Monthly Archives: December 2020

2020-12-21: News Headlines

Ahmad Jalalpour (2020-12-21). Iran Is Nearing Collapse Under the Strain of Covid-19. thenation.com Iran Is Nearing Collapse Under the Strain of Covid-19…

Staff (2020-12-21). Mothers Are Pushing to Free Their Children From Prison During COVID. truthout.org "Mom and Pop's, | I could no longer breathe too good. So I alerted the med tech. I was tested for COVID-19 and it came back positive. Right now, I'm in the south house in a cell by myself. I love you guys very much." | This is an email that no parent should ever have to read. Matthew Echevarria — a survivor of Chicago police torture who was convicted of a crime he did not commit — sent this email to his parents Denise and Brian Bronis from Menard Correctional Center where he is currently i…

_____ (2020-12-21). Ex-UK Ambassador On Syria And Propaganda. popularresistance.org Former UK ambassador to Syria Peter Ford on how the US and its allies continue to wage war on Syria via sadistic sanctions, an illegal US military occupation, the OPCW cover-up, and media propaganda that masks the brutality. | Syria and its allies prevented regime change, but the US and its allies are continuing to squeeze Syria's population with crippling sanctions on all aspects of civilian life and a US military occupation in Syria's northeast breadbasket. Peter Ford, the former UK Ambassador to Syria, analyzes the state of the Syria proxy war and the ongoing propaganda campaign to whitewash it.

Medea Benjamin, Marcy Winograd (2020-12-21). No, Joe, Don't Roll out the Red Carpet for Torture Enablers. commondreams.org We need political leaders and intelligence community officials who acknowledge that torture is illegal under international law, inhumane, and ineffective. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Alan Macleod (2020-12-21). Trump Enacts Sweeping New Sanctions on China, Iran, Venezuela. Biden Promises More To Come. mintpressnews.com The new sanctions come even as an estimated 100,000 people have been killed by American sanctions in Venezuela alone as vital medical equipment and lifesaving drugs have been blocked from entering the country.

Peoples Dispatch (2020-12-21). Feminist organizations demand abortion rights in Dominican Republic. peoplesdispatch.org During his election campaign, newly elected President Luis Abinader promised to support abortion rights. However, the president of the chamber of deputies from Abinader's party proposed to draft a new penal code without including them…

Niko Harting (2020-12-21). "Health is not a Super basic right" indybay.org What has to change with regard to the handling of our fundamental rights from a legal, but also from a political point of view? The federal government's Corona policy is not without alternatives, and it has by no means always been successful, as the unsuccessful "partial lockdown" has shown. Nor is there "science" that agrees on necessary measures; there are also many critical voices among medical experts.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-20). Iran performed better than Europe in fight against COVID-19. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 20 (MNA) — Chief of General Staff of Iranian Armed Forces says Iran, in comparison to European countries who are not under the US sanctions, performed better in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic in recent 10 months.

Aaron Maté (2020-12-20). Ex-UK ambassador: War on Syria continues with US occupation, sanctions, propaganda. thegrayzone.com Former UK ambassador to Syria Peter Ford on how the US and its allies continue to wage war on Syria via sadistic sanctions, an illegal US military occupation, the OPCW cover-up, and media propaganda that masks the brutality. Syria and its allies prevented regime change, but the US and its allies are continuing to squeeze Syria's population with crippling sanctions on all aspects of civilian life and a US military occupation in Syria's northeast breadbasket. Peter Ford, the former UK …

Pip Hinman (2020-12-20). Vigil for Muhammad — Malaysian student dies in detention. greenleft.org.au Activists organised a vigil for a young Malaysian student who died in the Villawood detention centre, reports Stephen Langford.

RT (2020-12-19). Men & women in Panama obliged to do Christmas shopping ON DIFFERENT DAYS, officials announce, amid complaints over trans rights. rt.com Panama is about to reinstate nationwide movement restrictions by ordering men and women to do Christmas shopping on different days, in an attempt to stem the spread of the coronavirus, the health minister announced. | "As of Monday 21, with the aim of reducing mobility, purchases will be made by gender," Luis Sucre, Panama's health minister, said in a televised address on Friday. On Christmas Day and New Year's Day, there will be total quarantine across the country for men and women alike, he added. | The announcement came after the Central American state set daily records for the number of Covid-19 infections…

Ricardo Vaz (2020-12-19). US Sanctions Venezuelan Electoral Technology Company. venezuelanalysis.com Ex-Cle Soluciones Biometricas has provided software in voting processes.

Binoy Kampmark (2020-12-18). Abuse on the Mainland: Australia's Medevac Hotel Detentions. counterpunch.org Governments that issue press releases about the abuse of human rights tend to avoid close gazes at the mirror. Doing so would be telling. In the case of Australia, its record on dealing with refugees is both abysmal and cruel. It tends to be easier to point the finger at national security laws in Hong

Special to People's World (2020-12-18). Remembering protest singer Phil Ochs on his 80th birthday. peoplesworld.org For those not fortunate enough to recall, Phil Ochs was one of our nation's most profound singer/songwriters in the period that bridged the Civil Rights, antiwar, and feminist movements. He was born on December 19, 1940: This week, he would have been 80 years old. His topical songs called for peace and an equitable society. They called for …

teleSUR (2020-12-18). El Salvador: Parliament Orders Dismissal of Police Chief Arriaza. telesurenglish.net El Salvador's Parliament on Thursday requested the resignation of Defense Minister Francis Merino and approved the dismissal of the National Police Director Mauricio Arriaza for his implication in the military takeover of the Parliament's facilities in February. | RELATED: | Arriaza was accused of human rights violations committed by the Police, which pressured Salvadoran lawmakers to approve a US$109 million loan fr…

news.un (2020-12-18). UN rights experts 'deeply troubled' by impunity for killing of Palestinian children. news.un.org UN independent human rights experts, on Thursday, called for an impartial and independent investigation into the killing of a 15-year-old child by Israeli security forces at a West Bank protest this month.

Direct Action Everywhere (2020-12-18). Community Food Serve. indybay.org Join us on Sunday December 20th to hand out food, water, and blankets to our houseless neighbors in need. | Please message us for the exact address if you are planning to join us! | — | Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) is a grassroots network of animal rights activists. Through open rescue, demonstration, and disruption, we are creating a world where every animal is safe, happy and free. | DxE cultivates a welcoming and supportive community. We ask that all those who attend our events (online and offline) respect our Code of Conduct which can be reviewed at dxe.io/conduct | To learn about our vision, goals, strat…

Greg Hyver (2020-12-18). Free Speech Protest in Downtown Santa Cruz. indybay.org Watch the free speech protest held on Church Street on December 11th in downtown Santa Cruz, challenging for city of 1st and 14th Amendment rights violations. Also, recently published survey results of Santa Cruz County residents on political issues ranging from their media to Black Lives Matter. Eye-opening.

commondreams (2020-12-18). Apple Suppressing Human Rights Critics, Shareholders Warn. commondreams.org ______________________________…

2020-12-20: News Headlines

Aaron Maté (2020-12-20). Ex-UK Ambassador: war on Syria continues with US occupation, sanctions, propaganda. thegrayzone.com Peter Ford, the former UK Ambassador to Syria, on how the US and its allies continue to wage war on Syria via sadistic sanctions, an illegal US military occupation, the OPCW cover-up, and media propaganda that masks the brutality. Syria and its allies prevented regime change, but the US and its allies are continuing to squeeze Syria's population with crippling sanctions on all aspects of civilian life and a US military occupation in Syria's northeast breadbasket. Peter Ford, the former …

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-20). Iran performed better than Europe in fight against COVID-19. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 20 (MNA) — Chief of General Staff of Iranian Armed Forces says Iran, in comparison to European countries who are not under the US sanctions, performed better in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic in recent 10 months.

_____ (2020-12-20). Canada Will Violate Human Rights If It Extradites Huawei Executive To The US. popularresistance.org Lawyers for Meng Wanzhou, a top executive of Huawei, argued that the Canadian government would violate international law if it extradites her to the United States. | The Canadian national media outlet CBC reported this Saturday that, according to new documents presented on Friday by Meng's defense before the court in Vancouver (southwest Canada), the alleged actions of their client "have no connection" with the United States. | Meng's defense, in its latest attempt to prevent her extradition to the United States, denied Washington's jurisdiction to indict a Chinese national for her activities outside of US soil,…

Ricardo Vaz (2020-12-19). US Sanctions Venezuelan Electoral Technology Company. venezuelanalysis.com Ex-Cle Soluciones Biometricas has provided software in voting processes.

RT (2020-12-19). Men & women in Panama obliged to do Christmas shopping ON DIFFERENT DAYS, officials announce, amid complaints over trans rights. rt.com Panama is about to reinstate nationwide movement restrictions by ordering men and women to do Christmas shopping on different days, in an attempt to stem the spread of the coronavirus, the health minister announced. | "As of Monday 21, with the aim of reducing mobility, purchases will be made by gender," Luis Sucre, Panama's health minister, said in a televised address on Friday. On Christmas Day and New Year's Day, there will be total quarantine across the country for men and women alike, he added. | The announcement came after the Central American state set daily records for the number of Covid-19 infections…

teleSUR (2020-12-18). Brazil's Supreme Court Orders Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination. telesurenglish.net Brazil's Supreme Court (STF) on Thursday approved mandatory vaccination against COVID-19, while allowing subnational governments to sanction people who do not get vaccinated. | RELATED: | By a ruling 10 votes in favor and one against, STF judges also rejected an appeal to free parents from vaccinating their children on philosophical, religious, or existential grounds. | Judge Kassio Nunes Marques, who was appointe…

Brett Wilkins, staff writer (2020-12-18). Investigative Reporting Details Massacres, Reign of Terror by US-Backed Death Squads in Afghanistan. commondreams.org The Americans, said the head of one provincial government, "step on all the rules of war, human rights, all the things they said they'd bring to Afghanistan," and are "conducting themselves as terrorists." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Binoy Kampmark (2020-12-18). Abuse on the Mainland: Australia's Medevac Hotel Detentions. counterpunch.org Governments that issue press releases about the abuse of human rights tend to avoid close gazes at the mirror. Doing so would be telling. In the case of Australia, its record on dealing with refugees is both abysmal and cruel. It tends to be easier to point the finger at national security laws in Hong

Special to People's World (2020-12-18). Remembering protest singer Phil Ochs on his 80th birthday. peoplesworld.org For those not fortunate enough to recall, Phil Ochs was one of our nation's most profound singer/songwriters in the period that bridged the Civil Rights, antiwar, and feminist movements. He was born on December 19, 1940: This week, he would have been 80 years old. His topical songs called for peace and an equitable society. They called for …

Peoples Dispatch (2020-12-18). Killing of 15-year-old by Israel is a "grave violation of international law", says UN human rights office. peoplesdispatch.org On December 4, Israeli occupation forces killed a 15-year-old Palestinian boy, Ali Abu Alia, during a protest in the occupied West Bank against the building of an illegal Israeli settlement…

Greg Hyver (2020-12-18). Free Speech Protest in Downtown Santa Cruz. indybay.org Watch the free speech protest held on Church Street on December 11th in downtown Santa Cruz, challenging for city of 1st and 14th Amendment rights violations. Also, recently published survey results of Santa Cruz County residents on political issues ranging from their media to Black Lives Matter. Eye-opening.

Direct Action Everywhere (2020-12-18). Community Food Serve. indybay.org Join us on Sunday December 20th to hand out food, water, and blankets to our houseless neighbors in need. | Please message us for the exact address if you are planning to join us! | — | Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) is a grassroots network of animal rights activists. Through open rescue, demonstration, and disruption, we are creating a world where every animal is safe, happy and free. | DxE cultivates a welcoming and supportive community. We ask that all those who attend our events (online and offline) respect our Code of Conduct which can be reviewed at dxe.io/conduct | To learn about our vision, goals, strat…

commondreams (2020-12-18). Apple Suppressing Human Rights Critics, Shareholders Warn. commondreams.org ______________________________…

news.un (2020-12-18). Thailand: UN rights office deeply troubled by treason charges for protestors. news.un.org Thailand's decision to charge protestors with treason is deeply troubling, the UN Human Rights Office, OHCHR, said on Friday following the arrest of at least 35 activists, including a teenager, in recent weeks.

MEE staff (2020-12-17). 'Intentional lethal force': UN experts slam Israel for killing Palestinian child. middleeasteye.net 'Intentional lethal force': UN experts slam Israel for killing Palestinian child | The fatal shooting of 15-year-old Ali Abu Aliya a 'grave violation of international law', says UN Human Rights Office | Thu, 12/17/2020 – 19: 36 | The experts called for a transparent investigation into the killing of Ali Abu Aliya (Photo supplied) | United Nations experts have condemned the Israeli military for killing a Palest…

Umar A Farooq (2020-12-17). Coalition of groups criticise OIC for failing to condemn China's treatment of Uighurs. middleeasteye.net Coalition of groups criticise OIC for failing to condemn China's treatment of Uighurs | One hundred and forty rights and advocacy groups are calling on Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to demand accountability and transparency from Beijing | Thu, 12/17/2020 – 19: 55 | Despite protests from Uighurs outside of China, many Muslim-majority countries have remained silent on China's rights violations…

Ed Rampell (2020-12-17). Nasrin Sotoudeh, Iran's Courtroom Gladiator, for the Defense. progressive.org A stirring new documentary captures the fight for women's rights in the Islamic Republic.

WSWS (2020-12-17). Report details widespread illegal extraction of smartphone data by US law enforcement. wsws.org An extensive report from Upturn, a nonprofit civil rights organization, shows that law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels are each day routinely extracting smartphone data in violation of the Fourth Amendment's guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures.

sputniknews (2020-12-17). 'No Doubt': Iran's Rouhani Says US Will Rejoin 2015 Nuclear Deal, Lift Sanctions Under Biden. sputniknews.com Under the Trump administration, the US withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), arguing that Iran had violated its terms and that the deal was not beneficial. The move reimposed sanctions lifted under the deal and was one of many decisions by the administration that heightened tensions with the Middle Eastern country.