(2020-10-20). Amazonia: In the Flames, They See Money. counterpunch.org Sà¥nia Guajajara delivered this speech to accept the 2020 Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award on behalf of the Association of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB). The Association is standing up to powerful corporations, backed by an oppressive government, to protect indigenous rights and lands — all while fighting a deadly pandemic. On October 15, award-winning author
(2020-10-20). Amy Coney Barrett, Constitutional Precedent, and the Problem of Originalism. counterpunch.org 
Supreme Court Justice nominee Amy Coney Barrett is a threat to many constitutional precedents, including Roe v. Wade (abortion rights), National Federation of Business v. Sebelius, (Obamacare), and Obergefell v. Hodges (marriage equality). It may not simply be her ideology or pre-judged opinions that pose the problem, it is her constitutional interpretive method of Originalism that is the issue.
(2020-10-20). Britannic Impunity: Torture and the UK Overseas Operations Bill. counterpunch.org 
It was praised by Michael Clarke, former Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute, as "clear and entire laudable" — at least up to a point. The UK Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill would "give [British] troops serving overseas much-needed extra protection against fraudulent or frivolous claims against them of criminal behaviour." It
(2020-10-19). Massive Rally In Support Of Sipekne'katik Harvesters, Treaty Rights. popularresistance.org Halifax, Nova Scotia – About a thousand people gathered in Grand Parade on Sunday, singing, drumming and voicing their support for Indigenous harvesters on Nova Scotia's southwestern shore, who are exercising their right to fish — outside the commercial season. | It's an assertion of treaty, constitution and court-protected rights that has cost Sipekne'katik fishers dearly since their launch of a moderate livelihood fishery in mid-September. This week, they were the target of assault, arson, vandalism, threats and intimidation.
(2020-10-19). Rule Draconia: Tories and Labor Collude in Enabling Act for State Crimes. counterpunch.org 
The Tory government (with the collusion of the Labour leadership) is ramming through one of the most draconian and tyrannical laws ever seen in an ostensible democracy, a bill that will give a wide and ever-expanding number of state agencies the power to torture, rape and kill citizens without any legal consequences. This is no rhetorical exaggeration; it is the plain fact — as that notoriously far-left commie rag, the Spectator, points out.
(2020-10-19). Iran hits out at 'fearful' US after UN arms embargo expires. middleeasteye.net 
Iran hits out at 'fearful' US after UN arms embargo expires | Tehran continues its war of words with Washington after Mike Pompeo threatened to sanction those doing arms deals with Iran now that a UN embargo has ended | Mon, 10/19/2020 – 16: 18 | Iranians visit a weaponry and military equipment exhibition in the capital Tehran in February 2019 (AFP/File photo) | Iran hit out at the United States on Monday afte…
(2020-10-19). UAE: Sexual assault allegations cast shadow on 'Orwellian' Ministry of Tolerance. middleeasteye.net 
UAE: Sexual assault allegations cast shadow on 'Orwellian' Ministry of Tolerance | Wife of former Emirati detainee says rape allegations further evidence of country's double standards on tolerance | Mon, 10/19/2020 – 12: 02 | Emirati Minister of State for Tolerance Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al-Nahyan (C) speaks to a nun during a Papal mass for an estimated 170,000 Catholics at the Zayed Sports C…
(2020-10-19). Widespread abuse revealed in Islamic schools across Sudan. middleeasteye.net 
Widespread abuse revealed in Islamic schools across Sudan | An investigation by BBC Arabic into Sudan's khalwas has revealed that thousands of boys are routinely tortured by their teachers | Mon, 10/19/2020 – 14: 42 | As many as six or seven children are often chained together as punishment at some religious schools in Sudan (Jess Kelly/BBC News) | Thousands of boys are routinely brutally beaten, shackled and…
(2020-10-19). UK parliament to probe reports UAE 'torture' chief could become head of Interpol. middleeasteye.net 
UK parliament to probe reports UAE 'torture' chief could become head of Interpol | Inquiry will hear that the global police organisation is open to manipulation by 'rogue' member states including Russia, China and the UAE | Mon, 10/19/2020 – 13: 11 | UAE security chief Nasser Ahmed al-Raisi, left, pictured in 2018 (Wikicommons) | British MPs will be told this week that Russia is a "criminal state" which is "ab…
(2020-10-19). Thai police to probe four media outlets as protests continue. peoplesdispatch.org Thailand's police announced a probe into four media outlets covering the ongoing anti-government protests on Monday, October 19. The probe was sanctioned in an order published on Friday and announced earlier today. The probe, sanctioned by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, will be conducted against four media outlets — Prachatai, The Reporters, Voice TV and The Standard — along with an online pro-protest page 'Free YOUTH'. | The order will also include a probe into more than 300,000 URLs on social media and other digital platforms that the police have identified to be in violation of Thai law…
(2020-10-19). Swedish Left opposes dilution of employment protection act. peoplesdispatch.org The Left Party, the Communist Party of Sweden, and the Communist Party have raised strong objections against the dilution of labor rights embedded in the current employment protection act…
(2020-10-19). Costa Rica: Unions Back on the Streets To Reclaim Rights. telesurenglish.net Costa Rican Unions called a march on Monday to protest against the government's intentions of imposing new taxes and the Public Employment law project that is expected to be determined on Tuesday in the Legislative Assembly. | RELATED: | The protests take place amid a so-called great national strike against President Carlos Alvarado's neoliberal initiatives, including the announcement of a $1.750 million loan from the Internatio…
(2020-10-19). Hawaii's People Recognize Voting as a Matter of Survival. telesurenglish.net A robust optic of newly registered U.S. voters is pointing to a 2020 turnout that may likely shatter all records. That holds true even for Hawaii which has traditionally one of the lowest voter turnout of any U.S. state. | RELATED: | The reason for the paltry number is rooted in the fact that, according to the UN Commissioner on Human rights, Hawaii has been a nation Illegally occupied since 1893. Many in the native Hawa…
(2020-10-19). Women March in SF for Rights and to Protest Trump. indybay.org Women protest in cities throughout US…
(2020-10-19). Tuesday 10/20: Digital Town hall: How the Amy Coney Barrett SCOTUS Nomination Threatens Ours Rights. indybay.org Online via livestream…
(2020-10-19). US imposes sanctions on Chinese companies over Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 19 (MNA) — The US has imposed Iran-related sanctions on five Hong-Kong shipping companies, one Australian entity, and one Chinese investment group.
(2020-10-19). US Iran-Related Sanctions on Chinese Entities 'Wrong Approach', Russian Envoy to UN Says. sputniknews.com UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – The United States' approach to impose sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong individuals and entities in relation to Iran's nuclear program is wrong and Russia will continue to do business with the Islamic Republic, Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy said in a statement.
(2020-10-19). Iran plots course after end of 13-year arms embargo. yenisafak.com A 13-year UN-mandated arms embargo on Iran officially expired Sunday, effectively paving the way for the sanctions-battered country to import and export conventional weapons.In a statement, Iran's Foreign Ministry called it a "momentous day for the international community," which it said has protected the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and the 2015 nuclear deal."As of today, all restrictions on the transfer of arms, related activities and financial services to and from the Islamic Republic of Iran, and all prohibitions regarding the entry into or transit through territories of the UN member states previously…
(2020-10-19). At least 56 US lawmakers urge Egypt's Sisi to release prisoners. yenisafak.com In a letter being sent to the Egyptian leader on Monday, the 55 Democrats and one Independent — Senator Bernie Sanders — said al-Sisi should free detained lawyers, activists, journalists and other prisoners of conscience amid a COVID outbreak in Egypt's prison system.Led by Democratic lawmakers Ro Khanna, Jim McGovern and Sherrod Brown, the bicameral letter urges Sisi "to immediately and unconditionally release those prisoners whose cases we have cited, and all other prisoners of conscience unjustly detained for exercising their fundamental human rights.""These are people who should never have been im…
(2020-10-19). Amid US Sanctions, Venezuelan Oil Tanker at Risk of Spilling 1.3 Million Barrels and Devastating Caribbean Ecosystems. commondreams.org The companies that own a Venezuelan oil vessel that's been positioned of the country's coast for nearly two years called on the U.S. to give a "green light" to unload 1.3 million barrels of oil after local environmental advocates expressed alarm over the recent tilted appearance of the boat. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2020-10-18). Latest UN report on Venezuela is not remotely honest (Part 2). zcomm.org On September 15, UN investigators ( the so called "Mission") published a 411 page report about the human rights situation in Venezuela.[1] Part 1 of my analysis of the report focused on its gross dishonesty about opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez. The Mission reviewed his career since 2000 but never mentioned his proud participation in coup
(2020-10-18). Egypt court releases satirist and blogger Shady Abu Zaid. middleeasteye.net 
Egypt court releases satirist and blogger Shady Abu Zaid | Cairo's Criminal Court orders release of Abu Zaid with probationary measures after more than two years in detention | Sun, 10/18/2020 – 12: 18 | Abu Zaid's release was met with jubilation and scepticism as thousands continue to languish in Egypt's jails (Screengrab/Facebook) | A Giza criminal court ordered the release of satirist and video blogge…
(2020-10-18). Belarus protests: Dozens detained by cops & rubber bullets fired during another large anti-opposition march in Minsk (VIDEOS). rt.com 
Thousands of people took to the streets of Minsk again on Sunday, as mass anti-government protests continued across the country. Sporadic scuffles erupted between demonstrators and police, with dozens reportedly detained. | The Belarusian capital has played host to weekly protests against the government of President Alexander Lukashenko, since a disputed presidential election in August. This Sunday, the procession was dubbed 'The Partisan March' by its organizers. | Tens of thousands marched through the city's center, where they repeatedly ran into cordons erected by riot police and were forced to change cours…
(2020-10-18). Structural Racism in Liberal Armor: Newsome's Veto of Domestic Workers' Rights Bill. zcomm.org "We won't stop because we are unstoppable now and we can say the domestic workers are invincible and we are strong and we will not stop until he signs SB1257 and gives us the rights we deserve as essential workers."
(2020-10-18). 'Distraction Mechanism': NYT's Crocodile Tears Over Iran Sanctions. popularresistance.org What seems to be a compassionate plea for mercy from Washington by a major US newspaper is actually just a furthering of the US propaganda war against Iran that's responsible for the strangling sanctions that frustrate its ability to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, a doctor and activist told Sputnik. | An op-ed by the New York Times Editorial Board on Tuesday urged: "Iran's Covid-19 Death Toll Is Rising. Show Mercy, Mr. Trump." However, while the article noted the extensive and deliberate damage US President Donald Trump's "maximum pressure" policies toward Tehran have had…
(2020-10-18). Security Resources for Anarchists and Activists. indybay.org Federal regulations state that government agencies "May not investigate U.S. persons or collect or maintain information about them solely for the purpose of monitoring activities protected by the First Amendment or the lawful exercise of other rights secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States". – But the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Anti-Terrorism Office (JBLMATO) is ignoring the law and still spying on you!
(2020-10-18). Iran "Resistance" strategy defeats US " Maximum Pressure" en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 18 (MNA) — Ali Rabiei noted, "Pushing back sanctions, reducing the effects of sanctions and increasing social resistance were the strategies of the Islamic Republic of Iran to overcome the US policy of maximum pressure."
(2020-10-18). Thais want Coalition gov't to sanction Thai dictatorship. greenleft.org.au Thai democracy activists took to streets after the violent police attack on a peaceful mass democracy protest in Bangkok, reports Peter Boyle.
(2020-10-17). Persecuting Assange Is A Blow To Reporting And Human Rights Advocacy. popularresistance.org If it were not for a tiny handful of journalists—ShadowProof's Kevin Gosztola preeminent among them—Americans might be utterly unaware that a London magistrate, for the last month, has been considering nothing less than whether journalists have a right to publish information the US government doesn't want them to. Not whether outlets can leak classified information, but whether they can publish that information on, as in the case of Wikileaks, US war crimes and torture and assorted malfeasance to do with, for instance, the war on Afghanistan, which just entered its 19th year, with zero US corporate me…
(2020-10-17). Unelected Bolivian govt detains, doxxes, threatens international observers on eve of election. thegrayzone.com Bolivia's unelected transitional administration has repeatedly threatened international electoral observers, detained monitors from Argentina in the airport, and shared the private information of Spanish supervisors with a far-right activist. By Ben Norton LA PAZ, BOLIVIA — On the eve of Bolivia's first election since a violent November 2019 military takeover that removed President Evo Morales from office, the unelected de facto government has detained, doxxed, and threatened international electoral observers. On October 16, Bolivia's migration department shared the private information …
(2020-10-17). Minneapolis protest demands legalization for immigrants. fightbacknews.org Minneapolis, MN – Around 100 people marched through downtown Minneapolis, October 14, from Senator Amy Klobuchar's office to the Hennepin County Jail. The march was part of an ongoing campaign by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) demanding legalization for all immigrants including those eligible for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), TPS (Temporary Protected Status), and DED (Deferred Enforced Departure) status. More than a million immigrants that hold these statuses are in increasing danger of deportation because of recent court rulings that open the door to the Trump administra…
(2020-10-17). Iran claims victory over US as UN arms embargo expires. rt.com 
Iran's foreign ministry has declared the victory of "multilateralism, peace and security", claiming the UN's conventional arms embargo effectively expired on October 18, despite Washington's pressure to reimpose sanctions. | "As of today, all restrictions on the transfer of arms, related activities and financial services to and from The Islamic Republic of Iran, and all prohibitions regarding the entry or transit through territories of the United Nations Member States previously imposed on a number of Iranian citizens and military officials, are all automatically terminated," Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a…
(2020-10-17). Black Civil Rights Leaders Fear Barrett "Invites a Return to a Racist Past" truthout.org After four days of confirmation hearings, Black leaders of five major civil rights organizations are lining up in opposition to the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme court and the "deeply flawed" process Senate Republicans are using to secure her confirmation just weeks ahead of a contentious presidential election. | Testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Kristen Clarke, president of the National Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law, said Barrett…
(2020-10-17). Argentinean Lawmaker Released After Being Arrested in Bolivia. telesurenglish.net Lawmaker Federico Fagioli, who is part of the Argentine delegation to observe the presidential elections in Bolivia, was released this Saturday hours after being detained upon his arrival at the airport in El Alto. | RELATED: | Fagioli, is safe at the Argentine embassy in La Paz after being mistreated by Bolivian police. | Political actors denounced on social media the arrest of Fagioli and the mistreatment…
(2020-10-17). Bolivian security forces detain Argentine deputy Federico Fagioli. peoplesdispatch.org The deputy from Frente de Todos coalition in Argentina was detained at the airport in El Alto by immigration officials, police and unidentified individuals and taken to a detention center in the airport…
(2020-10-17). Chile To Mark First Anniversary Of Its Social Outbreak. popularresistance.org Chile's Constituent Unity Pact (CUP) called on citizens to commemorate the first anniversary of the social outbreak with pot-banging, honking, cycling, caravans, and cultural activities. | "Although the best way to remember this date will be to take part in the plebiscite, the people will also take to the streets peacefully," the CUP stated. | On Sunday, a massive rally is expected in "The Dignity Square," which has been the epicenter of demonstrations in Santiago City. | "In the last year, over a million Chileans have taken to the streets to demand their rights."
(2020-10-17). Tehran Declares Arms Embargo Lifted, Iran Free to Procure, Export Arms as Sees Fit. sputniknews.com In 2015, Iran signed the JCPOA with China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and the European Union, requiring Iran to scale back its nuclear program and severely downgrade its uranium reserves in exchange for sanctions relief, including lifting the arms embargo five years after the deal's adoption.
(2020-10-17). Critics Say Deregulatory Rush Shows Even If Defeated the Trump White House Willing to 'Scorch the Earth Before They Go'. commondreams.org From bomb trains to biometrics to workers' rights, the administration is pushing for last-minute rollbacks that could prove hard for its successor to overturn. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2020-10-16). Preserving Roe: West Virginia Mom Tells Abortion Story in Heartfelt Speech Against Amy Coney Barrett. democracynow.org 
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony this week from Crystal Good, who spoke about her experience of having an abortion and expressed concerns that Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation to the Supreme Court would limit access to safe, affordable care. During three days of hearings, Judge Barrett has repeatedly refused to answer questions about her views on abortion and the future of Roe v. Wade, despite her public record opposing reproductive rights. "If confirmed, Judge Barrett will be a fifth vote to eviscerate the important protections that have been afforded by Roe v. Wade," says Kristen Clarke, president…
(2020-10-16). Deeply Troubling: Kristen Clarke on How Rush to Confirm Barrett Endangers Voting & Civil Rights. democracynow.org 
The Senate confirmation hearing for President Trump's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett ended Thursday with Republicans on the Judiciary Committee scheduling a vote on her nomination for October 22, with a full Senate vote to follow shortly thereafter — less than two weeks before the presidential election, in which the Supreme Court could play a decisive role. The right-wing judge's confirmation looks all but assured, after four rushed days of questioning in which Barrett refused to state her position on abortion rights, gay marriage, the Affordable Care Act, voting rights, climate change, and even if…
(2020-10-16). Dark Money & Barrett Nomination: The Link Between Big Polluters & the War on ACA, Roe & LGBT Rights. democracynow.org 
During confirmation hearings this week for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island opted not to ask the judge any questions. Instead, he gave a 30-minute presentation on how right-wing groups, including the Federalist Society and Judicial Crisis Network, use dark money to shape the nation's judiciary. We air excerpts from his presentation and get reaction from Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
(2020-10-16). ICE is Trying to Deport My Husband While I Treat COVID Patients. aclu.org 
I work as a registered nurse in an intensive care unit in Southern California. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, I've been working alongside my colleagues as we try to save the lives of the sickest patients and comfort their families. The hours have been long, and we have all seen more than our share of sorrow., , Fortunately, for most of the pandemic I had my husband to lean on. It was comforting to know that while I was in the unit, he was at home caring for our two young children and that when I came home he would be there to support me., , That changed in July, when ICE detained him during a routine check…
(2020-10-16). After 55 years of repression Indonesian workers, youth take to streets. workers.org 
Thousands of workers and students marched and rallied in Indonesia on Oct. 7 to protest a new antilabor law. "Labor rights activists, workers and students are protesting Indonesia's new labor law they say will undermine pay and benefits, as well as the environment. The law is part of the president's . . . |
(2020-10-16). Amnesty urges participants at W20 Saudi summit to speak out for human rights. middleeasteye.net 
Amnesty urges participants at W20 Saudi summit to speak out for human rights | Rights groups says G20 women's summit is chance to hold Riyadh accountable for its treatment of women's rights activists | Fri, 10/16/2020 – 18: 17 | Loujain al-Hathloul, Nobel prize-nominated activist, has allegedly been tortured while in prison (AFP/File photo) | Amnesty International has urged participants at this year's Women 20…
(2020-10-16). Joe Biden says young children who decide they 'want to be transgender' should face 'zero discrimination'. rt.com 
Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden suggested that children as young as eight-years-old should be allowed to change their gender identity if they decide they "want to be transgender." | The comment came on Thursday night at an election town hall hosted by ABC News, where a woman who said one of her two daughters is transgender asked Biden what he would do to protect LGBTQ rights. The former vice president said, "I will flat out just change the law." He then told a story about seeing two gay men kissing each other and being told by his father, "Joey, it's simple, they love each other." | Biden next turned…
(2020-10-16). 'Don't get yourselves caught': How the British state allowed its secret agents to commit crime. middleeasteye.net 
'Don't get yourselves caught': How the British state allowed its secret agents to commit crime | Fri, 10/16/2020 – 22: 39 | The Covert Human Intelligence Sources Bill marks the UK government's latest attempt to permit its intelligence and security agencies to break the law lawfully | In the early months of 2011, as Muammar Gaddafi and the people around him fought for their lives, significant numbers of youn…
(2020-10-16). West Virginia Mom Tells Her Abortion Story in Speech Against Amy Coney Barrett. truthout.org The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony this week from Crystal Good, who spoke about her experience of having an abortion and expressed concerns that Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation to the Supreme Court would limit access to safe, affordable care. During three days of hearings, Judge Barrett has repeatedly refused to answer questions about her views on abortion and the future of Roe v. Wade, despite her public record opposing reproductive rights. "If confirmed, Judge Barrett will be a…
(2020-10-16). Victory for Cuba at the UN Human Rights Council. globalresearch.ca Today Cuba obtained a new and resounding victory in the UN Human Rights Council, gaining election to the body for the 2021-2023 period. | Despite the aggressive campaign by the United States against the Cuban candidacy for the Council, the General …
(2020-10-16). FCC Head and Internet's Most Hated Man Ajit Pai Just Vowed to Kill First Amendment Rights Online. mintpressnews.com FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has vowed to reinterpret Section 230 of the Communications Act on President Trump's orders in a move that threatens to curb what's left of Americans' first amendment rights online.
(2020-10-16). Structural Racism in Liberal Armor: Newsome's Veto Domestic Workers' Rights Bill. counterpunch.org On Thursday October 1st, self-professed Liberal Governor Gavon Newsome vetoed SB 1257, the Health and Safety for All Workers Act. The governor's action, say advocates for the three-hundred thousand domestic workers directly impacted by the veto, is reckless and racist at its very core. The workers are overwhelming women of color, already living at the