(2020-01-29). Former Moscow Police officers arrested over framing of Russian journalist Ivan Golunov. rt.com 
Last summer, his detention on bogus drug charges rocked the world of Russian media, leading to an unprecedented show of journalistic unity. | Now, investigators have detained five ex-police officers who are accused of fabricating the case against Ivan Golunov, a reporter for Riga-based online publication Meduza. | The former members of the Moscow Police's drug trafficking control department are currently being interrogated, according to Svetlana Petrenko, the official representative of Russia's Investigative Committee. The detainees were removed from their posts last July in the immediate fallout from the cont…
(2020-01-29). Trump's 'deal of the century' is about ignoring Palestinian rights & legitimizing Israel's occupation — Turkish President Erdogan. rt.com 
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has blasted a plan for resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict presented by Donald Trump, saying the proposal is a blatant attempt to 'legitimize Israel's occupation' of Palestinian territories. | Erdogan, a long-time critic of Israeli policies, lashed out at the US-proposed roadmap in a Wednesday interview with journalists who were accompanying him on his return from a three-country visit to Africa. | "This is the plan to ignore the Palestinians' rights and legitimize Israel's occupation," Erdogan said, as quoted by Anadolu Agency. | The remark is in line with criticisms vo…
(2020-01-29). 'This Type of Surveillance Threatens Us All' – CounterSpin interview with Chip Gibbons on FBI vs. 1st Amendment. fair.org 
Janine Jackson interviewed Defending Rights & Dissent's Chip Gibbons about the FBI vs. the First Amendment for the Media…
(2020-01-29). Jeremy Corbyn slams Donald Trump's so-called 'peace plan' for Palestine. thecanary.co 
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn warned Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan would "lock-in illegal Israeli colonisation" and deny Palestinian people their fundamental rights. He added that Britain must tell the US they are "wrong" on the issue.Boris Johnson, meanwhile, provided encouragement to the proposal which would leave sizeable areas of the occupied West Bank in Israeli hands.Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has dismissed Trump's plan as a "conspiracy deal".Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Corbyn said of the US president's idea: It will annex Palestinian territory, lock-in illegal Israeli colonisation…
(2020-01-29). Trump unveils farcical Mideast "peace plan" as Netanyahu is indicted. wsws.org Timed to meet the immediate needs of both Trump and Netanyahu, the plan sanctions all of the policies of the Israeli right and is guaranteed to be rejected by the Palestinians.
(2020-01-29). Headlines for January 29, 2020. democracynow.org McConnell Tries to Secure Votes to Block Impeachment Witnesses, "Our Rights Are Not for Sale": Palestinians Reject Trump's Middle East Plan, Trump Praises Pompeo for Shouting and Cursing at NPR Reporter, WaPo Reinstates Reporter Suspended for Tweeting About Kobe Rape Case, Death Toll from Coronavirus Virus Hits 132, with 6,000 Infected, Over 100,000 Syrian Civilians Flee Regime Offensive in Idlib, Floods Kill 30, Displace 16,000 in Madagascar, Mississippi to Shut Down Unit of Parchman Prison After Deaths of 9 Prisoners, Maryland Cop Charged with Murder for Killing Handcuffed Man in Police Car…
(2020-01-29). Citizenship Law Protests: Two Killed in India's Eastern West Bengal, over a Dozen Injured in Bihar. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): Over the last few weeks, India has witnessed protests against a newly enacted citizenship law, leaving 25 people killed and hundreds injured. The law seeks to grant citizenship rights to persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, not including Muslims.
(2020-01-29). Russia's Ex-Policemen to Face Charges for Faking Evidence in Journalist Golunov Case – Investigators. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia's five former police officers who were detained over their role in the case of journalist Ivan Golunov will face charges as they are accused of faking up the evidence of Golunov's guilt, the Russian Investigative Committee's spokeswoman, Svetlana Petrenko, said on Wednesday.
(2020-01-29). President Erdogan slams Trump's so-called deal on Mideast. yenisafak.com U.S. President Donald Trump's so-called Middle East peace plan ignores Palestinians' rights and attempts to legitimize Israel's occupation, said Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday.Answering the questions of reporters on a return flight from his Africa tour, Erdogan said the plan will not serve peace and solution in the region. It ignores Palestinians' rights and attempts to legitimize Israel's occupation, he stressed."Jerusalem is sacred for Muslims and Trump's so-called peace plan proposing to leave Jerusalem to Israel is never acceptable," Erdogan added.On Tuesday, Trump released his oft-delay…
(2020-01-29). Little US-Turkish progress solving defenses row, Erdogan says. yenisafak.com Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday Washington and Ankara had done little to solve a row over Turkey's purchase of Russian defences and its procurement of U.S. fighter jets despite a November agreement, according to broadcaster NTV.Ties between the NATO allies were badly strained last year when Turkey bought Russian S-400 defence systems, prompting Washington to threaten sanctions and to suspend Turkish involvement in its F-35 jet programme, where Ankara was a buyer and manufacturer.Washington says the S-400s are not compatible with NATO systems and threaten the stealth capabilities of its Lockheed…
(2020-01-29). Brazil: Ministry Prefers 'Abstinence' Instead of Sex Education. telesurenglish.net The Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP) Tuesday took a position against encouraging sexual abstinence as a method to avoid teen pregnancy, which is the policy option actively promoted by the Women, Family, and Human Rights Ministry that is currently headed by evangelical pastor Damares Alves. | RELATED: | The SBP argues that the only effective option in this matter is to offer both access to health services an…
(2020-01-28). Asylum-Seekers Are Being Abandoned in Guatemala in a New Policy Officials Call a "Total Disaster" aclu.org In late November, U.S. immigration authorities began | deporting some Central American asylum-seekers to Guatemala under a new | policy that makes it nearly impossible for them to seek asylum in the U.S. | But Guatemalan human rights workers say that their country's | asylum system isn't capable of handling even the relatively small numbers that | have been sent there so far, and that asylum seekers' precarious status in the | country has already pushed many to leave. | "They're preferring to move on…
(2020-01-28). Conservative Justices Sanction Stephen Miller's Anti-Immigration Agenda. truthout.org Not even an impeachment trial can slow down the White House's anti-immigrant agenda. | Even as Chief Justice John Roberts presided over the Senate's trial of President Trump on Monday, the Supreme Court gifted senior White House adviser and documented white nationalist Stephen Miller by lifting a lower court's nationwide injunction against discriminatory new rules that represent the strongest effort to restrict legal immigration into the U.S. in more than a century. | On Holocaust Memorial Day, all…
(2020-01-28). Peru Court Orders Keiko Fujimori to Return to Prison. telesurenglish.net A Peruvian judge ordered Tuesday that Popular Force opposition leader Keiko Fujimori to return to prison for a further 15 months pre-trial detention as part of an open investigation into the Odebrecht corruption scandal. | RELATED: | Justice Victor Zuñiga accepted the request from Attorney General Jose Domingo Perez on the grounds that the measure is "appropriate, necessary and proportionate" due to likely flight risk from Fujimori.
(2020-01-28). SPLC sues Alabama school district for violating students' due process rights after cell phone is mistaken for gun. splcenter.org Andre and his friend were taking turns on a cell phone, playing a video game called Last Day on Earth: Survival — about staying alive on a zombie-infested planet — when a real-life gunshot rang out.
(2020-01-28). 'This Is Not a Peace Plan, It Is a War Plan': Trump-Netanyahu Deal Decried as Shameful Attack on Palestinian Rights. commondreams.org Human rights advocates condemned U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "annexation plan" for large swaths of Palestinian territory on Tuesday, as the two leaders presented what they called a "peace deal" for Israel and Palestine. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2020-01-28). As Barnier's words highlight the farce of UK law, citizens' rights campaigners vow to fight on. thecanary.co On 27 January, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier spoke at Queen's University Belfast. And his words gave some
(2020-01-27). Under Pressure in Impeachment Trial, Trump Steps Up Attacks on Reproductive Rights. democracynow.org 
Donald Trump on Friday became the first sitting president in U.S. history to attend the so-called March for Life, the annual anti-abortion rally held in Washington, D.C., that draws thousands of participants. President Trump — who once described himself as "pro-choice in every respect" — accused Democrats of infanticide and falsely stated that Virginia Governor Ralph Northam supports an abortion bill that would "execute a baby after birth." The March for Life began in 1974 in response to the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion. Past…
(2020-01-27). Libya: UN report urges accountability for deadly attack against migrant centre. news.un.org Warring parties in Libya, as well as foreign governments supporting them, are being urged to investigate deadly airstrikes last July which killed at least 53 migrants and refugees at a detention centre in the northwest of the country.
(2020-01-27). Headlines for January 27, 2020. democracynow.org Impeachment Trial Resumes as Leaked Bolton Manuscript Bolsters Democrats' Case, Coronavirus Death Toll Reaches 81 in China as Disease Spreads Around the World, Pentagon: 34 U.S. Troops Have Brain Injuries After Iranian Attack on Iraqi Airbase, Deadly Crackdown on Iraqi Protests Continue as 100,000s March Against U.S. Military Presence, Turkey Earthquake Kills 38; At Least 1,600 Hospitalized, Ugandan Activist Vanessa Nakate Slams Racist Media After Being Cropped from Photo with White Activists, Trump Attends Anti-Abortion "March for Life" as Admin Continues Assault on Reproductive Rights, High-Ranking Pharma Exec…
(2020-01-27). South Florida protest demands: No war on Iran. fightbacknews.org Fort Lauderdale, FL — Hundreds of protests took place across the world on January 25, to demand no new U.S. war in Iran, an end to Trump's violence and sanctions against Iran, and the removal of U.S. troops from the Middle East. In Fort Lauderdale, 35 activists gathered outside of the federal courthouse to join the global day of protest. | The diverse and energized group rallied on the busy intersection of Broward Boulevard, blasting protest music from speakers, holding signs and banners, and chanting loudly. People driving by opened their windows to share peace-signs and fists of solidarity, truck and bus…
(2020-01-27). Philippines: Scrap Visiting Forces Agreement for national sovereignty. fightbacknews.org Fight Back News Service Is circulating the following Jan. 26 statement from the Communist Party of the Philippines. | The Communist Party of the Philippines challenges GRP President Rodrigo Duterte to walk his talk and actualize the termination of the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). For decades, the Filipino people have demanded the abrogation of the VFA which has allowed for the trampling of Philippine sovereignty by US military forces, as well as numerous human rights violations including rape and murder. | However, the Filipino people are keenly aware of Duterte's tirades against the US government…
(2020-01-27). "Ours to Tell": New Film Highlights Personal Stories About the Importance of Abortion Access. democracynow.org 
As Roe v. Wade faces unprecedented attacks, the new short film "Ours to Tell" puts a human face to the fight for reproductive justice and highlights those whose stories are often sidelined by the media: LGBTQ communities and communities of color. The film focuses on Ylonda, Nick, Hannah and Brittany, four people who discuss how having access to abortion shaped their lives. The film was directed by Rayka Zehtabchi and was created by Planned Parenthood and We Testify. For more on the film, as well as the state of reproductive rights in the United States, we speak with Renee Bracey Sherman, founder and executive dir…
(2020-01-26). End discrimination against women and children affected by leprosy. news.un.org Governments must put an end to the informal segregation and institutionalized neglect of hundreds of thousands of women and children affected by leprosy, an independent UN human rights expert said on Sunday, World Leprosy Day.
(2020-01-25). US citizen detained and interrogated by DHS agents about anti-war movement solidarity with Venezuela. thegrayzone.com A US citizen who participated in the Venezuelan Embassy Protection Collective was detained, searched and interrogated for the second time…
(2020-01-24). Hundreds of Thousands of Iraqis Protest Against US Occupation. theantimedia.com (TMU) — Iraq's parliament voted last month to expel the U.S. troops who have been occupying the country for nearly twenty years. However, the United States government has refused to comply with the order and has threatened harsh sanctions if they are forced to leave. The presence of the United States military is unwelcome in Iraq and the rest of the …
(2020-01-23). Myanmar: Departing UN rights expert still hopeful for democratic transition. news.un.org An independent human rights expert said she has not given up hope for a democratic transition in Myanmar even though the country has yet to address "grave allegations" of international crimes, including possible genocide.
(2020-01-23). 75 years after Auschwitz liberation, antisemitism still threatens 'foundations of democratic societies'. news.un.org Commemorating 75 years since the liberation of the notorious Nazi death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, independent UN rights experts said on Thursday that "urgent action" is needed to combat mounting antisemitism.
(2020-01-23). Amendment 4 is Still on the Line. Here's What's New. aclu.org The right to vote cannot depend on how much money you have. That's what
(2020-01-23). US Airstrike Kills 15 Civilians in Afghanistan, Including 3 Women and 3 Children. theantimedia.com (ANTIWAR.COM) — A US airstrike against a Taliban splinter group, which killed Mullah Raaz Mohammed Nangyalai, also killed 15 civilians, according to the Independent Human Rights Commission (IHRC) of Afghanistan. The IHRC went on to say this was a "clear violation of human rights" and issued a report calling on foreign forces to be more careful that civilians …
(2020-01-22). "The Senate Voted for a Cover-Up": GOP Senators Tilt Impeachment Trial in Trump's Favor. democracynow.org 
After the first marathon day leading up to President Trump's impeachment trial, we speak with Vince Warren and Baher Azmy, executive director and legal director, respectively, of the Center for Constitutional Rights. In a 13-hour session, the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate approved rules for the impeachment trial that Vince Warren says are tantamount to a "cover-up." Under the rules, each side will be given 24 hours over a three-day period for opening arguments. Senators also agreed to automatically admit evidence from the House inquiry into the trial record. Republicans rejected 11 amendments from Democrats t…
(2020-01-22). A Torturer Meets His Victims: CIA Psychologist Defends Brutal Methods at Guantánamo Military Hearing. democracynow.org 
On Tuesday, the psychologist identified as the "architect" of the CIA's torture program testified for the first time to the war court at Guantánamo Bay. James Mitchell was in the courtroom for a pretrial hearing for five 9/11 suspects who had been subject to torture, euphemistically called "enhanced interrogation techniques." Mitchell and his partner, Dr. Bruce Jessen, were paid $81 million to help design the CIA's torture methods, including some of the agency's most abusive tactics. The pair had no prior experience in interrogation. At the hearing, Mitchell reportedly told defense lawyers he only came to Guantán…
(2020-01-22). Headlines for January 22, 2020. democracynow.org Senate Approves Rules for Trump's Impeachment Trial, Spain Declares Climate Emergency & Readies Climate Legislation, Australian Wildfires Release Massive Amounts of Greenhouse Gas, Airstrikes in Syria Kill 40 People, Including Children, in Idlib, Protesters Denounce Lebanon's Newly Formed Government, U.S. Deports Honduran Children Seeking Asylum to Guatemala Despite Being Ill, Hillary Clinton Slams Bernie Sanders in New Documentary But Says She Will Support Democratic Nominee, Architect of CIA's Torture Program Testifies in War Court at Guantánamo Bay, The Guardian: Bezos's Cellphone Was Allegedly Hacked by Saudi…
(2020-01-21). CBP Deported an Iranian Student With Valid Visa, Defying Court Order. aclu.org Last night, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) deported an Iranian student with a valid visa, despite a federal court order prohibiting his removal. | Shahab Dehghani arrived at Boston Logan Airport on Sunday, January 19 to study at Northeastern University, where he was enrolled. Customs officials detained him and questioned him for hours, abruptly revoking his student visa, which the State Department granted after a year of intense vetting. | As CBP tried to put Shahab on the next available flight, supporters and friends gathered at night in the arrivals hall at Logan to demand that CBP stop deporting…
(2020-01-16). Conspiracy Theories, Threats of Violence Loom Over Coming Gun Rally in Richmond. splcenter.org Gun-rights activists and antigovernment extremists are planning a protest in Richmond, Virginia, on Monday fueled by antigovernment conspiracy theories and accompanied by online calls for violence.
(2020-01-06). SPLC Statement on the Detainment of Iranians and Iranian Americans. splcenter.org The following statement is by Southern Poverty Law Center Interim President and CEO Karen Baynes-Dunning following reports that Iranians and Iranian Americans are being detained and questioned at U.S. ports of entry:…
(2019-12-02). Civil Rights Are on the Chopping Block in New Supreme Court Term. zcomm.org Hello, A very small proportion of ZNet content is available only to Sustainers. You can become a sustainer for a small repeating donation – monthly or yearly via the links for Sustaining, or Donating, available on the top page of ZNet.
(2019-12-02). The War on Truth: How Israel's Social Media Trolls Conquered Facebook. zcomm.org Israel may have found a way to circumvent the influence of Facebook on the discussions pertaining to Palestinian rights and the Israeli occupation…
(2019-06-25). Peace Action Endorses Ilhan Omar for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 25, 2019 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Ilhan Omar for Congress in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights, and support nonmilitary …
(2019-06-24). Peace Action Endorses Kara Eastman for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 24, 2019 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Kara Eastman for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights, and support nonmilitary …