in Venezuela Largely Responsible for Crisis, Possible "Crime Against Humanity" mintpressnews.com "What's at stake is the enormous, enormous natural resources of Venezuela. And I sense that if Venezuela had no natural resources no one would give a damn about Chavez or Maduro or anybody else there." — Former UN official Alfred de Zayas
(2019-01-28). Why More Americans Are Breaking Their Silence on Israel. counterpunch.org Most folk outside the United States — and until this month, most Americans — won't have heard of Michelle Alexander. She's a civil rights lawyer and academic and has written a book called The New Jim Crow, and a few months ago The New York Times took her on as a regular columnist. Like millions of black — and More
(2019-01-28). Maduro Denounces Citgo Takeover as 'Robbery'. telesurenglish.net Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is accusing U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton of pressuring for the country's coup. | RELATED: | Armed Forces of Venezuela Reaffirm Support for President Maduro | Washington's new round of sanctions against Venezuela's state-owned oil company, PDVSA announced in a press briefing Monday triggered a response from Maduro later that evening during a televised speech aired from Caracas. | The Bolivarian president said, "I can say that…
(2019-01-28). In Congress, a Threat to Americans' First Amendment Right to Boycott. aclu.org A new bill promotes state laws targeting boycotts of Israel — even though multiple judges have found such laws to be unconstitutional. | The Senate is scheduled to vote Monday on a bill that includes language that would encourage states to pass unconstitutional laws penalizing businesses and individuals who participate in politically motivated boycotts against Israel. | More than two dozen states have adopted such laws in the past four years. Their collective target is the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement, "a glob…