Daily Archives: December 16, 2020

2020-12-16: News Headlines

Stephen Lendman (2020-12-16). Pardon Julian Assange, under Article II, Section 2 of US Constitution. globalresearch.ca The US Constitution gave presidents "power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment (Article II, Section 2)." | Throughout US history, sitting presidents used this power thousands of times. | Jack Kennedy pardoned, …

Max Blumenthal (2020-12-16). Rafael Correa on Venezuela, Assange, and 'preventing the total destruction of our homeland'. mronline.org Max Blumenthal interviews former Ecuador President Rafael Correa, who was in Venezuela to observe its legislative elections and show support to a government under sustained economic and political attack by the U.S.

_____ (2020-12-16). Assange Prosecution: A Haunting Reminder Of The Travesty Of Justice. popularresistance.org The prosecution against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has invoked my case, making it a haunting reminder of the travesty of justice that befell me. | I worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2015, the United States government wrongfully tried, convicted, and sent me to prison for allegedly violating the U.S. Espionage Act. I am one of the few who has ever gone to trial to defend their selves against this ancient and misused law. | If I had succeeded in defending myself, it is possible Assange may not be facing the same impossible hell that ruined my life. As such, I feel a burden to challenge certain s…

Global Research News (2020-12-16). Selected Articles: Pardon Julian Assange, under Article II, Section 2 of US Constitution. globalresearch.ca By The US Constitution gave presidents "power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment …

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-16). VIDEO: SA holding migrants in inhuman conditions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 16 (MNA) — Human Rights Watch has released footage of a detention center for foreigners in Riyadh, proving that Saudi officials have detained and tortured hundreds of foreign workers. As reported, three have lost lives by the present.

Peoples Dispatch (2020-12-16). ICC's report on the Philippines alleges crimes against humanity committed by Duterte regime. peoplesdispatch.org The prosecutor's office of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has found "reasonable basis to believe" that crimes against humanity have been committed by Rodrigo Duterte's government in the Philippines. The findings are part of the annual report issued by the office of ICC's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensoda, on December 14, Monday, and announced on Tuesday. | The report found that the government of Rodrigo Duterte has committed crimes like murder, torture, and inflicted serious physical injury and mental harm on victims between July 2016 and March 2019. The report focused on allegations levelled by human right…

John Pilger (2020-12-15). The Most Lethal Virus is Not COVID. It is War. counterpunch.org In the midst of the greatest health emergency in modern times, with more than 4 million surgical procedures delayed by the National Health Service, Boris Johnson has announced a record increase of £16.5 billion in so-called defence spending — a figure that would restore the under-resourced NHS many times over.

sputniknews (2020-12-15). Israel Performs First Successful Tests of Sea-Based Missile Defense System. sputniknews.com Tests of a new sea-based aerial defense system were performed during the past few weeks. The so-called Iron Dome and David's Sling and Arrow are short-, medium- and long-range missiles, designed to intercept a variety of objects, including enemy aircraft, drones, ballistic missiles, medium- to long-range rockets and cruise missiles.

Symon Hill (2020-12-14). Ignore the Spin, The Hague's ICC Ruling on British War Crimes in Iraq Is Damning. globalresearch.ca The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court recently reported that there was "reasonable basis to believe" that British troops committed war crimes in Iraq. She declared that there was evidence of crimes including unlawful killing, rape, torture and inhumane treatment …

Megan Sherman (2020-12-14). Julian Assange Is a Conscientious Objector. Time Will Vindicate Him. globalresearch.ca Julian Assange today, but the press is united in wilful ignorance of his plight. The dearth of stories about his show trial in a kangaroo court in London is evident. It has never been easier …

Binoy Kampmark (2020-12-14). Julian Assange: COVID Risks and Campaigns for Pardon. counterpunch.org Before the January 4 ruling of District Judge Vanessa Baraitser in the extradition case of Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks publisher will continue to endure the ordeal of cold prison facilities while being menaced by a COVID-19 outbreak. From November 18, Assange, along with inmates in House Block 1 at Belmarsh prison in south-east London, were

WSWS (2020-12-14). UN rapporteur Nils Melzer demands Assange's immediate release after ten years' arbitrary detention. wsws.org Melzer's statement was issued amid a major coronavirus outbreak in Belmarsh Prison, that threatens the WikiLeaks publisher's life, and in the lead-up to a ruling on his extradition to the United States.

Labor Video Project (2020-12-14). Actions in SF, Oakland & San Jose To Demand Dropping Of Charges Against Assange/Snowden. indybay.org Speak-outs were held at the Congressional offices of Congresswomen Barbara Lee, Zoe Lofgren and the home of Nancy Pelosi on December 10 /11 to call for support for Congressional Resolutions 1175 and 1162 which called for dropping the charges against Julian Assange and Edward Snowden. A statement was already read by fomer OSHA WPP Investigator and lawyer Darrell Whitman representing Whistleblowers United.

Bay Action 2 Free Assange (2020-12-14). Thursday 12/17: FREE ASSANGE Stand for US HR 1175/1162: Drop Charges Against Assange & Snowden. indybay.org Vineyard Shopping Center -Grass Area- in Morgan Hill…

Brett Wilkins, staff writer (2020-12-14). Assange's Partner Decries 'Atrocious' Prison Conditions in Appeal for Australian Intervention. commondreams.org "The Australian government should just pick up the phone and speak to its closest allies and show its concern and secure his safe release," said Stella Morris. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/free_assange_extradition_0.jpg

Defense for Children International, Palestine (2020-12-14). Israel's Isolation of Palestinian Child Prisoners Amounts to Torture. globalresearch.ca Israeli authorities routinely detain Palestinian children in isolation solely for interrogation purposes, a practice that amounts to torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, Defense for Children International — Palestine said in a report released today. | The 73-page …

Alan Macleod (2020-12-14). Left and Right Unite in Calls for Snowden Pardon Amid Speculation of a Trump Decision. mintpressnews.com While the idea of pardoning one of the most prolific whistleblowers of our era drew together an alliance of those on the left and right, the centrist establishment reacted with predictable vitriol to the idea.

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2020-12-13). GOP Lawmaker Claims 'Trump Is Listening to the Many of Us Who Are Urging Him to #PardonSnowden'. commondreams.org The NSA whistleblower has used his platform to pressure the president to pardon someone other than himself: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-11753045951.jpg

RT (2020-12-13). 'Inhumane treatment': Turkey accuses Greece of migrant 'pushbacks' into Turkish waters. rt.com The Greek Coast Guard has been sending illegal migrants stranded on islands in the Aegean back to Turkish territorial waters, Turkey's Interior Minister has said, accusing Athens of "torture." | The Greek coast guards have been engaged in "torture and inhumane treatment every day," Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said in a Twitter post, addressing Greek Minister for Migration and Asylum, Notis Mitarachi. | Dear Minister Your Coast Guard units are leveling up the torture and inhumane treatment everyday. | Watch your forces engaging…