The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on Monday sent a letter to the Venezuelan government expressing their concern over the increasing threat to freedom of expression in the country. The IACHR cited three recent cases that caused them particular concern. In the first case, a journalist was sentenced to over three years in prison [...]
The Swiss Federal Assembly on Tuesday approved an agreement with the US that will allow Swiss bank UBS to disclose account information of clients suspected by the US government of tax evasion, but also voted to send it to a referendum. The Swiss National Council , the lower house of parliament, voted 81-61 to pass [...]
The Israeli cabinet on Monday unanimously approved plans for an internal probe into the May 31 Israeli raid on several Turkish ships bound for the blockaded Gaza Strip . Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his hope that the probe would show that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acted appropriately. During the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu [...]
The US Conference of Mayors on Monday passed two resolutions opposing Arizona's immigration law and supporting federal immigration reform at their annual conference in Oklahoma City. Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon (D) and three mayors outside Arizona submitted Resolution 41, which criticizes the state's immigration law as being "unconstitutional and un-American." Speaking at the conference, Gordon [...]
The US State Department (DOS) on Monday released its annual report on human trafficking conditions across the globe, finding that the US adequately complies with international regulations but still has a "'serious problem with human trafficking, both for labor and commercial sexual exploitation." The report also listed 13 countries with the worst records on human [...]
Israeli human rights group B'Tselem on Monday released its annual report , noting an advancement in the rights of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories but calling for greater improvement. The report, examining the human rights situation of Palestinians since the conclusion of Israel's Operation Cast Lead in January 2009, found that fatalities had declined by [...]
The Barcelona city council on Monday announced the banning of all face coverings, including the burqa , in public areas administered by the city. Barcelona Mayor Jordi Hereu indicated that the ban was put in place out of a concern for public safety , and was not aimed at any particular religious group. He contends [...]
An anti-constitution rally in Nairobi's Uhuru Park turned deadly on Sunday after two explosions caused a stampede leaving five dead and more than 70 injured. The rally was organized by Christian groups opposed to Kenya's draft constitution because it retains recognition of existing Islamic courts and includes a clause on abortion. Kenyan Prime Minister Raila [...]
Canadian police reported a 35 percent increase in hate crimes from 2007 to 2008, according to a report released Monday. During 2008, police reported 1,036 total hate crimes, with 55 percent motivated by race, 26 percent motivated by religion and 16 percent motivated by sexual orientation. That is up from the 785 total hate crimes [...]
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday called for an end to the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip , which it labeled a violation of international humanitarian law. The organization described the blockade as collective punishment, a war crime under Article 33 of the Geneva Conventions , and called on the [...]
