(2021-06-28). US, EU, Canada Impose Conditions for Possible Sanctions 'Review'. venezuelanalysis.com Washington and its allies demanded Caracas show "meaningful progress" in talks with Guaidó and upholding "international standards for democracy."
(2021-06-28). Harsh Response From Minsk: Belarus Withdrew From EU's Eastern Partnership, Prepared More Surprises For Brussels. southfront.org 
Illustrative image: Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) and his Belarus' counterpart Alexander Lukashenko walk in as they attend a session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 3, 2015. AFP PHOTO / POOL / SERGEI KARPUKHIN | On June 28, Belarus suspended its participation in the EU's Eastern Partnership initiative, according to the statement by the press service of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry. Such a move was a response to the introduction of new sanctions against 78 persons an…
(2021-06-28). Curated Discourse, Narrative Artists and the Coming Conflicts. strategic-culture.org If sanctions are not lifted, Iran will hit back. And Israel will try to deter Iran from pursuing its nuclear programme. The two will clash. | Here we go again. The narrative is being set. President Assad's name cannot not be uttered in the West, save with a 'chemical weapons', and a 'killing his own people' gibe. It is just not permitted — even though this truth is
(2021-06-28). US-EU-Canada: A Shameless Admission of Punishing Venezuela. orinocotribune.com By Nino Pagliccia — Jun 26, 2021 | The US State Department posted a The actual message comes two thirds of the way down the note: "We welcome substantive, credible advancements to restore core democratic processes and institutions in Venezuela and are willing to review sanctions policies based on meaning…
(2021-06-28). Supreme Court slices and dices 1789 law protecting non-citizens. nationofchange.org International law in the 21st century has expanded to include the protection of human rights.
(2021-06-28). The Horrific Truths About Indian Boarding Schools Are Gaining Attention. popularresistance.org Due in part to Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the horrific truths about what children and their families endured and the graves of the children who were murdered in the residential schools are being uncovered. The residential schools originated in the United States, which has yet to recognize their existence and what happened in them. That may be starting to change after many decades of activism to raise awareness and now an initiative by Secretary of the Interior Haaland. Clearing the FOG speaks with Matt Remle, an indigenous human rights activist about the history of the boarding schools, their p…
(2021-06-28). Tuesday 6/29: India: The world's largest strike, COVID crisis, Hindu nationalism, human rights. indybay.org Monterey Peace & Justice Center | 1364 Fremont Boulevard | Seaside, CA 93955…
(2021-06-28). "Unite to Fight" Holds March for LGBTQ and Human Rights. indybay.org Starting near Polk and Washington streets San Francisco's LGBTQ community marched down Polk to City Hall…
(2021-06-28). 'No Reconciliation Bill, No Deal': Sanders Says Progressive Package Must Come With Bipartisan Plan. commondreams.org A report commissioned after the killing of George Floyd pointed to the "impunity" with which police violate the human rights of people of African descent all over the world.
(2021-06-28). WHO guidance on Artificial Intelligence‚ÄØto improve healthcare, mitigate risks worldwide. news.un.org Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds "enormous potential" for improving the health of millions around the world if ethics and human rights are at the heart of its design, deployment, and use, the head of the UN health agency said on Monday.
(2021-06-28). Hidden Cemeteries at Residential Schools: Churches and Canada Responsible for Genocide. indybay.org Chief Cadmusn Delmore of the Cowessess First Nation said 751 unmarked graves were found at Marieval Residential School. In 2008 — thirteen years ago — Hidden from History published a list of 28 mass graves at residential schools and hospitals in Canada. The information comes from historical accounts and eyewitness testimony of survivors who witnessed fellow students being tortured and murdered.
(2021-06-28). Violence against smuggled migrants widespread, but justice is lacking: UN report. news.un.org Migrants smuggled across borders are often subjected to extreme violence, torture, rape and kidnapping, whether in transit or in captivity, but authorities take little action to address these offences, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in a report published on Monday.
(2021-06-28). "Setback for Unions": Farmworkers Fought to Allow Unions Access During Breaks. Supreme Court Says No. democracynow.org 
The Supreme Court has ruled 6 to 3 that a California labor law violated the constitutional rights of property owners by giving union organizers access to workers on privately owned farms during their work breaks. The union-busting decision strikes down a crucial part of a landmark 1975 labor law that was the United States' first to recognize agricultural workers' rights to collective bargaining and grew out of efforts by the United Farm Workers to demand better pay and working conditions for California's agricultural workers. "This ruling is a setback for unions, for workers' rights," says Camila Chávez, executiv…
(2021-06-28). Friday 7/9: Walnut Creek: Deadline for Democracy Sidewalk Rally for Voting Rights. indybay.org Intersection of Ygnacio Valley Road and Civic Drive, Walnut Creek 94596 | This is a peaceful event. Follow current COVID safety guidelines.
(2021-06-28). Wednesday 7/14: Know Your Rights! Eligibility & Applying for Medi-Cal, Medicare, & Covered CA. indybay.org Online workshop…
(2021-06-28). UN rights office highlights policing reforms to address systemic racism. news.un.org Radical policing reforms are needed to address systemic racism affecting people of African descent around the world, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Monday, as her Office published a series of recommendations prompted by the killing of George Floyd.
(2021-06-28). Mass D.C. rally speakers: Freedom Riders intensify voting rights drive. peoplesworld.org 
WASHINGTON (PAI)—Facing a sea of red-shirted Unite Here Freedom Riders, speakers at a mass D.C. rally urged them—and the rest of the country—to step up the pressure on Congress to ensure and restore full voting rights for the entire nation, and especially for people of color whom Republicans want to rob of the right to …
(2021-06-28). The Weekly Round-up: Crown courts and protest rights under strain. ukhumanrightsblog.com 
In the news: Figures published by the Ministry of Justice showed that the backlog of crown court cases had risen to yet another record high: by 31 March this year, there were almost 60,000 outstanding cases, a rise of 45 per cent on the previous year. In the magistrates' courts, that figure stood at 400,000, a rise …
(2021-06-28). 'Incredible Victory' for Trans Rights: Supreme Court Rejects School Bathroom Case. scheerpost.com Wikimedia Commons) By Brett Wilkins / Common Dreams In what civil rights advocates hailed as "an incredible victory," the United States Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear the case of Gavin Grimm, a former Virginia high school student who in 2015 sued his county board of education over its policy of denying transgender pupils use of restrooms corresponding with their gender identity. |
(2021-06-28). 'Incredible Victory' for Trans Rights: Supreme Court Rejects School Bathroom Case. commondreams.org "We call for calm and to avoid escalation in all its forms," the Iraqi statement added.
(2021-06-28). Saudi activists Samar Badawi and Nassima al-Sadah released from jail. peoplesdispatch.org The activists who worked for the rights of women and of the Shia minority were in prison for nearly three years and were released following the completion of their sentences…
(2021-06-28). Five Things We Should Fight For This Pride. popularresistance.org Trans youth are under attack around the country. Though we are only halfway through 2021, it has already become the worst year in recent history for legislative attacks on trans youth. 33 states have introduced anti-trans laws across the country, many of which ban trans students from playing sports. Arkansas recently became the first state to ban trans youth from accessing gender-affirming health care, and many other states have either passed or are debating similar bills. All of these laws must be repealed, and we need to build a militant trans rights movement to defend against these right-wing attacks. | The re…
(2021-06-28). UK violated own laws to sell weapons to countries with poor rights records. peoplesdispatch.org Between 2011-2020, the UK sold arms to 39 of the 53 countries with a poor record on human and political rights, as per US-funded rights group Freedom House. Similar findings were reported by the UK-based Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT)…
(2021-06-28). Wednesday 7/7: Voting Rights Now! Sidewalk Rally for Democracy in Pacifica. indybay.org Intersection of CA-1 and Reina Del Mar @ 1 Reina Del Mar, Pacifica, CA 94044…
(2021-06-28). India's Undeclared Emergency: Often More Chilling Than in 1975. orinocotribune.com By Anil Jain — Jun 25, 2021 | The last seven years show that democracy, rules and regulations can be the perfect cover to suspend democratic values and civil rights. | The Emergency was a dark and shameful chapter in Indian democracy—a nightmare, a wretched period! It is 46 years since the then prime minister Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency to protect her power, turning the entire country into
(2021-06-27). On Contact: Judicial Lynching. popularresistance.org On the show this week, Chris Hedges talks to Craig Murray, the former British ambassador to Uzbekistan, who was removed from his post after he made public the widespread use of torture by the Uzbek government and the CIA. | Murray has since become one of Britain's most important human rights campaigners, a fierce advocate for Julian Assange and a supporter of Scottish independence. His coverage of the trial of former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who was acquitted of sexual assault charges, saw him charged with contempt of court and sentenced to eight months in prison. The very dubious sentence, which upe…
(2021-06-27). How A US Congressman Took On The US Blockade Against Venezuela. popularresistance.org On a cold winter day in February 2019, activists gathered in downtown Northampton, Massachusetts, to denounce the attempted US-backed coup in Venezuela. More than two years later, in the wake of ongoing rallies and discussions with Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, activists gained some ground as the congressman tweeted an open letter to President Joe Biden on June 14 in which he called on the president to end "all secondary and sectoral sanctions" against Venezuela. The letter stated: | "While US officials debate the sanctions policy in Washington, for people in Venezuela the ongoing crisis is a lif…
(2021-06-27). US and European Union Blockade on Venezuela Is Collapsing: Here is Some Evidence. orinocotribune.com The recent change in discourse by Juan Guaidó, affirming that he now aspires to negotiations with the Venezuelan government, seems to have its root in the United States that may be thinking about reversing some sanctions, just as President Nicolás Maduro had asserted a few days ago. And once again the administration of Joe Biden is urging for broad negotiations with specific deadlines to be carried out so that "in Venezuela there are free and fair elections." This was stated on Thursday, June 24, by Wendy Sherman, undersecretary of the US State Department. | Sherman's post on her social media, carrying this messa…
(2021-06-27). Hunger and food production in Nicaragua: how do we feed the people? peoplesdispatch.org As hunger and food insecurity increases globally, the Sandinista government in Nicaragua has been working for the last decade to strengthen local food production and ensure food sovereignty in the face of sanctions…
(2021-06-27). Nicaragua Condemns Spain's Interference Ahead of the Elections. telesurenglish.net Nicaragua's Foreign Minister Denis Moncada rejected "offensive statements" by his Spanish counterpart Arancha Gonzalez who voiced alleged human rights violations ahead of the Central American nation's general elections on Nov. 7. | RELATED: | Previously, President Daniel Ortega denounced that the U.S., the Spanish, and other European countries' embassies in Managua were plotting with the opposition sector to destabilize the elections. | "Showi…
(2021-06-27). Weaponizing Science In Global Food Policy. popularresistance.org Santa Cruz, CA – In July, the United Nations will convene "Science Days", a high-profile event in preparation for the UN Food Systems Summit later this year. Over the course of two days, the world will be treated to a parade of Zoom sessions aimed at "highlighting the centrality of science, technology and innovation for food systems transformation." | Nobody disputes the need for urgent action to transform the food system. But the UNFSS has been criticized by human rights experts for its top-down and non-transparent organization. Indigenous peoples, peasants, and civil society groups around the world know their h…
(2021-06-27). Tuesday 6/29: India: The world's largest strike, COVID crisis, Hindu nationalism, human rights. indybay.org Monterey Peace & Justice Center | 1364 Fremont Boulevard | Seaside, CA 93955…
(2021-06-27). Syrian Arab Army Fire Inflicted More Losses On Militants In Greater Idlib. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | On June 27, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) shelled militants' positions in the northwestern region of Greater Idlib in response to recent ceasefire violations. | According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the army targeted a number of towns and villages in the al-Zawiya Mount in the southern Idlib countryside as well as in al-Ghab Plains in the northern countryside of Hama. | The SAA shelling led to some losses. A militant, identified as Yusuf Firas Qassim, was killed in the to…
(2021-06-27). LGTBIQ+ Community Celebrates Gay Pride in Panama. telesurenglish.net Demanding several social reforms, human rights organizations and activists marched on Saturday in Panama to hold the 2021 Gay Pride parade. | RELATED: | Carrying banners and chanting, activists marched from the "5 de Mayo" Square to the Cinta Costera viewpoint to fight for their rights and condemn stigma, discrimination, and violence. | The activists pointed out that the Panamanian State has a historical debt with the LGBTIQ+ community while also warning over a…
(2021-06-27). The Case of Alex Saab: US Abduction of Venezuelan Diplomat, a Global Challenge. orinocotribune.com By Sara Flounders and Roger D. Harris — Jun 24, 2021 | With the possible extradition of a Venezuelan diplomat to the US on bogus charges, an emergency human rights delegation organized by the International Campaign to Free Alex Saab was quickly dispatched to Cabo Verde, where he is imprisoned. This island archipelago nation off the west coast of Africa is one of the smallest, poorest, and geographically isolated countries in the world. | The international human rights delegation did not gain Alex Saab's freedom. They were even denied a visit with him. But breakthroughs were made raising the visibility of the…
(2021-06-27). Hidden Cemeteries at Residential Schools: Churches and Canada Responsible for Genocide. indybay.org Chief Cadmusn Delmore of the Cowessess First Nation said 751 unmarked graves were found at Marieval Residential School. In 2008 — thirteen years ago — Hidden from History published a list of 28 mass graves at residential schools and hospitals in Canada. The information comes from historical accounts and eyewitness testimony of survivors who witnessed fellow students being tortured and murdered.
(2021-06-27). The Privatization of Medicare. counterpunch.org 
Image by When you want to know if the US government, or the political party in charge, is pulling a fast one on the public, look at the name they give a new program or law. The USA PATRIOT Act is a classic example. An acronym for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism, that law, passed in November 2001 with no hearings, was actually a huge wishlist of a decade's worth of repressive and invasive assaults on the Bill of Rights pulled off Congressional shelves rushed through for Presid…
(2021-06-27). Secret Justice — The Insiders' View. ukhumanrightsblog.com 
A collective submission made by special advocates (security-cleared barristers who appear in secret proceedings) has been cleared for publication. This document is a response to the review being performed by Sir Duncan Ouseley, looking into the operation of closed material procedures (CMPs) under the Justice and Security Act 2013. It gives an unprecedented insight into …
(2021-06-27). Revealing The Pentagon Papers In Congress: A Pyrrhic Victory. popularresistance.org I propped myself up on an elbow as the announcer read the news: The Supreme Court ruled, 6-3, against Nixon. The government's unprecedented move to stop the presses had failed. The Court agreed with two lower courts that the attempt to impose prior restraint on the press was unconstitutional. | The ruling turned out to be more complex than at first glance, but it was an unequivocal call for Constitutional constraint on an out-of-control control executive. The Court challenged the executive's misuse of "national security" as a mantra to undermine the Bill of Rights and accrue quasi-dictatorial powers. Writing for…
(2021-06-27). Wednesday 7/7: Voting Rights Now! Sidewalk Rally for Democracy in Pacifica. indybay.org Intersection of CA-1 and Reina Del Mar @ 1 Reina Del Mar, Pacifica, CA 94044…