(2020-09-03). Putin "Can't Afford to See Belarus Fall" as Protests Calling for Lukashenko's Ouster Enter 4th Week. democracynow.org 
Mass protests entered their fourth week in Belarus to demand the ouster of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who claimed victory in the country's August 9 election that critics say was rigged. But Lukashenko shows no sign of backing down, and authorities have responded to protests with violence and arrests. Sadakat Kadri, a human rights lawyer and writer, says Russian President Vladimir Putin is invested in keeping Lukashenko in power. "He can't afford to see Belarus fall," Kadri notes.
(2020-09-03). Headlines for September 3, 2020. democracynow.org CDC Urges States to Be Ready by Late October to Distribute COVID-19 Vaccine, Iowa Sen. Ernst Spreads COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories as Cases Soar in State, U.S. Pulls $62 Million in Funding for World Health Organization, U.S. Sanctions Top ICC Prosecutors for Investigating U.S. War Crimes, Trump Campaign Aide Justifies Vigilante's Killing of Black Lives Matter Protesters, Trump Moves to Cut Billions in Federal Aid to Cities, Citing "Anarchist Jurisdictions", The Killing of Daniel Prude: Naked Black Man Suffocated After Police Put Hood Over His Head, California Police Officer Charged with Shooting Dead Black Man in…
(2020-09-03). Philippines: Trade unions call for release of vulnerable prisoners. fightbacknews.org The militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) went to the Supreme Court grounds on Wednesday, September 2, to amplify the call for the release of minor, sick, elderly and other vulnerable detainees. | "We urge the Supreme Court to decisively act on the urgent petition of kin of sick, elderly and other vulnerable detainees. The petition was filed on April 8, and no action has been taken by the Supreme Court since. We ask the Supreme Court this on humanitarian grounds in this time of pandemic," said Eleanor de Guzman, KMU secretary for human rights. | KMU cited the fragile state of prisons as basis for the relea…
(2020-09-03). EU urges Greece to respect rights of asylum seekers. yenisafak.com "We fully expect the Greek authorities to act in accordance with the law. In case of any breach of EU law, we expect the authorities to investigate the facts and to appropriately follow up," Adalbert Janhz, the European Commission's spokesman on home affairs and citizenship, commented on recent remarks by Greek Shipping Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis.Plakiotakis — whose ministry is in charge of the coast guard — said on Wednesday that Greece this year stopped more than 10,000 migrants trying to cross to the country by boat."We had 68 cases of prevention and we succeeded in 3,000 people not entering our country" i…
(2020-09-03). JCPOA Signatories in Vienna Reject Snapback Sanctions on Iran. globalresearch.ca Hegemon USA increasingly finds itself isolated on the world stage. | The harder it pressures, bullies, otherwise threatens and/or bludgeons other countries to bend to its will, the further its isolation longer-term. | On Tuesday, Joint Commission of the JCPOA signatories Russia, …
(2020-09-03). Trump Regime Sanctions ICC Officials for Investigating US War Crimes. globalresearch.ca Unlawfully imposed US sanctions on targeted nations, entities and individuals are weapons of war by other means. | On Wednesday, Pompeo said the Trump regime blacklisted ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and the court's Jurisdiction, Complementary, and Cooperation Division head Phakiso …
(2020-09-03). US Punishes ICC For Investigating Potential War Crimes. popularresistance.org The Trump administration has sought to weaken or abandon various international agencies since 2016. Now it's taking aim at the International Criminal Court, a global tribunal that investigates and prosecutes war crimes, torture and genocide. | Claiming the ICC's investigation into alleged war crimes by U.S. forces in Afghanistan poses a national security threat, President Donald Trump issued an executive order on June 11 effectively criminalizing anyone who works at the ICC. Its lawyers, judges, human rights researchers and staff could now have their U.S. bank accounts frozen, U.S. visas revoked and travel to the…
(2020-09-03). International Criminal Court condemns US sanctions on its officials. peoplesdispatch.org The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a press release on Wednesday, September 2, condemning the sanctions announced by the US against Fatou Bensouda, chief prosecutor of ICC, and Phakisa Mochochoko, her aide and director of the ICC's Jurisdiction, Complementary and Cooperation Division. Both are investigating allegations of war crimes committed by US personnel in Afghanistan. | The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, announcing the imposition of economic sanctions on Bensouda and Mochochoko on Wednesday, said that "the United States will not tolerate ICC's reckless targeting" of its personnel. | The sanct…
(2020-09-03). Fruits of Illegality: The NSA, Bulk Collection and Warrantless Surveillance. globalresearch.ca He has become part of the furniture when it comes to discussions about privacy rights and personal liberties, arguably an odd sort of thing for a man who also dealt in the shadows of intelligence secrets. But Edward Snowden has …
(2020-09-03). Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul's health deteriorates following hunger strike. peoplesdispatch.org Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul launched a hunger strike last week after she was not allowed to meet her family members. Following the strike, she was allowed to do so but her health has declined…
(2020-09-03). Saturday 9/12: When Black Power Meets Animal Rights. indybay.org Online…
(2020-09-03). New Month Brings Added Urgency To Minneapolis' Housing Needs. popularresistance.org Minneapolis, MN — Advocates for people without housing are meeting today outside of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board headquarters, hours after a sanctuary encampment in the Phillips area was cleared by police. They're demanding immediate sanctuary for the Safe Haven Encampment (SHE), a sanctuary camp for women and children, along with "any other park who is asking for a consideration to exist." | Two weeks ago, community members demanded that the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) amend Resolution 2020-267 to guarantee no evictions.
(2020-09-03). Putin Wants Belarus Dictator to Retain Power — But the Masses Are Still Rising. truthout.org Mass protests entered their fourth week in Belarus to demand the ouster of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who claimed victory in the country's August 9 election that critics say was rigged. But Lukashenko shows no sign of backing down, and authorities have responded to protests with violence and arrests. Sadakat Kadri, a human rights lawyer and writer, says Russian President Vladimir Putin is invested in keeping Lukashenko in power. "He can't afford to see Belarus fall," Kadri not…
(2020-09-03). UN calls for probe into rights violations in Kashmir. yenisafak.com The UN has again called on India to probe alleged cases of forced disappearance and mass graves in Jammu and Kashmir. In a letter this week addressed to the Indian government, at least nine UN rapporteurs also asked New Delhi to reconsider the closure of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in the disputed region."We urge [India]…and local authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to undertake prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all alleged enforced disappearances…and take measures to identify the remains in each of the thousands of unmarked graves," said the letter, which was posted to the governme…
(2020-09-03). At least 25 Palestinian groups call for general elections. yenisafak.com Several Palestinian civil society and rights groups on Thursday urged leadership to conduct presidential and parliamentary elections.Signed by 25 Palestinian groups, a letter was handed over to Hanna Nasser, the chairman of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission, ahead of the intra-Palestinian meeting scheduled to take place in the evening.Addressing a press conference in front of the Elections Commission office in Ramallah, Issam Arouri, director-general of Jerusalem Legal Aid Center, said the letter will be presented to President Mahmoud Abbas and the heads of Palestinian groups, asking them to conduct pa…
(2020-09-02). Documentary — The War On Journalism: The Case Of Julian Assange. popularresistance.org Journalists are under attack globally for doing their jobs. Julian Assange is facing a 175 year sentence for publishing if extradited to the United States. The Trump administration has gone from denigrating journalists as 'enemies of the people' to now criminalizing common practices in journalism that have long served the public interest. | Imprisoned WikiLeaks founder and editor Assange's extradition is being sought by the Trump administration, in a hearing to begin Sept. 7, for publishing U.S. government documents, which exposed war crimes and human rights abuses.
(2020-09-02). Hundreds Of Lawyers File Complaint Against Judge Over Targeting Steven Donziger. popularresistance.org Dozens of legal organizations around the world representing more than 500,000 lawyers along with over 200 individual lawyers today submitted a judicial complaint documenting a series of shocking violations of the judicial code of conduct by United States Judge Lewis A. Kaplan targeting human rights lawyer Steven Donziger after he helped Indigenous peoples win a historic judgment against Chevron in Ecuador to clean up the pollution caused by decades of oil drilling with no environmental controls. | The complaint was formally filed by the National Lawyers Guild in conjunction with the International Association of D…
(2020-09-02). The Heat: Iran nuclear deal and U.S. sanctions. america.cgtn.com 
The United States seeks to re-impose sanctions on Iran. It was back in 2015 when Iran agreed to a long-term deal on its nuclear program with a group of world powers known as the P5+1 — the U.S., UK, France, China, Russia and Germany. The …
(2020-09-02). Hamas chief to visit Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. yenisafak.com "Haniyeh will meet Lebanese officials from the presidency, government, parliament and parties," Maher Salah, the head of Hamas' Diaspora Office, told Anadolu Agency. | He reiterated his movement's support to the Lebanese people in their current crisis in the wake of the Beirut port blast. | Salah added the Hamas leader, who arrived in Lebanon on Tuesday, will also meet Palestinians in Lebanon and in the refugee camps. | "Our people in the camps have a distinguished history in the resistance for the liberation of Palestine," he said, adding that Haniyeh's talks in Lebanon will focus on the rights and interests of…
(2020-09-02). 'Full Frontal Attack on Rule of Law': Trump Sanctions Top ICC Officials Probing US War Crimes in Afghanistan. commondreams.org Human rights advocates blasted the move as "another brazen attack against international justice" that "is designed to do what this administration does best—bully and intimidate." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2020-09-02). UN dismayed over US sanctions on top International Criminal Court officials. news.un.org The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday noted "with concern" the imposition by the United States of sanctions against the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and another senior official, in the latest of a series of unilateral policy moves against the body.
(2020-09-02). Waiting for the Barbarians: "You are an obscene torturer. You deserve to be hanged!" wsws.org Based on the 1980 novel by South Africa-born writer J.M. Coetzee, with also—importantly—a screenplay by Coetzee, the film is set on the remote outskirts of a fictional (or composite) "Empire" sometime apparently in the 19th century.
(2020-09-02). Systemic Change Starts with Us. counterpunch.org The first World Peace Flame in North America was installed in the lobby of the Civil Rights Museum, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee in 2002. The World Peace Flame is eternal as the ideals and inspiration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are universal and timeless. In the current times, his words are
(2020-09-02). Barring US, all parties reiterate commitment to Iran nuclear deal. peoplesdispatch.org Delegates from Iran, Russia, China, the UK, France and Germany said the deal was a key component in the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture. They also rejected US bids to trigger snapback sanctions…
(2020-09-02). Eviction Moratorium Delays Crisis Until January, When Tenants Will Owe Back Rent. truthout.org The nationwide eviction moratorium announced Tuesday by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will provide immediate and welcome relief through the end of the year for certain renters, but housing rights advocates say the move is woefully inadequate because it fails to provide any payment assistance to renters. | Tenants will still owe back rent plus interest and fees once the moratorium ends in January. | The HHS/CDC evi…
(2020-09-02). Israel arrests Jordanian who swam into coastal city. yenisafak.com Israeli police on Wednesday detained a Jordanian citizen who arrived in the coastal resort city of Eilat by swimming, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said.Israeli police evacuated the beach of people, it said.Israeli police said it deployed forces in Eilat over a "suspicion of a security incident."There was no comment from Jordanian authorities on the incident.
(2020-09-02). We Need to Prepare for an Election Crisis By Proactively Seeking Assurances from Responsible Local Authorities That They Will Protect Our Constitutional Rights. commondreams.org There is a "need to seek proactive and public assurances from responsible local authorities that our constitutionally-protected rights to vote and to peacefully assemble will be protected by local law enforcement agencies," writes Isaac. (Photo: Scout Tufankjian / Polaris) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2020-09-02). U.S. Sanctions Against ICC Staff Creates Chilling Effect for International Justice. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-09-02). U.S. Sanctions on ICC Prosecutor Constitute "Full Frontal Attack on Rule of Law," Human Rights Attorneys Say. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-09-01). Hurricane Laura Floods ICE Jails in Louisiana as Asylum Seekers from Cameroon Strike over Conditions. democracynow.org 
People held in immigration jails in Louisiana report horrific conditions and continued mistreatment after Hurricane Laura devastated the area. Immigrants detained at the LaSalle and Jackson Parish jails say that after the storm, the two facilities have flooded with urine and feces and lack electricity, clean food or water. Many of those protesting the conditions are from Cameroon, and refugee rights groups, including the Cameroon American Council, are demanding an investigation into conditions. "The current immigration system is based on the racist practices, the white supremacy of 400 years," says Sylvie Bello,…
(2020-09-01). Headlines for September 1, 2020. democracynow.org Trump Heads to Kenosha, WI After Defending White Teen Who Killed Two People, Cops Who Kill, Biden Blames Trump for Recent Violence as Trump Defends Violent Supporters in Portland, Progressive Groups Call on Biden to Ban Fossil Fuel Interests from Campaign and Admin, KY Prosecutors Offer Breonna Taylor's Ex-Boyfriend Plea Deal to Name Taylor in Drug Case, Trump's Newest Pandemic Adviser Reportedly Pushing "Herd Immunity" Strategy, Honduran Man Dies of COVID-19 in ICE Jail, Reports: Hamas and Israel Reach Deal to Cease Hostilities, Imprisoned Turkish Human Rights Lawyer Dies After 7-Month Hunger Strike, EPA Rolls B…
(2020-09-01). Attacks on journalists are attacks on all civil society: UN rights chief. news.un.org UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet has urged all countries to do more to protect journalists, especially during the COVID-19 crisis, as their work helps save lives.
(2020-09-01). Immigration Nation reveals the suffering of migrants at the hands of the US detention and deportation machine. wsws.org The Trump administration tried to stop or delay the release of this important documentary.
(2020-09-01). Rafael Correa makes another attempt to overcome suppression of his political rights. peoplesdispatch.org 
Wednesday September 2 is the last day for the candidates elected in the primary elections to formalize their participation in the 2021 general elections in Ecuador…
(2020-09-01). In Turkey, unions and women's organizations call for defense of women's rights. peoplesworld.org 
Activists have called for an organized defense of women's rights in Turkey, where at least 15 women have been murdered in the last 10 days. Thirteen were killed by men and two died in suspicious circumstances. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government is trying to take Turkey out of the Istanbul Convention, which obliges signatories to …
(2020-09-01). The Heat: U.S. Voting Rights. america.cgtn.com 
In the race for the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump casts doubt on the U.S. electoral process, claiming mail-in votes would be fraudulent.
(2020-09-01). 'We are not a vassal state': Philippines's Duterte won't stop infrastructure projects with US-sanctioned Chinese firms. rt.com 
The Philippines will not be cowed by a US blacklist on Chinese companies and will continue doing business with the sanctioned firms, a spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte said, insisting Manila will not bow to a foreign power. | Duterte won't halt ongoing projects with Chinese businesses despite the American blacklist, spokesman Harry Roque told reporters on Tuesday, arguing infrastructure is a national priority and that the Philippines won't subordinate its own interests to those of Washington. | "The president declared last night that the Americans can blacklist Chinese companies in their territories in…
(2020-09-01). Russia-Sanctions-Gate: Trump Sanctions Three Russian Research Institutes. globalresearch.ca Russia won the race to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. On August 11, its Sputnik V was registered for use by the Russian Ministry of Health. | Development of the vaccine followed 20 years of research, what its scientists called another …
(2020-09-01). Filipino activists reiterate demands for protection from political murders. peoplesdispatch.org Human rights advocacy group Karapatan Alliance has approached the Philippines supreme court seeking protection. The group has documented the murder of 185 human rights defenders and social movement activists since July 2016…
(2020-09-01). Belarus must stop torturing protesters and prevent enforced disappearances. news.un.org Independent UN human rights experts on Tuesday called on Belarus to stop torturing detainees and bring to justice police officers who have reportedly humiliated and beaten protestors in their custody, as mass demonstrations over the disputed 9 August presidential election continue for a fourth week.
(2020-09-01). Hong Kong authorities arrest opposition legislators in further crackdown. wsws.org Behind the string of detentions, the real fear motivating the authorities is a united movement of the entire Chinese working class.
(2020-09-01). Human rights lawsuits used by Chilean "left" to mask preparations for authoritarian rule. wsws.org Amid a growing threat of police-state dictatorship, it once again falls on the Chilean parliamentary "left" and its satellite organisations to conceal the class nature of the capitalist state.
(2020-09-01). How Pennsylvania State Troopers Conduct Illegal Traffic Searches. popularresistance.org To justify their searches, state police often claimed that a driver was nervous, sweating, or eating. One officer went so far as to say a dollar-sign tattoo on a man's neck was an indicator of criminal activity that justified detaining him for a K-9 search. Officers also used the same language to justify their stops, no matter the context or circumstances of the arrest, a violation of their training. | Police also held people during traffic stops longer than legally allowed. In one case, a man was held for nearly two hours before he was arrested. Drivers also had little choice in whether to allow police to conduc…
(2020-09-01). JCPOA participants unanimously reject US-triggered Snapback. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 01 (MNA) — UN Security Council President Dian Triansyah Djani said last week that he was not in a position to take any further action in relation to the US effort to reinstate UN sanctions against Iran.
(2020-09-01). Govt. vows to propel economic plans despite obstacles. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 01 (MNA) — President Hassan Rouhani said his government will exert every effort to propel the country's development plans despite the challenges posed by the sanctions and the pandemic.
(2020-09-01). Top EU diplomat meets with Libyan premier. yenisafak.com EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell met on Tuesday with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and his government in the capital Tripoli.The leaders discussed how to advance with the political process to preserve the cease-fire announced by warring parties last month, Borrell wrote on social media. | Borrell and Sarraj also spoke about resuming negotiations between military delegations of the Libyan government and warlord Khalifa Haftar. | Borrell also mentioned the possibility of lifting the sanctions on oil trade, but he insisted on keeping the UN arms embargo, calling it a key "to bring the Libyan conflict to…
(2020-09-01). Six Ways the Right Is Shredding the Vote. commondreams.org "Republican officials are aggressively hostile to democracy generally and to voting rights specifically," writes Hightower, "while much of the Democratic establishment passively refuses to prioritize and vigorously fight to make voting easy and even joyful for all." (Photo: Steve Cup) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2020-08-31). US Sanctions Russian Research Institute that Developed COVID-19 Vaccine. globalresearch.ca Russia won the race to develop the first vaccine against the novel coronavirus. The United States has responded by slapping sanctions on a Russian research facility involved in creating it. | The US government has blacklisted several Russian scientific institutes, including …
(2020-08-31). Reflecting On 12 Years In Palestine. popularresistance.org In Palestine, I have split my time between working on human rights issues for Palestinians and working for the environment. These are not mutually exclusive as there is significant overlap. There are issues of colonizer assaults on the environment and environmental justice. There are issues of human sustainability and food security (dependent on the environment). Of course where and how we act evolves and changes in time. In those 12 years, I learned that our struggle as indigenous people in Palestine is connected to the struggle of indigenous people everywhere. I also learned that since the wealthy elites have n…
(2020-08-31). India's Communist youth raise $1.4 million for COVID relief with recycling drive. peoplesworld.org 
KERALA STATE, India—Ever since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, leftist youth organizations around the world have been in the forefront of both providing relief and resisting attempts to attack the rights of people. An instance of this has been the "Recycle Kerala" initiative launched by the communist Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), which …