(2020-09-09). Assange's Second Day at the Old Bailey. dissidentvoice.org 
The highlights of the second day of Julian Assange's extradition proceedings at the Central Criminal Court in London yielded an interesting bounty. The first was the broader public purpose behind the WikiLeaks disclosures, their utility in legal proceedings, and their importance in disclosing instances of US extrajudicial killings, torture and rendition. The second involved a …
(2020-09-09). U.S. sanctions Russian Research Institute that developed COVID-19 Vaccine. mronline.org 
The U.S. Commerce Department blacklisted a Russian research institute that helped create the world's first COVID-19 vaccine.
(2020-09-09). "Unforgetting": Roberto Lovato's Memoir Links U.S. Military in Central America to Migration Crisis. democracynow.org 
We look at how decades of U.S. military intervention in Central America have led to the ongoing migrant crisis, with Salvadoran American journalist Roberto Lovato, author of the new book "Unforgetting: A Memoir of Family, Migration, Gangs, and Revolution in the Americas." Lovato recounts his own family's migration from El Salvador to the United States, his return to the country as a young man to fight against the U.S.-backed right-wing government responsible for grave human rights violations, and his embrace of journalism to tell the stories of people on the margins. "I'm unforgetting a history of not just El Sal…
(2020-09-09). Remembering Kevin Zeese, Tireless Fighter For Our Democracy. popularresistance.org Defending Rights & Dissent was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kevin Zeese over the weekend. Over his life, he was on the frontlines of many causes—whistleblower protections, election integrity, single payer healthcare, net neutrality, reforming our criminal justice system, environmental justice, and peace. He was the press secretary for Ralph Nader's 2004 presidential campaign and in 2006 ran for Senate in Maryland with the backing of both the Green and Libertarian Parties.
(2020-09-09). ACLU Calls On Tech Companies to End Their Alliance with ICE and CBP. aclu.org Westlaw and Lexis databases are the backbone of every ACLU lawyer's job. Whether we're filing legal briefs in court, lobbying for legislative change, or compiling research, the duo hold information that's vital for our advocacy. Thomson Reuters, which owns Westlaw, and Reed Elsevier (RELX), which runs Lexis, are the two publicly-traded companies behind each of these products. Though they claim to "advance human welfare" and help their customers "move society forward" by providing the necessary knowledge, information, and analytical tools for researchers, lawyers, and government agencies, they are fueling the m…
(2020-09-09). USA's Strangulation of the International Criminal Court. dissidentvoice.org 
On 2 September, 2020, the US sanctioned two officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigating into alleged war crimes by US forces and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Afghanistan since 2003.The officials are ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, and the ICC's head of Jurisdiction, Complementary, and Cooperation Division, Phakiso Mochochok (sanctioned for having …
(2020-09-09). Fresh war crimes fears highlighted in new Yemen report. news.un.org The war in Yemen continues to ravage the country and its people, senior UN-appointed rights investigators said on Wednesday, in a call for an international probe into suspected war crimes, and sanctions against the perpetrators.
(2020-09-09). Report: Huawei Sanctions Would Destroy US Chip Industry. popularresistance.org The Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei plans to build its own manufacturing factories to face the US restrictions imposed against it with production lines with zero US components, according to a report published in the Hong Kong digital medium Asia Times. | The online newspaper, quoting David P. Goldman, an economist and analyst specializing in Asian issues, pointed out that there is a good chance that by the end of 2021, Huawei will be able to produce a state-of-the-art chipset from its Kirin line factory within China, without requiring the use of any US equipment.
(2020-09-09). Protests follow yet another custodial death in Egypt. peoplesdispatch.org 26-year-old Islam Al-Ostraly was arrested after an an argument with a police officer last week. While the police claim that he fell ill in prison and died of a 'circulatory attack, signs of extreme torture were reportedly found on his body…
(2020-09-09). Arrests at Labor Day GG Bridge Protest for Workers and BLM. indybay.org Last week Trump supporters held a rally on the Golden Gate Bridge. At that event, police were seen fist bumping with Trumpers. Fast forward to Labor Day and a workers' rights and Black Lives Matter protest at the same location. Protesters were greeted with a show of force by the California Highway Patrol inordinate to the number of demonstrators who were there for the cause of justice.
(2020-09-09). Protesters on GG Bridge Tell Police: "Take Off Your Riot Gear!" indybay.org 3 min mp4 video | Credit: @deathbywoodz (instagram) | Filmed on Labor Day 2020, protesters for Black Lives Matter and workers' rights demand entrance to the Golden Gate Bridge. A week earlier, Trump supporters held a rally at the same location with police protection.
(2020-09-09). Hezbollah reacts to US sanctions against Lebanese ministers. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 09 (MNA) — The Lebanese Hezbollah issued a statement on US sanctions against two former Lebanese ministers on Wednesday.
(2020-09-08). Alexei Navalny poisoning must get independent probe, says UN's Bachelet. news.un.org UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday urged Russia to carry out or cooperate with a rapid and transparent criminal investigation into the poisoning of opposition activist Alexei Navalny.
(2020-09-08). 850 thousand Insulin kits from Russia arrived in Venezuela (bypassing U.S. sanctions). mronline.org 
This Friday, a shipment of 850 thousand vials of 4 types of insulin from Russia arrived in Venezuela, being the 8th and 9th delivery within the framework of the Strategic Trade Alliance signed in 2019 between Russia and Venezuela in the International Economic Forum of St. Petersburg.
(2020-09-08). Reproductive rights group NARAL has lessons for workers too. peoplesworld.org 
WASHINGTON—One of the nation's top pro-reproductive rights groups, the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), is giving its millions of members and tens of thousands of activists illustrated lessons in how to fight the radical right. And while NARAL concentrates its seminars, one several months ago and a follow-up on August 9, on how to …
(2020-09-08). The Silence and Sorrow of Miscarriage. jamanetwork.com In this narrative medicine essay, a neurologist relates the story of her miscarriage while touring immigration detention centers in Texas documenting medical care and human rights violations and shares her deep sorrow for the women who lost children either by force or miscarriages while incarcerated.
(2020-09-08). Rights groups demand probe into mysterious death of woman journalist in Pakistan. peoplesdispatch.org Shaheena Baloch was the editor of Baloch magazine Daz Gohar and an anchor at the Pakistan Television Network – Bolan wing. As per her family members, her death may be a case of "honor killing" involving her husband…
(2020-09-08). Duterte's pardon for US marine who murdered trans woman sparks outrage in Philippines. peoplesdispatch.org Opposition parties and human rights groups such as Karapatan have accused president Rodrigo Duterte of giving in to US interests and have condemned the different standards applied to US personnel…
(2020-09-08). MP urges France to apologize for insulting Holy Prophet (S). en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 08 (MNA) — Chairwoman of Iranian Parliament's Human Rights Committee called on French government to apologize to Muslims for insulting the Holy Prophet of Islam Hazrat Muhammad (S).
(2020-09-08). Namaki urges for global call to end US illegal sanctions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 08 (MNA) — In a letter to Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Iranian Minister of Health Saeed Namaki called for a global request for an end to the US illegal and unilateral sanctions that endanger global health.
(2020-09-08). Saudi's Khashoggi verdict 'parody of justice'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 08 (MNA) — UN human rights investigator Agnes Callamard on Monday called the Saudi prosecutor's verdict on the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul a parody of justice which spared high-level plotters.
(2020-09-08). Tension mounts at Israeli prison after detainee's death. yenisafak.com Tension escalated inside Israel's Ofer prison on Tuesday following the death of a Palestinian detainee a few months before his release.According to the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPC), prison guards stormed two sections inside the prison and transferred many detainees to solitary confinement.It said that detainees were tortured by prison guards and their belongings were damaged."The situation is difficult and complicated inside the prison," PPC head Qadora Fares told Anadolu Agency.Last week, Palestinian detainee Daoud al-Khatib, 45, died inside the prison's section 20, a few months before he completes his 18-…
(2020-09-08). Overturned verdict on Khashoggi murder a 'parody of justice' — independent UN rights expert. news.un.org An independent UN human rights investigator called the overturned verdict of Saudi Arabia's prosecutor in the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey a "parody of justice" that spared "high-level" plotters.
(2020-09-08). Khashoggi overturned verdict 'parody of justice' — independent UN rights expert. news.un.org An independent UN human rights investigator called the overturned verdict of Saudi Arabia's prosecutor in the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey a "parody of justice" that spared "high-level" plotters.
(2020-09-07). War On Journalism Resumes On Monday. popularresistance.org WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's extradition hearing is set to start on Monday, Sept. 7 at the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court of London, and could last three or four weeks. | Assange has been indicted on 17 charges of espionage and one charge of conspiring with a source to violate the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act for his reporting on the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the torture at Guantanamo Bay. | These charges against Assange are a part of a war on journalism. This is the first time that the Espionage Act of 1917 has been used to prosecute a journalist, in this case an Australian citizen publ…
(2020-09-07). 'This is Not Normal': Human Rights, Press Freedom Advocates Denied Remote Access to Assange Hearing. commondreams.org The WikiLeaks founder, who exposed U.S. war crimes, faces up to 175 years in prison if the U.K. agrees to extradite Assange. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2020-09-07). The Ongoing Torture and Medical Neglect of Julian Assange. globalresearch.ca Initially published by The Lancet on June 25, 2020. | **** | On Feb 17, 2020, Doctors for Assange demanded an end to the torture and medical neglect of Julian Assange.1 Yet no responsible authority has acted. Nils Melzer, the …
(2020-09-07). The U.S. has long led the assault on human rights. mronline.org 
The historical record on U.S. human rights policies, both domestic and international, is one of hypocrisy, deceit, and denigration.
(2020-09-07). Absent Appeals to the Left, Biden Faces Challenge to Win Over Latinx Voters. truthout.org Though she couldn't vote in past elections, Lucia Allain has spent over a decade in direct-action politics, advocating for immigrants and Latinxs. In November, Allain, who was born in Peru, will vote for the first time since becoming a United States citizen. The communications manager for the influential immigrant-rights organization The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), Allain is as passionate about politics as anyone in this country; she's serious about r…
(2020-09-07). Fruits of Illegality: The NSA, Bulk Collection and Warrantless Surveillance. counterpunch.org 
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 been doing his bit to reveal and chip away at the foundations of the national
(2020-09-07). A message to U.S. postal workers. workers.org 
By Julia Wright The following message from internationally known human rights leader Julia Wright, eldest daughter of famed writer Richard Wright, was read by Sophia Williams, from the Campaign to Bring Mumia [Abu-Jamal] Home, during the Workers World Webinar: "Save the people's post office" on Sept. 3. Richard Wright was . . . |
(2020-09-07). Man suspected of serially MUTILATING horses is detained in France. rt.com 
Police in France have detained a man suspected of attacking and mutilating horses. The country has been shocked by a nationwide string of vicious attacks on the animals over the past few months. | The suspect, reportedly a 50-year-old man, was detained on Monday in France's eastern department of Haut-Rhin. | The man was apprehended after law enforcement circulated a computer-generated image of the suspect, a police source told AFP, based on information from an eyewitness. | www.facebook.com/gendarmeriedelyonne/pos… | The police sketch was created after two men infiltrated a stable in…
(2020-09-07). The Silence of Others: The victims of Spanish fascism then and now. wsws.org Timely and moving, the Spanish documentary details the efforts of activists and torture survivors to prosecute Francoite officials for crimes against humanity.
(2020-09-07). Paraguay: Human Rights Defenders Condemn Murder of Two Girls. telesurenglish.net The Paraguayan-Argentine cultural organization Movement 138 requested the murder of two teenagers to be declared a crime against humanity. This assassination occurred during the operation of the Joint Task Force (FTC) against the Paraguayan People's Army (EPP). | RELATED: | Their bodies were exhumed for an investigation without the presence of family members or any legal representative, which is an irregularity. | It also dema…
(2020-09-07). China Backs Venezuela's Right To Safeguard Sovereignty. popularresistance.org Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China and Venezuela share basically similar views on safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests, jointly supporting multilateralism, and improving global governance. | China stands with the Venezuelan people in their fight against COVID-19 and upholds the Venezuelan government's right to safeguard national sovereignty, and national dignity and development, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday. | Wang made the remarks while holding talks with his Venezuelan counterpart Jorge Arreaza via video link.
(2020-09-07). Colombian Workers Hold National Strike Against Labor Reforms. telesurenglish.net Colombia's labor unions Monday held a national strike in rejection of Decree 1174, which was approved by President Ivan Duque to undermine labor rights amid the COVID-19 crisis. | RELATED: | This decree approves the contracts by the hour, which promotes informal hiring, and it removes the employers' obligation to assume social security payments. | "President Ivan Duque has taken advantage of the crisis caused by the pande…
(2020-09-07). The killing of Michael Reinoehl: A police assassination ordered by Trump. wsws.org Reinoehl's death was a state-sanctioned killing, carried out with the support of the Justice Department and the White House.
(2020-09-07). DSA member in Spokane, Washington detained by unidentified officers before police violence protest. wsws.org Jeremy Logan was snatched by five plainclothes police officers, and held in jail for over a day, where federal agents attempted to interrogate him, before being released.
(2020-09-07). The killing of Michael Reinoehl: A state murder. wsws.org Reinoehl's death was a state-sanctioned killing, carried out with the support of the Justice Department and the White House.
(2020-09-07). Owners of Oil Tankers Seized by the US File Lawsuits. globalresearch.ca The US unilaterally imposes its own sanctions universally as much as it can becoming the self-appointed global policeman. Many countries obey because of the financial and military power of the US. | *** | US must prove oil is from Iran and …
(2020-09-07). Labor Must Make Defense of Black Lives Its Own Imperative. truthout.org Black trade unionists across the U.S. are calling on the labor movement to defend Black Lives Matter protesters and to fight racism in their own ranks. The attacks by police and increasingly violent armed racist militias evoke the memory of many such violent incidents against Black people in earlier periods, from slavery to segregation to the civil rights era. | For Labor Day 2020, Truthout reached out to Christopher Silvera, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 808 in Long Island City, NY; Elise Bryant, exec…
(2020-09-07). Assad says he wants to expand Russian investments to help offset US sanctions. yenisafak.com Syrian President Bashar al Assad said on Monday he was keen to expand economic and business deals with Moscow, his closest ally, to help Syria weather crippling economic sanctions.Assad, who gave the comments during a meeting in Damascus with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, said he wanted to see Russian investments in key areas of the economy that had been agreed in the past succeed.
(2020-09-07). Papua New Guinea: Cop falls asleep, prisoners flee home. yenisafak.com At least 31 prisoners escaped jail in Papua New Guinea last week, according to local reports on Monday.Senior police official Peter Guinness said the officer on guard had allegedly fallen asleep while intoxicated, allowing detainees remanded in custody to flee Lae Central police station last Wednesday, The National daily reported.The guard was suspended after the prisoners reportedly took his keys while he was unconscious."As a young policeman serving [before] in Lae, I have never experienced such," Guinness said. Guinness added that after the guard was tried in court, authorities would submit a recommendation fo…
(2020-09-07). Trump Is a Health Hazard: The Choice Is Clear on Labor and Workers' Rights in November. commondreams.org "Nurses understand the urgency of ending the disastrous policies and behavior of President Trump this November," writes Bonnie Castillo, executive director of National Nurses United. "But our work doesn't stop there; past the election, we will continue to mobilize and organize for the transformative social changes all workers, and patients, sorely need." (Photo: NNU/flickr/cc) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2020-09-06). US spying program is violating rules on protecting citizen privacy rights, but carry on, FISA court tells FBI. rt.com 
The US FISA court has authorized the FBI to continue using a warrantless surveillance program that taps conversations between Americans and non-citizens overseas despite finding that the government is violating privacy rules. | "There still appear to be widespread violations of the querying standard by the FBI," chief FISA judge James Boasberg said in a December ruling that was Those querying…
(2020-09-06). German FM links Nord Stream 2 to Navalny, threatens sanctions as Moscow accuses Berlin of dragging feet on alleged poisoning probe. rt.com 
The alleged poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny could see Berlin cancel the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, and press the EU to consider other sanctions against Moscow, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has said. | In an interview published on Sunday by Bild, a popular pro-American Berlin tabloid, Maas said: "I hope the Russians don't force us to change our stance on Nord Stream 2, we have high expectations of the Russian government that it will solve this serious crime." | The German diplomat claimed to have seen "a lot of evidence" that the Russian state was behind the poison attack. "The dead…
(2020-09-06). Trump goes nuclear against ICC. zcomm.org The Trump administration in Washington has placed economic sanctions on the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and another senior official at the Hague…
(2020-09-06). Iranians to never forget damages caused by US sanctions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 06 (MNA) — Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that Iranian nation will never forget the damages caused by the US sanctions.
(2020-09-06). Filmmaker Majidi censures US sanctions against Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 06 (MNA) — Renowned Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi censured the US inhuman sanctions against Iran during the press conference held after screening his latest film "Sun Children" at the 77th Venice Film Festival.
(2020-09-06). German Defence Minister Says Nord Stream 2 Sanctions Depend on Russia's Steps Regarding Navalny Case. sputniknews.com German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been under increased pressure to stop the construction of the nearly complete joint pipeline project of numerous European energy companies and Russian Gazprom ever since Berlin claimed to have found traces of nerve agent from the Novichok group in the blood of a hospitalised Russian opposition figure.