Daily Archives: September 26, 2019

2019-09-26: News Headlines

Mari Margil (2019-09-26). Legal Rights of the Natural World: Beyond Personhood. commondreams.org The rights of nature represents necessary legal and cultural shifts in which we understand ourselves as part of nature, and not, as Colombia's Constitutional Court explained, "a ruler of nature." (Photo: Jim Liestman/Flickr/cc) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Staff (2019-09-26). Israel Seizes Property from Palestinian Prisoner Rights Organization. therealnews.com Sahar Francis, leader of Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights, talks about Israeli soldiers raiding her office at 2: 00 a.m., causing extensive damage and seizing computers, valuable documents, and materials.

WSWS (2019-09-26). Washington uses UN session to unveil new sanctions against Iran and Venezuela. wsws.org US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo made it clear that the target of the latest sanctions was not just Iran, but China, which accounts for half of Iran's sharply reduced oil exports.

WSWS (2019-09-26). Bangladesh warns UN officials over Rohingya refugees. wsws.org The Bangladesh government is determined to relocate Rohingya refugees to an unsafe and remote island in defiance of opposition from the UN and human rights organisations.

Michelle Chen (2019-09-26). Trumpsters: Grad Students Are Not Workers, Have No Rights. progressive.org The National Labor Relations Board just proposed a rule returning to their Bush-era position, undermining years of steady gains in graduate worker organizing.

Staff (2019-09-26). Headlines for September 26, 2019. democracynow.org Transcript Shows Trump Pressured Ukrainian Leader to Probe Joe Biden and Son, President Trump on Ukraine Phone Call: "Impeachment for That?", Majority of House Lawmakers Back Impeachment Inquiry Against Trump, Iranian President Rules Out Talks with U.S. While Sanctions Remain, Saudi-Led Coalition Airstrikes Kill 16 Civilians in Yemen, Israel's President Asks Benjamin Netanyahu to Form New Government, 2 Million Wild Animals Perish as Fires Rage in Bolivia, Climate Crisis Drives Mont Blanc Glacier Toward Collapse, 7 Arrested as San Francisco Climate Protesters Block Wells Fargo Entrance, Doctors Glue Themselves to…

susan_p (2019-09-26). Bring Jock Palfreeman home safely. greenleft.org.au human rights Pip HinmanIssue 1239 Bulgaria Jock PalfreemanSeptember 26, 2019Australian anti-fascist campaigner Jock Palfreeman's parole is being challenged by Bulgarian authorities and his lawyer has said he urgently needs to leave the country. | Palfreeman, who has be…

Staff (2019-09-25). Ankle Monitors Continue the Legacy of Mass Incarceration. therealnews.com Pre-trial detention has shifted from brick and mortar prisons to ankle monitors for people that have yet to be charged with a crime. Advocates say that it's an alternative form of incarceration as they see an increasing number of people held without bond.

Staff (2019-09-25). Democrats Are Blowing A Huge Opportunity on Venezuela. truthdig.com Days after the Democratic presidential candidates missed yet another opportunity to challenge President Donald Trump's failed Venezuela policy on the debate stage on September 12, President Nicolás Maduro signed an important agreement with four opposition parties. These events offer insight into the differing perspectives on the economic, social and political crises in Venezuela—one perspective from the Washington political establishment, the other from Venezuelans. | The Trump administration has applied brutal economic sanctions on Venezuela that functionally create a…

Andre Vltchek (2019-09-25). Hong Kong is Scared of the Rioters. dissidentvoice.org It was once a British police station, as well as the Victoria Prison Compound. Hong Kong inhabitants used to tremble just from hearing its name mentioned. This is where people were detained, interrogated, humiliated, tortured and disappeared. Now, after Hong Kong 'returned to China', it was converted into the Tai Kwun Center — one of …

RT (2019-09-25). 'If impeachment trump card doesn't work, it will guarantee Trump re-election,' civil rights lawyer tells RT. rt.com With the announcement of an official impeachment inquiry, Democrats have put all their eggs in one basket, risking losing the next election if they fail to enlist enough support, civil rights attorney Robert Patillo told RT. | Read more | | Tulsi says impeachment would be 'terribly divisive' as Trump's Republican challengers back the move | Accusing US President Donald Trump of pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to "take actions which would benefit him politically" — that is, to investigate 2020 candidate Joe Biden's son Hunt…

Mohamed Elmaazi (2019-09-25). Labour pledges to abolish immigration detention centres in historic conference vote. thecanary.co The Labour Party has passed a historic vote on immigration policy at its party conference in Brighton. The second-to-last vote on 25 September included a commitment to "close all detention centres", "reject any immigration system based on incomes" or a person's "utility to business", and "scrap all Hostile Environment measures". | The Canary was in attendance at the moment conference passed the vote to massive cheers and claps from across the hall. | A break from from Labour's "very awful record": | Joanna Gowers, a delegate for Finchley and Golders Green CLP, called the vote "the most radical immigration…

Amy Goodman (2019-09-25). In landmark UN complaint, 16 children accuse nations of failing to protect them from climate change. nationofchange.org Youth climate activists from around the world also attended the U.N. Climate Action Summit Monday, where they spoke at UNICEF about a landmark new climate complaint they filed with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. Hailing from countries including Argentina, Brazil, Germany, the Marshall Islands and Tunisia, the young representatives spoke about why …

teleSUR (2019-09-25). Young Activists Sue World Leaders due to Climate Change. telesurenglish.net Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg and 15 other young climate activists on Monday filed a complaint with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child alleging that world leaders' inaction on the climate crisis has violated children's rights. | RELATED: | Young Climate Activists Held World Leaders Accountable at UN | The petitioners, who range in age from 8 to 17 and hail from 12 different countries, teared up as they presented their complaint at the United Nations Childre…

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2019-09-25). Washington Gives Guaido $52M in Funding, Slaps Venezuela with New Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com The new aid package dovetailed with fresh sanctions targeting Venezuela-Cuba oil shipping.

United Nations (2019-09-25). 'Milestone agreement' paves the way for new UN Human Rights Office in Sudan. un.org "With this milestone agreement, we are poised to accompany Sudan through an important moment in its history" — the words of UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Wednesday, as she signed a deal between the UN and the newly-constituted Government of Sudan to open a Human Rights Office in the capital, Khartoum.

Paul Antonopoulos (2019-09-25). Why Doesn't India Follow China's Iranian Oil Policy? globalresearch.ca Iran's ambassador to India claimed that the U.S. urges New Delhi to suspend its Iranian oil purchases, worth about $5 billion a year, through the threat of sanctions. The Iranian ambassador also called for India to become more active in …

Bahman Fozouni (2019-09-25). US-Iran Relations: Bolton's "Maximum Pressure" Policy Is The Illegitimate Child Of Diplomacy. globalresearch.ca The September 14 strikes against Saudi Arabia's Khurais oilfield and Abqaiq processing facility, which the U.S. government quickly pinned on Iran, as well as President Trump's decision to substantially increase sanctions against Iran in response, are sobering reminders that the …

Andre Vltchek (2019-09-25). Hong Kong is Scared — of the Rioters. globalresearch.ca It was once a British police station, as well as the Victoria Prison Compound. Hong Kong inhabitants used to tremble just from hearing its name mentioned. This is where people were detained, interrogated, humiliated, tortured and disappeared. | Now, after Hong …

teleSUR (2019-09-25). Brazil: 10 States Pledge to Respect the Climate Paris Agreement. telesurenglish.net Brazil's North East Consortium (CN) spokesperson Paulo Camara on Tuesday announced that ten Brazilian states pledged in New York to respect and implement the Paris Agreement, independent of what President Jair Bolsonaro thinks or decides regarding global climate change. | RELATED: | 'Neoliberalism Deteriorates Human Rights in Brazil': Report | "In response to the recoil risks [in environmental protection] generated by the Federal government, the Brazilian states have decided to assum…

United Nations (2019-09-25). 'Childhood is changing, and so must we', UNICEF declares, as world marks historic convention. un.org Since its adoption 30 years ago, the milestone Convention of the Rights of the Child and its near universal membership has created "unprecedented international solidarity around children's rights,'' the Secretary-General said at a commemorative event an UN Headquarters on Wednesday.

ACLU (2019-09-25). White Supremacist Violence Is On the Rise. Expanding the FBI's Powers Isn't the Answer. aclu.org Expanding law enforcement's powers will harm the communities of color that white supremacist violence targets—and undermine our constitutional rights. | In response to the increase in white supremacist violence, Congress has been holding hearings — including one today — on the urgent need to address it. But, rather than getting to the bottom of why our law enforcement agencies have failed to address white supremacist violence, some lawmakers are rushing to give law enforcement agencies harmful additional powers and creating new crimes. That approach ignores the way power, racism, and nation…

teleSUR (2019-09-25). Israel Arrests Palestine's Jerusalem Affairs Minister. telesurenglish.net Israel arrested Jerusalem Affairs Minister Fadi Hadami of the Palestinian Authority (PA) this week, marking the second time in three months that he has been detained. | RELATED: | Palestine to Sue Honduras for 'Recognizing' Jerusalem as Israeli Capital | The ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the Israeli forces raided the minister's home before taking him into custody. Palestinians slammed the move and called it a part of a "harassment campaign." | "He is being…

Eoin Higgins, staff writer (2019-09-25). In UN Address, Rouhani Says Iran "Will Never, Ever Forget" Crimes of Trump Sanctions. commondreams.org Iranian president said U.S. has attempted a "silent killing of a great nation." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

susan_p (2019-09-25). Sri Lanka: Torture continues, perpetrators promoted. greenleft.org.au human rights Chris SleeIssue 1239 Sri Lanka Tamil TortureSeptember 25, 2019″The indifference to repeated allegations of police torture is shocking and makes a mockery of Sri Lanka's stated commitment to security secto…

PACBI (2019-09-24). Opinion by Legal Scholar Prof. John Dugard on Relations Between University of Cape Town and Israeli Universities. bdsmovement.net 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…

Fight Back (2019-09-24). Minnesota: Protesters demand end to human rights violations in Kashmir. fightbacknews.org Columbia Heights, MN – Nearly 400 people protested along Central Ave on September 22 to demand an end to the atrocities being committed against Muslims in India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing government. | On August 5, the Indian government announced its decision to revoke Article 370, which guaranteed the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir special status, which allowed the region to govern its affairs autonomously in all areas except defense, communication and foreign policy. | Currently, Kashmir is under media blackout, with the cutting of phone, internet and TV access with very li…

ACLU (2019-09-24). International Human Rights Bodies Provide a Case for Reparations. aclu.org International human rights programs provide models for reparations. | It is common for nations where mass atrocities have taken place to engage in the process of reparation and repair. This process happened in Germany after the Holocaust, South Africa after apartheid, and here in the United States, forty years after the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. As a result, international human rights bodies have sought to lend their expertise to the process, often by holding hearings an…

Sasha Abramsky (2019-09-24). Trump Is Revving Up the Attack on Workers' Rights. thenation.com Trump Is Revving Up the Attack on Workers' Rights…

Staff (2019-09-24). In Landmark UN Complaint, 16 Children Accuse Nations of Failing to Protect Them from Climate Change. democracynow.org Youth climate activists from around the world also attended the U.N. Climate Action Summit Monday, where they spoke at UNICEF about a landmark new climate complaint they filed with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. Hailing from countries including Argentina, Brazil, Germany, the Marshall Islands and Tunisia, the young representatives spoke about why they feel compelled to act on the climate crisis. Among the youth climate activists were Alexandria Villaseñor of New York and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Staff (2019-09-24). Headlines for September 24, 2019. democracynow.org Greta Thunberg and Youth Activists Take On World Leaders at U.N. Climate Action Summit, Trump Admin Tells U.N. to Drop Term "Reproductive Health and Rights", Trump Ordered Hold on Ukrainian Aid Before Call with President Zelensky About Bidens, U.K. Supreme Court: Boris Johnson's Suspension of Parliament Is Unlawful, U.K., France & Germany Say Iran Responsible for Saudi Oil Attacks as Trump Addresses UNGA, Afghanistan: At Least 40 Civilians Killed by U.S.-Afghan Attack, Haiti: Senator Shoots AP Photographer in Face During Anti-Gov't Protests, Video of Blindfolded Prisoners in Xinjiang Adds to Fears of Mass Human R…

United Nations (2019-09-24). Hate speech in the digital world a 'critical obstacle for LGBTI people': UN's Bachelet. un.org In the fast-growing digital age, hate speech can represent "a critical obstacle for LGBTI people" using online platforms, the UN's top rights official told participants at a high-level segment on the matter on Tuesday.

susan_p (2019-09-24). Thai dissidents face deadly threats — even abroad. greenleft.org.au human rights Peter BoyleIssue 1239 Thailand red shirts lese majeste Thai military juntaSeptember 24, 2019Dr Pavin Chachavalpongpun i…

Paul Larudee (2019-09-23). In Support of Brother Donald Lafleur, Executive Vice President, Canadian Labour Congress. dissidentvoice.org Dear Comrades, We write to you as fellow trade unionists and comrades dedicated in the struggle for workers' rights in support of Donald Lafleur and his visit to the GFTU trade union congress in Damascus. Brother Lafleur has been unjustly placed on administrative leave despite the fact that he attended the meeting as a private …

Staff (2019-09-23). Headlines for September 23, 2019. democracynow.org 4 Million Take to the Streets for Global Climate Strike, Trump Admin Ignored CBP Report Linking Climate Change and Increased Migration, Honduran Woman and 21-Month-Old Son Die While Attempting to Reach U.S., New Deal Would Force Asylum Seekers to Return to El Salvador Despite Obvious Dangers, Calls for Impeachment Grow as Trump Acknowledges Ukraine Phone Call About Bidens, U.S. to Send Troops to Saudi Arabia, Impose Iran Sanctions, as Rouhani Heads to UNGA with Peace Plan, Arab Parties in Israel Back Benny Gantz in Bid to End Netanyahu's Rule, Egyptians Take to Street in Rare Protest Against President Sisi, Gov't…

Roger D. Harris (2019-09-21). On the Road to Damascus: International Conference in Syria on Sanctions and Its Blowback. mintpressnews.com Syrians say it's even harder now to make ends meet than it was during the height of their country's war because of intensified U.S and European sanctions.

Fight Back (2019-09-21). New York activists demand: Never again to martial law in the Philippines. fightbacknews.org New York, NY – 25 people gathered September 20 at noon in front of the Consulate General of the Philippines in New York City to commemorate the 47th anniversary of martial law in the Philippines under the regime of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The action was called by BAYAN USA NorthEast, to say, "Never again to martial law," and to call attention to the continuation of state repression in the Philippines under the current, U.S.-backed Duterte regime. | Rodrigo Duterte's so called "war on drugs" has led to the killings, torture and imprisonment of many Filipino activists and human rights defenders, just like…

Binoy Kampmark (2019-09-21). Lotteries and Rights in the Sporting Life. dissidentvoice.org The pigeon flapped in desperation, moving across Melbourne's lavish Capitol Theatre in fits and starts. It was more alarmed than anything else at the address being given by former Australian football (soccer to some) player Craig Foster. Foster has been beating the drum on one particular message for some time now: that sports can change …

pip.hinman (2019-09-21). Decriminalise abortion now. greenleft.org.au abortion rightsIssue 1238 Australia abortion decriminalisationSeptember 21, 2019Pro-choice activists rallied in Sydney on September 14 to call for the decriminalisation of abortion in NSW. | "Any law that places half the population at risk of criminality simply because of their biology is a ridiculous and unsupportable law", …

pip.hinman (2019-09-21). Anti-choice MPs pull out all stops to restrict access. greenleft.org.au abortion rights Pip HinmanIssue 1238 Australia pro-choice anti-choice lobbySeptember 21, 2019Anti-choice state MPs are seeking to add as many caveats as possible to a bill that seeks to decriminalise…

susan_p (2019-09-21). Victory as Jock Palfreeman released on parole. greenleft.org.au Pip HinmanIssue 1238 Bulgaria anti-racism prisoners' rights RomaSeptember 21, 2019Anti-fascist campaigner and Australian citizen Jock Palfreeman was unexpectedly granted parole on September 19 after serving…

unitedEditor (2019-09-20). 5-G Revolution And The Battle For Techno-hegemony. uwidata.com The Fifth-generation cellular technology network (5-G), which promises higher speed, lower latency, and improved flexibility of wireless services, has become the latest battleground for the US and China. Opinion: The US-China contest has zoned in on the race for 5G domination — and the effect of any US sanctions against Huawei or others is likely …

Lucas Koerner (2019-09-18). US imposes New Sanctions Targeting Venezuela's Food Program. venezuelanalysis.com The Treasury Department has targeted people and companies involved in imports for Venezuela's CLAP program.

unitedEditor (2019-09-17). Why Iran's Khamenei pushes for higher birthrate? uwidata.com Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has again called on compatriots to have more children while calling on authorities to help families increase the population amid crippling economic sanctions, high unemployment and staggering inflation rates. Inspired by the size of the population in China and India, Khamenei urged for advancing Iran's national power by doubling its …

unitedEditor (2019-09-17). Davutoƒülu and the AKP, Trump and Mexico, John Bolton. uwidata.com Davutoƒülu Former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoƒülu announced his resignation from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Friday. The AKP unanimously agreed to raise the question of Davutoglu's expulsion, as well as the head of the parliamentary human rights commission, Ayhan Sefer àústàºn, the deputy from Istanbul Abdullah Ba≈ücƒ±and former Manisa deputy Selàßuk àñzden. A founder …

ACLU (2019-09-16). AmeriCorps Adopts Health Screening Process That's Fair to Candidates with Disabilities. aclu.org Susie was disqualified from AmeriCorps NCCC for seeking therapy. Now they're changing their screening process so everyone can apply to serve. | Susie Balcom was overjoyed when she received a conditional offer to serve as a support team leader in Mississippi with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), a national, residential service program for young adults. After graduating from college with a 4.0 GPA and spending two terms in the AmeriCorps state program, Susie was ready, willing, and able to fulfill her dream of serving in the national program. | However, a few weeks later, AmeriCorps NCCC to…

splcenter (2019-09-15). Remembering the Birmingham church bombing. splcenter.org Fifty-six years ago today, four precious little girls were murdered in one of the most heinous acts of white supremacist terror of the civil rights era.

Ricardo Vaz (2019-09-12). Venezuela Oil Production Continues Decline as China Cancels More Shipments. venezuelanalysis.com Russian oil giant Rosneft blasted threats of US sanctions as "unfair competition."

splcenter (2019-09-04). New Human Rights Watch report highlights dangers in industry SPLC seeks to reform. splcenter.org A new report released by Human Rights Watch today highlights the increasingly dangerous conditions facing meatpacking workers across the United States — underscoring dangers the SPLC uncovered within an industry it has long sought to reform.

ACLU (2019-09-03). A New York Jail Forced a Trans Woman Into a Men's Facility. aclu.org Trans women routinely face harassment and discrimination in jails and prisons. | Jena Faith's experience in the Steuben County Jail was a living nightmare. | The military veteran spent four weeks in the jail awaiting trial last spring. She was initially housed in the jail's women's facility without incident, but things changed when officials suddenly transferred her to the men's facility, despite the fact that she is a woman. | During the weeks that Jena spent as a woman in a men's jail, she was routinely targeted with physical and verbal harassment from other incarcerated people and guards. On her first day in t…

2019-09-26: Social Media Postees

Washington uses UN session to unveil new sanctions against Iran and Venezuela
wsws.org | 2019-09-26
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo made it clear that the target of the latest sanctions was not just Iran, but China, which accounts for half of Iran's sharply reduced oil exports.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/09/26/irve…

Israel Seizes Property from Palestinian Prisoner Rights Organization
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-09-26
Sahar Francis, leader of Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights, talks about Israeli soldiers raiding her office at 2: 00 a.m., causing extensive damage and seizing computers, valuable documents, and materials.
therealnews.com/stories/israel-seizes-property-from-palestinian-prisoner-rights-organization

Legal Rights of the Natural World: Beyond Personhood
Mari Margil | commondreams.org | 2019-09-26
The rights of nature represents necessary legal and cultural shifts in which we understand ourselves as part of nature, and not, as Colombia's Constitutional Court explained, "a ruler of nature." (Photo: Jim Liestman/Flickr/cc) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/views/2019/09/26/legal-rights-natural-world-beyond-personhood?cd-origin=rss

Bangladesh warns UN officials over Rohingya refugees
wsws.org | 2019-09-26
The Bangladesh government is determined to relocate Rohingya refugees to an unsafe and remote island in defiance of opposition from the UN and human rights organisations.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/09/26/bang…

Trumpsters: Grad Students Are Not Workers, Have No Rights
Michelle Chen | progressive.org | 2019-09-26
The National Labor Relations Board just proposed a rule returning to their Bush-era position, undermining years of steady gains in graduate worker organizing.
progressive.org/dispatches/trumpsters-grad-student-no-rights-chen-190926/

Bring Jock Palfreeman home safely
susan_p | greenleft.org.au | 2019-09-26
human rights Pip HinmanIssue 1239 Bulgaria Jock PalfreemanSeptember 26, 2019Australian anti-fascist campaigner Jock Palfreeman's parole is being challenged by Bulgarian authorities and his lawyer has said he urgently needs to leave the country. | Palfreeman, who has be…
greenleft.org.au/content/bring-jock-palfreeman-home-safely

Labour pledges to abolish immigration detention centres in historic conference vote
Mohamed Elmaazi | thecanary.co | 2019-09-25
The Labour Party has passed a historic vote on immigration policy at its party conference in Brighton. The second-to-last vote on 25 September included a commitment to "close all detention centres", "reject any immigration system based on incomes" or a person's "utility to business", and "scrap all Hostile Environment measures". | The Canary was in attendance at the moment conference passed the vote to massive cheers and claps from across the hall. | A break from from Labour's "very awful record": | Joanna Gowers, a delegate for Finchley and Golders Green CLP, called the vote "the most radical immigration…
thecanary.co/feature/2019/09/25/labour-pledges-to-abolish-immigration-detention-centres-in-historic-conference-vote/

In landmark UN complaint, 16 children accuse nations of failing to protect them from climate change
Amy Goodman | nationofchange.org | 2019-09-25
Youth climate activists from around the world also attended the U.N. Climate Action Summit Monday, where they spoke at UNICEF about a landmark new climate complaint they filed with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. Hailing from countries including Argentina, Brazil, Germany, the Marshall Islands and Tunisia, the young representatives spoke about why …
nationofchange.org/2019/09/25/in-landmark-un-complaint-16-children-accuse-nations-of-failing-to-protect-them-from-climate-change/

Young Activists Sue World Leaders due to Climate Change
telesurenglish.net | 2019-09-25
Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg and 15 other young climate activists on Monday filed a complaint with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child alleging that world leaders' inaction on the climate crisis has violated children's rights. | RELATED: | Young Climate Activists Held World Leaders Accountable at UN | The petitioners, who range in age from 8 to 17 and hail from 12 different countries, teared up as they presented their complaint at the United Nations Childre…
telesurenglish.net/news/Young-Activists-Sue-World-Leaders-due-to-Climate-Change-20190925-0015.html

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

'Milestone agreement' paves the way for new UN Human Rights Office in Sudan
United Nations | un.org | 2019-09-25
"With this milestone agreement, we are poised to accompany Sudan through an important moment in its history" — the words of UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Wednesday, as she signed a deal between the UN and the newly-constituted Government of Sudan to open a Human Rights Office in the capital, Khartoum.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/09/1047482

Ankle Monitors Continue the Legacy of Mass Incarceration
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-09-25
Pre-trial detention has shifted from brick and mortar prisons to ankle monitors for people that have yet to be charged with a crime. Advocates say that it's an alternative form of incarceration as they see an increasing number of people held without bond.
therealnews.com/stories/ankle-monitors-continue-legacy-mass-incarceration

Why Doesn't India Follow China's Iranian Oil Policy?
Paul Antonopoulos | globalresearch.ca | 2019-09-25
Iran's ambassador to India claimed that the U.S. urges New Delhi to suspend its Iranian oil purchases, worth about $5 billion a year, through the threat of sanctions. The Iranian ambassador also called for India to become more active in …
globalresearch.ca/why-doesnt-india-follow-chinas-iranian-oil-policy/5690200

US-Iran Relations: Bolton's "Maximum Pressure" Policy Is The Illegitimate Child Of Diplomacy
Bahman Fozouni | globalresearch.ca | 2019-09-25
The September 14 strikes against Saudi Arabia's Khurais oilfield and Abqaiq processing facility, which the U.S. government quickly pinned on Iran, as well as President Trump's decision to substantially increase sanctions against Iran in response, are sobering reminders that the …
globalresearch.ca/us-iran-relations-boltons-maximum-pressure-policy-is-the-illegitimate-child-of-diplomacy/5690160

Democrats Are Blowing A Huge Opportunity on Venezuela
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-09-25
Days after the Democratic presidential candidates missed yet another opportunity to challenge President Donald Trump's failed Venezuela policy on the debate stage on September 12, President Nicolás Maduro signed an important agreement with four opposition parties. These events offer insight into the differing perspectives on the economic, social and political crises in Venezuela–one perspective from the Washington political establishment, the other from Venezuelans. | The Trump administration has applied brutal economic sanctions on Venezuela that functionally create a…
truthdig.com/articles/democrats-are-blowing-a-huge-opportunity-on-venezuela/

Hong Kong is Scared — of the Rioters
Andre Vltchek | globalresearch.ca | 2019-09-25
It was once a British police station, as well as the Victoria Prison Compound. Hong Kong inhabitants used to tremble just from hearing its name mentioned. This is where people were detained, interrogated, humiliated, tortured and disappeared. | Now, after Hong …
globalresearch.ca/hong-kong-is-scared-of-the-rioters/5690145

Hong Kong is Scared of the Rioters
Andre Vltchek | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-09-25
It was once a British police station, as well as the Victoria Prison Compound. Hong Kong inhabitants used to tremble just from hearing its name mentioned. This is where people were detained, interrogated, humiliated, tortured and disappeared. Now, after Hong Kong 'returned to China', it was converted into the Tai Kwun Center — one of …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/09/hong-kong-is-scared-of-the-rioters/

Brazil: 10 States Pledge to Respect the Climate Paris Agreement
telesurenglish.net | 2019-09-25
Brazil's North East Consortium (CN) spokesperson Paulo Camara on Tuesday announced that ten Brazilian states pledged in New York to respect and implement the Paris Agreement, independent of what President Jair Bolsonaro thinks or decides regarding global climate change. | RELATED: | 'Neoliberalism Deteriorates Human Rights in Brazil': Report | "In response to the recoil risks [in environmental protection] generated by the Federal government, the Brazilian states have decided to assum…
telesurenglish.net/news/Brazil-10-States-Pledge-to-Respect-the-Climate-Paris-Agreement-20190925-0004.html

'If impeachment trump card doesn't work, it will guarantee Trump re-election,' civil rights lawyer tells RT
rt.com | 2019-09-25
With the announcement of an official impeachment inquiry, Democrats have put all their eggs in one basket, risking losing the next election if they fail to enlist enough support, civil rights attorney Robert Patillo told RT. | Read more | | Tulsi says impeachment would be 'terribly divisive' as Trump's Republican challengers back the move | Accusing US President Donald Trump of pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to "take actions which would benefit him politically" — that is, to investigate 2020 candidate Joe Biden's son Hunt…
rt.com/usa/469549-impeachement-pelosi-trump-elections/

'Childhood is changing, and so must we', UNICEF declares, as world marks historic convention
United Nations | un.org | 2019-09-25
Since its adoption 30 years ago, the milestone Convention of the Rights of the Child and its near universal membership has created "unprecedented international solidarity around children's rights," the Secretary-General said at a commemorative event an UN Headquarters on Wednesday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/09/1047402

White Supremacist Violence Is On the Rise. Expanding the FBI's Powers Isn't the Answer
aclu.org | 2019-09-25
Expanding law enforcement's powers will harm the communities of color that white supremacist violence targets–and undermine our constitutional rights. | In response to the increase in white supremacist violence, Congress has been holding hearings — including one today — on the urgent need to address it. But, rather than getting to the bottom of why our law enforcement agencies have failed to address white supremacist violence, some lawmakers are rushing to give law enforcement agencies harmful additional powers and creating new crimes. That approach ignores the way power, racism, and nation…
aclu.org/blog/national-security/discriminatory-profiling/white-supremacist-violence-rise-expanding-fbis

Israel Arrests Palestine's Jerusalem Affairs Minister
telesurenglish.net | 2019-09-25
Israel arrested Jerusalem Affairs Minister Fadi Hadami of the Palestinian Authority (PA) this week, marking the second time in three months that he has been detained. | RELATED: | Palestine to Sue Honduras for 'Recognizing' Jerusalem as Israeli Capital | The ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the Israeli forces raided the minister's home before taking him into custody. Palestinians slammed the move and called it a part of a "harassment campaign." | "He is being…
telesurenglish.net/news/Israel-Arrests-Palestines-Jerusalem-Affairs-Minister-20190925-0003.html

In UN Address, Rouhani Says Iran "Will Never, Ever Forget" Crimes of Trump Sanctions
Eoin Higgins, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-09-25
Iranian president said U.S. has attempted a "silent killing of a great nation." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/news/2019/09/25/un-address-rouhani-says-iran-will-never-ever-forget-crimes-trump-sanctions?cd-origin=rss

Sri Lanka: Torture continues, perpetrators promoted
susan_p | greenleft.org.au | 2019-09-25
human rights Chris SleeIssue 1239 Sri Lanka Tamil TortureSeptember 25, 2019″The indifference to repeated allegations of police torture is shocking and makes a mockery of Sri Lanka's stated commitment to security secto…
greenleft.org.au/content/sri-lanka-torture-continues-perpetrators-promoted

Minnesota: Protesters demand end to human rights violations in Kashmir
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-09-24
Columbia Heights, MN – Nearly 400 people protested along Central Ave on September 22 to demand an end to the atrocities being committed against Muslims in India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing government. | On August 5, the Indian government announced its decision to revoke Article 370, which guaranteed the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir special status, which allowed the region to govern its affairs autonomously in all areas except defense, communication and foreign policy. | Currently, Kashmir is under media blackout, with the cutting of phone, internet and TV access with very li…
www.fightbacknews.org/2019/9/24/minnesot…

Trump Is Revving Up the Attack on Workers' Rights
Sasha Abramsky | thenation.com | 2019-09-24
Trump Is Revving Up the Attack on Workers' Rights…
thenation.com/article/trump-labor-gm-strikes/

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

International Human Rights Bodies Provide a Case for Reparations
aclu.org | 2019-09-24
International human rights programs provide models for reparations. | It is common for nations where mass atrocities have taken place to engage in the process of reparation and repair. This process happened in Germany after the Holocaust, South Africa after apartheid, and here in the United States, forty years after the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. As a result, international human rights bodies have sought to lend their expertise to the process, often by holding hearings an…
aclu.org/blog/racial-justice/race-and-economic-justice/international-human-rights-bodies-provide-case

In Landmark UN Complaint, 16 Children Accuse Nations of Failing to Protect Them from Climate Change
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-09-24
Youth climate activists from around the world also attended the U.N. Climate Action Summit Monday, where they spoke at UNICEF about a landmark new climate complaint they filed with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. Hailing from countries including Argentina, Brazil, Germany, the Marshall Islands and Tunisia, the young representatives spoke about why they feel compelled to act on the climate crisis. Among the youth climate activists were Alexandria Villaseñor of New York and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
www.democracynow.org/2019/9/24/children_…

Hate speech in the digital world a 'critical obstacle for LGBTI people': UN's Bachelet
United Nations | un.org | 2019-09-24
In the fast-growing digital age, hate speech can represent "a critical obstacle for LGBTI people" using online platforms, the UN's top rights official told participants at a high-level segment on the matter on Tuesday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/09/1047322

Thai dissidents face deadly threats — even abroad
susan_p | greenleft.org.au | 2019-09-24
human rights Peter BoyleIssue 1239 Thailand red shirts lese majeste Thai military juntaSeptember 24, 2019Dr Pavin Chachavalpongpun i…
greenleft.org.au/content/thai-dissidents-face-deadly-threats-abroad

In Support of Brother Donald Lafleur, Executive Vice President, Canadian Labour Congress
Paul Larudee | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-09-23
Dear Comrades, We write to you as fellow trade unionists and comrades dedicated in the struggle for workers' rights in support of Donald Lafleur and his visit to the GFTU trade union congress in Damascus. Brother Lafleur has been unjustly placed on administrative leave despite the fact that he attended the meeting as a private …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/09/in-support-of-brother-donald-lafleur-executive-vice-president-canadian-labour-congress/

New York activists demand: Never again to martial law in the Philippines
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-09-21
New York, NY – 25 people gathered September 20 at noon in front of the Consulate General of the Philippines in New York City to commemorate the 47th anniversary of martial law in the Philippines under the regime of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The action was called by BAYAN USA NorthEast, to say, "Never again to martial law," and to call attention to the continuation of state repression in the Philippines under the current, U.S.-backed Duterte regime. | Rodrigo Duterte's so called "war on drugs" has led to the killings, torture and imprisonment of many Filipino activists and human rights defenders, just like…
www.fightbacknews.org/2019/9/21/new-york…

On the Road to Damascus: International Conference in Syria on Sanctions and Its Blowback
Roger D. Harris | mintpressnews.com | 2019-09-21
Syrians say it's even harder now to make ends meet than it was during the height of their country's war because of intensified U.S and European sanctions.
mintpressnews.com/international-conference-in-syria-on-sanctions-and-its-blowback/261986/

Lotteries and Rights in the Sporting Life
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-09-21
The pigeon flapped in desperation, moving across Melbourne's lavish Capitol Theatre in fits and starts. It was more alarmed than anything else at the address being given by former Australian football (soccer to some) player Craig Foster. Foster has been beating the drum on one particular message for some time now: that sports can change …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/09/lotteries-and-rights-in-the-sporting-life/

Decriminalise abortion now
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-09-21
abortion rightsIssue 1238 Australia abortion decriminalisationSeptember 21, 2019Pro-choice activists rallied in Sydney on September 14 to call for the decriminalisation of abortion in NSW. | "Any law that places half the population at risk of criminality simply because of their biology is a ridiculous and unsupportable law",
greenleft.org.au/content/decriminalise-abortion-now-0

Victory as Jock Palfreeman released on parole
susan_p | greenleft.org.au | 2019-09-21
Pip HinmanIssue 1238 Bulgaria anti-racism prisoners' rights RomaSeptember 21, 2019Anti-fascist campaigner and Australian citizen Jock Palfreeman was unexpectedly granted parole on September 19 after serving…
greenleft.org.au/content/victory-jock-palfreeman-released-parole

Anti-choice MPs pull out all stops to restrict access
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-09-21
abortion rights Pip HinmanIssue 1238 Australia pro-choice anti-choice lobbySeptember 21, 2019Anti-choice state MPs are seeking to add as many caveats as possible to a bill that seeks to decriminalise…
greenleft.org.au/content/anti-choice-mps-pull-out-all-stops-restrict-access

5-G Revolution And The Battle For Techno-hegemony
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-09-20
The Fifth-generation cellular technology network (5-G), which promises higher speed, lower latency, and improved flexibility of wireless services, has become the latest battleground for the US and China. Opinion: The US-China contest has zoned in on the race for 5G domination — and the effect of any US sanctions against Huawei or others is likely …
uwidata.com/5401-5-g-revolution-and-the-battle-for-techno-hegemony/

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

Why Iran's Khamenei pushes for higher birthrate?
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-09-17
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has again called on compatriots to have more children while calling on authorities to help families increase the population amid crippling economic sanctions, high unemployment and staggering inflation rates. Inspired by the size of the population in China and India, Khamenei urged for advancing Iran's national power by doubling its …
uwidata.com/5327-why-irans-khamenei-pushes-for-higher-birthrate%d0%b3/

Davutoğlu and the AKP, Trump and Mexico, John Bolton
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-09-17
Davutoƒülu Former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoƒülu announced his resignation from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Friday. The AKP unanimously agreed to raise the question of Davutoglu's expulsion, as well as the head of the parliamentary human rights commission, Ayhan Sefer àústàºn, the deputy from Istanbul Abdullah Ba≈ücƒ±and former Manisa deputy Selàßuk àñzden. A founder …
uwidata.com/5359-davutoglu-and-the-akp-trump-and-mexico-john-bolton/

AmeriCorps Adopts Health Screening Process That's Fair to Candidates with Disabilities
aclu.org | 2019-09-16
Susie was disqualified from AmeriCorps NCCC for seeking therapy. Now they're changing their screening process so everyone can apply to serve. | Susie Balcom was overjoyed when she received a conditional offer to serve as a support team leader in Mississippi with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), a national, residential service program for young adults. After graduating from college with a 4.0 GPA and spending two terms in the AmeriCorps state program, Susie was ready, willing, and able to fulfill her dream of serving in the national program. | However, a few weeks later, AmeriCorps NCCC to…
aclu.org/blog/disability-rights/americorps-adopts-health-screening-process-thats-fair-candidates-disabilities

Remembering the Birmingham church bombing
splcenter.org | 2019-09-15
Fifty-six years ago today, four precious little girls were murdered in one of the most heinous acts of white supremacist terror of the civil rights era.
splcenter.org/news/2019/09/15/remembering-birmingham-church-bombing

Venezuela Oil Production Continues Decline as China Cancels More Shipments
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-09-12
Russian oil giant Rosneft blasted threats of US sanctions as "unfair competition."
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14654

New Human Rights Watch report highlights dangers in industry SPLC seeks to reform
splcenter.org | 2019-09-04
A new report released by Human Rights Watch today highlights the increasingly dangerous conditions facing meatpacking workers across the United States — underscoring dangers the SPLC uncovered within an industry it has long sought to reform.
splcenter.org/news/2019/09/04/new-human-rights-watch-report-highlights-dangers-industry-splc-seeks-reform

A New York Jail Forced a Trans Woman Into a Men's Facility
aclu.org | 2019-09-03
Trans women routinely face harassment and discrimination in jails and prisons. | Jena Faith's experience in the Steuben County Jail was a living nightmare. | The military veteran spent four weeks in the jail awaiting trial last spring. She was initially housed in the jail's women's facility without incident, but things changed when officials suddenly transferred her to the men's facility, despite the fact that she is a woman. | During the weeks that Jena spent as a woman in a men's jail, she was routinely targeted with physical and verbal harassment from other incarcerated people and guards. On her first day in t…
aclu.org/blog/lgbt-rights/criminal-justice-reform-lgbt-people/new-york-jail-forced-trans-woman-mens-facility

Taxpayers Have Been Ordered to Pay Over $2 Million For Discriminating Against LGBTQ People
aclu.org | 2019-08-29
Government officials should know that discrimination comes with a cost to taxpayers. | Last week, a federal appeals court ruled that the Commonwealth of Kentucky was liable for $224,000 for the actions of Kim Davis, who refused to do her job and issue marriage licenses (to same-sex or different-sex couples) as county clerk. | While Davis' story made national headlines, her case isn't the only one in the past year where a court case filed by the ACLU has led to a bill for discriminatio…
aclu.org/blog/lgbt-rights/lgbt-nondiscrimination-protections/taxpayers-have-been-ordered-pay-over-2-million