(2021-02-07). China Detaining Millions of Uyghurs? Serious Problems With Claims by US-Backed NGO and Researcher 'LED by God' Against Beijing. anti-empire.com 
Text is from December 2019. | The US House of Representatives passed the To drum up support for the sanctions bill, Western governments and media outlets have portrayed the People's Republic as a human rights violator on par with Nazi Germany. Republican Rep. Chris S…
(2021-02-07). Jailed Saudi teen Ali al-Nimr has death sentence commuted to 10 years in prison. middleeasteye.net 
Jailed Saudi teen Ali al-Nimr has death sentence commuted to 10 years in prison | Rights group Reprieve welcomes the news but calls for others imprisoned as minors to receive similar treatment | Sun, 02/07/2021 – 14: 11 | Ali al-Nimr, a Saudi youth facing the death penalty for taking part in pro-reform protests, posing for a photo at an unknown location (AFP) | Saudi Arabia has commuted the deat…
(2021-02-07). BAP Solidarity Network Demands Biden End War In Afghanistan. popularresistance.org In response to the Biden administration suggesting it will not complete the withdrawal of U.S. forces, per the Doha Agreement of February 2020, the Black Alliance for Peace Solidarity Network demands the United States end the war in Afghanistan. | The BAP Solidarity Network, comprised of non-African/Black people and organizations who support BAP's anti-imperialist mission, released a petition today, calling on everyone committed to peace, human rights and common sense, to demand Biden re-start peace talks; immediately withdraw all U.S. forces, private contractors, and other mercenaries; close all U.S. bases; and…
(2021-02-07). St. Louis Inmates Take Over Units After Weeks Of Complaints. popularresistance.org More than 100 inmates at the St. Louis City Justice Center took over two units of the jail early this morning, shattering fourth-floor windows and setting small fires as they called out jubilantly to a crowd of supporters who gathered on the street below. | The uprising began around 2: 30 a.m., and detainees held control of the units for more than six hours before teams of city sheriff's deputies and police regained custody. | For weeks, tensions have been high at the downtown jail. Inmates staged two protests in late December and early January to complain about COVID-19 protocols and other conditions in the facil…
(2021-02-07). Biden puts US in standoff with Iran, says sanctions won't be lifted until country stops enriching uranium. rt.com 
In a new excerpt from his pre-Super Bowl interview, President Joe Biden made it clear there is no chance of the US lifting sanctions on Iran unless they "stop enriching uranium first," a step Tehran is not willing to take. | Biden's stance puts him at odds with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said before the US president's comments aired that the US must lift all sanctions if it wants Iran to "return to its commitments." | "It must lift all sanctions in practice, then we will do verification … then we will return to our commitments," he stated, according to local media. | Also on rt.com…
(2021-02-07). School faces backlash after allowing kids to 'opt out' of Black History Month to 'exercise their civil rights'. rt.com 
A Utah charter school is facing a major backlash after it was revealed to be allowing parents to opt their students out of lessons relating to Black History Month. | In a letter sent to families by Maria Montessori Academy Director Micah Hirokawa, the school said complaints from a handful of families had led to them offering the decision for everyone to "exercise their civil rights to not participate in Black History Month at the school." | Hirokawa wrote in a Facebook post over the weekend that the demands from the few complaining parents "deeply saddens and disappoints me." | The school, which has a majorit…
(2021-02-07). Joe Biden says no lifting of Iran sanctions before talks. middleeasteye.net 
Joe Biden says no lifting of Iran sanctions before talks | Tehran has previously called for the lifting of sanctions before it returns to the 2015 nuclear accords | Sun, 02/07/2021 – 15: 52 | US President Joe Biden makes his way to board Air Force One before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on 5 February 2021 (AFP) | US President Joe Biden said he would not lift sanctions…
(2021-02-07). No return to nuclear deal before Iran sanctions lifted, says Khamenei. middleeasteye.net 
No return to nuclear deal before Iran sanctions lifted, says Khamenei | Supreme Leader says US needs to 'completely lift sanctions… not just on paper' before any return to 2015 deal | Sun, 02/07/2021 – 10: 08 | Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivering a speech in front of air force commanders on 7 February, days ahead of the 42nd anniversary marking the victory of the Isla…
(2021-02-07). Flames of protests against Kremlin burn behind bars. laprensalatina.com Zakharova, Russia, Feb 7 (efe-epa).- Bags of cigarettes, sachets of tea and boxes of cookies are piled up in the snow in front of the detention center. They are for demonstrators who were detained in the mass protests in favor of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The demonstrations have stopped, but the discontent of these young …
(2021-02-07). Iranian nation 'serious' in overcoming sanctions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 07 (MNA) — Noting that the arrangement of the Iranian nation to overcome the sanctions and the enemies is serious, IRGC Chief Commander said, "Iranian youth have managed to stand on their own feet to bury the wishes of the enemies."
(2021-02-07). Suu Kyi's party asks world not to recognize military junta. yenisafak.com Myanmar's former ruling party on Sunday called on the UN and international community not to recognize the State Administrative Council formed following a military coup in the country.Established on Feb. 2 following the detention of scores of government officials, the council, led by commander-in-chief of the armed forces, is the executive body currently governing the country.The National League for Democracy (NLD), led by ousted State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, who was among those detained during the coup, released a statement on Sunday calling on the UN and the international community not to recognize the milit…
(2021-02-07). India: UN rights office urges 'maximum restraint' in ongoing protests. news.un.org The United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) has called on authorities and protesters in India to "exercise maximum restraint" amidst ongoing protests by farmers.
(2021-02-07). Biden: US won't lift sanctions unless Iran stops enriching uranium. laprensalatina.com Washington, Feb 7 (efe-epa).- President Joe Biden confirmed that he will not lift sanctions on Tehran unless the Islamic government there stops enriching uranium, according to an excerpt of an interview that CBS will air later on Sunday. When questioned by the interviewer whether the US will first lift sanctions on Iran to entice it …
(2021-02-07). Myanmar internet blockade continues amid new demonstrations. laprensalatina.com Update 1: Adds detail about number of detainees, internet usage Yangon, Myanmar, Feb 7 (efe-epa).- Myanmar continued Sunday with the nationwide internet blockade imposed by the military junta that launched a coup earlier in the week, as demonstrations protesting the putsch continued in Yangon. The outage, ordered the day earlier, does not affect national and …
(2021-02-07). Egyptian student Ahmed Samir Santawy remanded to 15 days in prison. peoplesdispatch.org Ahmed Samir Santawy, a student of the Central European University (CEU) in Vienna, was detained by the police in Cairo on February 1, leading to an international outcry…
(2021-02-06). Citizen Scientists Are Filling Research Gaps. popularresistance.org The rapid spread of COVID-19 in 2020 disrupted field research and environmental monitoring efforts worldwide. Travel restrictions and social distancing forced scientists to cancel studies or pause their work for months. These limits measurably reduced the accuracy of weather forecasts and created data gaps on issues ranging from bird migration to civil rights in U.S. public schools. | Our work relies on this kind of information to track seasonal events in nature and understand how climate change is affecting them. We also recruit and train citizens for community science — projects that involve amateur or vo…
(2021-02-06). Republicans Have Already Introduced Over 100 Voter Suppression Bills This Year. truthout.org 
Since former President Donald Trump failed to reverse the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, Republicans in more than two dozen states have introduced over 100 bills to restrict voting access, an alarming development that voting rights advocates have pointed to as yet another reason for Democrats to
(2021-02-06). Iran again warns US of dangers in delaying return to nuclear deal. middleeasteye.net 
Iran again warns US of dangers in delaying return to nuclear deal | Foreign minister says December legislation passed in parliament, dominated by hardliners, set a two-month deadline for the easing of sanctions | Sat, 02/06/2021 – 20: 17 | "We don't need to return to the negotiating table. It's America that has to find the ticket to come to the table,' said Mohammad Javad Zarif (AFP) | Ira…
(2021-02-06). Who Controls American Imperialism? strategic-culture.org America does most of the entire world's invasions and coups and sanctions. This has been the case ever since 1945, Eric Zuesse writes. | U.S. imperialism is a fact, which the U.S. Government always denies. However, U.S. President Barack Obama implicitly 'justified' it when he
(2021-02-06). Biden weighs easing pressure on Iran without lifting sanction. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 06 (MNA) — Biden administration is reportedly weighing ways to ease financial pressure on Iran without lifting economic sanctions including on oil sales.
(2021-02-06). Over 45 Palestinians arrested by Israel in January: NGOs. yenisafak.com Israeli forces rounded up 456 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank in January, according to Palestinian organizations that monitor the conditions of Palestinian prisoners.Ninety-three minors and eight women were among those detained last month, the Palestinian Authority's Prisoners' Affairs Commission, the Palestinian Prisoner Society, the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, and the Wadi Hilweh Information Center said in a joint statement.According to the statement, 105 administrative detention orders were carried out by occupation authorities, including 30 new orders along with the extensio…
(2021-02-06). EU keeps PKK on terrorism list. yenisafak.com The European Union on Friday renewed its terrorist list for a further six months.The sanctions list features 14 persons and 21 entities or groups, including the PKK and Dalokay Sanli, a senior figure of the terrorist group.Terrorist organizations DHKP/C, IBDA-C, and TAK — a PKK offshoot — are also on the list.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — also listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey and the US — has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.In order to combat terrorism, the bloc freezes the funds and financial a…
(2021-02-06). At least 456 Palestinians arrested by Israel in January: NGOs. yenisafak.com Israeli forces rounded up 456 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank in January, according to Palestinian organizations that monitor the conditions of Palestinian prisoners.Ninety-three minors and eight women were among those detained last month, the Palestinian Authority's Prisoners' Affairs Commission, the Palestinian Prisoner Society, the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, and the Wadi Hilweh Information Center said in a joint statement.According to the statement, 105 administrative detention orders were carried out by occupation authorities, including 30 new orders along with the extensio…
(2021-02-06). Myanmar: Respect right to peaceful assembly, UN human rights office says. news.un.org The United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) on Saturday called on the security forces in Myanmar to ensure that people's right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and that demonstrations are not subjected to reprisals.
(2021-02-06). Standing Rock Lakota Youth Call For Biden To Shut Down Dakota Access Pipeline. popularresistance.org Standing Rock – Today, Lakota youth from the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River tribal nations announced a plan to run over 93 miles back to the Oceti Sakowin Camp site to call on President Biden to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). The youth are asking for everyone who stood with Standing Rock four years ago to participate by uploading their own #NoDAPL | The oil pipeline poses a grave threat to the safety and sanctity of the tribes' water, hunting and fishing rights, and cultural and religious practices. Federal courts have sided with the tribes on the years-long litigation and have revoked DAPL's fede…
(2021-02-06). Behind Biden's invocations of "democracy," US military prepares for nuclear war. wsws.org As Biden devoted his first foreign policy speech to invocations of "democracy" and "human rights," the head of US nuclear forces declared nuclear war "a very real possibility."
(2021-02-06). Illegal demolition of Palestinian Bedouin village condemned. peoplesdispatch.org Israeli forces demolished the village of Khirbet Humsa for the second time in four months. The rights organization B'Tselem accused Israel of trying to displace the entire Palestinian Bedouin community of the village…
(2021-02-05). The Struggle Inside Senator Mitch McConnell's Brain. counterpunch.org Since 2015, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell has ruled the Senate with an iron hand, describing himself as "the Guardian of Gridlock." He was Senator "NO," except for confirming over 200 mostly corporatist federal judges. Now comes a new challenge for Mitch McConnell as he leads 49 other Republican Senators, twenty of whom are up
(2021-02-05). Riyadh temporarily releases two Saudi-US political prisoners. middleeasteye.net 
Riyadh temporarily releases two Saudi-US political prisoners | Salah al-Haidar and Bader al-Ibrahim were detained in April 2019 and charged with terrorism-related crimes | Fri, 02/05/2021 – 10: 19 | Salah al-Haider, right, is the son of a leading women's rights activist (Screengrab) | Saudi Arabia temporarily released two Saudi-Americans on Thursday after nearly two years of detention, cam…
(2021-02-05). OCHA: "UN reiterates its call for demolitions to end and for international law to be respected" imemc.org 
Statement by Sarah Muscroft, Head of OCHA in the occupied Palestinian territory, James Heenan, Head of the UN Human Rights Office in the occupied Palestinian territory, and Lucia Elmi, UNICEF Special Representative in the State of Palestine United Nations representatives met yesterday with the Palestinian Bedouin community of Humsa al Bqai'a, in the northern Jordan …
(2021-02-05). The Streets Belong to the People — Always Have, Always Will. aclu.org "Take to the streets." These words have always held a special significance when it comes to exercising our right to protest. Throughout our history, generation after generation of activists, people, and communities have taken to our nation's public streets to make their voices heard and to protest for their rights. | But, too often, the government still tries to shut down public protests and silence our voices through violence and oppression. | Indigenous-led protests have been frequent and special targets of these suppression tactics. In 2016 and 2017, those protesting the construction of the Dakota Access Pipel…
(2021-02-05). Senior US House Democrat introduces Khashoggi Act to protect journalists. middleeasteye.net 
Senior US House Democrat introduces Khashoggi Act to protect journalists | Congressman Adam Schiff, chair of House Intelligence Committee, says legislation would 'hold to account those who would target journalists for violence and persecution' | Fri, 02/05/2021 – 15: 49 | California Congressman Adam Schiff is chair of House Intelligence Committee (AFP) | A senior US House Democrat introduced a bill on Thursday…
(2021-02-05). After Court Rules Dakota Access Pipeline Operating Illegally, Dems Demand Biden It Shut Down. commondreams.org "You can continue to show your administration values the environment and the rights of Indigenous communities more than the profits of outdated fossil fuel industries." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2021-02-05). Brewer Kirin to cut ties with Myanmar military in wake of coup. laprensalatina.com Tokyo, Feb 5 (efe-epa).- Japanese brewer Kirin Holdings announced Friday that it will end its two operations in Myanmar as a result of this week's military coup in the Southeast Asian country. Kirin said the military's actions were "against our standards and Human Rights Policy." The Japanese multinational owns 51 percent of two Myanmar operations, …
(2021-02-05). 'Downright Scary': In 2021 Alone, GOP Introduces 100+ Voter Suppression Bills in 28 States. commondreams.org "Democrats have a clear choice. They can get rid of the filibuster to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the For the People Act to stop GOP voter suppression, or they can allow the GOP to undermine democracy for the next decade." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2021-02-05). Leading Digital Rights Group Warns Section 230 Reform Bill Will Boost Big Tech While Crushing Smaller Sites. commondreams.org "This bill, as written, would have enormous unintended consequences for human rights and freedom of expression," warned Fight for the Future's Evan Greer. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2021-02-05). US responsible for Yemen destruction: HRW official. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 05 (MNA) — A Human Rights Watch official has cast doubt on the US president's intention to end US support for the war on Yemen, adding that Washington's role in destroying Yemen should not be neglected.
(2021-02-05). UN Security Council urges democratic return in Myanmar. yenisafak.com The UN Security Council voiced "deep concern" Thursday at the situation in Myanmar after the military overthrew the civilian government and jailed political and civil society leaders.The council decided what it said was the "arbitrary" detentions of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, as well as the military's unilateral imposition of a state of emergency. It called for the "immediate release" of all those swept up in military raids and urged a return to democratic norms."The members of the Security Council emphasized the need for the continued support of the democratic transition in Myanma…
(2021-02-05). Paraguay: UN rights chief calls for 'prompt, independent' probe into girl deaths and disappearance. news.un.org Following the disappearance in Paraguay of a teenage girl and killing of two 11-year-olds, the UN human rights chief has expressed her deep concern, also noting on Friday other disturbing elements of abuse against women and girls, surrounding the cases.
(2021-02-05). Filmmaker Garrett Bradley on Time in the Criminal Justice System. aclu.org When a person is sent to jail, prison, or detention, their departure triggers a ripple effect. One person's incarceration touches family members, friends, lovers — their absence can have community-wide repercussions. What happens in the space they leave behind is a central line of inquiry in filmmaker Garrett Bradley's latest work, "
(2021-02-05). Washington and Tehran: Who will make the first move? juancole.com ( Middle East Monitor) — From the outside, the heated debate between Tehran and Washington seems as though it could be summarised by the question: Which side will make the first move? Tehran wants Washington, which was responsible for violating its obligations and inflicting heavy losses on Iran, to start by lifting all additional sanctions …
(2021-02-04). WAFA: "Attorney, three minors among 25 Palestinians detained from West Bank" imemc.org 
RAMALLAH, Wednesday, February 03, 2021 (WAFA) — Israeli forces Wednesday overnight detained 25 Palestinians, including an attorney and three minors, from various parts of the occupied West Bank, according to local and security sources. They confirmed that Israeli forces detained five Palestinians, including two minors, aged 16 and 17, after ransacking their families' houses in …
(2021-02-04). Israeli Military Detains One Palestinian, Attacks Fishermen, Farmers in Gaza. imemc.org 
The Israeli occupation army opened fire at Palestinian farmers, and fishermen, on Wednesday morning, in different areas of the besieged Gaza Strip, The Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA) reported. The army opened fire with live ammunition and smoke bombs at farmlands, while farmers were present, south of Khan Younis in the southern coastal enclave, …
(2021-02-04). Tehran slams Iranian diplomat's 20-year jail term for bomb plot as 'violation of international law'. rt.com 
The 20-year jail term handed down to an Iranian diplomat by a Belgian court for his role in a foiled bomb plot is illegal and a clear violation of international law, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. | Assadolah Assadi, 49, who served as Iran's envoy in Vienna, was given the maximum sentence on Thursday in Europe's first trial of an Iranian official on terrorism charges since the Iranian revolution of 1979. | "As we have stated many times before, Assadolah Assadi's detention, the judicial process and the recent sentencing are illegal and a clear violation of international law, especially t…
(2021-02-04). PCHR: Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. imemc.org 
Summary for 28 January — 03 February 2021 Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued to commit crimes and multi-layered violations against Palestinian civilians and their properties, including raids into Palestinian cities that are characterized with excessive use of force, assault, abuse and attacks on civilians that are mostly conducted after midnight and in the early morning …
(2021-02-04). Israel razes Palestinian Bedouin village for second time. middleeasteye.net 
Israel razes Palestinian Bedouin village for second time | Rights group denounces attempt to displace entire Palestinian community from Khirbet Humsa in Jordan Valley | Thu, 02/04/2021 – 08: 20 | On Wednesday, Israeli troops accompanied by bulldozers also knocked down several steel and wooden structures in the village (Reuters) | Israel has begun demolishing a Bedouin village in the occupi…
(2021-02-04). DeRay Mckesson — Policing is the laziest response. therealnews.com 
This week, civil rights activist DeRay Mckesson highlights some alarming statistics about police violence, which continued unabated in 2020 despite nationwide protests, and recounts his years as a teacher, connecting his pedagogical practice to his calling as an activist.
(2021-02-04). The COVID-19 RT-PCR Test: How to Mislead All Humanity. Using a "Test" To Lock Down Society. globalresearch.ca The misuse of the RT-PCR technique is used as an intentional strategy by some governments, supported by scientific safety councils and by the dominant media, to justify the violation of a large number of constitutional rights, the destruction of the economy with the bankruptcy of entire active sectors of society,…
(2021-02-04). There's No Secret Chinese Hand In Myanmar's State Of Emergency. thealtworld.com The People's Republic isn't involved in the Tatmadaw's state of emergency, but falsely claiming otherwise is yet another attempt by self-interested forces to pressure Biden into continuing Trump's anti-Chinese policies. | American media has gone wild speculating about a secret Chinese hand in Myanmar's recent decision to announce a year-long state of emergency. The country's military, known as the Tatmadaw, detained members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) on Monday in response to what it claimed was their refusal to seriously consider its concerns about November's contested elections. The Tatmadaw lega…
(2021-02-04). Migrant Deportations Continue Despite Biden's Policies. popularresistance.org The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to deport migrants despite president Joe Biden's 100-day moratorium on deporting most people in the U.S. without authorization. This decision was barred by a federal judge in Texas last week. | During the first days of Biden's administration, ICE has deported hundreds of immigrants, including 269 people, to Guatemala and Honduras last Friday. The agency has been accused of violating human rights as a coalition of immigrant groups denounced that Cameroonian asylum seekers were tortured to be forced to approve their deportations.