(2020-02-19). Venezuela slams US sanctions on Russia's Rosneft as an attempt at grabbing control of global oil market. rt.com 
Russian oil giant Rosneft's investments and commercial activities in Venezuela are legal, says state energy firm PDVSA, pledging to provide the necessary support for the producer's "operational and commercial continuity." | The PDVSA statement follows Washington's blacklisting of a Rosneft subsidiary on Tuesday over its trade ties with Venezuela. The US accused the oil brokerage subsidiary of handling over 70 percent of Venezuela's exports, in circumvention of US sanctions. It has also given the companies doing business with Rosneft Trading 90 days to disentangle those arrangements. | COMUNICADO OFICIAL…
(2020-02-19). CNN reporter triggered by Fox interviewing InfoWars' 'Gun Girl' quickly reminded of own network's history with racists & criminals. rt.com 
In a case of pot calling the kettle black, Oliver Darcy fumed at Fox News describing Kaitlin Bennet as a "gun rights activist" after her tumultuous visit to a college campus. Twitter was quick to remind him of CNN's own sins.
(2020-02-19). Russian cops bust banned radical Islamist group Tablighi Jamaat's 'training camp,' detain leaders & participants. rt.com 
Seven members of a hardline Islamic organization were arrested in Moscow on Wednesday, according to the Federal Security Service (FSB). They are charged with disseminating extremist propaganda and trying to recruit new supporters. | Tablighi Jamaat, which means the Outreach Society or the Society for Spreading Faith, is banned in Russia. Its philosophy is based around the idea that Muslims should revert to practicing their faith as it was done in the 7th century, when the Prophet Mohammed himself lived. It particularly focuses on styles of dress, personal behavior, and forms of ritual. | | Religious literatu…
(2020-02-19). Australian MPs visit Julian Assange at Belmarsh Prison. wsws.org Andrew Wilkie and George Christensen said they agreed with UN official Nils Melzer's assessment that Assange is the victim of psychological torture.
(2020-02-19). UN List of Firms Aiding Israel's Settlements Was Dead on Arrival. globalresearch.ca After lengthy delays, the United Nations finally published a database last week of businesses that have been profiting from Israel's illegal settlement activity in the West Bank. | The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, announced that 112 …
(2020-02-19). How Much Cruelty Can Trump Get Away With? Ask Obama. thenation.com How Much Cruelty Can Trump Get Away With? Ask Obama.
(2020-02-19). Disability Organizations Join Forces to Increase Census Participation Throughout CA. indybay.org The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) are acting as Statewide Community-Based Organization Outreach Partners in coordination with the California Census Office to increase participation among disabled Californians and older adults in the upcoming 2020 census which takes place April 1.
(2020-02-19). Seven Members of Extremist Group Tablighi Jamaat Detained in Moscow – Russia's Security Service. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Seven members of the international extremist organisation Tablighi Jamaat, banned in Russia, have been detained in Moscow and the Moscow Region, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Wednesday.
(2020-02-19). India, US to Sign Pact on Intellectual Property Rights – Minister Prakash Javadekar. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): India has been put on the priority watch list in US Intellectual Property documents under a law called Special 301 that is prepared annually to identify trade barriers to United States companies and products due to intellectual property laws, such as copyright, patents, and trademarks in other countries.
(2020-02-19). Uphold rainbow rights and kill the religious privilege bill. greenleft.org.au 
(2020-02-19). Brexit leverage or historic justice? Twitter row erupts after EU 'demands' UK return stolen Elgin Marbles to Greece. rt.com 
Britain's refusal to return the Parthenon/Elgin Marbles to Greece, which says they were stolen from Athens in the early 19th century, has triggered debate on Twitter about the rights and wrongs of the provocative request. | The long-running dispute has recently seen Greece step up efforts to reclaim the 2,500-year-old sculptures that had adorned the famed fifth century BC Parthenon temple. The precious pieces were taken by British diplomat Lord Elgin when Athens was under Ottoman Turkish rule. | The British Museum in London — where the ancient treasures are currently held — have rejected Athens' requ…
(2020-02-19). Brexit trade talks 'a different ball game' to Canada agreement, PM warned. thecanary.co Boris Johnson has been warned that the European Union (EU) views negotiations with the UK as a "different ball game" to the trade talks which secured an agreement with Canada. | The prime minister wants a Canada-style trade deal which would leave the UK free to diverge from EU rules. | But a key aide to Brussels' chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the EU would not budge from its insistence on a "level playing field" on state subsidies, environmental protections and workers' rights as the price of any deal. | Stefaan De Rynck said: "It's clear that for us it's a different ball game that we are playing with the U…
(2020-02-19). Scotland is putting the Tories to shame over women's rights. thecanary.co (2020-02-18). ICE's Destruction of Records Must Be Stopped. aclu.org Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is | notorious for committing rampant unconstitutional and inhumane abuses in its | detention system — something advocates, communities, and years. Public oversight of ICE detention is about to become even harder, | further eroding accountability and endangering the health and safety of more than | 50,000 people in ICE custody every day. That's because the National Archives | and R… (2020-02-18). Trump Is Unleashing Militarized Goon Squads Against Immigrants in Sanctuary Cities. thenation.com Trump Is Unleashing Militarized Goon Squads Against Immigrants in Sanctuary Cities… (2020-02-18). The Lancet publishes letter from doctors: "End torture and medical neglect of Julian Assange" wsws.org The world's pre-eminent medical journal carries a letter from 117 doctors in 18 countries calling for urgent action to save the life of the WikiLeaks publisher. (2020-02-18). End Torture and Medical Neglect of Julian Assange. globalresearch.ca On Nov 22, 2019, we, a group of more than 60 medical doctors, wrote to the UK Home Secretary to express our serious concerns about the physical and mental health of Julian Assange.1 In our letter,1 we documented a history … (2020-02-18). Chile: 3,765 Injured,10,000 Detained Protesters Since October. telesurenglish.net Four months of protests in Chile against the neoliberal policies of Sebastian Piñera's government has resulted in more than 3,700 people injured, 951 filed complaints of torture and 195 for sexual violence, according to updated figures released Tuesday by the National Institute of Human Rights (INDH). | RELATED: | According to the agency, from Oct. 17 to Feb. 18, some 3,765 people were injured, of whom 445 suffered eye inj… (2020-02-18). Profiting from Loss: How Business in Illegal Israeli Settlements Continues Unchecked. dissidentvoice.org After lengthy delays, the United Nations finally published a database last week of businesses that have been profiting from Israel's illegal annexation and settlement activity in the West Bank. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, announced that 112 major companies had been identified as operating in Israeli settlements in ways that violate … (2020-02-18). Russia Rejects US Sanctions Against Rosneft Trading S.A. telesurenglish.net The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Treasury Department announced Tuesday sanctions against Russian oil company Rosneft Trading S.A., for trading and transporting Venezuelan oil and against its president of the Board of Drectors Didier Casimiro. | RELATED: | "Our position on sanctions is well known, Russia categorically rejects unilateral restrictions. With them, the United States seeks to a… (2020-02-18). Impunity for Torturers Made Trump's Invulnerability Possible. truthout.org On February 5th, the Senate voted to acquit President Donald J. Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. In other words, Trump's (2020-02-18). Courtroom erupts in response to racist decision in Gerald Reed case. fightbacknews.org Chicago, IL – The courtroom was packed February 14. This was my fourth Gerald Reed court hearing. Usually, there is a crowd of folks who show up to support Gerald and his mother, Armanda Shackleford, who has been fighting for her son since he was arrested, tortured and framed in 1990. Shackleford sits in the front row, wearing her Free Gerald Reed t-shirt. Together we sit for an hour, two hours, three, and hear powerful men debate the innocence of a man whose sentence was vacated a year ago. | But today was different. Two alderpersons were there, Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez and Jeanette Taylor, to show their suppor… (2020-02-18). UN rights experts 'gravely' concerned at spike in civilian casualties in north-west Myanmar following internet shutdown. news.un.org Independent UN human rights experts on Tuesday voiced grave concern over the killing and displacement of civilians in north-west Myanmar during the intensifying conflict between the military and an armed group, the Arakan Army, amid an information blackout in some parts of Rakhine and Chin states. (2020-02-18). Colombia: 46 Social Leaders, 10 Ex-FARC Members Killed in 2020. telesurenglish.net The systematic killing of social leaders and former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) continues with impunity in Colombia, as two brothers – human rights defenders and campesino leaders – were killed Sunday in the southwest department of Cauca, raising the tally to 46 murdered in 2020. | RELATED: | "The aggression was carried out by several armed men. After this, it was already confirmed that th… (2020-02-18). PCHR Welcomes the Publication of UN Database on Business Enterprises Operating in Israeli Settlements. imemc.org On 12 February 2020, after three years of delay and consistent pressure by Palestinian, regional and international organizations, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a report on business enterprises involved in certain activities related to unlawful Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). This … (2020-02-18). Provision Criminalizing Human Rights Defenders at the Border Criminalizes Humanity. commondreams.org ______________________________… (2020-02-18). Human Rights Expert: Settlement Database, an "Important Initial Step" imemc.org Office of the High Commissioner of the United Nations published a report, on Friday, by Michael Lynk, Special Rapporteur for human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, welcomed the newly released settlement database. Lynk stated that "While the release of the database will not, by itself, bring an end to … (2020-02-18). Coronavirus Prompts 'Atmosphere of Hate' In Italy. telesurenglish.net The deadly outbreak of the new coronavirus in China has triggered a "hysterical" and "shameful wave of sinophobia" in Italy, according to members of the Chinese-Italian community. | RELATED: | A human rights group, as well as tourists of Chinese and Asian origin, have reported acts of violence, discrimination and harassment that include assaults, calls for sexual violence, insults, and boycotts of companies. | Chinese-It… (2020-02-18). Women From Every Corner Occupy Brasilia: the Marcha das Margaridas. commondreams.org Marcha das Margaridas is fighting for the rights of the working class in general and, in particular, for the rights of rural women workers, while welcoming demands from several other social movements. (Photo: Wikipedia) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… … (2020-02-18). Trudeau Calls for 'Dialogue' as Indigenous Rights Protesters Declare, 'When Justice Fails, Block the Rails'. commondreams.org While addressing Canada's House of Commons Tuesday, Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for "patience" regarding the ongoing rail blockades and protests in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en Nation hereditary chiefs and land defenders fighting to prevent construction of a natural gas pipeline on their unceded territory in British Columbia. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… … (2020-02-18). "Huge Win" for Tech Workers' Rights as Kickstarter Employees Vote to Unionize. commondreams.org Workers at the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter made history for the tech industry Tuesday as they voted to unionize, in the latest grassroots victory for tech workers. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… … (2020-02-18). There is a Coordinated Attack Against Trans Youth in State Legislatures. aclu.org Less than a | month and a half into 2020, this state legislative session has seen on bills that would harm trans youth. | Also | alarming: These bills, and the terminology used in them, use playbook. | Right now, | bills are pending in 10 states that | would criminalize l… (2020-02-13). Bill Barr Wants Sheriffs to Join His Attacks on State and Local Governments. aclu.org Attorney General Bill Barr, For | Barr's Department of Justice, that escalation includes new lawsuits against | states and municipalities with immigrant-protective policies. (2020-02-12). Gruesome Details Emerge of Israel's Torture of Palestinian Prisoners. mintpressnews.com One prisoner was hospitalized for kidney failure and 11 broken ribs. Another had his genitals bitten by a security dog while a third man was left wheelchair-bound and unrecognizable. (2020-02-10). How Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Broke Through in Iowa. aclu.org (2020-02-08). Iraq and Russia Prepare to Boost Military Ties as US Threatens Sanctions. theantimedia.com Iraq and Russia are preparing for deepening military coordination. (2020-02-02). SPLC and the SPLC Action Fund Hire Internationally Renowned Human and Civil Rights Leader as New President and CEO. splcenter.org Margaret Huang brings 25 years of experience advocating against discrimination and oppression around the world. (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. (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 …
Scotland could well be about to lead the way in an area of women's rights. If the move happens, it will put the Westminster, Conservative-led government to shame. But the deal is not a done one just yet. | Period poverty: | Period poverty is when girls and women can't afford sanitary products. As the website Global Women Connected 
Our next president | must be committed to protecting and advancing the civil liberties and civil | rights guaranteed to all of us in the Constitution, and the current goal for | our key issues. We now have most of the results from the Iowa caucuses last week, | and one thing stood out to us: Voters overwhelmingly supported candidates who | made specific commitments to Rights for All policies. | When we launched | the Rights for All effort last year, we were determined to elevate ke…