Tag Archives: Human_rights
PAKISTAN: Blasphemy convict hopeful for justice
The Christian man, Sajjad Masih Gill, 31, was accused of sending blasphemous texts and sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs.200,000/- (About $2,000 US) for blasphemy on 13 July 2013 in Gojra.
(LAHORE) The appeal of Sajjad Masih Gill, a Christian man sentenced to life imprisonment for alleged blasphemy, has been admitted for notice. Sajjad’s family and lawyers have high hopes that he will be acquitted.
Human rights: quotable quotes
‘Today, in a world convulsed by violence and unbelievable brutality the lines between ‘us’ and ‘the terrorists’ have been completely blurred…
Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh Global News Centre
(BETHLEHEM) The manufactured hysteria about the bombing in Paris will expand weapons manufacturing and sales around western countries. Arms manufacturer stocks are already booming and the Zionists and neoconservatives who own and run these companies will get even richer. Liberty and democracy will suffer as new freedom-restricting laws are passed using manufactured fear (like in the US after September 11, 2001).
Does Israel need a New law to frisk and search?
Israel tells Father America it will pass new laws to “frisk and search” all Palestinians. Why? As a “security measure” for Israeli citizens.
Dr. James Wall Global News Centre
(CHICAGO) Israel knows as long as it couches all its sins in claims of victimhood, Father America will give Israel whatever Israel deems to be its pleasure.
“Security measures” are a cruel joke on a captive population. “Security measures” are mere window dressing by a so-called democracy where justice prevails only for Jewish citizens.
Human Rights: 14th Intifada on the way and its global ramifications
Sadly civilians suffer for US/Israeli policies of destabilization and mayhem.
Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh Global News Centre
(BETHLEHEM) Below I discuss briefly why I think Israel is intent on ethnic cleansing in the occupied territories, the recent upheaval here and the killing of children, who is Benyamin Mileikowsky (aka Netanyahu) behind the spate of recent war crimes including murdering a 13 year old child (pictures below), ask whether a 14th Intifada on the way and its global ramifications, and progress in building something positive in Bethlehem.
India: Ensure integrity and security of Soni Sori
Soni Sori
I express my concern over the threats against human rights defender Soni Sori, which it believes to be an attempt to prevent her from carrying out her peaceful and legitimate advocacy in defence of human rights.
William Nicholas Gomes, Global News Centre Human Rights Ambassador
(LONDON) On 1 August 2015, following a press conference which Soni Sori held at the Jagdalpur press club to discuss the unlawful murder of Mr Hemla Podiya, she was threatened by Inspector General Mr Kalluri. Helma Podiya, who lived in Nahadi village in Dantewada, was shot in the back by a police officer on 28 July 2015. While the police maintain that it was an encounter killing, during the press conference Soni Sori publicly stated that the killing was arbitrary. On 30 July 2015 she had visited Nahadi village and talked to witnesses who stated that there was no confrontation between the police and Helma Podiya, and that the killing was therefore unlawful. On the night of 28 July 2015, joint security forces consisting of 500 officers reportedly raided homes and beat villagers in Nahadi village. Hearing the commotion, Helma Podiya left home and, shortly after, was shot dead by one of the officers.
Thailand: Stop judicial harassment of Surapan Rujichaiwat
Somyot Pumpanmuang
I express my grave concern at the arrest and incommunicado detention of Muktar Al-Hanaei, Ahmed Al-Blushi, Salih Al-Azri, Ali Al-Muqbali and Talib Al-Saedi and at the use of restrictive laws to target human rights defenders and to curtail their right to freedom of expression and opinion.
William Nicholas Gomes, Global News Centre Human Rights Ambassador
(LONDON) On 7 May 2015, Suraphan Rujichaiwat received a warrant from Mae Sod Provincial Police station informing him of charges brought against him following a criminal complaint by TKLC. The company claimed that his post on the Loei-mining Facebook Page calling for an investigation into the mining activity is misleading and an act of defamation. The company further accused Surapan Rujichaiwat of submitting false information to the UN and other institutions.
Oman: Release Muktar Al-Hanaei, Salih Al-Azri, Ali Al-Muqbali and Talib Al-Saedi
Abdulla Nasser Al Rahbi
I express my grave concern at the arrest and incommunicado detention of Muktar Al-Hanaei, Ahmed Al-Blushi, Salih Al-Azri, Ali Al-Muqbali and Talib Al-Saedi and at the use of restrictive laws to target human rights defenders and to curtail their right to freedom of expression and opinion.
William Nicholas Gomes, Global News Centre Human Rights Ambassador
(LONDON) Muktar Al-Hanaei and Ahmed Al-Blushi were arrested on 4 August 2015 while travelling to the United Arab Emirates. Ahmed Al-Blushi was released a number of hours after the arrest, while Muktar Al-Hinaei remains in detention. Muktar Al-Hanaei was previously arrested in June 2012 due to his participation in a peaceful protest calling for the release of human rights defenders from prison. In September 2012 he was sentenced to one year imprisonment and a fine on charges of insulting the Sultan through “offensive writings and violating the information technology law.” He was released in 2013 following a pardon from Sultan Qaboos.
Nepal: Investigate the police attacks on human rights defenders Kamala Hemchuri, Durga Sob and Ganesh BK
The government is planning to introduce a new constitution by the second week of August. Dalit rights defenders, who are united under the Joint Dalit Political Struggle Committee, held a series of protests demanding proportionate representation in the central and provincial governments and legislature organs, as the preliminary draft of the new constitution restricted their representation.
William Nicholas Gomes, Global News Centre Human Rights Ambassador
(LONDON) Human Rights Ambassador William Gomes expresses grave concern over a crackdown against peaceful protest. One incident resulted in the injury of a number of protesters, including human rights defenders Kamala Hemchuri, Durga Sob and Ganesh BK.
US: Ask Malaysia to prevent trafficking, protect survivors, and investigate and prosecute violators
The Malaysian government has an opportunity to prove its commitment to end trafficking by making measurable improvements in its anti-trafficking response. However, external pressure will be critical to ensure progress takes place.
William Nicholas Gomes, Global News Centre Human Rights Ambassador
(LONDON) Senator John Kerry’s upcoming trip to Malaysia presents the opportunity to make clear to the government that progress in multiple areas related to combating trafficking is essential. Human rights advocates are urging the US politician to press the government both publicly and privately to make concerted and measurable changes to prevent trafficking; protect survivors; and systematically investigate and prosecute those who violate the Malaysian anti-trafficking laws.
President Obama: support African Civil Society during upcoming visit to Sub-Saharan Africa
In April 2014, six Ethiopian bloggers and three journalists associated with the Zone 9 blogging collective were accused of “creating serious risk to the safety or health of the public” and arrested under the country’s vague anti-terrorism law.
William Nicholas Gomes, Global News Centre Human Rights Ambassador
(LONDON) Ethiopia and Kenya face grave and worsening human rights challenges. In this letter to US President Barack Obama, Wiliam Gomes asks the US political leader to keep these issues at the forefront of your discussions. The longstanding crackdown on human rights groups and journalists in Ethiopia and the use of so-called “anti-terror” laws to stifle the legitimate work of civil society actors in both Kenya and Ethiopia underscore their overall failure to adhere to democratic principles and international human rights standards.
Human rights: dignity and solidarity
Tabgha Church
Oh God, the chest is replete with bitterness… do not turn that into spite.
Oh God, the heart is replete with pain… do not turn that into vengeance.
Oh God, the spirit is replete with fear… do not turn that into hatred.
Oh God, my body is weak… do not turn my weakness into despair. - Faisal Al-Husseini
Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh Global News Centre
Tabghe Church in the Galillee withstood 1700 years of various rulers in Palestine. It is the church on the location we are told where Jesus multiplied the fish and the bread. For the first time in its long history it was burned nearly completely (arson) this week. The perpetrators wrote in red Hebrew graffiti that the “idol worshippers” will also be killed!
(BETHLEHEM) Tabghe Church in the Galillee withstood 1700 years of various rulers in Palestine. It is the church on the location we are told where Jesus multiplied the fish and the bread. For the first time in its long history it was burned nearly completely (arson) this week. The perpetrators wrote in red Hebrew graffiti that the “idol worshippers” will also be killed! It joins other churches and dozens of mosques destroyed since the founding of the “Jewish state” in Palestine. Israel is a repressive country that violates basic human rights including freedom of religion. It inculcates in its public and private Jewish only schools notions of chosenness and racism (just read Nurit Peled-Elhanan research into this subject). Just see these two examples of the products of Zionist indoctrination: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX9Tk2TMA6Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=168&v=dPxv4Aff3IA
