Headlines for Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Libyan leadership will probe torture claims

Libya's ruling National Transitional Council says it will probe allegations that detainees in ad hoc prisons are being tortured. Deputy Prime Minister Mustafa Abu Shagour did not deny recent claims made by Physicians Without Border ( Medecins Sans Frontieres) who say prisoners were tortured, brought to them for treatment, and then sent back for more. Abu Shagour appealed to local militia groups to “respect human rights.”

Libyan military leader sues UK for alleged role in CIA rendition

One Libyan militia leader, the current chief of the Tripoli Military Council, is suing British authorities for their role in his 2004 CIA rendition to Libya where he was subsequently jailed and tortured for 6 years. Abdel Hakim Belhadj claims he was caught by the CIA in Bangkok and sent to Libya with UK help. In his civil suit citing documents found in the Gaddafi compound, Belhadj specifically names Sir Mark Allen – the former chief of the UK's MI-6.

National Undocumented Youth Mental Health Day

Today is the first annual National Undocumented Youth Mental Health Day. It’s in honor of an undocumented immigrant who has tried to kill herself, and who faces deportation today. From Philadelphia, FSRN’s Matthew Petrillo reports.

Yanilli Hernandez is a DREAM Act-eligible youth who has attempted suicide twice, including once while in U.S. immigration detention. Vigils were held in cities across the US last night, including Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, AND here in Philadelphia. Advocate Fernanda Marroquin says undocumented youth constantly fear deportation, and as a result, often struggle with depression.

“If you’re deported to a country that you haven’t been to most of your life, especially if you have no family there, it’s going to have a huge impact on your mental health.”

Last November, another undocumented youth, Joaquin Luna, committed suicide. Activists are fighting to keep Hernandez in the United States, fearing that she could take her own life if deported. They want  National Undocumented Youth Mental Health Day raises awareness. They also hope to influence lawmakers to provide a path to citizenship for young people who have spent much of their lives in the US, rather than deport them to countries where most have little or no family. Matthew Petrillo, FSRN, Philadelphia.

Hazing court-martial returns 30 day sentence

A Marine Lance Corporal was tried and sentenced yesterday in Honolulu for his role in the hazing of a Chinese-American soldier in Afghanistan who later committed suicide. Larry Geller reports from Honolulu.

The first of three Marines accused of hazing A Chinese-American soldier, Lance Corporal Harry Lew, who then killed himself in Afghanistan last April was tried and sentenced yesterday to 30 days confinement and reduction of pay by one grade. Lance Corporal Jacob D. Jacoby pleaded guilty under three specifications of a charge of assault. Prosecutors dropped two additional charges in exchange for his plea agreement. His trial and sentencing took place at special court martial held at Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base in Honolulu. The special court-martial proceeding is reserved for charges of lower
severity than a general court-martial. The dropped charges were wrongfully abusing, humiliating and
demeaning a person; and communicating a threat. Jacoby would  have faced a maximum 6 1/2 years if convicted of all the charges. The other two marines charged in the case are still awaiting trial . Larry Geller, FSRN, Honolulu.

European Commission study says there's a cost benefit to cutting more carbon

The European Union has pledged a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 20-20, the most-ambitious of any government. Now, an analysis by the European Commission shows even deeper emission cuts are not only affordable, but would have economic benefits  too. From France, FSRN's Liam Moriarty has more.

Since the Copenhagen climate conference in 2-thousand-9, the E-U has offered to boost its emissions-cut target to 30 percent of 19-90 levels, if other countries would sign on, too. There have been no takers so far. But Sam Van den Plas, with the World Wildlife Fund Europe, says the new report shows there's no reason for Europe to wait.

“It is basically in the EU's own interests to enact adequate climate legislation.”

Van en Plas points out that the report calculates reduced carbon emissions would also mean less of other pollutants in the air, leading to health care savings of up to 7-and-a-half (b)billion euros a year. The report estimates Europe would also save 20 (b)billion a year in fuel costs. Van den Plas says he hopes the report findings will help persuade European governments that deeper greenhouse gas reductions are doable, even in the current sour economy. Liam Moriarty, FSRN, Normandy, France.

Occupy DC in wait and see mode

Occupy DC has called an emergency general assembly after the National Parks Service told them they have to remove a large tarp known as the tent of dreams. The tent was put up yesterday, when a mid-day deadline to break camp came and went. The NPS says while protesters can keep up a 24 hour vigil – they can't have bedding or cooking materials on site. One protester went to court today seeking an injunction. Dane C. Primerano told the court that first amendment rights of sovereign citizens cannot be predicated on the ability to pay for lodging. There's no word at deadline about the court's decision.