Instead of Ending the Shutdown, Senators Plan to Encourage Punishment of Israel Boycotts
ACLU | aclu.org | 2019-01-07
The Senate wants to provide legal cover to the many states violating the First Amendment by punishing people for their views on Israel. | In the middle of a government shutdown, the Senate leadership's first order of business in the 116th Congress is not legislation to reopen the government. | Instead, and incredibly, the Senate is again trying to slip a measure intended to suppress protected political expression past public scrutiny. The bill is the " Combatting BDS Act," which would express federal approval of state laws that place re…
aclu.org/blog/free-speech/instead-ending-shutdown-senators-plan-encourage-punishment-israel-boycotts
Boyle Heights families file lawsuit against mega KIPP Charter School, urge support for UTLA teachers strike
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-01-07
Los Angeles, CA — Residents of the Boyle Heights neighborhood, joined by families of students of local public schools, announced, at a January 5 press conference and picket, the filing of a lawsuit in Superior Court against the city of Los Angeles and KIPP Promesa charter school to stop the mega project. KIPP Promesa wants to build a large charter school at the former Lincoln Hospital in Boyle Heights. | On January 4, attorneys with Advocates for the Environment filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against the city for failing to conduct an Environmental Impact Report (EIR); and asking to halt pr…
fightbacknews.org/2019/1/6/boyle-heights-families-file-lawsuit-against-mega-kipp-charter-school-urge-support-utla-teac
We Should Be Able to Take Facebook to Court
ACLU | aclu.org | 2019-01-07
A privacy violation is a real harm, never mind what the social media giant argues. | This piece originally appeared at The New York Times. | After The New York Times revealed last month that Facebook continued to share personal information of millions of consumers with companies like Netflix, Yahoo, Spotify and Google — despite contrary assertions to Congress — man…
aclu.org/blog/privacy-technology/consumer-privacy/we-should-be-able-take-facebook-court
Democrats in Congress Unveil Ambitious Plan to Fix Our Elections
STAFF | truthdig.com | 2019-01-07
On the second day of the 116th Congress, the new House Democratic majority will introduce H.R. 1, the most comprehensive democracy reform legislation seen this century. It addresses voting rights and electoral procedures, campaign finance rules and loopholes, and seeks to institute higher ethical standards for federal officeholders and more. | One can look at the For The People Act as a wish list of inclusive, transparent and publicly accountable solutions and best practices that seek to come to grips with today's world of voting, election advocacy and voter engagement–or suppression. Or one can look at its…
truthdig.com/articles/democrats-in-congress-unveil-ambitious-plan-to-fix-our-elections/
News Outlets Shame the Incarcerated for Eating Decent Food on Holidays
Naomi LaChance | truthdig.com | 2019-01-07
News outlets including NBC News, The Washington Post and USA Today drew criticism for stories that echoed frustrated workers and shamed the incarcerated for being served…
truthdig.com/articles/prison-guards-angry-that-prisoners-eat-decent-food-on-the-holidays/
Pink Floyd Cover Band Breaks Promise to Waters, Plays in Israel
teleSUR | telesurenglish.net | 2019-01-07
An English Pink Floyd cover band played to a packed house in Tel Aviv Saturday night despite having initially promised mastermind behind the original band's (and British rock for that matter) most successful albums, Roger Waters. | RELATED: | Roger Waters Tells teleSUR: Progressive Action Will Save Planet | "Experience" tried to get around their pledge to boycott the Israeli state by employing an Israeli-based Pink Floyd cover band, "Echoes" to play to a packed crowd in Tel Aviv…
telesurenglish.net/news/After-Lawsuit-Threats-Pink-Floyd-Cover-Band-Breaks-Promise-to-Roger-Waters-Plays-in-Israel-20190107-0012.html
Ari Berman: Dems Introduce Sweeping Voting Rights Bill to Combat Rampant Voter Suppression
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2019-01-07
Voting rights activists are hailing a new House bill that aims to restore voting rights to millions, crack down on the influence of dark money in politics, restore the landmark Voting Rights Act, establish automatic and same-day voter registration and other measures. The bill has been dubbed the For the People Act. It is the first piece of legislation introduced by the new Democratic majority in the House. We speak with Ari Berman, senior writer at Mother Jones, reporting fellow at The Nation Institute and author of "Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America." His latest piece is titled…
www.democracynow.org/2019/1/7/ari_berman_dems_introduce_sweeping_voting
Compulsory earthquake warnings are racist, Portland NAACP says
RT | rt.com | 2019-01-07
Protesters in Portland, Oregon have rallied against a city policy demanding that owners of brick houses post warnings of potential collapse in case of an earthquake. Civil rights activists say the order targets black people. | …
rt.com/usa/448213-portland-earthquake-warning-racist/
Bayern to Fine Ribery for Responding Criticisms on Spendings
teleSUR | telesurenglish.net | 2019-01-06
Bayern Munich will impose "a heavy fine" on Franck Ribery after he replied to a journalist who had criticized the way he was spending his salary on social media, the club's sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said on Sunday. | ANALYSIS: | 'Les Bleus' Made France World Cup Champion, But Not Less Racist Nation | The French striker put a string of posts on Twitter and Instagram on Saturday aimed at those who had criticized him for eating a gold-coated steak. | "I had a long talk with Franc…
telesurenglish.net/news/Bayern-to-Fine-Ribery-for-Responding-Criticisms-on-Spendings-20190106-0016.html
Trump says military killed USS 'Cole' bombing 'leader' Jamal al-Badawi
RT | rt.com | 2019-01-06
Having managed to flee a Yemeni prison before being released following his surrender, convicted Al-Qaeda member and USS 'Cole' bombing suspect Jamal al-Badawi has been killed by the US military, US President Donald Trump has said. | …
rt.com/usa/448196-us-military-kills-uss-cole-suspect/
An Unconscionable Shutdown
Vanessa Mbonu@naacpnet | naacp.org | 2019-01-05
Today marks day 14 of the partial government shutdown and importantly, it also marks the second week without pay for the 800,000 government workers and millions of others who depend on government agencies. It's unconscionable that Americans are forced to suffer the brunt and being held as political hostages because of President Trump's unreasonable pursuit […] | The post An Unconscionable Shutdown appeared first on NAACP.
naacp.org/latest/an-unconscionable-shutdown/
Exploring the institutional drivers of gender bias
Huzaifa Zoomkawala | zcomm.org | 2019-01-05
The Social Institutions and Gender index (SIGI) was first launched in 2009, and then updated in 2012 and 2014. The fourth edition of the SIGI was launched in December 2018. The index uses these four dimensions to measure the institutional effects on gender parity: Discrimination in the family Restricted physical integrity Restricted access to productive Read…
zcomm.org/zblogs/exploring-the-institutional-drivers-of-gender-bias/
UAW lawsuit against GM pits temporary part-time workers against laid-off Lordstown workers over jobs
WSWS | wsws.org | 2019-01-05
In an effort to divert anger over its refusal to fight impending GM plant closures, the UAW has filed a lawsuit to force the dismissal of hundreds of temporary part-time workers in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/01/05/auto-j05.html
Mumia Abu-Jamal wins right to reargue appeal of his 1982 conviction
WSWS | wsws.org | 2019-01-05
The internationally known prisoner has steadfastly maintained his innocence of the murder of a Philadelphia police officer.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/01/05/mumi-j05.html
DR Congo: Voter Suppression, Violence
Human Rights Watch | hrw.org | 2019-01-05
A polling official counts votes in a school in Kinshasa after the Democratic Republic of Congo's general elections, December 30, 2018. | © 2018 Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images | (Kinshasa) — Widespread irregularities, voter suppression, and violence significantly marred elections on December 30, 2018 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Election officials should ensure that the announced results in the presidential, legislative, and provincial elec…
hrw.org/news/2019/01/05/dr-congo-voter-suppression-violence
Christmas in Tornillo: Activists, Lawmakers Demand Trump Shut Down Prison Camp for Migrant Children
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2019-01-04
As the government shutdown heads into its 14th day and Trump doubles down on his demands for a border wall, we turn to look at the ongoing crisis unfolding at the U.S. border and the protesters on the ground fighting back. In West Texas, immigrant rights activists are staging daily actions to shut down the Tornillo prison camp, where thousands of immigrant youth are being detained. The organizers call themselves the "Christmas in Tornillo" occupation. On New Year's Eve, they shut down the entrance of the sprawling prison camp, where 2,300 children are being held in more than 150 tents. We speak with Juan Ortiz, i…
www.democracynow.org/2019/1/4/meet_the_activists_lawmakers_fighting_to
Rhode Island Supreme Court Allows Unfairly Shut Down Strip Club to Reopen
ACLU | aclu.org | 2019-01-04
Providence's licensing board, we argue, violated the club's rights when it was shut down based solely on allegations of solicitation of prostitution. | Imagine a symphony orchestra barred by the state from performing again because a musician was found to have sold marijuana to a colleague backstage. Imagine a bookstore being shuttered by the government because peace activists planned acts of civil disobedience in a backroom. Imagine a movie theater permanently closed because an employee assaulted a patron. | In Providence, Rhode Island, you don't have to imagine it, because it happened to a strip club c…
aclu.org/blog/free-speech/rhode-island-supreme-court-allows-unfairly-shut-down-strip-club-reopen
Top Human Rights Tweets of the Week
Human Rights Watch | hrw.org | 2019-01-04
Trending rights tweets this week: Netflix agreed to censor a comedy episode because Saudi Arabia complained about it; powerful film showing China's detention of upwards of one million Uighur Muslims for forced indoctrination; the Democratic Republic of Congo's elections marred by systemic irregularities; and everyday people who inspired HRW in 2018.
hrw.org/news/2019/01/04/top-human-rights-tweets-week
'50th NAACP Image Awards' To Air Live on Tv One March 30, 2019 from The Dolby Theatre In Hollywood
Vanessa Mbonu@naacpnet | naacp.org | 2019-01-03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE '50th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS' TO AIR LIVE ON TV ONE MARCH 30, 2019 FROM THE DOLBY THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD 2 Hour Telecast to Spotlight and Celebrate 50 Years of NAACP Image Awards Significant Moments and NAACP Contributions During It's 110 Year History Reginald Hudlin and Phil Gurin to Return as […] | The post '50th NAACP Image Awards' To Air Live on Tv One March 30, 2019 from The Dolby Theatre In Hollywood appeared first on NAACP.
naacp.org/latest/50th-naacp-image-awards-air-live-tv-one-march-30-2019-dolby-theater-hollywood/
SPLC statement on the 116th Congress
splcenter | splcenter.org | 2019-01-03
The challenges facing the 116th Congress are great, and none are greater than the role of the White House in exacerbating racism and extremism in nearly every facet of American life.
splcenter.org/news/2019/01/03/splc-statement-116th-congress
Why Should My Newspaper Pledge Not to Boycott Israel?
ACLU | aclu.org | 2019-01-03
An unconstitutional Arkansas law requires companies contracting with the state to certify that they will not boycott Israel. | Last year, letters from the state of Arkansas began drifting across my desk, demanding that our weekly newspaper, the Arkansas Times, either sign a pledge not to boycott Israel or forfeit all state advertising. | The letters were the result of an obscure, cookie-cutter law passed in 2017 by our Republican-controlled legislature. Specifically, it requires any company entering into a contract with a public entity to certify that it "is not currently engaged in, and agrees for the duration o…
aclu.org/blog/free-speech/freedom-press/why-should-my-newspaper-pledge-not-boycott-israel
States and Localities Move to Reverse Racist and Regressive Tax Policies
Simon Davis-Cohen | progressive.org | 2019-01-03
Forty-five states have regressive tax codes. State and local policies could change that.
progressive.org/dispatches/racist-and-regressive-tax-policies-davis-cohen-190103/
After a Century of Delays, the Senate Finally Votes to Outlaw Lynching
Peter Dreier | thenation.com | 2019-01-02
After a Century of Delays, the Senate Finally Votes to Outlaw Lynching…
thenation.com/article/senate-lynching-congress-racism/
As the 115th Congress Ends, Here Are the Important Civil Rights Battles We've Won
ACLU | aclu.org | 2019-01-02
During the last two years of Trump, ACLU activists have won fights ranging from advancing criminal justice reforms to stopping border wall funding. | The past two years have been challenging times, as we have witnessed attacks on our shared values and civil rights from the Trump White House and a Republican-dominated Congress. It can sometimes feel difficult to make change happen, but even in this hostile climate, ACLU activists helped drive key legislative victories to advance civil liberties during the 115th Congress, which ends on Thursday. As the new Congress is sworn in on Thursday, these victories should re…
aclu.org/blog/mobilization/115th-congress-ends-here-are-important-civil-rights-battles-weve-won
Proposed Florida law would stop local governments from removing racist Confederate monuments
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-01-02
Jacksonville, FL – Pensacola State Representative Mike Hill has introduced a bill in the state legislature, House Bill 97, titled the Soldiers' and Heroes' Monuments and Memorials Protection Act, that would stop local authorities from removing racist confederate monuments. Hill is an African American Republican. Hill acknowledges his lack of support in the Black community. | Todd Wells, an African American member of Take Em Down Jax, a group devoted to removing these monuments to the cause of white supremacy, stated, "The struggle for the removal of Confederate statues has been ongoing since they were e…
fightbacknews.org/2019/1/2/proposed-florida-law-would-stop-local-governments-removing-racist-confederate-monuments
While Activists Mobilize for Lula, Right-wing Extremist is Inaugurated in Brazil
Shared by Hezvo Mpunga | therealnews.com | 2019-01-02
January 1st was the inauguration of Brazil's new right-wing extremist president Jair Bolsonaro. In his speech he promised to rid Brazil of socialism. Meanwhile, at a prison in Curitiba, thousands gathered in support of former Workers Party President Lula. Mike Fox reports from Brazil | The post While Activists Mobilize for Lula, Right-wing Extremist is Inaugurated in Brazil appeared first on The Real News Network.
therealnews.com/stories/while-activists-mobilize-for-lula-right-wing-extremist-is-inaugurated-in-brazil
AFGE sues over government shut down
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-01-01
Washington D.C. — On December 31, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch (KCNF DC) sued the federal government on behalf of AFGE members and federal employees being forced to work without pay. The lawsuit alleges that the federal government is violating the law by requiring some federal employees to work without pay during a shutdown. | "Our members put their lives on the line to keep our country safe," said J. David Cox Sr., national president, American Federation of Government Employees. | "The harm to federal employees began at the first moment of the…
fightbacknews.org/2019/1/1/afge-sues-over-government-shut-down
Four Days in Occupied Western Sahara–A Rare Look Inside Africa's Last Colony
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2019-01-01
In this special rebroadcast of a Democracy Now! exclusive documentary, we break the media blockade and go to occupied Western Sahara in the northwest of Africa to document the decades-long Sahrawi struggle for freedom and Morocco's violent crackdown. Morocco has occupied the territory since 1975 in defiance of the United Nations and the international community. Thousands have been tortured, imprisoned, killed and disappeared while resisting the Moroccan occupation. A 1,700-mile wall divides Sahrawis who remain under occupation from those who fled into exile. The international media has largely ignored the occupat…
www.democracynow.org/2019/1/1/four_days_in_occupied_western_sahara
A Disaster for Brazil: Noam Chomsky on Brazil's New Far-Right President Jair Bolsonaro
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-12-31
As Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro prepares to take office on Tuesday, we return to our conversation with world-renowned political dissident, linguist and author Noam Chomsky shortly after the election. Bolsonaro's impending presidency marks the most radical political shift Brazil since military rule ended more than 30 years ago. Bolsonaro is a former Army officer who has praised Brazil's former military dictatorship, spoken in favor of torture and threatened to destroy, imprison or banish his political opponents. Bolsonaro has also encouraged the police to kill suspected drug dealers, and once told a fem…
www.democracynow.org/2018/12/31/a_disaster_for_brazil_noam_chomsky
An Extraordinary Year for Civil Rights
Vanessa Mbonu@naacpnet | naacp.org | 2018-12-31
This was an extraordinary year for the NAACP. From building more political power in communities of color to fighting to protect the federal bench from those who have a record of purposefully harming our communities, we've had great successes–and it was your support that made it all happen. Here's a look at what we did […] | The post An Extraordinary Year for Civil Rights appeared first on NAACP.
naacp.org/latest/extraordinary-year-civil-rights/
UAE: Rights Defender's Conviction Upheld
Human Rights Watch | hrw.org | 2018-12-31
Ahmed Mansoor speaks to Reuters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 30, 2011. | © 2011 Reuters | The United Arab Emirates Federal Supreme Court, the country's court of last resort in state security cases, on December 31, 2018, upheld a 10-year sentence for Ahmed Mansoor, an award-winning human rights activist, Human Rights Watch said today. | In May, an Abu Dhabi court sentenced Mansoor to 10 years in prison for "defaming" the UAE on s…
hrw.org/news/2018/12/31/uae-rights-defenders-conviction-upheld
Bahrain: Rights Defender's Conviction Upheld
Human Rights Watch | hrw.org | 2018-12-31
Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab arrives for his appeal hearing at court in Manama, February 11, 2015. | © 2015 Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters | (Beirut) — The Bahrain Court of Cassation, the country's court of last resort, on December 31, 2018 upheld a five-year sentence for Nabeel Rajab, a prominent human rights defender, Human Rights Watch said today. | The sentence arose from comments criticizing torture in a Bahrain prison and the Saudi-…
hrw.org/news/2018/12/31/bahrain-rights-defenders-conviction-upheld
The Long Hand of U.S. Intervention: The Intercept's 2018 World Coverage
The Intercept | theintercept.com | 2018-12-31
Many of the world's troubles are legacies of American intervention. In Iraq, there is the continuation of a war that began with the U.S. invasion in 2003. One of the casualties is an American citizen imprisoned in Iraq for more than a decade, a victim of torture, secret evidence, and witnesses who later recanted. Decades of U.S. meddling in Central America, and support for repressive dictatorships there, have undermined social fabrics; gangs are rampant, and if joining them is easy, getting out is not. In Yemen, where the Saudi-led war has been supported by the U.S. military, children are dying of starvation. |
theintercept.com/2018/12/31/the-intercept-2018-world/
The Courts Consistently Brushed Back Trump's Assaults on Immigrants in 2018
ACLU | aclu.org | 2018-12-28
From family separation to the asylum ban, our independent judiciary stepped in to ensure that the president is not above the law. | This article was originally published in t he Los Angeles Times. | For immigrants, there's no way to sugarcoat 2018. The Trump administration enacted a series of draconian policies targeting noncitizens, and the one that will most define the year — and this administration — is the separation of thousands of children, some less than a year old, from their mothe…
aclu.org/blog/immigrants-rights/immigrants-rights-and-detention/courts-consistently-brushed-back-trumps
Amber Heard: I Spoke Up Against Sexual Violence and Faced Our Culture's Wrath
ACLU | aclu.org | 2018-12-27
It's time to reform institutions that protect men accused of abuse. | This piece was originally published in The Washington Post. | I was exposed to abuse at a very young age. I knew certain things early on, without ever having to be told. I knew that men have the power — physically, socially and financially — and that a lot of institutions support that arrangement. I knew this long before…
aclu.org/blog/womens-rights/violence-against-women/amber-heard-i-spoke-against-sexual-violence-and-faced-our
#LogOutFacebook: Because of You, We Did. Thank You!
Vanessa Mbonu@naacpnet | naacp.org | 2018-12-27
Thank you. During the week-long #LogOutFacebook protest, you were joined by thousands of advocates, celebrities, elected officials and partners to take a stand, to let Facebook know that they need to do better. You made it known that you will no longer tolerate privacy breaches, hate speech, bias, and misinformation. This logout cycle is done, but our […] | The post #LogOutFacebook: Because of You, We Did. Thank You! appeared first on NAACP.
naacp.org/latest/logoutfacebook-because-of-you-we-did-thank-you/
The First Step Act Is a Small Step for Incarcerated Women
ACLU | aclu.org | 2018-12-27
While the law ends two gender-specific indignities of federal incarceration, it only begins to scratch the surface for incarcerated women. | The enactment of the First Step Act earlier this month will bring some much-needed change to our criminal justice system. But the First Step Act remains just that, a first step — particularly with respect to the impact that mass incarceration has had on cisgender women and trans people. | The legislation ends two gender-specific indignities…
aclu.org/blog/prisoners-rights/women-prison/first-step-act-small-step-incarcerated-women
Rally on 3rd anniversary of David Dungay's death at Long Bay Jail
peter_b | greenleft.org.au | 2018-12-27
The Dungay Family supported by the Indigenous Social Justice Association (ISJA) has invited all to attend a rally on December 29, the third anniversary of David Dungay's death in Sydney's Long Bay Jail. | David Dungay was a 26-year-old Aboriginal man who was killed when under the control of Correctional Services Officers (CSO) and Justice Health (JH) nurses, just four weeks before he was due to be released. Dungay died simply because he ate a biscuit he wasn't supposed to. | Dungay's death has been shrouded in mystery; his family have spent the last three years fighting for information and some kind of justi…
greenleft.org.au/content/rally-3rd-anniversary-david-dungays-death-long-bay-jail
Iraq/Kurdistan Region: Risk of Double Trials for ISIS Ties
Human Rights Watch | hrw.org | 2018-12-23
Cigarette burns cover the hands and arms of 18-year-old "Karim." Kurdish authorities held him for 13 months. He then returned home and was rearrested by authorities under Baghdad's control, who tortured and held him for months. | © 2018 San Saravan | (Beirut) — Sunni Arab boys who serve prison time in Iraq's Kurdistan region for Islamic State (also known as ISIS) connections risk rearrest after their release if they try to reunite with their families…
hrw.org/news/2018/12/23/iraq/kurdistan-region-risk-double-trials-isis-ties
Extremists' collectibles used to fund today's hate movement
Bill Morlin | splcenter.org | 2018-12-21
Attempts to sell neo-Nazi memorabilia online are nothing new, but a recent marketing ploy attempts to use the sale of racist antiquities to fund modern-day racist activities.
splcenter.org/hatewatch/2018/12/21/extremists-collectibles-used-fund-todays-hate-movement
#SaveHakeem — Stop deportation of Bahraini refugee
kathy_f | greenleft.org.au | 2018-12-21
Bahraini refugee Hakeem Al-Araibi has been held in detention in Thailand since November 27, facing the terrifying prospect of deportation to the country where he was tortured. | Al-Araibi fled to Australia in 2014 and was accepted as a refugee. In November, he travelled on UN travel documents to Thailand for a short holiday with his wife. When he arrived at Bangkok airport, Al-Araibi was arrested under an Interpoll "Red Notice" (an international arrest warrant) issued by the Bahrain government. | Interpol is not meant to issue red notices for refugees, so this red notice should never have been issued for Al-Araib…
greenleft.org.au/content/savehakeem-%E2%80%93-stop-deportation-bahraini-refugee
Screen Shot 2018-12-20 at 7.46.15 AM.png
Ruth Conniff | progressive.org | 2018-12-20
"It was Paul Ryan and Reince Priebus who transformed the politics of Wisconsin with racist dog-whistle messaging, and that laid the foundation for Donald Trump."
progressive.org/dispatches/paul-ryans-hypocrisy-181220/
Anti-Lynching Bill Passes the U.S. Senate
Adam Lee | naacp.org | 2018-12-20
Late in the afternoon of 12/19, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed S. 3178, the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act, which was originally introduced by Senators Kamala Harris (CA), Cory Booker (NJ) and Tim Scott (SC). This crucial legislation would make lynching a hate crime, therefore eligible for the additional federal tools and resources used […] | The post Anti-Lynching Bill Passes the U.S. Senate appeared first on NAACP.
naacp.org/latest/anti-lynching-bill-passes-u-s-senate/
Déjà vu on the Greek-Turkey Border
Human Rights Watch | hrw.org | 2018-12-20
Migrants that crossed the land border between Greece and Turkey are seen at the Pre-Removal Detention Center in the village of Fylakio, Northern Greece, February 24, 2017. | © 2017 Alexandros Avramidis /Reuters | Ten years ago, I documented a systematic pattern of brutal Greek border police pushbacks of migrants and asylum seekers at the Evros River border that divides Greece and Turkey. Last week, as I edited a new Human Rights Watch report, I felt as though I was re-reading my old report. | Here's a paragraph fro…
hrw.org/news/2018/12/20/deja-vu-greek-turkey-border
US Deporting Iraqis Without Valid Documents
Human Rights Watch | hrw.org | 2018-12-20
Protesters rally outside the federal court just before a hearing to consider a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Iraqi nationals facing deportation, in Detroit, Michigan, US, June 21, 2017. | © 2017 Reuters/Rebecca Cook | (Beirut) — The United States government has deported at least 30 of a planned 1,400 people originally from Iraq back to their country, in some cases threatening long imprisonmen…
hrw.org/news/2018/12/20/us-deporting-iraqis-without-valid-documents
Iran: Imprisoned Dissident Dies
Human Rights Watch | hrw.org | 2018-12-20
Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj, Iran. | © 2004 Private | (Beirut) — Iranian authorities should immediately carry out an independent and impartial investigation into the death of an imprisoned activist on a hunger strike, Human Rights Watch said today. Anyone found responsible for wrongdoing in the death of Vahid Sayadi Nasiri should be held accountable. Iranian authorities have systematically failed to conduct transparent investigations into at least prio…
hrw.org/news/2018/12/20/iran-imprisoned-dissident-dies
ALP National Conference a sham
kathy_f | greenleft.org.au | 2018-12-19
Bill Shorten surprised no one with his laughingly tiny reforms at the Australian Labor Party National Conference over December 16–18. | If you expected debate, let alone proposals to stop the Adani coalmine or refugee boat turn-backs or the closure of off-shore detention centres, then you would have been disappointed as these things did not happen. | If you were hoping that there might be a commitment to increase the Newstart Allowance or to back progressive industrial relations reforms that will actually change the rules for workers, you would be doubly disappointed as these things were also rejected. | Cl…
greenleft.org.au/content/alp-national-conference-sham
Occupied Western Sahara: A rare look inside Africa's last colony
stuart_m | greenleft.org.au | 2018-12-13
In an exclusive broadcast, US-based independent news outlet Democracy Now! broke the media blockade and visited the occupied Western Sahara in the northwest of Africa to document the decades-long Sahrawi struggle for freedom and occupying power Morocco's violent crackdown. | Morocco has occupied the territory since 1975 in defiance of the United Nations and the international community. Thousands of Sahrawi people have been tortured, imprisoned, killed and disappeared while resisting the Moroccan occupation. A 1700-mile wall…
greenleft.org.au/content/occupied-western-sahara-rare-look-inside-africas-last-colony