2019-05-31: Social Media Postees

Australia: Children detained in adult watch houses in Queensland
wsws.org | 2019-05-31
Children as young as ten have been held in maximum security facilities, where they have been subjected to horrific abuses.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/05/31/watc…

WikiLeaks: Assange indictments 'the gravest attack on press freedom'
susan_p | greenleft.org.au | 2019-05-31
In response to the news on May 24 that the United States government is seeking to lay multiple espionage charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the organisation accused US President Donald Trump's administration of launching "an unprecedented attack on the global free press". | The unsealed Espionage Act charges carry combined sentences of 175 years in prison and relate to disclosures of war crimes and human rights abuses by the US government, including the groundbreaking Collateral Murder video, Iraq War Logs, Afghan War Diaries, Cablegate, and the Guantanamo Bay Detainee Manuals, published in 2010 an…
greenleft.org.au/content/wikileaks-assange-indictments-gravest-attack-press-freedom

US Hints at Sanctions Against Venezuela CLAP Food Programme. Bolivarian Militia to Protect CLAP
Paul Dobson | globalresearch.ca | 2019-05-31
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced the incorporation of the National Bolivarian Militia into the subsidised CLAP (Local Supply and Production Committees) food programme. | The move comes as rumours circulate of upcoming US-led sanctions against the leaders of the programme, …
globalresearch.ca/us-hints-sanctions-against-venezuela-clap-food-programme-maduro-incorporates-militia/5679136

Minnesotans say "No coup! No war! Hands off Venezuela!"
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-05-31
Minneapolis, MN – 30 people held signs reading "Hands off Venezuela" and a big banner saying "No coup – no sanctions – no war – hands off Venezuela" on a bridge from Loring Park to the Walker Sculpture Garden over Interstate 94 in Minneapolis during rush hour, May 30. Ten lanes of traffic filled with rush hour traffic traveled underneath. The protesters heard hundreds of honks of agreement that the U.S. shouldn't intervene in Venezuela. | Afterwards protesters gathered to hear from Tracy Molm, a member of the MN Anti-War Committee, to hear an update from Venezuela, "Today we were seen by thousands of people in Mi…
www.fightbacknews.org/2019/5/31/minnesot…

Calling Treatment of Julian Assange 'Psychological Torture,' UN Expert Demands End to US Extradition Attempt
Jake Johnson, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-05-31
"I condemn, in the strongest terms, the deliberate, concerted, and sustained nature of the abuse inflicted on Mr. Assange." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/news/2019/05/31/calling-treatment-julian-assange-psychological-torture-un-expert-demands-end-us?cd-origin=rss

UN Says Assange Tortured: Join Us Live Online at 4pm
consortiumnews.com | 2019-05-31
Julian Assange is in Belmarsh Prison hospital after his Swedish lawyer said he was too ill to carry on a conversation. Join us live for a discussion of the latest. The 32nd webcast vigil for Julian Assange can be seen… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2019/05/31/un-says-assange-tortured-join-us-live-online-at-4pm/

UN Special Rapporteur Calls for Julian Assange to Be Freed
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-05-31
The United Nations special rapporteur on torture is warning that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is suffering from the effects of "psychological torture" due to his ongoing detention and threats of possible extradition to the United States. The U.N. expert, Nils Melzer, also warned that Assange would likely face a "politicized show trial" if he were to be extradited to the United States. Melzer writes, "In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence and political persecution, I have never seen a group of democratic states ganging up to deliberately isolate, demonize and abuse a single individual for such a…
truthout.org/video/un-special-rapporteur-calls-for-julian-assange-to-be-freed/

The UN Torture Report On Assange Is An Indictment Of Our Entire Society
Caitlin Johnstone | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-05-31
On the eighth of April, shortly before London police forcibly carried WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange out of the Ecuadorian embassy, a doctor named Sondra S Crosby wrote a letter to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights requesting that the office look into Assange's case. Today, following a scorching rebuke of multiple …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/05/the-un-torture-report-on-assange-is-an-indictment-of-our-entire-society/

UN Rights Expert Defends Assange, Says Institutions Abusing Power for 'Ulterior Motives'
telesurenglish.net | 2019-05-31
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has suffered psychological torture and should not be extradited to the United States where he would face a "politicized show trial," the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer said Friday. | RELATED: | Wikileaks Confirms Assange Moved to Prison Medical Area | Melzer, who visited Assange in London's Be…
telesurenglish.net/news/UN-Rights-Expert-Defends-Assange-Says-Institutions-Abusing-Power-for-Ulterior-Motives–20190531-0010.html

UN Special Rapporteur On Torture: 'The Collective Persecution Of Julian Assange Must End Here And Now'
Kevin Gosztola | shadowproof.com | 2019-05-31
In a blistering statement against democratic countries collaborating to prosecute and enable the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture condemned the "collective persecution" against him. "In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence, and political persecution, I have never seen a…
shadowproof.com/2019/05/31/un-special-rapporteur-on-torture-the-collective-persecution-of-julian-assange-must-end-here-and-now/

UN Torture Report: 'Demonized' Assange Has Faced 'Psychological Torture'
consortiumnews.com | 2019-05-31
The UN special rapporteur on torture has blasted four nations for imposing psychological torture on Julian Assange. 'A Relentless and Unrestrained Campaign of Public Mobbing, Intimidation and Defamation' Warns of 'Criminalization of Journalism' By Joe Lauria Special to Consortium News… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2019/05/31/un-torture-report-demonized-assange-has-faced-psychological-torture/

U.N. Special Rapporteur Calls for Julian Assange to Be Freed, Citing "Psychological Torture"
MAIL | democracynow.org | 2019-05-31
The United Nations special rapporteur on torture is warning that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is suffering from the effects of "psychological torture" due to his ongoing detention and threats of possible extradition to the United States. The U.N. expert, Nils Melzer, also warned that Assange would likely face a "politicized show trial" if he were to be extradited to the United States. Melzer writes, "In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence and political persecution, I have never seen a group of democratic states ganging up to deliberately isolate, demonize and abuse a single individual for such a lo…
www.democracynow.org/2019/5/31/seg_1_jul…

UN Torture Report: "Demonized" Assange Has Faced "Psychological Torture"
Consortium News | theantimedia.com | 2019-05-31
(CN) — The UN special rapporteur on torture has issued a stinging rebuke to the United States, Great Britain, Sweden and Ecuador for "deliberately" exposing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to years of "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," which can only be described as "psychological torture." "In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence and political …

UN Torture Report: "Demonized" Assange Has Faced "Psychological Torture"

UN expert criticizes States for 'ganging up' on Wikileaks' Assange; warns against extradition, fearing 'serious' rights violations
United Nations | un.org | 2019-05-31
After visiting Julian Assange in a London prison, an independent UN human rights expert expressed urgent concern on Friday, for the Wikileaks co-founder's well-being, accusing "a group of democratic States" of "ganging up" on the prisoner to "isolate, demonize and abuse" him and warned against extraditing the controversial publisher to the United States.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/05/1039581

Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights | globalresearch.ca | 2019-05-31
Israeli forces continued with systematic crimes, in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), for the week of 23 — 29 May, 2019. | Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against peaceful protestors in the Gaza Strip. 11 Palestinian civilians, including 3 …
globalresearch.ca/pchr-weekly-report-israeli-human-rights-violations-occupied-palestinian-territory-2/5679131

Did the Left Betray Israel and Zionism?
Robert Scheer | truthdig.com | 2019-05-31
Israel and the Zionist ideology that its founding is based on have been topics at the heart of global politics for decades. On the left, progressives, especially Jewish intellectuals such as Noam Chomsky, have become increasingly critical of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. At the same time, the self-defined Jewish state has lurched further right with each election. The plight of Palestinians is moving center-stage in global human rights discussions, and the questions of Palestinian statehood and the two-state…
truthdig.com/articles/did-the-left-betray-israel-and-zionism/

'Criminalizing Compassion': Trial Begins for Humanitarian Facing 20 Years in Prison for Giving Water to Migrants in Arizona Desert
Jessica Corbett | globalresearch.ca | 2019-05-31
Human rights advocates accused the U.S. Justice Department of " criminalizing compassion" as a federal trial began in Arizona Wednesday for activist Scott Warren, who faces up to 20 years in prison for providing humanitarian aid to migrants …
globalresearch.ca/trial-begins-humanitarian-facing-20-years-prison-giving-water-migrants-arizona-desert/5679138

Ecological Importance and Human Rights Be Damned, Trump Admin Says Fossil Fuel Pillaging in Arctic Refuge Coming Soon
Andrea Germanos, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-05-31
Interior Dept. statement that "lease sale will happen in 2019" comes as oil companies face heat over possible extraction on previously protected public land | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/news/2019/05/31/ecological-importance-and-human-rights-be-damned-trump-admin-says-fossil-fuel?cd-origin=rss

The Hangman of the Middle East: US-backed Regime in Egypt Hands Down Nearly 2,500 Death Sentences
Bill Van Auken | globalresearch.ca | 2019-05-31
Egypt's US-backed dictatorship of Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has sentenced 2,443 people to death since coming to power in a bloody coup in 2013, according to a report issued this week by the UK-based human rights group Reprieve. | Of those …
globalresearch.ca/hangman-middle-east-us-backed-regime-egypt-hands-down-nearly-2500-death-sentences/5679152

'Beyond Barbaric': Internal Govt Report Reveals Migrants Forced to Stand on Toilets for Breathing Space at Overcrowded US Detention Center
Jake Johnson, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-05-31
"This is insane. Not only can they not move, they can't breathe, they can't eat, they can't do anything like this. Children have died and will continue to die if this is not stopped now." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/news/2019/05/31/beyond-barbaric-internal-govt-report-reveals-migrants-forced-stand-toilets-breathing?cd-origin=rss

Chelsea Manning's Legal Team Challenge Harsh Fines Levied Against Her By Federal Court
Kevin Gosztola | shadowproof.com | 2019-05-31
The legal team for Chelsea Manning requested a hearing to challenge the harsh fines levied to force her to testify before the grand jury investigating WikiLeaks. | On May 16, Judge Anthony Trenga held Manning in civil contempt and ordered her to be sent back to the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center in Alexandria. The court also imposed a fine of $500 per day after 30 days, and then a fine of $1000 per day after 60 days. | If Manning "persists in her refusal" for the next 16 months, her legal team points out she will face a total amount of fines that is over $440,000. This excessive amount may violate he…
shadowproof.com/2019/05/31/chelsea-manning-legal-team-fines-court-grand-jury-wikileaks/

Condemning Trump's "Racist Attacks on Immigrants," Sanders Calls for Bans on Mass Raids and For-Profit Detention Centers
Jake Johnson, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-05-31
"We have to end the dehumanization of undocumented people," the Vermont senator and presidential candidate said during a rally in Nevada | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/news/2019/05/31/condemning-trumps-racist-attacks-immigrants-sanders-calls-bans-mass-raids-and-profit?cd-origin=rss

149 refugees evacuated from Libya to Italy
CGTN Africa | cgtn.com | 2019-05-31
Migrants are seen in a shelter after they were relocated from government-run detention centers, after getting trapped by clashes between rival groups in Tripoli, Libya August 30, 2018. REUTERS/Hani Amara | The UN Higher Commission of Refugees (UNHCR) said on Thursday that 149 refugees were evacuated from Libya to Italy, in cooperation with Libyan and Italian authorities. | "Amid violent clashes and a deteriorating security situation in Tripoli, 149 vulnerable refugees and asylum-seekers were evacuated to safety in Rome," UNHCR said in a statement. | The evacuated refugees are of different African nationalities, i…
africa.cgtn.com/2019/05/31/149-refugees-evacuated-from-libya-to-italy/

U.S. Workers Are Standing Up for Their Rights. A New Law Would Back Them Up
Alan Barber, Liz Watson | commondreams.org | 2019-05-31
The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act would force employers to the bargaining table if the union has the support of a majority of employees and the employer interferes with the union election. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/views/2019/05/31/us-workers-are-standing-their-rights-new-law-would-back-them?cd-origin=rss

Peterloo: A defining moment in the struggle for democracy in Britain
susan_p | greenleft.org.au | 2019-05-31
Peterloo | Written & directed by Mike Leigh | Starring Rory Kinnear, Maxine Peake & Pearce Quigley | In cinemas now | *** | The international release of British director Mike Leigh's new film Peterloo marks 200 years since the infamous 1819 Peterloo Massacre in Manchester, England. On August 16 that year, a crowd estimated at up to 80,000 gathered in St Peter's Fields to demand parliamentary reform and an extension of voting rights. | On the orders of the government in London and reactionary local magistrates, armed troops and militias arrested the protest leaders and then charged into the crowd. They killed at l…
greenleft.org.au/content/peterloo-defining-moment-struggle-democracy-britain

Friday's Daily Brief: Fundraising for Mozambique, Assange's rights, Asia-Pacific development, Somalia and Sudan updates
United Nations | un.org | 2019-05-31
This Friday, we cover: a donor conference to support life-saving and recovery aid for Mozambique following two recent devastating cyclones; the need to respect Wikileaks' Assange's rights; how Asia-Pacific is working towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ; news from Somalia and Sudan; and a new stamp honouring Kofi Annan.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/05/1039621

Mass Demonstrations Against Saudi Summit and US "Deal" Mark Quds Day in Yemen
Ahmed Abdulkareem | mintpressnews.com | 2019-05-31
Quds Day demonstrations condemned the so-called U.S. Deal of the Century and vowed to support Palestinians facing the prospect of losing their rights under the U.S.-brokered plan.
mintpressnews.com/258916-2/258916/

A Dead Republican Strategist's Work Could Destroy Voting Rights in America
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-05-31
A Common Cause court case opposing Republican gerrymandering in North Carolina revealed that Trump officials lied about the 2020 census citizenship question in order to maintain "White" and "Republican Power"
therealnews.com/stories/a-dead-republican-strategists-work-could-destroy-voting-rights-in-america

Raising Some Issues at Oral Communications
Robert Norse & Alicia Kuhl | indybay.org | 2019-05-31
Continued delay and inaction on providing homeless shelter and services (to say nothing of civil rights) for homeless folks was the silent part of yesterday's Santa Cruz City Council agenda. Several of us raised issues at Oral Communications…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/05/29/18823656.php

Stopping the abortion bans is a working-class fight–Here's why
Chauncey K. Robinson | peoplesworld.org | 2019-05-31
There is an attack underway. A full-fledged assault on the rights of working people is happening in the United States of America. It is being spearheaded by a White House administration that has emboldened those who adhere to right-wing ideology and employ bigoted rhetoric in their effort to take away rights that have been fought …
peoplesworld.org/article/stopping-the-abortion-bans-is-a-working-class-fight-heres-why/

Why the imperialists hate Huawei
Deirdre Griswold | workers.org | 2019-05-30
The Chinese company Huawei has been targeted by the Donald Trump administration. At Washington's request, Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of the company, last December. The charge? That the company did business with Iran, contrary to U.S. sanctions on that country. Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder . . . | Continue reading Why the imperialists hate Huawei at Workers.org…
workers.org/2019/05/30/why-the-imperialists-hate-huawei/

White House protest says 'End the sanctions on Zimbabwe!'
Monica Moorehead | workers.org | 2019-05-30
Protest at the White House, May 25. A march and rally was held in Washington, D.C., on May 25, African Liberation Day, to demand an end to sanctions against the southern African country of Zimbabwe. Known as Rhodesia after it was colonized by England in the late 1800s, Zimbabwe has . . . | Continue reading White House protest says 'End the sanctions on Zimbabwe!' at Workers.org…
workers.org/2019/05/30/white-house-protest-says-end-the-sanctions-on-zimbabwe/

South Sudan wants UN sanctions removed
CGTN Africa | cgtn.com | 2019-05-30
The South Sudan government has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to remove the sanctions against it. | The world's security body placed South Sudan in the sanctions list in 2015 following reports of gross human rights violations in the conflict that ravaged the country. | The sanctions ranged from an arms embargo against Juba, and others that targeted individuals believed to be obstructing the peace process in South Sudan. | Several senior government officials, including military commanders from both President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar factions, were among those sanctioned…
africa.cgtn.com/2019/05/30/south-sudan-wants-un-sanctions-removed/

Trial Begins for Man Facing 20 Years in Prison for Giving Water to Migrants in Desert
Jessica Corbett | theantimedia.com | 2019-05-30
(CD) — Human rights advocates accused the U.S. Justice Department of "criminalizing compassion" as a federal trial began in Arizona Wednesday for activist Scott Warren, who faces up to 20 years in prison for providing humanitarian aid to migrants in the desert. Warren, a 36-year-old college geography instructor from Ajo, Arizona, is a volunteer for the humanitarian organization No More Deaths/No …

Trial Begins for Man Facing 20 Years in Prison for Giving Water to Migrants in Desert

Rule of Law Fails in Malta as Slain Journalist Sees No Justice
telesurenglish.net | 2019-05-30
The failure of Maltese authorities to identify the masterminds behind the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia raises questions about the rule of law in Malta, according to Europe's chief human rights watchdog. | RELATED | Rally in Malta for Slain Reporter Sparks Political Unity | Caruana Galizia, whose reporting uncovered widespread corruption, was killed by a car bomb in October 2017. Her murder exposed the dark side of the Mediterranean island that is both a m…
telesurenglish.net/news/Rule-of-Law-Fails-in-Malta-as-Slain-Journalist-Sees-No-Justice-Report-20190530-0024.html

Colombia: FARC Leader Jesus Santrich Freed at Top Court's Order
telesurenglish.net | 2019-05-30
Colombia's Prosecutor office announced Thursday the release of Jesus Santrich, less than a day after the country's Supreme Court ordered his release, the latest development in a legal saga concerning his detention and possible extradition to the United States. | RELATED: | Supreme Court of Colombia Orders Release of Jesus Santrich | From prison, Santric…
telesurenglish.net/news/Colombia-FARC-Leader-Jesus-Santrich-Freed-at-Top-Courts-Order-20190530-0012.html

Rally vows to defend refugees' rights
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-05-30
Three hundred people rallied on May 24 to show solidarity with refugees, who face increasing attacks following the re-election of the Coalition government. | Lucy Honan, representing the Refugee Action Collective which called the rally, said the election result had been "bruising" for refugees and their supporters. Even though Labor and the Coalition shared bipartisan policies of offshore detention and boat turnbacks, refugees had hoped for some changes from a Labor government. | Labor had promised to accept New Zealand's offer to take 150 refugees a year from Manus and Nauru. This had raised the hopes of th…
greenleft.org.au/content/rally-vows-defend-refugees-rights

Decision reserved on Wangan and Jagalingou Adani appeal
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-05-30
The Federal Court reserved its decision on May 28 and adjourned so parties can consider a complex administrative issue that could mean that an appeal by Wangan and Jagalingou Family Council (W&J) against Adani could be thrown out. | The Full Court of the Federal Court came across the potential problem on the second day of the appeal hearing. It relates to a decision of a court registrar, not heard at the original trial, which threw out objections to Adani's Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA). The agreement, which Adani requires to develop the mine, extinguished the group's land rights. | They have appealed…
greenleft.org.au/content/decision-reserved-wangan-and-jagalingou-adani-appeal

Disney, Netflix, Warner to Leave Georgia If Abortion Ban Passes
telesurenglish.net | 2019-05-30
Disney, Netflix, and WarnerMedia are threatening to take their business out of Georgia to protest the state's new abortion bill. | RELATED: | Ilhan Omar Comes Out Against Abortion Ban Bills, Rejects Attempts to 'Control, Punish' Women | Earlier this month, Georgia became the fourth U.S. state this year to outlaw abortion once a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat, which abortion-rights advocates vowed to challenge in court. | Opponents called the legi…
telesurenglish.net/news/Disney-Netflix-Warner-to-Leave-Georgia-If-Abortion-Ban-Passes-20190530-0016.html

A major win for transgender rights: UN health agency drops 'gender identity disorder', as official diagnosis
United Nations | un.org | 2019-05-30
"To reflect critical advances in science and medicine", the World Health Organization, WHO, has removed so-called "gender identity disorder" from its official manual of diagnoses, which is being hailed as a major win for transgender rights.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/05/1039531

Stripped of Their Rights: Understanding the Gaza Strip
Rima Najjar | globalresearch.ca | 2019-05-30
Many wonder why Israel continues to persecute the Palestinians in Gaza with such brutal repression. | The answer is simple; Palestinians in Gaza pose a demographic and, indeed, an existential threat to the Jewish state, which created the inferno that is …
globalresearch.ca/stripped-their-rights-understanding-gaza-strip/5679050

Thursday's Daily Brief: the European Charlemagne prize, sexual abuse, transgender rights, Somalia and Libya updates
United Nations | un.org | 2019-05-30
Top stories this Thursday: UN chief Guterres received the Charlemagne Prize for services towards European unification; sexual abuse in Somalia and within the UN; a leap in transgender rights; news from Libya; and new political appointments at the UN.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/05/1039521

WikiLeaks Expresses 'Grave Concerns' for Assange's Health
consortiumnews.com | 2019-05-30
WikiLeaks on Wednesday said it was gravely concerned for the health of its publisher, Julian Assange, and questioned Britain's "standing as a human-rights abiding nation." By Joe Lauria Special to Consortium News WikiLeaks has condemned Britain for its treatment of… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2019/05/29/wikileaks-expresses-grave-concerns-for-assanges-health/

Queensland vote: Right's noisy triumphalism is more due to its surprise
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-05-30
Mainstream talk of Queenslanders embracing the Coalition at the federal elections is louder than ever. | The implication is that, here, everything is cut from the one cloth. But, just as the inner-city seats of Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney moved against the Coalition there is no evidence that there is a conservative tide sweeping regional Queensland. | Central Queensland with Rockhampton and Mackay, north Queensland with Townsville and far-north Queensland with Cairns all vary from each other in climate, economics, culture and, of course, politics. | A week into the vote count, the far-north Queensland electora…
greenleft.org.au/content/queensland-vote-rights-noisy-triumphalism-more-due-its-surprise

Six Children Have Died While in ICE Custody — Why?
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-05-29
Undocumented immigrants seeking asylum are being separated from their children and detained in prison camps as more restrictive racist policies are being imposed by Trump. We discuss the policy with the Border Rights Center Director of ACLU Texas, Astrid Dominguez…
therealnews.com/stories/six-children-have-died-while-in-ice-custody-why

US Hints at Sanctions Against Venezuela CLAP Food Programme as Maduro Incorporates Militia
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-05-29
The Venezuelan President looks to combat corruption and improve the programme which benefits 6 million Venezuelan families.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14514

London: Diaspora Ugandans Protest Deadly Lawless Land-grabs By Country's Dictator Gen. Museveni For "Investors"
Special To The Black Star News | blackstarnews.com | 2019-05-29
Ugandan Diaspora in U.K. protest the deadly lawless regime land-grabs for foreign investors in their homeland. | [Comment: Open Letter] | Statement by Ugandans in the United Kingdom Demanding End to Land Grabs and Evictions. | 28 May 2019, London | | Ugandans in Britain held a demonstration at the Uganda High Commission in central London on 28 May 2019 and called for rights to land and against seizures. | The protest followed high profile cases of evictions by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, including Uganda police and military, known as the UPDF (Uganda Peoples Defense Force) killings, shooting and arrests of…
www.blackstarnews.com/global-politics/gl…

Interfaith Activists Push for Reproductive Justice
Erik Gunn | progressive.org | 2019-05-29
Less visible, but no less vocal than anti-abortion groups, are religiously-grounded defenders of strong and expansive reproductive rights…
progressive.org/dispatches/interfaith-activists-push-for-reproductive-justice-Gunn-190529/

ACLU Lawyer: "Abortion Today Is Still Legal in All 50 States" Despite Draconian Anti-Choice Bills
MAIL | democracynow.org | 2019-05-29
As states around the country ramp up their attacks on reproductive rights, the Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to rule on an Indiana law that would bar abortions based on the sex, race or disability of the fetus. The decision will keep in place a lower court's injunction on the measure. However, the Supreme Court decided to allow Indiana's so-called fetal burial law to go into effect, which stipulates that abortion clinics must dispose of fetal remains either through burial or cremation. The measure was signed into law by then-Governor Mike Pence in 2016. We speak with Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, senior staff attorney…
www.democracynow.org/2019/5/29/aclu_lawy…

The Government Needs to Get a Warrant if It Wants Access to Our Private Health Information
aclu.org | 2019-05-29
Choosing between obtaining health care and giving up one's privacy rights is no choice at all. | The Drug Enforcement Administration is once again trying to access private prescription records of patients — this time in New Hampshire — without a warrant, despite a state law to the contrary. Today the ACLU filed a brief in support of the state of New Hampshire's fight to defend the privacy of our sensitive medical information against unwarranted searches by law enforcement. | New Hampshire — like 48 other states, the…
aclu.org/blog/privacy-technology/medical-and-genetic-privacy/government-needs-get-warrant-if-it-wants-access

2019-05-30: News Headlines

Jessica Corbett (2019-05-30). Trial Begins for Man Facing 20 Years in Prison for Giving Water to Migrants in Desert. theantimedia.com (CD) — Human rights advocates accused the U.S. Justice Department of "criminalizing compassion" as a federal trial began in Arizona Wednesday for activist Scott Warren, who faces up to 20 years in prison for providing humanitarian aid to migrants in the desert. Warren, a 36-year-old college geography instructor from Ajo, Arizona, is a volunteer for the humanitarian organization No More Deaths/No …

Julia Conley, staff writer (2019-05-30). 'Fire Zuck' Projected onto Hotel as Facebook Shareholders Arrive for Annual Meeting. commondreams.org Accusing the social media giant Facebook of actively working in opposition to "democracy and human rights," the internet freedom and civil rights group Fight for the Future greeted the company's shareholders arriving for their annual meeting with a demand that they fire CEO Mark Zuckerberg. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Text: RR Photos: Aria Barajas (2019-05-30). In San Jose, Protesters Call for Preservation of Abortion Rights. indybay.org "If You're Against Abortions Have a Vasectomy" and other placards at protest in San Jose on May 21. | Photos by: Aria Barajas, ProBonoPhoto. Please credit the author. Non-commercial use only.

Staff (2019-05-30). Democrats' 2020 Policy Blitz Largely Lacking on Immigration. truthdig.com WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential contenders are in a feverish battle to one-up each other with ever-more-ambitious plans to beat back global warming, curb gun violence, offer universal health care coverage, slash student debt and preserve abortion rights. Larg…

Alexandra Jacobo (2019-05-30). A win for women: Federal judge strikes down Mississippi abortion ban. nationofchange.org In the latest decision from the string of anti-abortion laws conservative lawmakers are trying to push throughout the nation, a federal court has blocked a Mississippi law that would ban abortions as early as six weeks after a woman's last period. | Late last year, U.S. Judge Carlton Reeves ruled against a similar proposed law in Mississippi that would ban abortions as early as 15 weeks. Saying that the newest, more extreme, proposal "smacks of defiance to this court," Judge Reeves says that the law "threatens immediate harm to women's rights, especially considering most women do not seek abortions services un…

pip.hinman (2019-05-30). Rally vows to defend refugees' rights. greenleft.org.au Three hundred people rallied on May 24 to show solidarity with refugees, who face increasing attacks following the re-election of the Coalition government. | Lucy Honan, representing the Refugee Action Collective which called the rally, said the election result had been "bruising" for refugees and their supporters. Even though Labor and the Coalition shared bipartisan policies of offshore detention and boat turnbacks, refugees had hoped for some changes from a Labor government. | Labor had promised to accept New Zealand's offer to take 150 refugees a year from Manus and Nauru. This had raised the hopes of th…

CGTN Africa (2019-05-30). Semenya files appeal against IAAF ruling. cgtn.com Caster Semenya of South Africa celebrates after winning the Women's 800 event at the IAAF Diamond League athletics meet in Doha, Qatar May 6, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari | Two-time Olympic champion Caster Semenya filed a legal challenge Wednesday in a Swiss court to block a ruling made this month that required the South African middle-distance runner to artificially lower the testosterone level in her bloodstream to compete in certain women's events. Her appeal, her lawyers said in a news release, "focuses on fundamental human rights." | "I am a woman and I am a world-class athlete. The IAAF (International As…

pip.hinman (2019-05-30). Sydney Peace Prize recipients urge support for Julian Assange. greenleft.org.au The Council for Peace with Justice (CPJ) University of Sydney released the following statement on May 26. | *** | As Julian Assange faces US Espionage Act charges, which carry 175 years prison, high profile recipients of Australia's prestigious international Peace Prize are calling on the Australian government to "protect the human rights of this distinguished Australian citizen". | Professor Noam Chomsky; Dr. Vandana Shiva; artist George Gittoes; Julian Burnside QC; journalist and film maker John Pilger; and Senator Sekai Holland, have joined former Chair of the Sydney Peace Foundation, Mary Kostakidis and Found…

CGTN Africa (2019-05-30). South Sudan wants UN sanctions removed. cgtn.com The South Sudan government has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to remove the sanctions against it. | The world's security body placed South Sudan in the sanctions list in 2015 following reports of gross human rights violations in the conflict that ravaged the country. | The sanctions ranged from an arms embargo against Juba, and others that targeted individuals believed to be obstructing the peace process in South Sudan. | Several senior government officials, including military commanders from both President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar factions, were among those sanctioned…

Reynard Loki (2019-05-30). How Indigenous Peoples Won a Landmark Victory Protecting the Amazon From Oil Drilling. commondreams.org In 2008, Ecuador became the first country to recognize the rights of nature in its constitution, which was rewritten to acknowledge that nature in all its life forms "has the right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and its processes in evolution."(Photo: Jeronimo Zuniga) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

pip.hinman (2019-05-30). Decision reserved on Wangan and Jagalingou Adani appeal. greenleft.org.au The Federal Court reserved its decision on May 28 and adjourned so parties can consider a complex administrative issue that could mean that an appeal by Wangan and Jagalingou Family Council (W&J) against Adani could be thrown out. | The Full Court of the Federal Court came across the potential problem on the second day of the appeal hearing. It relates to a decision of a court registrar, not heard at the original trial, which threw out objections to Adani's Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA). The agreement, which Adani requires to develop the mine, extinguished the group's land rights. | They have appealed…

Rima Najjar (2019-05-30). Stripped of Their Rights: Understanding the Gaza Strip. globalresearch.ca Many wonder why Israel continues to persecute the Palestinians in Gaza with such brutal repression. | The answer is simple; Palestinians in Gaza pose a demographic and, indeed, an existential threat to the Jewish state, which created the inferno that is …

United Nations (2019-05-30). A major win for transgender rights: UN health agency drops 'gender identity disorder', as official diagnosis. un.org "To reflect critical advances in science and medicine", the World Health Organization, WHO, has removed so-called "gender identity disorder" from its official manual of diagnoses, which is being hailed as a major win for transgender rights.

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2019-05-30). Trump's New "Fundamentally Cruel" Policy Would Effectively Bar Central American Refugees From Seeking Asylum. commondreams.org Immigrant and human rights advocates responded with alarm Thursday to a report that the Trump administration "is considering sweeping restrictions on asylum that would effectively block Central American migrants from entering the U.S.," condemning the proposed policy as both inhumane and unconstitutional. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Staff (2019-05-30). US Abortion Rights Activists Can Draw Inspiration From Ireland. truthout.org A year ago, I stood in the street in Dublin with friends, awaiting the first exit polls of the Irish abortion referendum. The tension of the past weeks was peaking as we approached the final hours of the vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment of the Irish constitution and overturn the ban on abortion. Many of the activists and campaigners I had met over the previous days hoped to edge by with a narrow margin. As the sunny day came to a close and the first polls trickled out, we looked at our phones in disbelief. | The first polls showed a shock victory for Together for Yes, with 66 percent of voters in favor of r…

plenglish (2019-05-30). Unified Europe is ' More Necessary than Ever ', UN Asserts. plenglish.com Berlin, May 30 (Prensa Latina) The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Antonio Guterres, has said Thursday that for the European Union (EU) unity is "more necessary than ever" in view of danger of regression in terms of human rights and multilateralism.

Robert Norse & Alicia Kuhl (2019-05-30). Raising Some Issues at Oral Communications. indybay.org Continued delay and inaction on providing homeless shelter and services (to say nothing of civil rights) for homeless folks was the silent part of yesterday's Santa Cruz City Council agenda. Several of us raised issues at Oral Communications…

United Nations (2019-05-30). Thursday's Daily Brief: the European Charlemagne prize, sexual abuse, transgender rights, Somalia and Libya updates. un.org Top stories this Thursday: UN chief Guterres received the Charlemagne Prize for services towards European unification; sexual abuse in Somalia and within the UN; a leap in transgender rights; news from Libya; and new political appointments at the UN.

Consortiumnews (2019-05-30). WikiLeaks Expresses 'Grave Concerns' for Assange's Health. consortiumnews.com WikiLeaks on Wednesday said it was gravely concerned for the health of its publisher, Julian Assange, and questioned Britain's "standing as a human-rights abiding nation." By Joe Lauria Special to Consortium News WikiLeaks has condemned Britain for its treatment of… Read more →

teleSUR (2019-05-30). Colombia: FARC Leader Jesus Santrich Freed at Top Court's Order. telesurenglish.net Colombia's Prosecutor office announced Thursday the release of Jesus Santrich, less than a day after the country's Supreme Court ordered his release, the latest development in a legal saga concerning his detention and possible extradition to the United States. | RELATED: | Supreme Court of Colombia Orders Release of Jesus Santrich | From prison, Santric…

South Front (2019-05-30). Video: Kosovo Police Raids in Serb-majority Areas Spark New Round of Tensions in the Balkans. globalresearch.ca On May 28, Kosovo Police's Regional Operational Support Unit (ROSU) carried out mass raids in areas of compact settlement of ethnic Serbs in the northwestern part of the breakaway region. ROSU units, reportedly supported by over 70 vehicles, detained more …

Monica Moorehead (2019-05-30). White House protest says 'End the sanctions on Zimbabwe!'. workers.org Protest at the White House, May 25. A march and rally was held in Washington, D.C., on May 25, African Liberation Day, to demand an end to sanctions against the southern African country of Zimbabwe. Known as Rhodesia after it was colonized by England in the late 1800s, Zimbabwe has . . . | Continue reading White House protest says 'End the sanctions on Zimbabwe!' at Workers.org

Deirdre Griswold (2019-05-30). Why the imperialists hate Huawei. workers.org The Chinese company Huawei has been targeted by the Donald Trump administration. At Washington's request, Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of the company, last December. The charge? That the company did business with Iran, contrary to U.S. sanctions on that country. Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder . . . | Continue reading Why the imperialists hate Huawei at Workers.org

Special To The Black Star News (2019-05-29). London: Diaspora Ugandans Protest Deadly Lawless Land-grabs By Country's Dictator Gen. Museveni For "Investors" blackstarnews.com Ugandan Diaspora in U.K. protest the deadly lawless regime land-grabs for foreign investors in their homeland. | [Comment: Open Letter] | Statement by Ugandans in the United Kingdom Demanding End to Land Grabs and Evictions. | 28 May 2019, London | | Ugandans in Britain held a demonstration at the Uganda High Commission in central London on 28 May 2019 and called for rights to land and against seizures. | The protest followed high profile cases of evictions by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, including Uganda police and military, known as the UPDF (Uganda Peoples Defense Force) killings, shooting and arrests of…

ACLU (2019-05-29). The Government Needs to Get a Warrant if It Wants Access to Our Private Health Information. aclu.org Choosing between obtaining health care and giving up one's privacy rights is no choice at all. | The Drug Enforcement Administration is once again trying to access private prescription records of patients — this time in New Hampshire — without a warrant, despite a state law to the contrary. Today the ACLU filed a brief in support of the state of New Hampshire's fight to defend the privacy of our sensitive medical information against unwarranted searches by law enforcement. | New Hampshire — like 48 other states, the…

Staff (2019-05-29). Six Children Have Died While in ICE Custody — Why? therealnews.com Undocumented immigrants seeking asylum are being separated from their children and detained in prison camps as more restrictive racist policies are being imposed by Trump. We discuss the policy with the Border Rights Center Director of ACLU Texas, Astrid Dominguez…

Democracy Now! (2019-05-29). ACLU Lawyer: "Abortion Today Is Still Legal in All 50 States" Despite Draconian Anti-Choice Bills. democracynow.org As states around the country ramp up their attacks on reproductive rights, the Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to rule on an Indiana law that would bar abortions based on the sex, race or disability of the fetus. The decision will keep in place a lower court's injunction on the measure. However, the Supreme Court decided to allow Indiana's so-called fetal burial law to go into effect, which stipulates that abortion clinics must dispose of fetal remains either through burial or cremation. The measure was signed into law by then-Governor Mike Pence in 2016. We speak with Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, senior staff attorney…

Erik Gunn (2019-05-29). Interfaith Activists Push for Reproductive Justice. progressive.org Less visible, but no less vocal than anti-abortion groups, are religiously-grounded defenders of strong and expansive reproductive rights…

Democracy Now! (2019-05-29). Headlines for May 29, 2019. democracynow.org SCOTUS Makes 2 Key Decisions on Indiana Abortion Laws, Missouri's Last Abortion Clinic May Shut Down This Week, Netflix Considers Georgia Production Boycott After Abortion Ban, Sen. Kamala Harris Announces Plan for Gov't Oversight of New State Abortion Laws, Rights Groups Challenge Rule Allowing Providers to Refuse Healthcare Based on Religious Belief, PA Policy Allowing Students to Choose Bathroom Remains in Place After SCOTUS Declines Challenge, Sen. McConnell Would Confirm a Trump SCOTUS Nominee in 2020, Angela Merkel Warns Against Rise of Nationalism, At Least 20 Civilians Killed in Syria as U.N. Warns of Hum…

Mark Gruenberg (2019-05-29). Prominent Dems introduce anti-forced arbitration bill. peoplesworld.org WASHINGTON—Prominent congressional Democrats, including the chair of the relevant House committee and eight presidential hopefuls, want to negate the Supreme Court's ruling that mandates company-friendly forced arbitration that overrides workers' rights. The Restoring Justice for Workers Act, unveiled by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott, D-Va., …

teleSUR (2019-05-29). The Crimes of US Blockade Against Venezuela. telesurenglish.net teleSUR provides comprehensive coverage of the brutal impacts of half a decade of U.S. sanctions.

Paul Dobson (2019-05-29). US Hints at Sanctions Against Venezuela CLAP Food Programme as Maduro Incorporates Militia. venezuelanalysis.com The Venezuelan President looks to combat corruption and improve the programme which benefits 6 million Venezuelan families.

Barbara Nimri Aziz (2019-05-29). The Ever Dependable Bully on Embassy Row. counterpunch.org Embassy raided; citizens starved by sanctions; coveted oil resources targeted—again. The United States is still punishing Iran for the 1979 takeover of its 'sacred' premises, its embassy in Tehran. By contrast, when American authorities occupy another nation's embassy there's nothing but approval from its citizens and silent acquiescence by others. I don't know about you, More

United Nations (2019-05-28). Tuesday's Daily Brief: violence surges in Nigeria, anti-Semitism on the march, taxing pollution to tackle climate crisis, and more. un.org Tuesday's main stories include: thousands fleeing into Niger as violence surges in Nigeria; UN rights office condemns rise in anti-Semitic incidents; UN chief says tax pollution, not people for climate's sake; North Koreans trapped in vicious cycle of corruption and bribery; Ebola latest from DR Congo.

United Nations (2019-05-28). North Koreans trapped in 'vicious cycle of deprivation, corruption, repression' and endemic bribery: UN human rights office. un.org Bribery is the main way people in North Korea get food, healthcare, shelter and work, a new UN human rights office report said on Tuesday.

Akela Lacy (2019-05-28). Lawmakers From 11 States Have a Plan to Tackle Suicide and Other Issues Veterans Face. theintercept.com "When you look at the interest for this in red, blue, and purple states, that is a great mandate for the federal government to do something."

susan_p (2019-05-27). Disaster capitalism, national liberation and the Philippines election. greenleft.org.au Left-wing parties ran a separate Senate campaign in the May 13 Philippines elections to the mainstream opposition parties, which ran as part of the Otso Diretso electoral alliance. | Centred round the Liberal Party of former President Ninoy Aquino, these opposition parties have a better record on human rights and respect for the rule of law than psychotic incumbent, President Rodrigo Duterte, but are still dominated by corrupt trapos — traditional politicians from the political dynasties of the ruling oligarchy. | However, one Otso Diretso candidate endorsed by the left-wing Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) was…

susan_p (2019-05-27). Philippines: Left prepares for 'long fight' after Duterte steals election. greenleft.org.au The election of 12 new senators was proclaimed on May 22 by the Philippines electoral commission (COMELEC) following mid-term elections on May 13. All were from the grouping endorsed by authoritarian President Rodrigo Duterte. | Duterte is best known internationally for his "war on drugs". In reality this is a war on the country's poor majority, a turf war by drug traffickers (who are Duterte's cronies) and a human rights catastrophe that has killed thousands — some estimate more than 20,000. | The unlikely clean sweep by his candidates for the Senate is just part of the evidence of electoral frau…

Candice Choo-Kang (2019-05-26). Thousands in Chicago rally for abortion rights. liberationnews.org "We won't go back!"

Sophia Roberts (2019-05-26). NYC: 1,000 rally to defend abortion rights. liberationnews.org "Without this basic right women can't be free, abortion on demand and without apology," chanted the multi-generational crowd.

Staff (2019-05-26). Iran Economic Sanctions Cost Lives. therealnews.com The Trump administration's illegal economic sanctions against Iran reduce access to essential medicines, according to UN experts and interview with CEPR's Mark Weisbrot…

Staff (2019-05-26). US Sanctions Leave Millions of Venezuelans Without Water. therealnews.com "You can't blame the Maduro government, but as for the United States, this Donald Trump is mean. He's mean and he's blocked a lot of things. We have to support each other and this U.S. blockade has to end." — Yolimar Contreras…

Murtaza Hussain (2019-05-26). The Indian Government Has Systematically Used Torture to Crush Opposition in Kashmir, New Report Finds. theintercept.com A landmark report has accused the Indian government of "systematically and indiscriminately" using torture as a tool to crush an independence movement in the northern state of Kashmir. | The roughly 550-page report, issued last week, documents hundreds of individual cases of torture perpetrated by the Indian military over the last four decades — and not a single prosecution to hold the perpetrators accountable. The conflict in Kashmir dates back to the 1…

United Nations (2019-05-26). UN Mission in Afghanistan gravely concerned about ill-treatment of prisoners by Taliban, following first-hand testimony. un.org The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed "grave concern" on Sunday over "credible accounts" it has been given that Taliban militants have been mistreating prisoners, which in some cases "may amount to torture".

Maryam Saleh (2019-05-25). Virginia Prisons Putting Up Obstacles to Ramadan Observance. theintercept.com For the last three weeks, Muslims around the world have been observing the month of Ramadan by fasting from food and drink from dawn to sunset — a period of about 16 to 18 hours in the United States. The six to eight non-fasting hours, then, are an important time to recharge and rehydrate. Yet in at least two Virginia state prisons, according to civil rights groups, Muslims are being denied basic rights, despite constitutional protections and federal laws around religious freedom. | In one Virginia prison, Muslims known to be fasting are not being served breakfast before sunrise, while at another prison, Mu…

Liliana Segura (2019-05-25). One Night, Two Executions, and More Questions About Torture. theintercept.com As the sun began to set over the prayer vigil outside Tennessee's Riverbend Maximum Security Institution, where 68-year-old Don Johnson was about to die, another execution was underway some 400 miles south of Nashville. "I would like to thank Jesus for everything he's done for me," Michael Brandon Samra said as he lay on the gurney in Atmore, Alabama. "I want to thank Jesus for shedding his blood for my sins. Thank you for your grace, Jesus. Amen." | Samra was strapped down and wrapped in a tight white blanket covering his feet. His execution had been scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 16, but for reasons no one explain…

Ben Norton (2019-05-24). Trump's charges against Assange are historic attack on press freedoms. Media and Obama helped set the stage. thegrayzone.com It is not just Trump, but the media, Obama, Bush, mainstream "human rights" organizations, Republicans and Democrats alike that put…

ACLU (2019-05-24). Alabama Is Trying to Ban Abortion. Today We Filed Suit to Stop Them. aclu.org Abortion is a right and this attack on abortion rights won't succeed. | Last week, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation banning nearly all abortions. The law, which threatens doctors with up to 99 years in prison for performing abortions, is the anti-abortion opposition's true agenda on display: ban abortion, jail doctors, and push this essential health care out of reach. | These are undoubtedly dark times in the fight for reproductive freedom as Alabama and states across the South and Midwest aggressively push to place such onerous restrictions on abortion so that the procedure is all but rendered inaccessib…

kathy_f (2019-05-24). US abortion rights attacks escalate. greenleft.org.au Legislative attacks on abortion rights in the US have escalated this year, as social conservatives have shifted tactics with an unprecedented wave of state abortion bans adopted. | The most restrictive legislation was signed into law by Alabama's governor on May 15. It bans abortion altogether, except for cases of medical emergency. Pregnancy resulting from sexual assault is no exception and doctors performing abortions are criminalised with penalties of up to 99 years in jail. | On May 7, Georgia became the fourth state this year (after Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio) to sign into law an abortion ban from t…

susan_p (2019-05-24). As the far right grows, its mask comes off. greenleft.org.au The brutal face of hard right and fascist reaction has been on vivid display on the issues of women's rights and the climate crisis in the past few weeks. | In Germany the AfD (Alliance for Germany) launched a vicious attack on inspirational teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, portraying her as an extremist and suggesting she needs treatment for her "psychosis" — a shabby reference to her autism. | Rejecting near-unanimous scientific opinion, the AfD said that the climate justice movement is scare mongering about levels of carbon dioxide emissions, asserting that the gas is a beneficial plant nutrient.