Torture so widespread and systematic as to constitute a crime against humanity in Egypt
By REDRESS Today (02), a coalition of international and Egyptian NGOs has submitted a detailed legal analysis to the UN Committee against Torture concluding that the Egyptian authorities’ use of torture is so widespread and systematic as to amount to a crime against humanity under customary international law. The legal analysis forms
Is democracy a divider or a unifier at the UN General Assembly?
By Annika Silva-Leander The UN General Assembly convened 190 world leaders and delegated officials last week in New York in a context of global polycrises: the war in Ukraine, high debt burdens and economic fragility of developing countries resulting from the lingering effects of the pandemic and the climate emergency. International
Use of facial recognition technology in schools banned by New York state
By Staff Writer Following a report that found that the risks to student privacy and civil rights outweigh potential security benefits, Education Commissioner Betty Rosa ordered banning use of facial recognition technology in New York state schools. The order was issued on 27 September. This order, however, leaves decisions on digital
Democratic rights targeted by South Korean government
By Ben McGrath In recent weeks, the administration of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has stepped up its anti-democratic attacks on government critics. In language reminiscent of the country’s past dictatorships, Yoon has denounced opposition to the government as the result of “communist totalitarianism” influence and “anti-state forces.” The Yoon administration and
Federal judge orders Texas to remove floating barrier in Rio Grande, appellate court stays order
By Trévon Austin Nearly three months after Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a fascistic acolyte of former president Donald Trump, deployed a 1,000-foot-long barrier of buoys accompanied by traps of razor wire in the Rio Grande, a federal judge in Austin ordered the state t6xo remove the obstruction and stop building
Australian Labor government’s workplace reform laws will enshrine insecure jobs and low pay
By Martin Scott On Monday, Federal Minister for Workplace Relations Tony Burke introduced the Labor government’s latest tranche of proposed industrial relations reform. Entitled “Closing Loopholes,” the bill is ostensibly aimed at improving the wages and conditions of Australia’s most vulnerable workers, engaged as casuals, labour hire workers, or in the
Impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton begins
By Andy Hartmann The impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton began on Tuesday in the Texas State Senate. Paxton pleaded not guilty to each of the 16 articles of impeachment. He was impeached by the Texas State House in May by a vote of 121-23, at which time he was suspended
Greek government unveils savage employment bill attacking workers’ right to strike
By John Vassilopoulos Greece’s right-wing New Democracy government (ND) has unveiled a new labour bill attacking workers’ rights and conditions. It was submitted on August 25 for public consultation by the Greek Ministry of Labour. The consultation is set to run until September 8, with the bill expected to be put
Guantanamo military judge rules against evidence “derived from torture”
By Tom Carter An exceptional legal ruling issued from the depths of America’s secretive apparatus of military tribunals has thrown a wrench into the latest government efforts to whitewash the notorious Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) torture program. This ruling—and the depraved and sadistic war crimes that it once again brings to light—underscores
Ukrainian journalists protest army censorship of reporting on the counteroffensive
By Jason Melanovski The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine has appealed to the Armed Forces of Ukraine over its severe restrictions on reporting in combat zones of the country’s stalled NATO-backed counteroffensive. The appeal comes in the wake of a report by French newspaper Le Temps that the Ukrainian government had effectively banned