The UN human rights experts on cultural rights and on freedom of expression, Karima Bennoune and David Kaye , called Friday for the release of artists jailed by the Islamic Republic of Iran. In particular, they called upon Iran to release two musicians, Mehdi Rajabian and Yousef Emadi, and a filmmaker, Hossein Rajabian, charged with [...]
A judge for the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio , ruled Thursday that Cleveland’s time and place restrictions governing protests and marches during next month’s Republic National Convention infringe upon the right to free expression. After listening to arguments, Judge James Gwin ruled the restrictions were not “sufficiently narrowly drawn … [...]
Former UN General Assembly president John Ashe, who was under corruption investigation by US authorities, died on Thursday after suffering neck trauma. Ashe’s death , “traumatic asphyxia,” was the result of a weightlifting accident in which he dropped a barbell on his neck. While Ashe had only been charged with tax fraud to this point, [...]
Pursuant an order issued Thursday by a judge for the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia , a Virginia school board must allow a transgender student to use the restroom that corresponds with his gender identity. Gavin Grimm, a high school student at a Gloucester County school who identifies as male, will [...]
Hawaii Governor David Ige signed a bill Thursday requiring gun owners to be listed on an FBI database, notifying police if a Hawaii citizen is arrested in another state. The legislation, SB 2954 , serves to provide a continuous criminal record check on those individuals seeking to possess a firearm. According to Ige, the purpose [...]
A South African court on Friday denied President Jacob Zuma’s appeal of a prior court ruling that he should face nearly 800 corruption charges. Judge Aubrey Ledwaba stated “e seriously considered whether the appeal would have reasonable prospects of success and came to the conclusion that there are not merits in the arguments.” Consequently, the [...]
Karim Wade, son of former Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade , was released from prison on Friday following a presidential pardon by President Macky Sall . Wade, who served three years of his six-year sentence, was convicted of illegally enriching himself with at least $200 million while serving as Minister of State under his father in [...]
The Turkish parliament on Thursday granted immunity to armed forces conducting counter-terrorism measures. This legislation is particularly concerning because of the number of civilians killed in the midst of recent conflict. The law, to be applied retroactively , will require authorization from either the military or government before prosecution can take place. Those in favor [...]
The Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) signed a ceasefire , marking an end to more than 50 years of armed conflict between the two groups. Among its terms are a demobilization plan and a security guarantee for all members of FARC as it becomes a peaceful political party. This agreement [...]
The Parliament of Sri Lanka passed the “Right to Information” Bill Friday. The bill, introduced in March, was passed to encourage the public to combat corruption and hold its government accountable. The Act contains provisions on the right to access information, when that right may be denied, the establishment of a commission on the matter, [...]
