Monthly Archives: February 2021

2021-02-12: News Headlines

Human Rights Watch (2021-02-12). Saudi Arabia releases Women's Rights Activist Loujain al-Hathloul but Bans her Travel. juancole.com (Beirut) — Saudi authorities released from prison the prominent women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul on February 10, 2021, Human Rights Watch said today. However, she is banned from travel and has a suspended sentence, which allows the authorities to return her to prison at any time for any perceived criminal activity. In late December 2020, …

Jeremy Ross (2021-02-12). Dozens of Prominent Organizations and Academics Press Biden on Human Rights in Brazil. counterpunch.org Last week, the US Network for Democracy in Brazil (USNDB) delivered a white paper to the Biden White House, its "Recommendations on Brazil to President Biden and the New Administration." The wide-ranging document, covering issues such as the environment, human rights, and the rule of law, urges the new administration to make a fundamental break

Peoples Dispatch (2021-02-12). Renewed global pressure to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE. peoplesdispatch.org More than 90 human rights and anti-war organizations wrote a letter to the US president demanding cancellation of billions of dollars of arms sales to the two countries on the day that the European Parliament adopted a resolution asking member countries to do the same…

Zoe PC (2021-02-12). Protests continue in Honduras following femicide of nursing student in police station. peoplesdispatch.org Protests have been taking place in several cities across Honduras following the femicide of 26-year-old nursing student Keyla Martínez in police custody. Martínez had been arrested by the police in the city of La Esperanza in the northwestern department of Intibucá for allegedly violating curfew on the night of February 6. | Police had detained her in a cell in the police station, but in the early hours of February 7, they brought her to the hospital, alleging that she had attempted to commit suicide. According to local media reports, she died before reaching the hospital. The National Police released a statement…

_____ (2021-02-12). One Year Anniversary Of Wet'suwet'en Protests, Blockades. popularresistance.org The protests were a result of the BC NDP's decision to press ahead with the Coastal GasLink pipeline through the Wet'suwet'en territory using militarized RCMP to enforce their decision. | I had just returned from a visit to the territory. I was invited by the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs to witness firsthand their beautiful lands and the violence delivered by the BC NDP government. | As the protestors pulsed with anger, solidarity blockades popped up on rail lines and other infrastructure across the country. Just a few short weeks after passing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act in November…

Ted Kelly (2021-02-12). 'Progressive' prosecutors put thousands of lives at risk. workers.org Philadelphia The novel coronavirus has claimed an unlikely victim in the United States: the Sixth Amendment. The right to a "speedy trial" is in critical condition. Philadelphia's county jail population has risen to 4,500 and is growing steadily. Half of those behind bars have "detainers," meaning they aren't eligible for . . . |

yenisafak (2021-02-12). Turkish-American group slams US Senate letter on Turkey. yenisafak.com The US-based Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC) said Thursday it is "appalled" by a letter by 50 US senators that characterizes the Turkish government as "authoritarian administration and violators of Human Rights.""Turkey's government was determined by a free and fair election by all citizens regardless of their background," senior names of the committee said in a statement. "The Turkish people made it clear that no one can temper with their future when they took to streets and resisted a coup attempt on July 15th, 2016. The Turkish people made it clear to the world that they value their democra…

yenisafak (2021-02-12). EU Parliament calls for ban on arms sale to Saudi, UAE. yenisafak.com The European Parliament on Thursday called on EU member states to ban arms sale to Saudi Arabia and the UAE over violations of human rights in Yemen.A joint motion adopted by the European Parliament recalled Germany's arms sale ban to Saudi Arabia and Italy's ban to UAE and Saudi Arabia. Lawmakers said some EU countries are also planning to join the ban while others continue arms sale to these countries and violate the common stance of the EU Council.The European Parliament also welcomed the US decision to halt arms sales to Saudi Arabia and to suspend the transfer of F-35 jets to the UAE.Lawmakers also called on…

news.un (2021-02-12). Myanmar crisis: 'All options should be on the table', UN Human Rights Council hears. news.un.org The UN deputy human rights chief and the independent expert on Myanmar have called for targeted sanctions against the leaders of what they both described as the coup that took place in the country last week, as the Human Rights Council met in special session on Friday to discuss the ongoing crisis.

news.un (2021-02-12). Independent UN rights expert calls for unilateral sanctions to be dropped against Venezuela. news.un.org At the end of a two-week visit to Venezuela, an independent UN human rights expert noted on Friday that unilateral sanctions imposed on the country have exacerbated pre-existing crises, calling for them to be dropped.

MEE staff (2021-02-12). US lawmakers urge Biden to press Iran on human rights, state-sponsored 'terrorism'. middleeasteye.net US lawmakers urge Biden to press Iran on human rights, state-sponsored 'terrorism' | More than 100 lawmakers call on President Joe Biden to 'remain firm' and hold Iranian government accountable for rights violations and regional destabilisation | Fri, 02/12/2021 – 19: 59 | A bipartisan group of US legislators has urged US President Joe Biden to pressure Iran on its human rights violations while working to nego…

Medea Benjamin, Ariel Gold (2021-02-12). Biden Should Stop Payment on U.S. Funds to Sisi's Egypt. counterpunch.org Under Donald Trump's presidency, Egypt, as well as Saudi Arabia, Israel, the UAE, and other repressive regimes, had virtually free reign to commit unchecked human rights abuses without worry that they might be chastised or lose U.S. diplomatic and financial support. But when Joe Biden won the 2020 election, President Sisi of Egypt started to

Areeb Ullah (2021-02-12). Syrian militants urged to release US journalist Bilal Abdul Kareem. middleeasteye.net Syrian militants urged to release US journalist Bilal Abdul Kareem | Idlib-based reporter was arrested six months ago after raising concerns about alleged torture of prisoners by HTS | Fri, 02/12/2021 – 15: 55 | Bilal Abdul Kareem has reported from opposition-held Syria since 2014 (Screengrab) | A leading media freedom monitor has called for the release of US journalist Bilal Abdul Kareem, six months aft…

Staff (2021-02-12). Ralph Nader: Biden Must Hold Boeing Accountable for Deaths Due to Faulty Planes. truthout.org Legendary consumer advocate Ralph Nader says the U.S. is experiencing a "corporate crime wave," and that the Trump administration's $2.5 billion settlement with Boeing over the manufacturer's faulty 737 MAX jets amounts to a "slap on the wrist." Boeing's faulty planes were involved in two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, including Nader's 24-year-old grandniece Samya Stumo. Nader says the Biden Justice Department should reopen the previous administration's settlement and…

Staff (2021-02-12). Where Are the Witnesses? Ralph Nader Says Democrats' Impeachment Case Is "Prescription for Defeat" democracynow.org As the historic Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump continues, we speak with longtime consumer advocate, corporate critic and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader, who says Democrats have set themselves up for defeat by rushing proceedings and failing to call witnesses — including Trump himself. "The narrow approach of the articles of impeachment keep the Democrats from having a full hand," says Nader. "They have like 10 arrows in their quiver and they're using one or two."

Staff (2021-02-12). Ralph Nader on Corporate Crime, Holding Boeing Accountable for 737 MAX Deaths & Biden's First Weeks. democracynow.org Legendary consumer advocate Ralph Nader says the U.S. is experiencing a "corporate crime wave," and that the Trump administration's $2.5 billion settlement with Boeing over the manufacturer's faulty 737 MAX jets amounts to a "slap on the wrist." Boeing's faulty planes were involved in two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, including Nader's 24-year-old grandniece Samya Stumo. Nader says the Biden Justice Department should reopen the previous administration's settlement and hold Boeing fully accountable. "This is just another example of giant companies getting away with their corporate criminal…

Staff (2021-02-12). Headlines for February 12, 2021. democracynow.org House Managers Rest Their Case in Donald Trump's Senate Impeachment Trial, Biden Blasts Trump's Failures to Prepare for Vaccinations as U.S. COVID-19 Death Toll Tops 475,000, As U.S. Secures 200 Million More Doses, Concern Grows Over Vaccine Inequity, NYTimes: Trump Was Far Sicker from COVID-19 Than Previously Reported, Five Killed in Attack on U.S. Convoy in Afghanistan's Capital, Lawmakers Plead With President Biden to End "Catastrophic Impact" of U.S. Sanctions, U.S. Has Sold Over a Million Barrels of Iranian Oil Seized As Part of Sanctions, China Bans BBC's World News Channel, Trump's "Remain in Mexico" Progr…

yenisafak (2021-02-12). 'Russia ready for breakup with EU if sanctions imposed'. yenisafak.com Moscow is ready to break ties with the European Union if it follows through on its plan to impose sanctions, Russia's foreign minister said on Friday.In an interview on the Soloviev Live YouTube channel, Sergey Lavrov said Russia has no desire to be isolated from the world but needs to be prepared for any eventuality.To a question on whether Russia is heading towards a breakup with the bloc, Lavrov said: "We believe that we are ready; if we see once again, as we already have more than once, that sanctions are being imposed in some areas that create risks for our economy, including the most sensitive areas.""We do…

_____ (2021-02-12). Border Agents Can Search Phones Freely Under New Circuit Court Ruling. popularresistance.org A US appeals court has ruled that Customs and Border Protection agents can conduct in-depth searches of phones and laptops, overturning an earlier legal victory for civil liberties groups. First Circuit Judge Sandra Lynch declared that both basic and "advanced" searches, which include reviewing and copying data without a warrant, fall within "permissible constitutional grounds" at the American border. | Lynch ruled against a group of US citizens and residents objecting to invasive searches of their electronic devices. The group includes Sidd Bikkannavar, a NASA scientist who was detained and pressured to unlock a…

Online News Editor (2021-02-12). Britney Spears' father loses court bid over estate control. laprensalatina.com Los Angeles, US, Feb 11 (efe-epa).- Britney Spears' father on Thursday lost his bid in a Los Angeles court to retain some of his rights over the pop star's estate. The hearing in the Los Angeles Superior Court marks the latest chapter in a protracted legal battle the 39-year-old singer's lawyers are fighting over Jamie …

Hendrik Streeck and Harald Neuber (2021-02-12). "We must look at the side-effects" indybay.org "Restricting basic rights is no small matter, and it is the duty of politics to restore their exercise as soon as the infection situation permits." (Lockdown consequences: daycare centers and schools to open) German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier…

Matt Sedlar (2021-02-12). Resignation of Trump-Appointed US Attorneys Is Just The Start Of DOJ's De-Trumpification. cepr.net Talking Points Memo See article on original site In the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, the Department of Justice was created in part to deliver and oversee equal rights to formerly enslaved Black men and women. This corrective institution was a major step toward building a federal government that protects the civil rights of all …

Thread9 (2021-02-12). 2 People Who Changed World In a Few Hours and 3 Other Animal Rights Topics. indybay.org 5 animal rights topics: | 2 who held the Archimedes Lever, | Mother Jones reports workers at Hormel paralyzed by blood mist | Should meat be taxed to pay for meat caused illness? | Should food stamps be switched to fruit and vegetable stamps?>

Nino Pagliccia (2021-02-12). Venezuela — Food Security and Sovereignty to Fight Starvation Sanctions. globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | Mainstream media references to Venezuela always focus on the devastating economic …

DXE (2021-02-12). Saturday 2/13: Chalking For Animal Rights! indybay.org Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94720…

DXE (2021-02-12). Sunday 2/28: DxE Circle – Sanctuary Work Party. indybay.org 2785 Franklin Canyon Rd, Martinez, CA 94553-9617, United States…

Change For The Better (2021-02-12). 15 Of Many Things We Can Learn From the European Union. indybay.org fewer wars, no executions, free health care, lower drug costs, better animal rights and environment legislation, less censorship etc…

Nadda Osman (2021-02-11). UAE urged to free Jordanian imprisoned for highlighting corruption in Amman. middleeasteye.net UAE urged to free Jordanian imprisoned for highlighting corruption in Amman | Ahmed al-Atoum was sentenced to ten years in prison over social media posts criticising Jordan's king and government | Thu, 02/11/2021 – 13: 15 | The Jordanian activist was sentenced to ten years over his social media posts (Screengrab/Social media) | Human rights organisations have this week urged the United Arab Emirates to r…

Ragip Soylu (2021-02-11). Turkey quickly gets into fight with Biden over Osman Kavala. middleeasteye.net Turkey quickly gets into fight with Biden over Osman Kavala | US State Department criticises Ankara over its human rights record while top officials avoid calling Turkish counterparts | Thu, 02/11/2021 – 12: 04 | A journalist stands in front of a poster featuring jailed businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala during a press conference of his lawyers on 31 October 2018 (AFP) | Tensions rose between Tu…

Dan Beeton (2021-02-11). Dozens of Prominent Organizations and Academics Pressure Biden on Human Rights in Brazil. cepr.net Last week, the US Network for Democracy in Brazil (USNDB) delivered a white paper to the Biden White House, its "Recommendations on Brazil to President Biden and the New Administration." The wide-ranging document, covering issues such as the environment, human rights, and the rule of law, urges the new administration to make a fundamental break …

Abdul Rahman (2021-02-11). Amid delay and denial of access by Israel, COVID-19 vaccination finally starts in Palestine. peoplesdispatch.org Israel's deliberate denial of access to vaccines to the Palestinians, a violation of its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention, has been criticized by the WHO and other human rights groups with some calling it "vaccine apartheid"

RT (2021-02-11). 7 arrested for alleged bomb-making and plotting terrorist attack in Denmark. rt.com Police in Denmark and Germany have arrested seven people for allegedly trying to manufacture explosives and plotting terrorist attacks, the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) said in a statement on Thursday. | All seven have been charged with planning one or more terrorist attacks or attempting to participate in terrorism. | The men allegedly procured components to make bombs and other weapons, the statement said. | Police in Denmark's Central and West Zealand region — home to the capital Copenhagen — detained six of the men in raids between February 6 and 8. The other suspect from the gr…

Anya Parampil (2021-02-11). Explaining India's farmer uprising, the largest strike in human history. thegrayzone.com Anya Parampil speaks with New Delhi-based journalist Prasanth Radhakrishnan about the historic farmer strike currently sweeping India. Radhakrishnan explains why farmers are rising up, how they are organized, and how the neoliberal government of Narendra Modi has responded to the movement. Just one day after this interview, the Modi government raided the offices of Radhakrishnan's employer, Newsclick.in, and detained its editors in what has been denounced as an act of intimidation against critical media. Learn more about the disturbing press crackdown …

Ricardo Vaz (2021-02-11). Venezuela Oil Production Rebounds as Members of Congress Call for Sanctions Relief. venezuelanalysis.com Ilhan Omar, Jesus "Chuy" García and Elizabeth Warren urged to Biden administration to review its sanctions policy amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

RT (2021-02-11). US cancels $42 million in Myanmar aid over military coup… then redirects it to nation's 'civil society'. rt.com The US has slapped a raft of sanctions on Myanmar's top military to block their access to more than a billion dollars in government funds being held in America, and will redirect millions in US aid to "strengthen civil society." | The Biden administration has designated six members of Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council, including General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the ruling military junta that seized power last week after ousting Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. Hlaing led the military detention of Suu Kyi and Myanmar's other political leaders, who are currently under house arrest, and…

Eli Morey (2021-02-11). Attacks on tenants' rights intensify in Indianapolis, activists resist. liberationnews.org Dozens of activists convened on the steps of the Indiana State Capitol building at 9 am on Feb. 8, bearing freezing temperatures to protest the Indiana General Assembly's attacks on the limited rights that tenants have in Indiana. The protest, called for by Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis and supported by the Indianapolis branch of …

Staff (2021-02-11). Headlines for February 11, 2021. democracynow.org "The Inciter-in-Chief": Democrats Accuse Trump of Being "Singularly Responsible" for Insurrection, Trump Attacked Pence on Twitter Minutes After Learning VP Was Evacuated from Capitol, Georgia Prosecutor Opens Criminal Probe of Trump over Election Interference, U.S. COVID Death Toll Tops 471,000; Half of All Deaths Occurred Since Nov. 1, WHO Backs Use of Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine, Saudi Women's Rights Activist Loujain al-Hathloul Released After 1,001 Days in Prison, Biden & Xi Jinping Speak on Phone as U.S. Forms Military Task Force on China, U.S. Sanctions Military Junta as Anti-Coup Protests Continue in Burma,…

teleSUR (2021-02-11). Immigrants Win Lawsuit Against Los Angeles Sheriff Department. telesurenglish.net The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) must pay US$14 million in monetary damages to over 18.500 migrants who were illegally detained at its facilities. | RELATED: | The case is a warning for all U.S. law enforcement agencies, which continue to detain immigrants without proper warrants. | "Law enforcement agencies act as if basic pr…

Susan Price (2021-02-11). Australian mining companies in Myanmar put profit ahead of human rights and democracy. greenleft.org.au As protests grow against the February 1 military coup in Myanmar/Burma, the country's military elites try to protect their ill-gotten gains, and Australian mining companies carry on as if nothing happened, writes Allen Jennings.

Susan Price (2021-02-11). Myanmar: Australian mining companies put profit ahead of human rights and democracy. greenleft.org.au As protests grow against the military coup in Myanmar, Australian mining companies are carrying on as if nothing happened, writes Allen Jennings.

news.un (2021-02-11). Egypt urged to remove activists from 'terrorist' list. news.un.org UN independent human rights experts appealed on Thursday for authorities in Egypt to remove two activists from a "terrorist" list and to stop systemic use of terrorism powers.

Online News Editor (2021-02-11). Biden confronts Xi over rights, security, economic practices. laprensalatina.com (Update 1: adds Xi comments in pars 4-6, updates dateline, minor edits) Washington/Beijing, Feb 10 (efe-epa).- United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday (Thursday Beijing time) spoke to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for the first time as leader and expressed concern over a range of issues including human rights, regional security and Beijing's economic …

RT (2021-02-11). Decision to buy S-400s from Russia 'wasn't made overnight' & Turkey will stick to it — Ankara insists as US threatens sanctions. rt.com Turkey won't abandon the S-400 missile systems it ordered from Russia despite the threat of US sanctions, but is eager to resolve the divisive issue through talks with its NATO ally, the Turkish presidential spokesman has said. | "Turkey won't give up on the Russian S-400 systems," Ibrahim Kalin told the local TRT Haber broadcaster on Thursday. | "The S-400 decision wasn't made overnight," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's representative noted, adding that Ankara already touched on the issue in a phone call with Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan last week. Kalin said that more discussions will tak…

RT (2021-02-11). Decision to buy S-400s from Russia 'wasn't made overnight' & Turkey will stick to it — Erdogan's spokesman. rt.com Turkey isn't going to abandon the S-400 missile systems it got from Russia despite the threat of US sanctions, but is eager to resolve the divisive issue through talks with its NATO ally, the Turkish presidential spokesman said. | "Turkey won't give up on the Russian S-400 systems," Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, told the local TRT Haber broadcaster on Thursday. | "The S-400 decision wasn't made overnight," he noted, adding that he already touched on the issue in a phone call with Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan last week, and that the two are set to speak aga…

MEE staff (2021-02-11). Biden's policies are the same as Trump, Iran's sole presidential candidate says. middleeasteye.net Biden's policies are the same as Trump, Iran's sole presidential candidate says | Hossein Dehghan says Biden's foreign policy continues 'Trumpism' and calls for guarantees that the US would not leave the nuclear agreement again | Thu, 02/11/2021 – 19: 21 | Hossein Dehghan is a former Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps commander who is also under sanctions levied by Washington (AFP) | The only declared candidat…

Susan Price (2021-02-11). Australia must cut all business and military ties to Myanmar/Burma coup regime. greenleft.org.au The Socialist Alliance strongly condemns the February 1 military coup in Myanmar/Burma and the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of the National League for Democracy and calls on the Australian government to deny recognition to the regime.

Chauncey DeVega (2021-02-11). The right's hatred of AOC isn't just racism and sexism: It sums up the entire toxic Trump era. salon.com All the right-wing paranoia that led to Trump and Jan. 6 is visible in the exaggerated hatred for one woman…

Brett Wilkins, staff writer (2021-02-11). Citing 'Moral and Public Health Imperative,' Progressive Lawmakers Press Biden on Sanctions Relief. commondreams.org The 27 Democrats called for "much-needed and overdue changes to the way we use sanctions as a foreign policy tool." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Brett Wilkins, staff writer (2021-02-11). Advocacy Groups Sue Biden Admin. to Force Release of Trump-Era Family Immigration Detention Records. commondreams.org "Children should be able to grow up with their families, friends, and communities—not be detained based solely on their immigration status." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

commondreams (2021-02-11). Organizations Sue Biden Administration Regarding Release of Detained Children and Families. commondreams.org ______________________________…

2021-02-11: News Headlines

Anya Parampil (2021-02-11). Explaining India's farmer uprising, the largest strike in human history. thegrayzone.com Anya Parampil speaks with New Delhi-based journalist Prasanth Radhakrishnan about the historic farmer strike currently sweeping India Radhakrishnan explains why farmers are rising up, how they are organized, and how the neoliberal government of Narendra Modi has responded to the movement. Just one day after this interview, the Modi government raided the offices of Radhakrishnan's employer, Newsclick.in, and detained its editors in what has been denounced as an act of intimidation against critical media. Learn more about the disturbing press crackdown …

Workers World Party (2021-02-11). PDF of February 11 issue. workers.org Download the 12-page PDF. Haiti: Struggle intensifies Black History Month: Salute to Rosa Parks, Harry Haywood, Ben Fletche ALSO: Nurses, autoworkers, teachers on the move! Reparations for racist pandemic!; Capitalist accumulation and agriculture; GameStop bubble; COVID: comparing economic systems. Editorial: Dangling the carrot. GLOBAL: Sanctions Kill. Yemen: Bait and switch. . . . |

Eli Morey (2021-02-11). Attacks on tenants' rights intensify in Indianapolis, activists resist. liberationnews.org Dozens of activists convened on the steps of the Indiana State Capitol building at 9 am on Feb. 8, bearing freezing temperatures to protest the Indiana General Assembly's attacks on the limited rights that tenants have in Indiana. The protest, called for by Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis and supported by the Indianapolis branch of …

Susan Price (2021-02-11). Australian mining companies in Myanmar put profit ahead of human rights and democracy. greenleft.org.au As protests grow against the February 1 military coup in Myanmar/Burma, the country's military elites try to protect their ill-gotten gains, and Australian mining companies carry on as if nothing happened, writes Allen Jennings.

Online News Editor (2021-02-11). Biden confronts Xi over rights, security, economic practices. laprensalatina.com (Update 1: adds Xi comments in pars 4-6, updates dateline, minor edits) Washington/Beijing, Feb 10 (efe-epa).- United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday (Thursday Beijing time) spoke to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for the first time as leader and expressed concern over a range of issues including human rights, regional security and Beijing's economic …

Susan Price (2021-02-11). Australia must cut all business and military ties to Myanmar/Burma coup regime. greenleft.org.au The Socialist Alliance strongly condemns the February 1 military coup in Myanmar/Burma and the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of the National League for Democracy and calls on the Australian government to deny recognition to the regime.

Online News Editor (2021-02-11). Myanmar finalizing law to curb, monitor internet, activists say. laprensalatina.com Yangon, Myanmar, Feb 11 (efe-epa).- The military junta in Myanmar is finalizing a cybersecurity law that will allow it to carry out internet blackouts, ban content and demand data from users, about 160 Myanmar nonprofits reported. In a joint statement on Wednesday, the civil society organizations indicated that the proposed law violates digital rights, privacy …

Peoples Dispatch (2021-02-11). Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul released after 1001 days in prison. peoplesdispatch.org Her release as per a judge's order also includes the conditions that she stay on probation for three years and refrain from travelling outside of Saudi Arabia for five years…

Medea Benjamin (2021-02-10). A Pro-Cairo Lobby is Spending Big to Make Sure Biden Doesn't Cut Aid to Egypt's Dictatorship. mintpressnews.com President al-Sisi is afraid that his free rein to commit human rights abuses are over now that Trump is out of office, that's why he hired Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck to the tune of $65,000 per month to whitewash his image and keep the American money flowing.

Conn Hallinan (2021-02-10). China's 'Sea of Conflict'. peoplesworld.org President Joseph Biden Jr's. administration faces a host of difficult problems, but in foreign policy, its thorniest will be its relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC). How it handles issues of trade, security, and human rights will either allow both countries to hammer out a working relationship or pull the U.S. into an …

MEE staff (2021-02-10). US senators urge Biden to press Turkey on human rights, 'combative' foreign policy. middleeasteye.net US senators urge Biden to press Turkey on human rights, 'combative' foreign policy | Fifty-four senators signed letter sent to Biden, saying Ankara needed to end 'crackdown on dissent' | Wed, 02/10/2021 – 14: 55 | Prior to Joe Biden's inauguration, the then-president-elect did not respond to multiple requests for call with Erdogan (AFP) | A bipartisan majority of the US Senate called on President Joe Biden to…

splcenter (2021-02-10). The March Continues: SPLC launches community poem, drawing inspiration for human rights from verse makers across the U.S. splcenter.org &nbsp…

Zoophile (2021-02-10). Lab Animal Torturers Ridicule Antivivisectionists as 'Sentimentalists'. indybay.org Patent holding drugpushing vivisectors ridicule those who oppose lab animal torture as 'sentimentalists'

Staff (2021-02-10). I'm on Hunger Strike in Guantánamo. I Dream of Cooking for My Family. truthout.org There are very few freedoms at Guantánamo Bay prison, where I have been held without charge or trial — referred to as Guantánamo ISN 1461 — for over 16 years. The right to starve myself is one of them, but even then, they force-feed me, to spare themselves the embarrassment of my death. | Back in Pakistan, before I was kidnapped and tortured and flown halfway around the world in chains, I loved cooking. There is nothing more satisfying than preparing a hot meal for your family and sharing i…

Rachael Boothroyd (2021-02-10). US Sanctions Obstructing Humanitarian Aid in Venezuela, New Report Finds. venezuelanalysis.com A US Government and Accountability Office report found that sanctions have pushed the Venezuelan economy into crisis.

Rosalind English (2021-02-10). Vaccination and public/private coercion. ukhumanrightsblog.com In an earlier post I discussed the problem of "vaccine hesitancy" and written evidence to Parliament to Parliament outlining ways in which a vaccination against Covid-19 without consent could be put on a par with capacity under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and with Section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983. Since the announcement …

_____ (2021-02-10). How Defeating Keystone XL Built A Bolder, Savvier Climate Movement. popularresistance.org When President Biden rescinded a crucial permit for the Keystone XL pipeline last week, it marked the culmination of one of the longest, highest-profile campaigns in the North American climate movement. The opposition to Keystone XL included large environmental organizations, grassroots climate activist networks, Nebraska farmers, Texas landowners, Indigenous rights groups and tribal governments. Few environmental campaigns have touched so many people over such large swaths of the continent. | The Keystone XL resistance was part of the ongoing opposition to the Canadian tar sands, one of the most carbon-intensive…

mgrochowski (2021-02-10). Quienes somos y qué queremos los Socialistas Democráticos. dsausa.org El Grupo de Trabajo por los Derechos de los Inmigrantes de DSA los invita a un seminario web en español: "Quienes somos y qué queremos los Socialistas Democráticos." Escuche a algunos de nuestros miembros sobre su trabajo en DSA y en sus comunidades. Zoom Información de registro en instrucciones y respuesta. Join…

Nadda Osman (2021-02-10). Loujain al-Hathloul: Saudi activist released from prison. middleeasteye.net Loujain al-Hathloul: Saudi activist released from prison | Blogger Nouf Abdulaziz, who was also swept up in Mohammed bin Salman's 2018 crackdown on dissent, also reportedly released | Wed, 02/10/2021 – 16: 56 | In a photo shared by her sister on social media, Loujain is shown smiling after her release (Screengrab/Twitter) | Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul has returned home after spendin…

teleSUR (2021-02-10). UN To Assess the Impact of US Sanctions on Venezuela. telesurenglish.net United Nations representative Alena Douhan visits Venezuela to assess the impact of U.S. economic sanctions imposed on the Bolivarian nation since 2015. | RELATED: | The visit announcement came shortly after the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) acknowledged that its country's sanctions on Venezuela have killed tens of thousands of people. | The results of the analysis of the U.S. unilateral coercive measures imposed on this…

RT (2021-02-10). DOJ confirms Biden will continue push for Assange's extradition as human rights groups call to drop case before US appeal deadline. rt.com The Joe Biden administration will continue to pursue extradition for Julian Assange, the Justice Department said, rebuffing calls from rights groups to reverse course ahead of an appeal deadline in the WikiLeaks co-founder's case. | DOJ spokesman Marc Raimondi said on Tuesday that Washington has not abandoned plans for Assange's extradition from the UK, noting that Biden will still challenge a January ruling from a British judge barring extradition over concerns that Assange might take his own life in American custody. | "We continue to seek his extradition," Raimondi told Reuters, signaling that the new Biden…

_____ (2021-02-10). Britain Says It Wants 'To Defend Human Rights Across The Globe' But Is Selective About Its Support. strategic-culture.org The "defence of human rights" by the government of Boris Johnson is a charade, and the treatment of the Chagos Islanders is cruel and loathsome. | Hong Kong used to be a British colony and was returned to China in 1997. Since then there have been disagreements between Britain and China concerning governance of the region, and the British government has poked its nose where it has no right to dictate the conduct of affairs. It

news.un (2021-02-10). Only 'following orders', no defence for any Myanmar atrocities: UN expert. news.un.org The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar on Wednesday said that security forces in the country must "stand down before there are more casualties" among protesters, amid reports of use of lethal force against those demonstrating against last week's military takeover.

yenisafak (2021-02-10). UK Muslims ask UN to halt Sri Lanka's forced cremations. yenisafak.com The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) submitted a complaint to the UN on Tuesday over the forced cremations of Muslims in Sri Lanka who died of COVID-19.The MCB in partnership with UK-based law firm Bindmans submitted the complaint to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on behalf of their families. "No other state has carried out such unjust and discriminatory measures. We very much hope that the Sri Lankan government will change its policy in line with the World Health Organization's advice," Zara Mohammed, secretary general of the MCB, said in a statement, describing the government's policy as "unprecedented."Tay…

yenisafak (2021-02-10). UN expert calls on UAE to free jailed rights defenders. yenisafak.com A UN expert Wednesday said she feared three human rights defenders serving 10-year prison sentences in the UAE are being mistreated in conditions that may amount to torture and urged authorities to release them."Issuing long-term prison sentences to human rights defenders, in connection to their human rights work, is a practice that cannot continue, and is an issue I will be prioritizing during my mandate," said Mary Lawlor, UN special rapporteur on human rights defenders."Not only have Mohammed Al-Roken, Ahmed Mansoor, and Nasser Bin Ghaith been criminalized and imprisoned for their non-violent and legitimate c…

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2021-02-10). 'The Fight Is Not Over': Prominent Women's Rights Activist Loujain al-Hathloul Released From Saudi Prison. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

_____ (2021-02-10). GAO Report Shows Biden Should Scrap Trump's Economic Sanctions On Venezuela. popularresistance.org Washington, DC ‚Äï A new report from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) finds that US economic sanctions on Venezuela are harming the Venezuelan economy, especially by depressing oil production and exports, and that they are also hindering US-backed humanitarian assistance to the country. The report, which looks at the impact of US sanctions on Venezuela's economic crisis, was requested by former chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Eliot Engel (D-NY) and committee member Congressman Andy Levin (D-MI). | "This report from the GAO offers more evidence that these unilateral, illeg…

Staff (2021-02-10). Impeachment Won't Stop Threat Trump's Allies Pose to Global Reproductive Rights. truthout.org As Donald Trump faces his second impeachment trial this week,

Areeb Ullah (2021-02-10). UN urged to question Bangladesh over Israeli tech bought for peacekeeping. middleeasteye.net UN urged to question Bangladesh over Israeli tech bought for peacekeeping | The UN has denied claims that it required Bangladesh to buy Israeli surveillance equipment for its peacekeeping operations
| Wed, 02/10/2021 – 14: 37 | Bangladesh is the largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping missions in the world (AFP) | Several rights groups have called on the United Nations to quest…

MEE staff (2021-02-10). Biden supports repatriating foreign nationals from Syria, says US diplomat. middleeasteye.net Biden supports repatriating foreign nationals from Syria, says US diplomat | Several European countries refuse to repatriate adults from Syria, saying they should be tried where they are accused of committing crimes | Wed, 02/10/2021 – 19: 29 | Tens of thousands of women and children have been detained in camps run by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces militia in northeast Syria (AFP) | The Biden administrat…

Pip Hinman (2021-02-10). Keep protesting, pleads freed refugee. greenleft.org.au Released refugees are pleading with supporters to keep up the pressure on government until all refugees are released from on-shore and off-shore detention. Chris Slee reports.

CounterPunch News Service (2021-02-10). Loujain al-Hathloul Released After Over 1000 Days in Prison. counterpunch.org On Wednesday, February 10th, women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was released from prison in Saudi Arabia after over 1000 days in prison. Loujain has been a fearless women's rights activist and the news of her release is uplifting. In December of 2020, Loujain was sentenced to almost six years in prison by a terrorism court.

Telesur (2021-02-10). US Sanctions Caused Thousands of Deaths in Venezuela, GAO Says. globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) acknowledged that U.S. sanctions on Venezuela …

Thomas Pulliam (2021-02-10). Democracy Not Feudalism: A Left-Libertarian Critique of the Libertarian Right Part 1. realprogressives.org "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, —That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem mos…

Caitlin Johnstone (2021-02-09). Democrats WANT To Lose The Midterms: Notes From The Edge Of The Narrative Matrix. thealtworld.com Republicans: Good. | Democrats: We hear you and we honor your experience. | ‚ùñ | The USA is the single worst human rights offender on our planet. The fact that most of its transgressions take place outside its own borders makes it more egregious, not less. So-called human rights watchdog groups which fail to acknowledge this fact are propaganda constructs. | ‚ùñ | By 2024 the only mainstream US political debate allowed will be about whether America should nuke Russia or China. | ‚ùñ | "Kindly let me help you or you will drown, said the monkey putting th…

teleSUR (2021-02-09). Honduras Demands Justice for Nursing Student Killed by Police. telesurenglish.net Hondurean human rights activists took to the streets at Intibuca Department to demand justice for nursing student Keyla Martinez, who was allegedly murdered by the National Police. | RELATED: | Honduras' Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations (COPINH), which called for the demonstration, held President Juan Orlando's government responsible for the crime against Martinez. | The young woman, 26, died i…

PCHR (2021-02-09). PCHR: Landmark Decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC Welcomed by Al-Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, PCHR and Addameer. imemc.org On Friday, 5 February 2021, over one year since the Office of the Prosecutor closed its preliminary examination into the Situation in the State of Palestine, the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued its decision affirming that the Court has full territorial jurisdiction over the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), i.e. the West …

MEE staff (2021-02-09). UN experts call on Israel to stop torture, inhuman treatment of Palestinians. middleeasteye.net UN experts call on Israel to stop torture, inhuman treatment of Palestinians | Panel of rights experts said Israel was using a 'grave loophole within the Israeli judicial system' to defend its use of torture | Tue, 02/09/2021 – 18: 13 | Arbeed was detained in 2019, and after being subjected to interrogation by Israel's Shin Bet domestic intelligence service, he suffered from kidney failure and broken ribs (AFP…

Yanis Iqbal (2021-02-09). Neoliberal Authoritarianism in Egypt. dissidentvoice.org The whiplash of authoritarianism is being ruthlessly used in Egypt. On January 6, 2021, Ahmed Khalifa, social news editor of Egypt 360 website, was arrested after publishing a series of reports on workers' legitimate protests. He was falsely charged with joining a terrorist group and spreading fake news, and remains in detention to date. Before his arrest, Khalifa …

_____ (2021-02-09). Demands To Drop The Charges On The 646 Mass Arrested. popularresistance.org Minneapolis, MN — Three months after six hundred forty-six people were mass arrested on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis, calls to drop the charges are continuing. A February 5 rally at the Hennepin County Government Center demanded specifically that a felony charge on college student Amina McCaskill be dropped, along with the charges and citations given to the other 645. Dozens braved single-digit temperatures for the Friday rally that featured Amina and numerous speakers that were also part of the 646. Unicorn Riot live streamed the rally and spoke with Amina afterwards. Civil rights lawyer, Nekima Levy Armst…

Ralph Nader (2021-02-09). Democrats Disarm Themselves Before Trump's Senate Impeachment Trial. counterpunch.org Donald Trump, has with luck, eluded the consequences of being a failed gambling czar with no respect for the law. But his luck has reached a new level with Congressional Democrats refraining from holding him accountable for breaking the law and violating the Constitution as regularly as the rising and setting of the sun for

Staff (2021-02-09). Immigrants Shouldn't Have to Sacrifice Themselves to COVID for Basic Rights. truthout.org During the election campaign that led him to the White House, Joe Biden

Staff (2021-02-09). Disabled Advocates Demand Better Vaccine Access as They Face Greater Risks of Dying from COVID-19. democracynow.org As the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus tops 465,000, we speak with two disability rights activists about growing calls to prioritize giving COVID vaccines to people with physical and mental disabilities. Some states, including California, are failing to prioritize vaccines for people with serious physical or developmental disabilities, even though studies show they are up to three times more likely to die from COVID-19. "I use a ventilator to breathe, and I have respiratory failure," says disabled activist Alice Wong, founder of the Disability Visibility Project and host of the podcast "Disability Visibility…

Peoples Dispatch (2021-02-09). Stand with Newsclick: Journalism With a Spine. peoplesdispatch.org We, a group of publications from around the world, join together against the harassment of Newsclick, the Indian web-based news portal. The detention of its editors and the smearing of its reputation in the press is a calculated move to intimidate coverage of the farmer's revolt and other mass struggles that are ongoing in India. | We stand with Newsclick, journalism with a spine. | Vijay Prashad, Chief Correspondent Globetrotter, Executive Director Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research | Zoe Alexandra, Peoples Dispatch | Eugene Puryear, Host BreakThrough News | Ben Becker, Editor-in-Chief BreakThrough Ne…

Steve Sweeney (2021-02-09). Turkish authorities arrest 65 revolutionaries in a bid to break the backbone of the growing anti-government resistance. mronline.org Sixty-five people were detained in Istanbul last week after a press conference announcing the launch of a new opposition alliance, the United Fighting Forces (BMG).

Ragip Soylu (2021-02-09). New app Clubhouse becomes free speech haven in Turkey amid Bogazici protests. middleeasteye.net New app Clubhouse becomes free speech haven in Turkey amid Bogazici protests | The audio-only social media application has quickly become a centre of activism in Turkey's deeply polarised society | Tue, 02/09/2021 – 08: 54 | Protesters take photos as Turkish police officers detain demonstrators during a rally in support of Bogazici University students in Istanbul on 4 February 2021 (AFP) | When Turkish p…

MEE staff (2021-02-09). Twitter suspends accounts, removes verification of Saudi political prisoners. middleeasteye.net Twitter suspends accounts, removes verification of Saudi political prisoners | Decision criticised as 'uncalled for' as the detainees are held in situations beyond their control | Tue, 02/09/2021 – 11: 54 | Ali al-Omari (L) and Awad al-Qarni have been in jail since 2017. Their verified Twitter badge has recently been removed by the social media giant (Twitter) | Twitter has removed the blue verified badge from…

Nadda Osman (2021-02-09). Loujain al-Hathloul was released, but other Saudi women activists remain behind bars. middleeasteye.net Loujain al-Hathloul was released, but other Saudi women activists remain behind bars | MEE takes a look at other advocates still imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for pushing for women's rights in the kingdom | Tue, 02/09/2021 – 17: 55 | MEE takes a look at the women's rights activists still behind bars in Saudi Arabia (Illustration by Mohamad Elasaar/MEE) | After more than 1,000 days in detention, Saudi women'

Samuel March (2021-02-09). Defendants no longer required to state nationality at the start of criminal cases. ukhumanrightsblog.com On 8 February 2020, small but significant changes were made to the Part 3 (Case Management) of the Criminal Procedure Rules and Practice Directions 2020 ("CrimPR"). These changes remove the requirement that defendants in criminal trials provide their nationality to the court at preliminary hearings. The question is now to be asked only where a …

IMEMC & Agencies (2021-02-09). Analysis: Israel's Crimes, Legitimacy and Free Speech. imemc.org By Ron Forthofer for the Palestine Chronicle Israel is waging an intense campaign against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement, a nonviolent campaign called for by Palestinian civil society in 2005. This Movement was modeled on the campaign against South African Apartheid. Palestinians felt compelled to issue the call for a BDS campaign since previous …