human rights

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N. Korea Is Executing People for Watching Foreign Films

UN reports says executions have been stepped up since 2020

(Newser) - A new United Nations report finds North Korea is increasingly using the death penalty for ordinary citizens, including those caught watching or distributing foreign films and TV shows. The investigation, which drew on interviews with more than 300 people who escaped the country in recent years, says Kim Jong...

Israel Calls Vote by Genocide Scholars 'Disgraceful'

International Association of Genocide Scholars says Israeli campaign in Gaza is indeed genocide

(Newser) - A leading group of genocide scholars has formally declared that Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza meets "the legal definition of genocide." The International Association of Genocide Scholars, which has about 500 members, approved the resolution by a wide margin—86% of those voting supported it....

UN Staffers Call for Gaza War to Be Labeled Genocide

Poll shows 50% Americans agree

(Newser) - Hundreds of United Nations staffers have urged Volker Turk, the United Nations' top human rights official, to formally label the ongoing conflict in Gaza a genocide. According to a letter seen by Reuters , more than 500 employees from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights argue that...

Young People's Frustrations Erupt After Rapper's Arrest

Gnassingbé family has ruled Togo since 1967

(Newser) - When the arrest of a popular rapper ignited waves of protests by young people in Togo, it exposed not only the risks faced by dissenters but also mounting frustration with a dynasty that has ruled the country for nearly six decades. The music of Tchala Essowè Narcisse, known as...

Rights Group Sees 'Horrifying' Trend in Saudi Executions

Amnesty International says hundreds of low-income foreigners executed on drug charges

(Newser) - Amnesty International is raising the alarm over what it calls a "horrifying" number of foreigners being executed in Saudi Arabia over drug charges. The human rights organization counts roughly 600 drug-related executions over the last decade, and it says most of those put to death after "grossly...

Hamas Suggests It Would Negotiate Ceasefire Terms

UN reports toll of Palestinians killed trying to receive aid in Gaza

(Newser) - Hamas said Friday it has given a "positive" response to the latest proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza but said further talks were needed on implementation. It was not clear if that meant the militant group had accepted the US proposal for a 60-day ceasefire, the AP reports. "...

Serbian Protesters: 'Sound From Hell' Likely Sonic Weapon

Protesters claim police used banned device at rally

(Newser) - A massive anti-government demonstration in Belgrade, Serbia, on March 15 was disrupted by a mysterious and disturbing noise that sparked panic, and many protesters believe an illegal sonic weapon was used. Witnesses like Sasa Cvrkovic recalled the sound as similar to a jet flying past, causing chaos, including a stampede...

Tilda Swinton Stepping Away From a 'Merciless Mistress'

After scathing speech at Berlinale on world's issues, actor says she's taking a break from work

(Newser) - There are few actors who take on quirkier roles than Tilda Swinton, but apparently working that hard at being weird can take its toll. This week at the Berlinale international film fest in Berlin, the 64-year-old Oscar winner received the Golden Bear lifetime achievement honor, and she used her acceptance...

UN Report: Russia Is Executing More POWs

Witnesses say injured troops also are being killed

(Newser) - Russian armed forces have executed at least 79 captured Ukrainian soldiers since the end of August, a UN body reports, saying the total represents an "alarming rise." Killing prisoners of war and wounded troops is regarded as a war crime under international humanitarian law. "Many Ukrainian soldiers...

Court: Wife Who Refused Sex Not to Blame for Divorce

ECHR rules in favor of Frenchwoman who absorbed all the blame during divorce proceedings in 2012

(Newser) - It's been 13 years since a French couple sought to end their marriage, but their legal case has just now wrapped up—with the wife finally vindicated by Europe's highest human-rights court of being the sole cause of their marital demise. The BBC reports that the 69-year-old Frenchwoman...

George Clooney Calls White House With a Complaint

Biden aides worried about upset actor backing out of fundraiser

(Newser) - George Clooney called the White House last month with a complaint, sparking concern that he would drop out of a June 15 fundraiser for President Biden's reelection campaign. The actor reached presidential counselor Steve Ricchetti to discuss Biden's criticism of International Criminal Court prosecutors' decision to seek arrest...

Judge: Long Island Leader Had No Authority for Trans Ban

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's EO that barred female trans athletes was struck down

(Newser) - A New York judge on Friday struck down a Long Island county's order banning female transgender athletes after a local women's Roller Derby league challenged it. Judge Francis Ricigliano ruled that Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman didn't have the authority to issue his February executive order, which...

Switzerland Sued Over Climate Inaction: 'This Is Huge'

2K older women had brought case over effects of heat waves to EU's high court for human rights

(Newser) - The European Court of Human Rights is holding an entire nation accountable for its tepid action against climate change, issuing a "landmark ruling" on Tuesday that Switzerland's lack of appropriate action violates its citizens' human rights, per the New York Times . "This is huge," University of...

Russian Activist Imprisoned, Says 'I Don't Regret Anything'

Oleg Orlov, 70, of human rights group Memorial is hit with 2.5 years behind bars in Russia

(Newser) - A veteran human rights campaigner who criticized the war in Ukraine was convicted Tuesday by a Moscow court of "repeatedly discrediting" the Russian military and sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. Oleg Orlov, 70, co-chairman of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights group Memorial, had rejected the case...

Activist Plans to Risk Prison for Father Jailed in Bahrain

Maryam al-Khawaja says government's promise of prison reform is a ruse timed to US visit

(Newser) - In early August, more than 800 prisoners launched Bahrain's largest-ever hunger strike, demanding access to life-saving medical care and other improved conditions in the country's largest prison. That strike was paused Monday—two days before Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa's scheduled visit to Washington—as...

UN Official: North Koreans Are Hungry, Desperate

Militarization, economic situation add to the toll, Security Council hears

(Newser) - North Korea is increasing its repression of human rights, and people are becoming more desperate and reportedly starving in parts of the country as the economic situation worsens, the United Nations rights chief said Thursday. Volker Türk told the first open meeting of the UN Security Council since 2017...

She Made a First-of-Its-Kind Visit to Guantanamo
She Made a
First-of-Its-Kind
Visit to Guantanamo
the rundown
Jun 28, 2023 9:55 AM CDT

She Made a First-of-Its-Kind Visit to Guantanamo

Independent UN monitor was permitted to visit the detention center

(Newser) - Since its 2002 opening, no UN human rights investigators had been permitted to visit Guantanamo Bay. That changed in February, when Irish law professor Fionnuala Ni Aolain was granted access—and what she found was "cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment." The UN special rapporteur spent four days at...

It's Time to Push Back Against the 'Inhumanity' in Our Prisons
Don't Ignore the Suffering
in America's Prisons
OPINION
Sep 11, 2022 5:00 PM CDT

Don't Ignore the Suffering in America's Prisons

Writing for 'Philly Inquirer,' Cheryl Smith slams 'soul-chilling inhumanity' toward incarcerated

(Newser) - The Eighth and 14th Amendments are meant to prevent cruel and unusual punishment, as well as discrimination and unequal treatment—including for the incarcerated. But that's not what's being applied in America's prisons, Cheryl Smith writes for the Philadelphia Inquirer , where she lays out the "soul-chilling...

In Saudi Arabia, a Very Public Fist Bump
Biden Offers Prince a Fist Bump
Jul 15, 2022 2:19 PM CDT

Biden Offers Prince a Fist Bump

President meets with controversial Prince MBS, though they avoid a handshake

(Newser) - President Biden settled for a fist bump when meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia on Friday, avoiding the possibility of being photographed in a friendly handshake with the leader of a state he had promised to ostracize. Biden had his fist formed as he walked toward the...

Biden's First Middle East Trip Raises Some Eyebrows

President will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed in Saudi Arabia, which he once called a 'pariah'

(Newser) - President Biden will make his first trip to the Middle East next month with visits to Israel, the West Bank, and Saudi Arabia, the White House announced Tuesday. The decision to pay a call on Saudi leaders during the July 13-16 trip comes after Biden as a Democratic presidential candidate...

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