(2021-02-04). 111 NGOs Call On Biden To Close Guantánamo. popularresistance.org On February 2, more than a hundred non-governmental organizations joined a letter led by the Center for Constitutional Rights and the Center for Victims of Torture, urging President Joe Biden to close the prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba and end indefinite military detention. The letter is signed by organizations ranging from those working to end anti-Muslim discrimination and torture to immigrant rights organizations and organizations working broadly on civil rights, civil liberties, and racial justice at the national and local level. It emphasizes the devastating and ongoing consequences of the prison, including…
(2021-02-04). Migrant Deportations Continue Despite Biden's Policies. popularresistance.org The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to deport migrants despite president Joe Biden's 100-day moratorium on deporting most people in the U.S. without authorization. This decision was barred by a federal judge in Texas last week. | During the first days of Biden's administration, ICE has deported hundreds of immigrants, including 269 people, to Guatemala and Honduras last Friday. The agency has been accused of violating human rights as a coalition of immigrant groups denounced that Cameroonian asylum seekers were tortured to be forced to approve their deportations.
(2021-02-04). Mass Rapes. Sweeping Surveillance. Forced Labor. Exposing China's Crackdown on Uyghur Muslims. democracynow.org 
China faces widespread condemnation following a BBC report about the mass rape and sexual torture of Uyghur women and other Muslims detained in the province of Xinjiang. Women who spoke with the BBC described gang rapes, routine sexual torture using electrocution tools, forced sterilizations and men outside the prison camps paying for access to the detainees. China has rejected the report as "wholly without factual basis" and claims its mass detention of Muslim minorities is part of a "vocational training" program to counter extremism. Meanwhile, The Intercept has obtained a massive police surveillance database u…
(2021-02-04). Surveillance, encryption, security and Huawei. greenleft.org.au Whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed back in 2013 the breadth and scale of the United States government's internet surveillance program. Ernst Merkenich argues that it is only increasing.
(2021-02-03). Two actors of Arab descent nominated for 2021 Golden Globes. middleeasteye.net 
Two actors of Arab descent nominated for 2021 Golden Globes | Comedian Youssef is up for an award for second year running, while Rahim is being recognised for his portrayal of Guantanamo detainee | Wed, 02/03/2021 – 16: 11 | Egyptian-American Ramy Youssef and French-Algerian Tahar Rahim were nominated for the 2021 edition of the Golden Globes (AFP) | Egyptian-American actor Ramy Youssef and French-Alg…
(2021-02-03). The Struggle Inside Senator Mitch McConnell's Brain. commondreams.org Allowing the Trumpian half of his brain to overpower his judgment and vote to acquit Dangerous Donald would spell disaster for the Republican Party (assuming the Democratic Party doesn't go to sleep as it did after Obama's win in 2008). | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/mcconnell_biden_0.jpg …
(2021-02-03). Afghanistan: Detainee torture allegations remain 'alarming', UN report reveals. news.un.org Torture claims among people detained for security or terrorism-related offences in Afghanistan remain high, according to a new UN human rights report published on Wednesday.
(2021-02-02). Biden Appoints Warmongers. popularresistance.org The corporate media has focused on Biden's promise to overturn many of former-President Trump's policies. But Biden pledged throughout his campaign to make "no substantial change" — and his foreign policy appointments show he meant that. Despite the media talk of justice, new policy and diversity, behind the scenes the same old U.S. militarist policies are being reinforced through Biden's cabinet choices and their direct ties to industry-funded think tanks and military contractors. | Biden's cabinet nominations follow the failed imperialist policies of the Trump, Obama, Bush Jr., Clinton and Bush Sr. admini…
(2021-02-01). Rights groups say Biden should reveal vaccine plan for Guantanamo prisoners. middleeasteye.net 
Rights groups say Biden should reveal vaccine plan for Guantanamo prisoners | Pentagon decided to pause plan to offer coronavirus vaccines to Guantanamo detainees following criticism from Republican lawmaker | Mon, 02/01/2021 – 20: 38 | Detainees line up at a chain link fence for library books and magazines inside Camp VI at Guantanamo Bay prison in 2010 (AFP/File photo) | Rights groups are calling…
(2021-02-01). Demand Mass Clemency On 'National Freedom Day'. popularresistance.org As supporters of the #CagingCOVID campaign, the Antistasis Project is calling for decentralized actions on February 1st across the so-called United States, and internationally, in support of mass clemency for people held in jails, prisons and detention centers. | Reports updated as of Jan. 19, show at least 355,957 prisoners have gotten the virus, and more than 2,232 died as a result of it. . The pandemic has resulted in prisons and jails abusing isolation more than ever before. Social distance is necessary but solitary confinement is torture. | Crowded quarters, a lack of PPE, inadequate medical care, an aging p…
(2021-02-01). Syria: Activist's arrest by Turkish-backed forces raises concerns over freedoms. middleeasteye.net 
Syria: Activist's arrest by Turkish-backed forces raises concerns over freedoms | Hayyan Ibrahim Hababa was detained for nearly two weeks before his release, with relatives fearing for his safety in detention | Mon, 02/01/2021 – 14: 16 | A social media picture of Hayyan Ibrahim Hababa (Facebook) | The arrest of a prominent media activist by Turkish-backed rebel forces has raised concerns about f…