Imphal, March 11: “None of the above” or NOTA in common Indian electoral parlance, could today assume a new meaning for Irom Sharmila, Manipur’s most notable rights crusader. The woman who had the world stand by her at her feeblest, when she sat fasting and force-fed through a Ryles tube in a makeshift hospital jail for nearly 16 years, today lost the state elections from Thoubal, 30km south of Imphal.
Category: Activism
Amnesty International urges public to drop death penalty
INTERNATIONAL human rights group Amnesty International Philippines is urging the public to pressure the Senate to drop the possible re-imposition of the death penalty. Ritz Lee II, AIPH chairperson said in Cagayan de Oro, they have so far gathered signatures and some 500 letters from residents addressed to Kagay-anon Senate President Koko Pimentel to oppose death penalty.
Turkish, US, Russian military chiefs discuss Syria tensions
The top generals from Turkey, the United States and Russia met Tuesday in Turkey to discuss mutual suspicions over northern Syria military operations, as Russia’s military announced a two-week long cease-fire between rebels and the government in the suburbs of the Syrian capital, Damascus. The Russian military said a cease-fire has been in place since Tuesday, March 6, and will extend until March 20, for the Eastern Ghouta region outside Damascus, but activists reported a number of airstrikes and artillery strikes by government forces, killing two civilians.
Human rights, cyber security to be part of Canada-China free trade consultations
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, introduces Chinese Premier Li Keqiang after speaking to a business luncheon Friday, September 23, 2016 in Montreal. The federal government wants Canadians to air their concerns about China’s human rights record as part of broad consultations on a possible free trade deal.
Four claims the Trump White House made about its travel ban that now look silly
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Hebron shooter’ Elor Azaria appeals already lenient sentence
An Israeli soldier , sentenced to 18 months in prison for shooting dead a wounded Palestinian man in the occupied West Bank last year, has filed an appeal against his manslaughter conviction and already-lenient jail term. In the petition to the court, the lawyer asked that the date his client is due to arrive to serve his time, slated for March 5, be deferred until the end of legal proceedings.
Brazen attacks against Syrian security kill at least 32
In synchronized attacks, insurgents stormed into heavily guarded security offices in Syria’s central Homs city, clashed with troops and then blew themselves up, killing a senior officer and at least 31 others, state media and officials reported. The brazen, high-profile attacks against the Military Intelligence and State Security offices, among Syria’s most powerful, were claimed by an al-Qaida-linked insurgent coalition known as the Levant Liberation Committee.
Dozens killed in suicide attacks on Syrian security compounds
At least 30 people were killed in attacks on two security locations in the central Syrian city of Homs, officials reported. At least 30 people were killed in attacks on two security locations in the central Syrian city of Homs, officials reported.
Twin attacks on Syrian security buildings kill at least 32
Twin attacks on two Syrian security offices in the central city of Homs Saturday killed at least 32 people, including a senior security official who heads the feared Military Intelligence services, state media and officials reported. An al-Qaida-linked insurgent coalition known as the Levant Liberation Committee claimed responsibility for the attacks, which also left another high-ranking officer seriously wounded.
Minister: New judges will restore right-wing trust in High Court
Shaked indicates she managed to sway panel to select conservative, non-activist candidates; Naor hails picks despite failing to get own choices on bench Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked attends a meeting of the Israeli Judicial Selection Committee at the Ministry of Justice in Jerusalem on February 22, 2017. Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked on Thursday hailed the new appointments to the Supreme Court, saying the four fresh faces will restore right-wing trust in Israel’s highest legal authority.
Long road ahead for justice and accountability in Syria
A fresh round of Syrian peace talks is set to begin in Geneva on Thursday. And while the U.N-sponsored talks may represent the best opportunity in years to make progress toward an end to the conflict, the burning question for many Syria observers is whether justice will be sacrificed in the name of peace.
Amnesty blames Trump, others in global rollback of rights.
Amnesty International says “toxic” fear-mongering by anti-establishment politicians, among them President Donald Trump and the leaders of Turkey, Hungary and the Philippines, is contributing to a global pushback against human rights. Releasing its 408-page annual report on rights abuses around the world Wednesday, the watchdog group described 2016 as “the year when the cynical use of ‘us vs. them’ narratives of blame, hate and fear took on a global prominence to a level not seen since the 1930s,” when Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany.
Syrian airstrikes kill at least seven in Damascus
Activists reported a third straight day of escalations by pro-government forces against opposition-held areas in and around the capital. Jets believed to belong to the Russian or Syrian Air Forces pounded the Barzeh and Qaboun neighbourhoods in the northeast corner of the capital, levelling several buildings, and also wounded at least 12 people, the activist-run Barzeh Media Centre and Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.
Deadly airstrikes continue in Syria as date for UN-sponsored talks set
The airstrikes in Homs and Idlib marks two major violations of the month-old ceasefire between the government and rebels. A series of airstrikes on an opposition-held district in the Syrian city of Homs, presumably carried out by Russia or Syria, killed at least nine civilians on Wednesday, local activists said.
Amnesty International: Up to 13,000 hanged in Syria’s ‘slaughterhouse’
Omar Alshogre, a 21-year-old Syrian former detainee now living in Stockholm, Sweden as seen in the left picture in January 2017. The right picture is from July 2015 in Antakya, Turkey, a month after he got out of Syria’s Saydnaya prison, near Damascus.
Amnesty says at least 13,000 people hanged at Syrian prison
Syrian authorities have killed at least 13,000 people since the start of the 2011 uprising in mass hangings at a prison north of Damascus known to detainees as “the slaughterhouse,” Amnesty International said in a report Tuesday. It covers the period from 2011 to 2015, when Amnesty said 20-50 people were hanged each week at Saydnaya Prison in killings authorized by senior Syrian officials, including deputies of President Bashar Assad, and carried out by military police.
Report: At least 13,000 hanged in Syrian prison since 2011
In this combination of two photos of Omar Alshogre, a 21-year Syrian former detainee, now living in Stockholm, Sweden. The left picture is of Alshogre taken on January 2017 in Stockholm, Sweden.
Signs Of Generational Split As Tough Talk Rattles Young People
Whether it is stocking up on weapons, proposing to redraw borders, or simply a claim like the one made this month by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic about being ready to send in troops if Serbs in Kosovo are threatened, the Balkans feels once again like a powder keg. Then Nikolic doubled-down on his comments, telling reporters, “If the need arises, I will go to war myself, along with my sons.”
Britain’s Flybe notes slow start to final quarter
Jan 30 Airline Flybe Group Plc said uncertain customer confidence and poor weather led to a slow start to the current quarter, after tough trading conditions and increased market capacity hit its fleet utilisation in the third quarter. However, the airline, which connects British regional airports to London and other European cities, said on Monday its third-quarter revenue grew, boosted by additional capacity in its network.
British PM May visits Turkey, reaches $125M fighter jet deal
Turkey and Britain signed a deal to jointly build fighter jets during Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to Ankara on Saturday, even as the British leader called on Turkey’s government to uphold democracy and abide by human rights standards. Britain’s BAE Systems and Turkish aerospace industries signed the nearly $125.5 million agreement for the development of Turkey’s fighter jet program after May met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other Turkish officials about boosting trade between the countries once Britain leaves the European Union.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with Theresa May in Ankara
Britain and Turkey have agreed to set up a new joint working group to prepare the ground for a trade deal after the UK leaves the European Union, Downing Street has announced. The announcement came as Prime Minister Theresa May travelled to Ankara for talks with the country’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and PM Binali Yildirim.
a A Doga s Purposea opening Friday despite leaked-video fallout
Marketers would describe “A Dog’s Purpose” as a film with “four-quadrant” appeal, meaning it’s likely to draw moviegoers of both genders, young and old. Based on a bestselling book and told from a dog’s perspective, it’s a feel-good story for animal lovers of all kinds.
Iraq PM orders investigation into abuses reported in Mosul battle
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Monday ordered an investigation into allegations that members of Iraq’s security forces and a Shi’ite paramilitary group had kidnapped and abused civilians in the campaign to take back Mosul from Islamic State. Abadi also called on field commanders to make sure no human rights violations were committed under the cover of the war operations, according to an official statement.
Cypriot activists march against Trump’s policies
Local activist groups staged a protest on Friday outside the American Embassy in Nicosia, against policies that threaten human rights and diversity in the wake of Donald Trump’s presidency. The demonstration was carried out in solidarity with other women’s marches in the US and around the world, protesting policies that Trump said he would follow as President, such as building a wall to keep migrants from Mexico away.
Jallikattu protests spread: All you need to know
Today, Tamil Nadu chief minister Pannerselvam met with PM Narendra Modi to discuss the escalating pro-Jallikattu protests in Tamil Nadu. The latter told the CM that while the Centre appreciated the cultural significance of Jallikattu, the matter is presently in court.
Actress: a Machoa persecution followed a El Chapoa meeting
Mexican actress Kate del Castillo said Monday that her involvement in actor Sean Penn’s interview with drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has cost her acting jobs and a “macho” Mexican government is persecuting her only because she’s a woman. Del Castillo had to shoot her upcoming Netflix series “Ingobernable” – or “Ungovernable” – in the United States because she fears she’ll be detained if she returns to Mexico.
Iran: Halt imminent executions of 12 alleged drug offenders
Iran should immediately halt the execution of 12 men convicted of drug offences, scheduled for 14 January in Karaj Central Prison, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said today. The human rights organizations expressed concern that, despite repeated government promises, Iran has not made any tangible progress in reducing its alarming execution rate.
Iran: Halt Imminent Executions
Iran should immediately halt the execution of 12 men convicted of drug offenses, scheduled for January 14, 2017, in Karaj Central Prison, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said today. The human rights organizations expressed concern that, despite repeated government promises, Iran has not made any tangible progress in reducing its alarming execution rate.
Iran: Halt Imminent Executions
Iran should immediately halt the execution of 12 men convicted of drug offenses, scheduled for January 14, 2017, in Karaj Central Prison, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said today. The human rights organizations expressed concern that, despite repeated government promises, Iran has not made any tangible progress in reducing its alarming execution rate.
Beauty queen Anastasia Lin won’t back down
When she entered Miss World 2016, the Canadian was under no illusions about coming home with the crown. Getting on stage would be enough: the final is broadcast around the globe, including in her native China, where her father has been harassed and prevented from leaving since 2015.
Blast in Syrian town on Turkish border kills nearly 50
A car bomb ripped through a busy commercial district in a rebel-held Syrian town along the Turkish border Saturday, killing nearly 50 in a huge explosion that damaged buildings and left rescuers scrambling to find survivors amid the wreckage, opposition activists said. Rescuers and doctors said the explosion was so large there were nearly 100 wounded and burned.
Syria’s opposition says at least 43 killed in Azaz blast
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Supreme Court upholds bail revocation of student activist
THE SUPREME Court yesterday ruled in favour of Khon Kaen provincial court and the Appeal Court’s rulings to revoke the bail of a student activist charged under the lese majeste law and the Computer Crime Act for sharing a BBC Thai article about the monarchy. Meanwhile, the provincial court granted Khon Kaen police permission for a fourth round of detention for activist Jatupat “Pai Daodin” Boonpattararaksa.
Iran activist ends 71-day prison hunger strike as wife freed
An imprisoned Iranian human rights activist ended a 71-day hunger strike Tuesday as his detained wife won a temporary release from prison, a day after his case sparked a rare unauthorized protest in Tehran. Arash Sadeghi was to be taken to a hospital, his lawyer Amir Raisian said, while Amnesty International said he would be fed intravenously.
Fate of hunger-striking activist in Iran sparks rare protest
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Venezuela frees jailed activists, ex-presidential candidate
Venezuela’s government has freed a former presidential candidate and several student activists who were jailed during anti-government protests in 2014. Former opposition candidate Manuel Rosales was imprisoned in October 2015 on charges of illicit enrichment upon returning to Venezuela after six years of exile in Peru.
Syria’s cease-fire holding despite minor violations
Osama Abu Zeid of the the main moderate Syrian opposition group Free Syrian Army, shows what he said is a copy of the five-point cease-fire agreement for Syria, during a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016. Abu Zeid said that his group, one of the 13 armed opposition factions, had agreed to abide by the nationwide cease-fire agreement that will go into effect at midnight Thursday.
U of T, McGill University rank in top five of North America’s…
Members of the Jewish Defense League protest a public forum on Israel apartheid featuring Jenny Peto at the University of Toronto, Tuesday January 18, 2011 in Toronto, Ont. Israeli supporters overlook the main floor of York University’s Vari Hall as pro-Israel and pro-Palestine supporters divide the space down the centre while holding countering rallies at the school, Thursday afternoon, February 12, 2009 in Toronto.
Justin Bieber ‘is trying to block release of deposition video’
The on-screen evidence relates to a case brought against the 22-year-old pop star by his neighbour, who has accused Justin of egging his house and spitting on him back in 2014. Lawyers for the ‘Sorry’ hitmaker believe that the release of the video could create an unwelcome storm around Justin, who recently courted controversy when he lashed out at a fan in Barcelona, Spain, after he reached into his car and tried to grab him.
7 stories you probably missed this year
JULY 31: Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic makes an initial appearance at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia on July 31, 2008 in The Hague, The Netherlands. Karadzic was formally charged on 11 counts for war crimes commited during the Bosnian war of the 1990s, following his arrest in Belgrade last week and extradition to the Netherlands after evading capture for 13 years.