US calls on Hong Kong to cease targeting free and independent media journalists
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken Wednesday called on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Hong Kong to release several arrested journalists. After Hong Kong authorities raided Stand News and arrested seven senior staff members, Blinken released a statement asking that the PRC and Hong Kong stop targeting free and independent media. The statement also [...]
Gambia investigative commission recommends prosecution of former president for human rights abuses
In their final report released Friday, the Gambia Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) called for the prosecution of former President Yahya Jammeh and co-perpetrators for 44 cases of murder, torture, and rape. The TRRC was established to investigate crimes committed in Gambia under the leadership of Jammeh from 1994 to 2017. The commission’s report resulted [...]
Hong Kong judge sentences pro-democracy tycoon over Tiananmen vigil
Hong Kong Judge Amy Woodcock Monday sentenced activist Jimmy Lai to prison for his role in a vigil commemorating the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. The case arose from an annual vigil held on June 4, 2020. Lai, as well as two other activists who are defendants in the case, held the vigil [...]
On November 15, the AP reported on the attempt of a beloved Palestinian doctor, Izzeldin Abuelaish to obtain an apology for a terrible tragedy—the 2009 killing of his three daughters (Aya, Bessan and Mayar) and his niece (Noor) by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) who shelled his home in Gaza 13 years ago. As the AP explains, [...]
Committee to Protect Journalists report finds imprisonment of journalists at global high
A new Committee to Protect Journalist (CPJ) report released Thursday finds the number of journalists who are behind bars worldwide reached a global high in 2021. CPJ finds 293 reporters were imprisoned, at least 24 journalists were killed as a result of their work, and another 18 died under mysterious circumstances as of December 1 [...]
Civil society organizations raise alarm over safety and security issues plaguing Telegram
Access Now and a coalition of civil society organizations Wednesday raised alarm over safety and security issues plaguing popular messaging app, Telegram. In an open letter to CEO and co-founder of Telegram Pavel Durov, the coalition detailed what the company can do to ensure that the human rights of their 500 million users are prioritized. [...]
Saurabh Kirpal is on track to becoming India’s first openly gay judge. Last week, the country’s Supreme Court recommended the nomination of Kirpal, a senior advocate and self-described “accidental LGBTQ activist,” to serve as a judge in the Delhi High Court, in what is considered by many to be a significant equal rights milestone—the latest [...]
Apple filed a lawsuit against NSO Group on Tuesday for the use of its Pegasus spyware against Apple users and products. NSO Group is an Israeli technology company that was founded in 2010 and is primarily known for its spyware program Pegasus, which has been condemned by the UN and the US for its surveillance [...]
US commits to send Assange to Australia in exchange for extradition from UK
At a hearing before the UK Court of Appeal on Wednesday, US authorities assured that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange could serve any prison sentence imposed upon him in his native Australia in exchange for his extradition to the US. A lower court refused an American extradition request over the publication of US military documents related to [...]
Hong Kong court convicts protester of inciting secession under national security law
A Hong Kong district court found Monday that delivery worker-turned-activist Ma Chun-man was guilty of incitement to secession for his actions at over 20 protests and interviews last year. Famously named “Captain America 2.0” by news sources for dressing like the fictional character at demonstrations, Ma was the second person to be convicted under China’s [...]
