(2019-05-31). Australia: Children detained in adult watch houses in Queensland. wsws.org Children as young as ten have been held in maximum security facilities, where they have been subjected to horrific abuses.
(2019-05-31). WikiLeaks: Assange indictments 'the gravest attack on press freedom'. greenleft.org.au 
In response to the news on May 24 that the United States government is seeking to lay multiple espionage charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the organisation accused US President Donald Trump's administration of launching "an unprecedented attack on the global free press". | The unsealed Espionage Act charges carry combined sentences of 175 years in prison and relate to disclosures of war crimes and human rights abuses by the US government, including the groundbreaking Collateral Murder video, Iraq War Logs, Afghan War Diaries, Cablegate, and the Guantanamo Bay Detainee Manuals, published in 2010 an…
(2019-05-31). US Hints at Sanctions Against Venezuela CLAP Food Programme. Bolivarian Militia to Protect CLAP. globalresearch.ca Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced the incorporation of the National Bolivarian Militia into the subsidised CLAP (Local Supply and Production Committees) food programme. | The move comes as rumours circulate of upcoming US-led sanctions against the leaders of the programme, …
(2019-05-31). Minnesotans say "No coup! No war! Hands off Venezuela!" fightbacknews.org Minneapolis, MN – 30 people held signs reading "Hands off Venezuela" and a big banner saying "No coup – no sanctions – no war – hands off Venezuela" on a bridge from Loring Park to the Walker Sculpture Garden over Interstate 94 in Minneapolis during rush hour, May 30. Ten lanes of traffic filled with rush hour traffic traveled underneath. The protesters heard hundreds of honks of agreement that the U.S. shouldn't intervene in Venezuela. | Afterwards protesters gathered to hear from Tracy Molm, a member of the MN Anti-War Committee, to hear an update from Venezuela, "Today we were seen by thousands of people in Mi…
(2019-05-31). UN Special Rapporteur On Torture: 'The Collective Persecution Of Julian Assange Must End Here And Now'. shadowproof.com In a blistering statement against democratic countries collaborating to prosecute and enable the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture condemned the "collective persecution" against him. "In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence, and political persecution, I have never seen a…
(2019-05-31). UN Torture Report: 'Demonized' Assange Has Faced 'Psychological Torture'. consortiumnews.com The UN special rapporteur on torture has blasted four nations for imposing psychological torture on Julian Assange. 'A Relentless and Unrestrained Campaign of Public Mobbing, Intimidation and Defamation' Warns of 'Criminalization of Journalism' By Joe Lauria Special to Consortium News… Read more →
(2019-05-31). The UN Torture Report On Assange Is An Indictment Of Our Entire Society. dissidentvoice.org 
On the eighth of April, shortly before London police forcibly carried WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange out of the Ecuadorian embassy, a doctor named Sondra S Crosby wrote a letter to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights requesting that the office look into Assange's case. Today, following a scorching rebuke of multiple …
(2019-05-31). U.N. Special Rapporteur Calls for Julian Assange to Be Freed, Citing "Psychological Torture" democracynow.org 
The United Nations special rapporteur on torture is warning that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is suffering from the effects of "psychological torture" due to his ongoing detention and threats of possible extradition to the United States. The U.N. expert, Nils Melzer, also warned that Assange would likely face a "politicized show trial" if he were to be extradited to the United States. Melzer writes, "In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence and political persecution, I have never seen a group of democratic states ganging up to deliberately isolate, demonize and abuse a single individual for such a lo…
(2019-05-31). UN Special Rapporteur Calls for Julian Assange to Be Freed. truthout.org The United Nations special rapporteur on torture is warning that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is suffering from the effects of "psychological torture" due to his ongoing detention and threats of possible extradition to the United States. The U.N. expert, Nils Melzer, also warned that Assange would likely face a "politicized show trial" if he were to be extradited to the United States. Melzer writes, "In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence and political persecution, I have never seen a group of democratic states ganging up to deliberately isolate, demonize and abuse a single individual for such a…
(2019-05-31). UN Says Assange Tortured: Join Us Live Online at 4pm. consortiumnews.com Julian Assange is in Belmarsh Prison hospital after his Swedish lawyer said he was too ill to carry on a conversation. Join us live for a discussion of the latest. The 32nd webcast vigil for Julian Assange can be seen… Read more →
(2019-05-31). UN Rights Expert Defends Assange, Says Institutions Abusing Power for 'Ulterior Motives'. telesurenglish.net WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has suffered psychological torture and should not be extradited to the United States where he would face a "politicized show trial," the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer said Friday. | RELATED: | Wikileaks Confirms Assange Moved to Prison Medical Area | Melzer, who visited Assange in London's Be…
(2019-05-31). UN Torture Report: "Demonized" Assange Has Faced "Psychological Torture" theantimedia.com (CN) — The UN special rapporteur on torture has issued a stinging rebuke to the United States, Great Britain, Sweden and Ecuador for "deliberately" exposing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to years of "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," which can only be described as "psychological torture." "In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence and political …
(2019-05-31). Calling Treatment of Julian Assange 'Psychological Torture,' UN Expert Demands End to US Extradition Attempt. commondreams.org "I condemn, in the strongest terms, the deliberate, concerted, and sustained nature of the abuse inflicted on Mr. Assange." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files……
(2019-05-31). The Hangman of the Middle East: US-backed Regime in Egypt Hands Down Nearly 2,500 Death Sentences. globalresearch.ca Egypt's US-backed dictatorship of Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has sentenced 2,443 people to death since coming to power in a bloody coup in 2013, according to a report issued this week by the UK-based human rights group Reprieve. | Of those …
(2019-05-31). 'Criminalizing Compassion': Trial Begins for Humanitarian Facing 20 Years in Prison for Giving Water to Migrants in Arizona Desert. globalresearch.ca Human rights advocates accused the U.S. Justice Department of " criminalizing compassion" as a federal trial began in Arizona Wednesday for activist Scott Warren, who faces up to 20 years in prison for providing humanitarian aid to migrants …
(2019-05-31). UN expert criticizes States for 'ganging up' on Wikileaks' Assange; warns against extradition, fearing 'serious' rights violations. un.org After visiting Julian Assange in a London prison, an independent UN human rights expert expressed urgent concern on Friday, for the Wikileaks co-founder's well-being, accusing "a group of democratic States" of "ganging up" on the prisoner to "isolate, demonize and abuse" him and warned against extraditing the controversial publisher to the United States.
(2019-05-31). Did the Left Betray Israel and Zionism? truthdig.com 
Israel and the Zionist ideology that its founding is based on have been topics at the heart of global politics for decades. On the left, progressives, especially Jewish intellectuals such as Noam Chomsky, have become increasingly critical of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. At the same time, the self-defined Jewish state has lurched further right with each election. The plight of Palestinians is moving center-stage in global human rights discussions, and the questions of Palestinian statehood and the two-state…
(2019-05-31). Ecological Importance and Human Rights Be Damned, Trump Admin Says Fossil Fuel Pillaging in Arctic Refuge Coming Soon. commondreams.org Interior Dept. statement that "lease sale will happen in 2019" comes as oil companies face heat over possible extraction on previously protected public land | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files……
(2019-05-31). Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. globalresearch.ca Israeli forces continued with systematic crimes, in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), for the week of 23 — 29 May, 2019. | Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against peaceful protestors in the Gaza Strip. 11 Palestinian civilians, including 3 …
(2019-05-31). Condemning Trump's "Racist Attacks on Immigrants," Sanders Calls for Bans on Mass Raids and For-Profit Detention Centers. commondreams.org "We have to end the dehumanization of undocumented people," the Vermont senator and presidential candidate said during a rally in Nevada | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files……
(2019-05-31). 'Beyond Barbaric': Internal Govt Report Reveals Migrants Forced to Stand on Toilets for Breathing Space at Overcrowded US Detention Center. commondreams.org "This is insane. Not only can they not move, they can't breathe, they can't eat, they can't do anything like this. Children have died and will continue to die if this is not stopped now." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files……
(2019-05-31). 149 refugees evacuated from Libya to Italy. cgtn.com 
Migrants are seen in a shelter after they were relocated from government-run detention centers, after getting trapped by clashes between rival groups in Tripoli, Libya August 30, 2018. REUTERS/Hani Amara | The UN Higher Commission of Refugees (UNHCR) said on Thursday that 149 refugees were evacuated from Libya to Italy, in cooperation with Libyan and Italian authorities. | "Amid violent clashes and a deteriorating security situation in Tripoli, 149 vulnerable refugees and asylum-seekers were evacuated to safety in Rome," UNHCR said in a statement. | The evacuated refugees are of different African nationalities, i…
(2019-05-31). Chelsea Manning's Legal Team Challenge Harsh Fines Levied Against Her By Federal Court. shadowproof.com The legal team for Chelsea Manning requested a hearing to challenge the harsh fines levied to force her to testify before the grand jury investigating WikiLeaks. | On May 16, Judge Anthony Trenga held Manning in civil contempt and ordered her to be sent back to the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center in Alexandria. The court also imposed a fine of $500 per day after 30 days, and then a fine of $1000 per day after 60 days. | If Manning "persists in her refusal" for the next 16 months, her legal team points out she will face a total amount of fines that is over $440,000. This excessive amount may violate he…
(2019-05-31). Raising Some Issues at Oral Communications. indybay.org Continued delay and inaction on providing homeless shelter and services (to say nothing of civil rights) for homeless folks was the silent part of yesterday's Santa Cruz City Council agenda. Several of us raised issues at Oral Communications…
(2019-05-31). Friday's Daily Brief: Fundraising for Mozambique, Assange's rights, Asia-Pacific development, Somalia and Sudan updates. un.org This Friday, we cover: a donor conference to support life-saving and recovery aid for Mozambique following two recent devastating cyclones; the need to respect Wikileaks' Assange's rights; how Asia-Pacific is working towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ; news from Somalia and Sudan; and a new stamp honouring Kofi Annan.
(2019-05-31). Stopping the abortion bans is a working-class fight—Here's why. peoplesworld.org 
There is an attack underway. A full-fledged assault on the rights of working people is happening in the United States of America. It is being spearheaded by a White House administration that has emboldened those who adhere to right-wing ideology and employ bigoted rhetoric in their effort to take away rights that have been fought …
(2019-05-31). A Dead Republican Strategist's Work Could Destroy Voting Rights in America. therealnews.com 
A Common Cause court case opposing Republican gerrymandering in North Carolina revealed that Trump officials lied about the 2020 census citizenship question in order to maintain "White" and "Republican Power"
(2019-05-31). Peterloo: A defining moment in the struggle for democracy in Britain. greenleft.org.au 
Peterloo | Written & directed by Mike Leigh | Starring Rory Kinnear, Maxine Peake & Pearce Quigley | In cinemas now | *** | The international release of British director Mike Leigh's new film Peterloo marks 200 years since the infamous 1819 Peterloo Massacre in Manchester, England. On August 16 that year, a crowd estimated at up to 80,000 gathered in St Peter's Fields to demand parliamentary reform and an extension of voting rights. | On the orders of the government in London and reactionary local magistrates, armed troops and militias arrested the protest leaders and then charged into the crowd. They killed at l…
(2019-05-31). Mass Demonstrations Against Saudi Summit and US "Deal" Mark Quds Day in Yemen. mintpressnews.com 
Quds Day demonstrations condemned the so-called U.S. Deal of the Century and vowed to support Palestinians facing the prospect of losing their rights under the U.S.-brokered plan.
(2019-05-31). U.S. Workers Are Standing Up for Their Rights. A New Law Would Back Them Up. commondreams.org The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act would force employers to the bargaining table if the union has the support of a majority of employees and the employer interferes with the union election. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files……
(2019-05-30). South Sudan wants UN sanctions removed. cgtn.com 
The South Sudan government has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to remove the sanctions against it. | The world's security body placed South Sudan in the sanctions list in 2015 following reports of gross human rights violations in the conflict that ravaged the country. | The sanctions ranged from an arms embargo against Juba, and others that targeted individuals believed to be obstructing the peace process in South Sudan. | Several senior government officials, including military commanders from both President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar factions, were among those sanctioned…
(2019-05-30). White House protest says 'End the sanctions on Zimbabwe!'. workers.org 
Protest at the White House, May 25. A march and rally was held in Washington, D.C., on May 25, African Liberation Day, to demand an end to sanctions against the southern African country of Zimbabwe. Known as Rhodesia after it was colonized by England in the late 1800s, Zimbabwe has . . . | Continue reading White House protest says 'End the sanctions on Zimbabwe!' at Workers.org
(2019-05-30). Why the imperialists hate Huawei. workers.org 
The Chinese company Huawei has been targeted by the Donald Trump administration. At Washington's request, Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of the company, last December. The charge? That the company did business with Iran, contrary to U.S. sanctions on that country. Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder . . . | Continue reading Why the imperialists hate Huawei at Workers.org
(2019-05-30). Trial Begins for Man Facing 20 Years in Prison for Giving Water to Migrants in Desert. theantimedia.com (CD) — Human rights advocates accused the U.S. Justice Department of "criminalizing compassion" as a federal trial began in Arizona Wednesday for activist Scott Warren, who faces up to 20 years in prison for providing humanitarian aid to migrants in the desert. Warren, a 36-year-old college geography instructor from Ajo, Arizona, is a volunteer for the humanitarian organization No More Deaths/No …
(2019-05-30). Rule of Law Fails in Malta as Slain Journalist Sees No Justice. telesurenglish.net The failure of Maltese authorities to identify the masterminds behind the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia raises questions about the rule of law in Malta, according to Europe's chief human rights watchdog. | RELATED | Rally in Malta for Slain Reporter Sparks Political Unity | Caruana Galizia, whose reporting uncovered widespread corruption, was killed by a car bomb in October 2017. Her murder exposed the dark side of the Mediterranean island that is both a m…
(2019-05-30). Colombia: FARC Leader Jesus Santrich Freed at Top Court's Order. telesurenglish.net Colombia's Prosecutor office announced Thursday the release of Jesus Santrich, less than a day after the country's Supreme Court ordered his release, the latest development in a legal saga concerning his detention and possible extradition to the United States. | RELATED: | Supreme Court of Colombia Orders Release of Jesus Santrich | From prison, Santric…
(2019-05-30). Rally vows to defend refugees' rights. greenleft.org.au 
Three hundred people rallied on May 24 to show solidarity with refugees, who face increasing attacks following the re-election of the Coalition government. | Lucy Honan, representing the Refugee Action Collective which called the rally, said the election result had been "bruising" for refugees and their supporters. Even though Labor and the Coalition shared bipartisan policies of offshore detention and boat turnbacks, refugees had hoped for some changes from a Labor government. | Labor had promised to accept New Zealand's offer to take 150 refugees a year from Manus and Nauru. This had raised the hopes of th…
(2019-05-30). A major win for transgender rights: UN health agency drops 'gender identity disorder', as official diagnosis. un.org "To reflect critical advances in science and medicine", the World Health Organization, WHO, has removed so-called "gender identity disorder" from its official manual of diagnoses, which is being hailed as a major win for transgender rights.
(2019-05-30). Thursday's Daily Brief: the European Charlemagne prize, sexual abuse, transgender rights, Somalia and Libya updates. un.org Top stories this Thursday: UN chief Guterres received the Charlemagne Prize for services towards European unification; sexual abuse in Somalia and within the UN; a leap in transgender rights; news from Libya; and new political appointments at the UN.
(2019-05-30). Stripped of Their Rights: Understanding the Gaza Strip. globalresearch.ca Many wonder why Israel continues to persecute the Palestinians in Gaza with such brutal repression. | The answer is simple; Palestinians in Gaza pose a demographic and, indeed, an existential threat to the Jewish state, which created the inferno that is …
(2019-05-30). Decision reserved on Wangan and Jagalingou Adani appeal. greenleft.org.au 
The Federal Court reserved its decision on May 28 and adjourned so parties can consider a complex administrative issue that could mean that an appeal by Wangan and Jagalingou Family Council (W&J) against Adani could be thrown out. | The Full Court of the Federal Court came across the potential problem on the second day of the appeal hearing. It relates to a decision of a court registrar, not heard at the original trial, which threw out objections to Adani's Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA). The agreement, which Adani requires to develop the mine, extinguished the group's land rights. | They have appealed…
(2019-05-30). Queensland vote: Right's noisy triumphalism is more due to its surprise. greenleft.org.au 
Mainstream talk of Queenslanders embracing the Coalition at the federal elections is louder than ever. | The implication is that, here, everything is cut from the one cloth. But, just as the inner-city seats of Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney moved against the Coalition there is no evidence that there is a conservative tide sweeping regional Queensland. | Central Queensland with Rockhampton and Mackay, north Queensland with Townsville and far-north Queensland with Cairns all vary from each other in climate, economics, culture and, of course, politics. | A week into the vote count, the far-north Queensland electora…
(2019-05-30). Disney, Netflix, Warner to Leave Georgia If Abortion Ban Passes. telesurenglish.net Disney, Netflix, and WarnerMedia are threatening to take their business out of Georgia to protest the state's new abortion bill. | RELATED: | Ilhan Omar Comes Out Against Abortion Ban Bills, Rejects Attempts to 'Control, Punish' Women | Earlier this month, Georgia became the fourth U.S. state this year to outlaw abortion once a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat, which abortion-rights advocates vowed to challenge in court. | Opponents called the legi…
(2019-05-30). WikiLeaks Expresses 'Grave Concerns' for Assange's Health. consortiumnews.com WikiLeaks on Wednesday said it was gravely concerned for the health of its publisher, Julian Assange, and questioned Britain's "standing as a human-rights abiding nation." By Joe Lauria Special to Consortium News WikiLeaks has condemned Britain for its treatment of… Read more →
(2019-05-29). Six Children Have Died While in ICE Custody — Why? therealnews.com 
Undocumented immigrants seeking asylum are being separated from their children and detained in prison camps as more restrictive racist policies are being imposed by Trump. We discuss the policy with the Border Rights Center Director of ACLU Texas, Astrid Dominguez…
(2019-05-29). US Hints at Sanctions Against Venezuela CLAP Food Programme as Maduro Incorporates Militia. venezuelanalysis.com The Venezuelan President looks to combat corruption and improve the programme which benefits 6 million Venezuelan families.
(2019-05-29). London: Diaspora Ugandans Protest Deadly Lawless Land-grabs By Country's Dictator Gen. Museveni For "Investors" blackstarnews.com 
Ugandan Diaspora in U.K. protest the deadly lawless regime land-grabs for foreign investors in their homeland. | [Comment: Open Letter] | Statement by Ugandans in the United Kingdom Demanding End to Land Grabs and Evictions. | 28 May 2019, London | | Ugandans in Britain held a demonstration at the Uganda High Commission in central London on 28 May 2019 and called for rights to land and against seizures. | The protest followed high profile cases of evictions by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, including Uganda police and military, known as the UPDF (Uganda Peoples Defense Force) killings, shooting and arrests of…
(2019-05-29). Headlines for May 29, 2019. democracynow.org SCOTUS Makes 2 Key Decisions on Indiana Abortion Laws, Missouri's Last Abortion Clinic May Shut Down This Week, Netflix Considers Georgia Production Boycott After Abortion Ban, Sen. Kamala Harris Announces Plan for Gov't Oversight of New State Abortion Laws, Rights Groups Challenge Rule Allowing Providers to Refuse Healthcare Based on Religious Belief, PA Policy Allowing Students to Choose Bathroom Remains in Place After SCOTUS Declines Challenge, Sen. McConnell Would Confirm a Trump SCOTUS Nominee in 2020, Angela Merkel Warns Against Rise of Nationalism, At Least 20 Civilians Killed in Syria as U.N. Warns of Hum…
(2019-05-29). The Government Needs to Get a Warrant if It Wants Access to Our Private Health Information. aclu.org Choosing between obtaining health care and giving up one's privacy rights is no choice at all. | The Drug Enforcement Administration is once again trying to access private prescription records of patients — this time in New Hampshire — without a warrant, despite a state law to the contrary. Today the ACLU filed a brief in support of the state of New Hampshire's fight to defend the privacy of our sensitive medical information against unwarranted searches by law enforcement. | New Hampshire — like 48 other states, the…
(2019-05-29). ACLU Lawyer: "Abortion Today Is Still Legal in All 50 States" Despite Draconian Anti-Choice Bills. democracynow.org 
As states around the country ramp up their attacks on reproductive rights, the Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to rule on an Indiana law that would bar abortions based on the sex, race or disability of the fetus. The decision will keep in place a lower court's injunction on the measure. However, the Supreme Court decided to allow Indiana's so-called fetal burial law to go into effect, which stipulates that abortion clinics must dispose of fetal remains either through burial or cremation. The measure was signed into law by then-Governor Mike Pence in 2016. We speak with Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, senior staff attorney…