(2019-12-02). Threat to Our Digital Rights Revealed in US-UK Trade Talks Leak. commondreams.org The leaked documents suggest that there could be no limitations on the export of data, potentially applying even in sensitive areas such as health data. (Photo: Yuri Samoilov/Flickr, CC 2.0) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2019-12-02). Winter 2019 National Immigrant Solidarity Network News Alert! indybay.org 2019 Year Ends: US Detains Record Number of Child Migrants, Surpassing Crisis Under Obama…
(2019-12-02). Non-Intervention: an Imperfect Solution to a Terrible Problem. counterpunch.org On November 27, US president Donald Trump signed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. The bill, passed by veto-proof majorities in Congress amid large protests in the "special administrative region," allows the president to impose sanctions on officials who violate human rights there, and requires various US government departments to annually review Hong More
(2019-12-02). Bolsonaro Denounced Before International Criminal Court. globalresearch.ca The Brazilian Bar Association for Human Rights and the Arns Commission on Wednesday denounced President Jair Bolsonaro formally for "crimes against humanity" and incitement to genocide of the Amazon indigenous peoples. | This complaint was filed before the International Criminal Court …
(2019-12-02). Amid a Violent Crackdown, Bolivia's Coup Gov't is Trying to Convict Evo Morales of "Crimes Against Humanity" mintpressnews.com The new Bolivian government's apparent grave concern for human rights when it comes to Morales may not ring true when judged against their actions in just three short weeks of rule.
(2019-12-02). 'Continuing deterioration' leaves Mali facing critical security level: UN expert. news.un.org Security in Mali has become critical, with unprecedented incidents of communal violence and increasingly more deadly terror attacks, reported a UN human rights expert on Monday, following a 10-day visit to the country.
(2019-12-02). Human Rights Day in Fresno. indybay.org CSU-Fresno North Gym…
(2019-12-02). UN 'determined to lead by example' on disability rights: Guterres. news.un.org The UN is determined to lead by example when it comes to the rights of people with disabilities, Secretary-General António Guterres said in a message to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which falls on 3 December.
(2019-12-02). Detention of al-Badan Continues Despite Deterioration of Health. imemc.org Israeli occupation authorities continue to administratively detain a Palestinian mother of two, Shorouq Mohammad al-Badan, 25 years old, from Bethlehem, despite her deteriorated health condition, the Commission of Detainees' Affairs said, on Sunday. The committee pointed out, after the detainee's lawyer visited her at al-Damon Prison, that she is suffering …
(2019-12-02). Venezuela's PDVSA Secures Temporary Lease Extension for Curacao Refinery. venezuelanalysis.com Despite the extension, refinery owners are looking to end the 34-year cooperation under pressure from US sanctions.
(2019-12-02). US may sanction $2.4bn worth of French products over digital tax, some duties to reach 100%. rt.com 
The US has proposed new tariffs on over two billion dollars in French goods, retaliating to a "digital tax" which it says "discriminates" against American products. Some of the products could be penalized by 100 percent. | The new levies could target trade in handbags, sparkling wines, cheeses, makeup products and other household goods, valued at $2.4 billion in total, the office of the US trade representative said on Monday. | Also on rt.com | | 'Completely moronic': French minister slams Trump's plan to tax wine | "France's Digital Services Tax is…
(2019-12-02). On the catwalk: Primal desire for food and a friend sends Indian tiger on record 1,300km trek. rt.com 
A young Indian tiger has traveled 1,300km (over 807 miles) in just 150 days, seeking new game-rich territory… and romance. The big cat's impressive journey has become the longest tiger walk ever recorded in India. | The tiger, from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, had a radio collar attached in March, as part of a long-term study into the migration and dispersal of the large cats. It left the reserve in June to undertake what turned out to be an epic journey. | After months of walking, the tiger eventually reached another reserve — Dnyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary — last weekend. | R Govekar, Field Direc…
(2019-12-02). Facebook pulls Conservative adverts featuring edited BBC footage. thecanary.co 
Facebook has taken down Conservative Party adverts which used edited versions of BBC content.The corporation told the social network that the adverts infringed on its intellectual property rights, after claiming they could "damage perceptions of our impartiality"."We have removed this content following a valid intellectual property claim from the rights holder, the BBC," a Facebook spokesperson said.The adverts included edited footage of BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg saying 'pointless delay to Brexit' (Conservative Party/PA)"Whenever we receive valid IP claims against content on the platform, in advertisi…
(2019-12-02). An alternative to liberal globalization. mronline.org 
In the Bandung Conference of 1955, the governments and peoples of Asia and Africa expressed their ambitions to reconstruct a global system based on the recognition of the rights of countries that had previously been under the yoke of colonialism. In that period, "the rights to development," as applied to the frameworks for negotiating multipolarity […] | Source
(2019-12-01). China Accuses Bachelet of Interference in Its Internal Affairs. telesurenglish.net The spokesperson for China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Chen Yaou, on Sunday accused the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet of "inappropriate" interference in his country's internal affairs. | RELATED: | Venezuela Denounces Errors in Bachelet Report Before the UN | "We wish to emphasize that Hong Kong is a part of China and Hong Kong affairs belong to China's internal affairs where no state, organization or individual shall interfere in any…
(2019-12-01). How We Win via NVDA Campaigning. dissidentvoice.org 
Long-time peace, justice, democracy and lgbtq activist and trainer George Lakey has written a book, How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning, about the strategic centrality to movement-building of the approach of nonviolent direct action campaigning. Built upon his decades of organizing experience going back to the '60s civil rights movement, there …
(2019-11-30). 'Black Friday' Protests: Amazon Needs to Work for Labor Rights. telesurenglish.net The demonstrations against 'Black Friday' multiplied in several countries Friday to denounce consumption and its climatic consequences, with strikes in Germany, United Kingdom, France and others focusing their complaint against the Amazon company. | RELATED: | Amazon Employees to Strike over Company's Climate Policies | Labor rights activists and climate campaigners across Europe used the occasion of 'Black Friday,' the busiest shopping day of the year, to call attention to and pr…
(2019-11-30). Iraqis Rise Up Against 16 Years of 'Made in the USA' Corruption. dissidentvoice.org As Americans sat down to Thanksgiving dinner, Iraqis were mourning 40 protesters killed by police and soldiers on Thursday in Baghdad, Najaf and Nasiriyah. Nearly 400 protesters have been killed since hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets at the beginning of October. Human rights groups have described the crisis in Iraq as a …
(2019-11-30). Crimes Against Humanity Reported in Bolivia: Int'l Delegation. telesurenglish.net The Argentinian Delegation in Solidarity with Bolivia, which arrived in the country to carry out work on human rights violations, denounced Saturday the de-facto government is committing "crimes against humanity" since the Jeanine àÅñez take the power. | RELATED | Bolivia: Human Rights Defenders Mission Harrassed Upon Arrival | In a press conference on Saturday, members of the delegation presented the preliminary conclusions, based on evidence and testimonies gathered that…
(2019-11-30). US Enraged After 6 More EU Nations Join Effort to Bypass Iran Sanctions. theantimedia.com Finland, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden issued a bombshell joint statement of "the utmost importance."
(2019-11-30). US cryptocurrency expert arrested for 'aiding adversary & sanctions violation' over North Korea trip. rt.com 
The FBI has arrested an American citizen accused of illicitly traveling to Pyongyang to give a talk on cryptocurrencies, claiming that the tech expert knowingly undermined Washington's efforts to isolate North Korea economically. | Virgil Griffith was taken into custody in Los Angeles over the trip to Pyongyang, where the Department of Justice says he gave "a presentation and technical advice on using cryptocurrency and blockchain technology." | "Mr Griffith allegedly traveled to North Korea without permission from the federal government, and with knowledge [that] what he was doing was against the law," the De…
(2019-11-29). Friday's Daily Brief: violence in DR Congo, protester deaths in Iraq, human rights in Colombia, climate change conference, 'high human cost' of Ecuador unrest. news.un.org A recap of Friday's stories in brief: attacks on communities in an Ebola outbreak hotspot in eastern DRC sparks a humanitarian crisis; Guterres expresses concerns at continued protester deaths in Iraq; UN-appointed panel raises concerns about violence against indigenous rights defenders in Colombia; 5 things you need to know about COP25; UN rights chief urges dialogue to ease Ecuador unrest.
(2019-11-29). Iraqis Rise Up Against 16 Years of 'Made in the USA' Corruption. counterpunch.org As Americans sat down to Thanksgiving dinner, Iraqis were mourning 40 protesters killed by police and soldiers on Thursday in Baghdad, Najaf and Nasiriyah. Nearly 400 protesters have been killed since hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets at the beginning of October. Human rights groups have described the crisis in Iraq as a "bloodbath," Prime Minister Abdul-Mahdi has announced he will More
(2019-11-29). UN rights chief calls for dialogue to prevent conflict, ease social unrest in Ecuador. news.un.org The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, on Friday denounced the "high human cost", of the recent unrest in Ecuador and urged all actors in the South American country to engage in dialogue to prevent new conflicts and forge an inclusive society "with full respect for its multicultural nature".
(2019-11-28). 'This Was a Test Case to See How a Couple of Photos Could Silence Women' – CounterSpin interview with Mallory McMaster on Katie Hill. fair.org 
Janine Jackson interviewed reproductive rights advocate Mallory McMaster about Katie Hill for the November 22, 2019, episode of CounterSpin. This is a lightly edited transcript. | Media…
(2019-11-28). Operation Condor 2.0: After Bolivia coup, Trump dubs Nicaragua 'national security threat' and targets Mexico. thegrayzone.com After presiding over a far-right coup in Bolivia, the US dubbed Nicaragua a "national security threat" and announced new sanctions,…
(2019-11-28). US Vows to 'Reinforce' Sanctions, Accuses Venezuela and Cuba of Stirring Regional 'Strife'. venezuelanalysis.com Elliott Abrams reiterated support for Guaido and denied that sanctions are damaging the Venezuelan economy.
(2019-11-28). Iran's Barter Deals with China Help Decoupling from Western Economies. dissidentvoice.org According to a PressTV Report of 24 November, 2019, Iran and China are working on a trade or barter deal that would circumvent US sanctions. It would bypass US-dollar denominated transactions, exchanging Iranian oil for Chinese goods and services and investments. The head of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA), Masoud …
(2019-11-28). Vigil for West Papua. greenleft.org.au 
international solidarity Bernadette SmithIssue 1247 Australia West PapuaNovember 28, 2019Human rights activists are holding regular vigils outside the Indonesian Consulate in Sydney, calling for a United Nations-supervised referendum to allow the people of…
(2019-11-28). The Ensuring Integrity Bill is not just an attack on unions. It's an attack on our prospects for a better future. greenleft.org.au 
workers' rights Tim GoodenIssue 1247 Australia Ensuring Integrity BillNovember 28, 2019The federal Coalition government's latest union-busting bill is not only an attack on the rights of workers to organise for better wages and conditions — it…
(2019-11-28). Argentina: abortion rights in sight. greenleft.org.au 
abortion rights Pip Hinman Rosana FanjulIssue 1247 Argentina reproductive rightsNovember 28, 2019Pro-choice campaigners are hopeful that Argentinian president-elect Alberto Fernández will…
(2019-11-28). Animal testing saves profits, not lives. greenleft.org.au 
environment Doug Leith Mary MerkenichIssue 1247 Australia animal rights MelbourneNovember 28, 2019Melbourne Save Animals in Lab…
(2019-11-28). Sam Watson 1952-2019: A giant of the Aboriginal rights struggle. greenleft.org.au 
Indigenous rights Jim McIlroyIssue 1247 Australia Sam WatsonNovember 28, 2019Sam Watson, a leader of the Aboriginal rights struggle, died on November 27, aged 67. A prominent author, playwright and filmmaker, Watson was also the Socialist Alliance's (SA) Aboriginal and…
(2019-11-28). Arundhati Roy: It's Hard to Communicate the Scale and the Shape of This Shadow Taking India Over. democracynow.org 
Human rights groups are condemning the Indian government for carrying out widespread torture, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and other crimes in Kashmir after the region's special status was revoked in August. We speak to the acclaimed Indian author Arundhati Roy about the crackdown in Kashmir, rising authoritarianism in India and other issues.
(2019-11-28). Trump backs Hong Kong protesters, signs 'human rights' bill… 'out of respect for President Xi'? rt.com 
President Donald Trump has approved legislation backing Hong Kong's 'pro-democracy' protest movement, disregarding Beijing's repeated warnings for Washington to mind its own business and stop meddling in China's internal affairs. | Dubbed the 'Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act,' the bill blazed through both houses of Congress earlier this month with virtually unanimous consent from lawmakers. In addition to threatening sanctions over human rights violations, the law requires the State Department to "certify" once a year whether Hong Kong enjoys sufficient "autonomy," though exactly how officials will qu…
(2019-11-27). "If I Could Just Look at Her" aclu.org 
Watch the journey of two separated parents trying to cross the border and reunite with their children.: | " data-whitelisted="false" data-domain="www.youtube.com"> | In October, the Trump administration admitted that in a 12-month period, beginning in July 2017, it separated 4,370 immigrant children from their parents at the border. Since then, over 1,000 more have been separated under a dubious loophole that all…
(2019-11-27). Storied national civil rights group re-founded at Chicago gathering. peoplesworld.org 
CHICAGO — "We share a vision for community control of the police, freedom for all political prisoners and the wrongfully convicted. Abolishing the police and prisons, is part of a larger vision of changing and abolishing governments that oppress us," declared Frank Chapman, to a gathering here Nov. 22-24 to re-establish the National Alliance Against …
(2019-11-27). In defence of human rights in Chile: An open letter to the Australian community. greenleft.org.au 
international solidarityIssue 1247 Australia ChileNovember 27, 2019We express our deep concerns about human rights violations taking place in Chile, including the de facto war that billionaire President Sebastian Piñera has unleashed on his people. | On October 18, Chilean students took to the streets to protest a hike in public transport…
(2019-11-27). 20 Years After The Battle of Seattle: Vandana Shiva & Lori Wallach on Historic 1999 WTO Protests. democracynow.org 
Twenty years ago this week, tens of thousands of activists gathered in Seattle to shut down a ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization. Grassroots organizers successfully blocked world leaders, government trade ministers and corporate executives from meeting to sign a global trade deal that many called deeply undemocratic, harmful to workers' rights, the environment and Indigenous people globally. On November 30, 1999, activists formed a human chain around the Seattle convention center and shut down the city's downtown. Police responded by firing tear gas and rubber bullets into the mostly peaceful cro…
(2019-11-27). Headlines for November 27, 2019. democracynow.org Trump Knew of Whistleblower Complaint When He Released Ukraine Aid, Colombian Protesters Call for Second General Strike, Chilean President Seeks to Deploy Military to Streets Amid Protests, IACHR Says Commission Should Investigate Human Rights Abuse in Bolivia, Pompeo Calls on Egypt to Respect Press Freedom, After Raid of Mada Masr, Videos Emerge of Iran's Bloody Crackdown Against Protesters, Jeremy Corbyn Condemns Anti-Semitism, After Criticism from Top Rabbi, Chemical Plant Explodes in Texas; Wildfires Rage near Santa Barbara, CA, New York City Council Votes to Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes…
(2019-11-26). We're Grateful for the Constitution. aclu.org Thanksgiving is here: that time of year when we pause to take stock of all we're grateful for. At the ACLU, we're saying thanks for all the crucial wins from our legal teams — and for the Constitution. | In just the last few months, we've racked up many essential victories in the ongoing battle to protect civil liberties and civil rights. The scope of these victories is breathtaking: they span criminal justice, privacy, religious freedom, reproductive rights, due process for immigrants, racial justice, LGBTQ rights, and the right to protest the Keystone pipeline, among others. We've won crucial victories…
(2019-11-26). Footballers' union registers record growth after huge equal pay win. greenleft.org.au 
sport workers' rights & unions women's liberation Kerry SmithIssue 1247 AustraliaNovember 26, 2019The Professional Footballers Association (PFA), the union representing Australia'..
(2019-11-26). "An Attack on the Human Rights Movement": Israel Deports Human Rights Watch Monitor. democracynow.org 
The Israeli government deported the director of Human Rights Watch's Israel and Palestine office, Omar Shakir, on Monday. The organization said the move places Israel in an "ugly club" of authoritarian regimes. Israel has accused Shakir of supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, a nonviolent global campaign aiming to pressure Israel over its treatment of Palestinians. A 2017 Israeli law bans foreigners from Israel if they publicly support the BDS movement. Omar Shakir joins us from Stockholm to discuss his recent deportation and his plans to address the European Parliament regarding Israel's sy…
(2019-11-26). PETA mocked over demand for University of Georgia to retire 'miserable' bulldog mascot. rt.com 
The militant animal rights group PETA has called for the retirement of University of Georgia's bulldog mascot, posting a video supposedly showing him looking miserable. The message backfired among the offended Dawgs fans. | "He looks miserable," tweeted People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on Monday, posting a video of Uga X at a rainy-day football game. Uga was sitting dry in a dog house while people around him endured the wet and cold weather. | HE LOOKS MISERABLE! | No dog deserves to be packed up, carted from state to state, and paraded in front of a stadium full of screaming fans. | Animals…
(2019-11-25). In Nicaragua, She Dodged Bullets. Now She's Stuck at the Border. aclu.org 
(Ciudad Juarez, Mexico) The sting of tear gas was still in Julia's eyes when she ran into a public park in the center of the Nicaraguan city of Estelí on June 20, 2018. Earlier that day, she'd wrapped her face in a blue-and-white bandanna — the colors of the Nicaraguan flag — and joined a student-led march against the government of President Daniel Ortega, whose proposed cuts to social benefits were sparking tense street demonstrations across the country. [Note: 'Julia' is a pseudonym; the ACLU is protecting her identity for her safety.] | As the students marched through the streets, paramilitary p…
(2019-11-25). The Trump Administration is Unlawfully Detaining a U.S. Resident Without Charge. aclu.org Adham | Hassoun completed his criminal sentence and was set to be released from prison almost | three years ago. But the government — now claiming unprecedented and | unconstitutional powers under the USA Patriot Act — continues to hold Adham in | detention, indefinitely and without charge. | We're | in court to secure his freedom. | Adham | has called the United States home for 30 years. Born in Lebanon to Palestinian | refugees, Adham and his family — like many other refugees — suffered…
(2019-11-25). Police Raid Egypt's Last Independent News Outlet Mada Masr Amid "Increasingly Hostile" Media Climate. democracynow.org 
Egyptian security forces raided the office of Mada Masr, the country's last independent media outlet, and arrested three of its journalists this weekend. The raid began Sunday afternoon, when nine plainclothes security officers entered the Mada Masr office in Cairo, seizing phones and laptops and holding the staff in the building for more than three hours. They then arrested editor-in-chief Lina Attalah, managing editor Mohamed Hamama and reporter Rana Mamdouh. It came just a day after security forces arrested senior editor Shady Zalat at his home. All four journalists were released from detention Sunday night. T…
(2019-11-25). Headlines for November 25, 2019. democracynow.org Navy Secretary Ousted amid Dispute over Accused War Criminal Eddie Gallagher, Released State Dept. Emails Implicate Pompeo in Giuliani Ukraine Plot, Bloomberg Jumps into 2020 Race by Buying Millions in Campaign Ads, Sen. Graham Blocked Armenian Genocide Resolution at White House Request, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Released from Hospital in Good Health, Hong Kong: Pro-Democracy Candidates Win Nearly 90% Seats in Local Elections, Security Forces Raid Offices of Egypt's Last Independent Media Outlet, Iraqi Security Forces Kill 13 Protesters amid Anti-Government Demonstrations, Israel Deporting Head of Human Rights Watch's…
(2019-11-22). Congress Quietly Unites To Extend "Temporary" Patriot Act Under Cover Of The Impeachment Distraction. thelastamericanvagabond.com The only time Republicans and Democrats can agree is when they are discussing the expansion of the permanent war and surveillance state. The Last American Vagabond takes a closer look at the many layers of deception about how legislation gets pushed through which contains buried provisions that further erode the U.S. Constitution and liberty. This is …
(2019-11-22). U.N. Rapporteur: Julian Assange Has Faced Psychological Torture; He Should Not Be Extradited to U.S. democracynow.org 
This week Swedish prosecutors dropped an investigation into sexual assault allegations against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, stemming from 2010. Assange, who has always denied the allegations, took refuge inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London for over seven years to avoid extradition to Sweden on the charges. British authorities dragged him out of the Ecuadorian embassy in April and he has since been jailed in London's Belmarsh prison on charges related to skipping of bail in 2012, when he first entered the embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden over the now-dropped sexual assault charges. The United States…