(2021-07-21). Pegasus Rides Again: The NSO Group, Spyware and Human Rights. dissidentvoice.org They keep insisting they don't do it. But companies such as the Israeli NSO Group are global vendors for regimes, whatever stripe or colour, for surveillance tools to spy on those they deem of interest. The 2013 revelations by Edward Snowden that exposed the warrantless world of mass surveillance by entities such as the US …
(2021-07-21). The US Pressures Latin American Governments to Condemn Cuba. telesurenglish.net On Tuesday, Cuba's Foreign Affairs Ministry Bruno Rodriguez denounced that U.S. President Joe Biden pressures Latin American governments to condemn his country on human rights issues. | RELATED: | Taking advantage of the economic crisis induced by the pandemic and the blockade, the U.S. launched an aggressive smear campaign against Cuba, the purpose of which is to justify the diplomatic position adopted by right-wing Latin American gove…
(2021-07-21). Secretary Mayorkas Pledged to End His Agency's Anti-Immigrant Abuses. Here's What He's Delivered. aclu.org In the days after his nomination, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas As he approaches the sixth month anniversary of his confirmation, Mayorkas' progress report is…
(2021-07-21). Australia: University of Newcastle Student Association guidelines attack democratic rights. wsws.org The new rules are an attempt to suppress political discussion and activity by students under conditions of an historic pro-business assault on university jobs, conditions and courses.
(2021-07-21). Mexican Authorities Order $2 Million Fine to Green Party. telesurenglish.net Mexico's National Electoral Institute (INE) has fined the Green Ecologist Party (PVEM) $2 million and ordered it not to broadcast radio and television spots for one year. | RELATED: | These sanctions are the result of an investigation that determined that the PVEM paid some USD990,000 to 95 influencers to promote the vote in its favor prior to the June 6 subnational elections. | Due to this, the INE Audit Commission determined…
(2021-07-21). Dozens Of Russian Airstrikes Hit ISIS Terrorists In Central Syria. southfront.org 
File image. | On July 20, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) carried out more than 50 airstrikes on ISIS cells in Syria's central region, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. | "Six Russian jets took turns tageting caves and bunkers in the eastern countryside of Hama, Maadan desert in Raqqah, the eastern desert of Homs as well as the vicinity of Jabal al-Bishrƒ´ on the administrative border between Raqqah and Deir Ezzor," the London-based monitoring group said in a report.
(2021-07-21). Nicaragua: US Sanctions Will Disrupt Sustainable Beef Production and Reforestation. orinocotribune.com 
By Richard Kohn — Jul 19, 2021 | Recently, there have been reports in the news media that Nicaragua is destroying its rain forests and allowing beef ranchers to convert them to pastures in the country's vast nature reserves. A network of supposed human rights and environmental groups are calling for an increase in the intensity of sanctions against Nicaragua, ending beef imports from Nicaragua, and ending international carbon trading credits that support reforestation programs there. | Contrary to this misleading narrative, the nature reserves in Nicaragua are not being deforested, and the Nicaraguan governm…
(2021-07-21). Colombia Erupts in Protest Again over Right-Wing Gov't Tax Plans Even as "Solidarity Is Criminalized" democracynow.org 
We go to Colombia for an update on anti-government protests in several cities on the country's Independence Day, when right-wing President Iván Duque presented a new tax reform bill to Congress. The last tax proposal failed in April after it prompted a general strike and massive demonstrations that focused on deepening economic inequality and human rights abuses. The latest demonstrations came after some of the organizers were arrested and harassed over the weekend and protesters have faced intense crackdowns and brutality from Colombian police forces in recent months. "It was amazing that it took place, notwiths…
(2021-07-21). Extent of Saudi prison torture revealed in new report. peoplesdispatch.org The report by the Human Rights Watch exposes the lack of accountability for the extreme acts of torture, as well as the complicity of the Saudi legal and other institutions in covering up and enabling these human rights violations to continue unabated…
(2021-07-21). Wednesday 7/21: Haiti in Crisis: Teach-in w/ Human Rights Activists Pierre Labossiere & Seth Donnelly. indybay.org Online via Zoom…
(2021-07-21). Local Organizing to Stop Line 3. indybay.org Calling All Santa Cruz Climate and Indigenous Rights Activists! We're trying to rapidly organize one or more Santa Cruz demonstrations for the efforts to #StopLine3, another disastrous tarsands oil pipeline violating treaty rights of Minnesota tribes. We need your help!
(2021-07-21). Rideshare drivers strike for fair pay, demand passage of the PRO Act. therealnews.com 
Rideshare drivers across California are striking on July 21 to demand an end to exploitative pay and working conditions, and to call on Democrats to pass the Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. If passed, the PRO Act would provide sweeping labor protections and stricter safeguards against worker misclassification, which many employers (especially in the gig industry) exploit to strip employees of their basic labor rights and workplace protections. | "App-based workers are fed up with exploitation from big tech companies. Misclassification is like concrete, keeping us underground. The PRO Act is the jackha…
(2021-07-21). Advierten presión de EE.UU para que países declaren contra Cuba. telesurtv.net Las autoridades cubanas han denunciado que el Gobierno de EE.UU. recurre a maniobras injerencistas para recrudecer el bloqueo impuesto a la isla caribeña.
(2021-07-21). Denuncian represión a manifestantes en ciudades de Colombia. telesurtv.net En varias regiones se reportaron hechos represivos, donde el Esmad atacó con gases y bombas aturdidoras a los manifestantes.
(2021-07-21). US Attacks Sovereignty from Haiti to Cuba to China. sputniknews.com 'Core Group' just kinda decided who the Haitian government is; Dems push for decriminalizing marijuana; NSO spyware exposed; US attacks on Cuba and China connected…
(2021-07-21). Tuesday 8/10: Know Your Rights: Employment Rights For People With Conviction Histories. indybay.org Online workshop / webinar…
(2021-07-21). The Democrats Are Bungling Voting Rights—but Not in the Way You Think. thenation.com The Democrats Are Bungling Voting Rights—but Not in the Way You Think…
(2021-07-21). Mayo Clinic named a 'Best Place To Work For Disability Inclusion'. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Mayo Clinic scored 100% on the Disability Equality Index and was named one of the "Best Place To Work For Disability Inclusion" by the American Association of People with Disabilities, the nation's largest disability rights organization, and Disability: IN, the global business disability inclusion network. "The 100% score on the Disability Equality Index shows Mayo Clinic's determination and continuous efforts to create a more equitable society for people with disabilities," says Anjali Bhagra, M.D., medical director for…
(2021-07-20). Why Many In Colombia Embark On New Strike. popularresistance.org Social organizations called new strikes for Tuesday, Colombia's Independence Day, to demand that Congress passes legislation on economic policy, peace and human rights. | The latest strike was called by the National Strike Committee more than 80 days after it's initial April 28 strike sparked protests throughout Colombia that have continued in the cities. | The initial protests successfully sunk a controversial tax reform, but failed to force the far-right government of President Ivan Duque to negotiate demands on economic policies in response to the coronavirus pandemic. | The National Strike Committee has given…
(2021-07-20). "No ice cream for you" — Ben & Jerry's ceases distribution to Israeli Squatter-Settlements in Palestinian West Bank. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — The civil society movement to boycott, divest from and sanction (BDS) Israel racked up another victory on Monday when it was announced that Ben & Jerry's ice cream would cease being sold in the Israeli-only squatter-settlements built on usurped Palestinian-owned farmland. Ben & Jerry's was founded by Ben Cohen and …
(2021-07-20). French president honors U.S. civil rights icon Jesse Jackson. peoplesworld.org 
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday made American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson a commander of the Legion of Honor, France's highest award, for helping "change the destiny of the United States" and with it, the world. Jackson, 79, who had gallbladder surgery this year and is being treated for Parkinson's disease, had visible difficulty walking. The founder of the …
(2021-07-20). Immigrant Leaders Shut Down NJ ICE 'Black Site'. popularresistance.org Immigrant leaders and immigration justice organizers chained themselves together and blockaded the entrance of the Newark SAC office in response to escalating abuses by ICE. Protesters are calling this unidentified office located in a desolate industrial neighborhood in Newark, NJ an "ICE black site"; and are demanding #ReleasesNotTransfers as detainees continue to be transferred out of New Jersey jails to detention centers across the country and away from their families.
(2021-07-20). Immigrant Leaders Shut Down ICE 'Black Site'. popularresistance.org Newark, NJ — Immigrant leaders and immigration justice organizers chained themselves together and blockaded the entrance of the Newark SAC office in response to escalating abuses by ICE. Protesters are calling this unidentified office located in a desolate industrial neighborhood in Newark, NJ an "ICE black site"; and are demanding #ReleasesNotTransfers as detainees continue to be transferred out of New Jersey jails to detention centers across the country and away from their families. Advocates say this Homeland Security Investigations office is where unmarked vans bring detainees and ICE processes all depo…
(2021-07-20). Mexican Journalist Shot Dead in Morelia City. telesurenglish.net On Monday, Mexican journalist Abraham Mendoza was shot dead as he walked out of a gym in Morelia city, in Michoacan State. He was a presenter on EXA Morelia radio station and collaborated with the Artists Rights Foundation. | RELATED: | A group of armed men opened fire on him in the facility parking lot and drove away through Madero Poniente Avenue. In the attack, an ice-paddle salesman was also shot but not murdered. | Mi…
(2021-07-20). US Department Bans Entry of Porfirio Lobo and His Wife. telesurenglish.net The U.S. State Department announced on Tuesday that former Honduran president Porfirio Lobo is banned from travel to the country, a sanction over corruption charges. | RELATED: | "While their corrupt acts undermined the stability of Honduras' democratic institutions, former President Lobo has not yet been convicted and Rosa Lobo has been released from prison awaiting a retrial," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. | Porf…
(2021-07-20). Leaving Parts of Trump's Pro-Polluter Legacy Intact, Biden Gets C- on Environmental Report Card. commondreams.org Scores of groups are "calling on all financial institutions and the U.S. government to end their support for companies engaged in climate destruction and human rights abuses."
(2021-07-20). Comicomment: UK double-dealing in 'human rights' issues. ecns.cn Some British politicians always shut their eyes to their own problems and point an accusing finger at other countries over so-called "human rights" issues.
(2021-07-20). European Islamophobia on both Left and Right is a Major Human Rights Concern. juancole.com ( Middle East Monitor) — Europe's identity crisis is not confined to the ceaseless squabbles by Europeans over the EU, Brexit, or football. It goes much deeper, reaching sensitive and dangerous territory, including that of culture and religion. Moreover, once again, Muslims stand at the heart of the continent's identity debate. Anti-Muslim sentiments are rarely …
(2021-07-20). Israeli Airstrikes Pound Military Posts in Syria's Aleppo. news.antiwar.com A new round of airstrikes from Israel hit military posts in and around the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. Syrian state media claimed to have shot down most of the missiles before they hit, and casualties are still unclear. | The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights T…
(2021-07-20). Moroccan journalist Omar Radi sentenced to six years in prison. peoplesdispatch.org Radi was arrested in July 2020 on charges including sexual assault and espionage, which have been termed as politically motivated by rights groups. His colleague Imad Stitou was also convicted for "participation in rape" and sentenced to one year in prison…
(2021-07-20). Amnesty International: Julian Assange's "Arbitrary" Detention Must End. Release Him Now. democracynow.org 
As WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faces up to 175 years in prison if he is extradited to the U.S. under the Espionage Act for publishing classified documents exposing U.S. war crimes, Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard says his detention since 2010 "is arbitrary and that he should be released." She adds that allegations made against him by the U.S. authorities "raise a large number of problems and red flags in relation to freedom of the press."
(2021-07-20). The Weekly Round-Up: Migrant Rights, Virginity Testing and Racism. ukhumanrightsblog.com 
In the news: Immigration and migrant rights have been at the forefront of the news this week. An investigation has revealed that many undocumented migrants in the UK are being denied access to a vaccine, even though NHS England policy states that ID is not required to register with a GP (needed to book a jab). The …
(2021-07-20). "Heartbreaking": Judge's Suspension of DACA Renews Push for Comprehensive Immigration Bill. democracynow.org 
After a federal judge struck down DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, we look at what may come next with Cesar Espinosa, a DACA recipient and executive director of the Houston, Texas-based, immigrant-led civil rights organization FIEL. He says the latest ruling is "heartbreaking," and urges lawmakers to create a legislative solution for the millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. "We want to see Congress and the president take action."
(2021-07-20). Friday 7/16: Emergency Webinar on DACA Ruling & Immigrant Rights w/ United We Dream. indybay.org Online via livestream recording…
(2021-07-20). How I Made It: El Peso Hero (A Latino USA Podcast). latinorebels.com This July, "El Peso Hero" is celebrating 10 years of fighting Mexican cartels, corrupt officials and advocating for the rights of migrants on the border.
(2021-07-20). Saturday 7/17: La Honda: Good Trouble Protest for Democracy & Voting Rights. indybay.org Post Office sidewalk, 8865 La Honda Road, La Honda, CA 94020 | Peaceful Action. Masks & follow all current COVID guidlines.
(2021-07-20). Pipe Line 3 Protesters Disrupt Federal Building. indybay.org Rally outside supports those inside who were detained…
(2021-07-20). Monday 7/19: Voting Rights Now! Women's Protest March on Washington D.C. w/ CA PPC. indybay.org Online D.C. livestream & online voting rights actions…
(2021-07-20). Tennessee educators oppose attacks on teachers' free speech rights. wsws.org Our committee opposes the right-wing laws recently passed by the Tennessee legislature that would withhold funding to schools where teachers "promote" class or racial antagonisms or are insufficiently "impartial" in their treatment of historical instances of such antagonisms.
