Newscast for Friday, September 6, 2013
- NSA breaks encryption on Internet, weakening security and paving way for spying on millions
- World biggest economies pledge to address tax evasion at G20 meeting
- At G20 summit, LGBT activists call attention to discrimination in Russia
- Walmart workers rally for labor rights, citing workplace retaliation
- New head of WTO, Brazil’s Robert Azevedo, faces range of development issues as first Latin American in post
HEADLINES
Chile’s Supreme Court admits wrong-doing during Pinochet dictatorship
Today in an unprecedented move, the Chilean Supreme Court admitted it failed to sufficiently to protect victims from widespread government-sponsored violence during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. The court stopped short of a full apology. Next Wednesday is the 40th anniversary of the military coup. FSRN’s Jorge Garreton has more.
On Tuesday, the National Association of Magistrates of the Judiciary issued an apology for failing to protect Chileans from violence by the government. During the nearly two-decade rule of Pinochet, tens of thousands of people were killed, detained, tortured, and disappeared by the government. Current Chilean President Sebastian Piñera has blamed the Judiciary for not protecting victims. Today, on the urging by the Association of Magistrates, the Supreme Court responded. The Court admitted to grave actions and omissions, and failing to protect people from human rights violations, including denying protection to those detained and disappeared. Jorge Garreton, FSRN, Santiago.
Drone strike kills high-ranking militia commander in Pakistan
A US drone strike today in the North Waziristan area of Pakistan has killed an influential commander of the Haqqani Network. The militant group has ties to the Taliban and has been fighting NATO troops in Afghanistan. The group mainly operates along the border between the two countries. From Pakistan, Malik Ayub Sumbal has more for FSRN.
Mullah Sangeen Zadran, a commander of the notorious Haqqani Network, was added to the list of specially designated global terrorists by the US State Department in 2011. The US says Zadran orchestrated kidnappings, led attacks, and coordinated an influx of foreign fighters into Afghanistan. Friday’s drone strike killed the network’s second- in-command, along with at least four others. Zadran’s death has been confirmed by militants and official sources. A funeral was planned for this afternoon, according to announcements made in Miranshah, southwest of Peshawar. US drone strikes continue to be strongly criticized by Pakistan’s foreign ministry, which condemned the attack today. This is the second drone strike in the region in the past week. Malik Ayub Sumbal, FSRN, Islamabad.
Activists call for closure of Guantanamo, end to force feedings
Former military officials, prisoners and activists gathered in front of the White House today to protest the ongoing detention of prisoners at Guantanamo. They also drew attention to the force-feeding of 30 detainees on hunger strike at the facility, a practice that human rights groups consider torture. FSRN’s Noelle Galos reports.
Surrounded by supporters wearing orange jumpsuits, human rights activist Andrés Thomas Conteris underwent a voluntary force feeding Friday in front of the White House. He has been fasting for 61 days in solidarity with prisoners in Guantánamo and Pelican Bay Prison in California. Pelican Bay hunger strikers ended their protest on Thursday. Today’s action aimed to raise awareness about the indefinite detention of Guantanamo detainees. Protesters demand the prison’s closure. Eric Montalvo is the attorney of former Guantanamo detainee Mohammad Jawad:
“I’m not here to say they are innocent or guilty, but they deserve a trial. And when you start trying to do a trial 10 years after the fact, that undermines the entire justice system and the rule of law, which is what it’s all about.”
Last week, the Obama administration transferred two detainees to their home country of Algeria, the first release from Guantanamo in more than a year. One-hundred sixty-four detainees remain, 84 of whom are already cleared for release. Noelle Galos, FSRN, Washington, DC. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif
ICE releases new guidelines for solitary confinement in detention centers
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement released new guidelines this week for the use of solitary confinement in immigration detention facilities nationwide. Among other things, the changes improve the standard of review for segregated housing of more than two weeks and states non-punitive segregation should only be used if other options aren’t available. This kind of solitary confinement is often used when the well-being of a detainee in the general population is a concern because of factors like mental illness, gender identity, and current and previous sexual assault. The ACLU calls the policy change a “good example” for the entire US prison system. But says effectiveness will be determined by the level of enforcement – things like whether the rules will apply to detainees held in non-ICE facilities.
Anti-war protests continue into second weekend
The US continued its domestic and international push for military intervention in Syria today. Peace activists across the globe, from Cairo to Kuala Lumpur, have been marching and holding rallies to oppose military involvement. And organizers intend to keep up the pressure – more protests are scheduled today and over the weekend. FSRN’s Mark Taylor-Canfield has more from Seattle.
Demonstrations are being held today in Tokyo, Honolulu, San Francisco, and Seattle to show opposition to a proposed US military strike on Syria. The latest opinion polls show that the majority of Americans are opposed to military intervention. Activists will be gathering in downtown Seattle to hold a rally and march, and in San Francisco protesters planned to converge on Market Street during rush hour. Protests are also being organized in Asheville, North Carolina, Tuscon, Arizona and dozens of other US cities. Activists in Seattle are also organizing a benefit to raise funds for Syrian war refugees. According to the Interoccupy website, more than 250 rallies and direct actions for peace in Syria have been scheduled since reports of a chemical weapons attack emerged. Mark Taylor-Canfield, FSRN, Seattle.
FEATURES
Chile’s Supreme Court admits wrong-doing during Pinochet dictatorship
Today in an unprecedented move, the Chilean Supreme Court admitted it failed to sufficiently to protect victims from widespread government-sponsored violence during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. The court stopped short of a full apology. Next Wednesday is the 40th anniversary of the military coup. FSRN’s Jorge Garreton has more.
On Tuesday, the National Association of Magistrates of the Judiciary issued an apology for failing to protect Chileans from violence by the government. During the nearly two-decade rule of Pinochet, tens of thousands of people were killed, detained, tortured, and disappeared by the government. Current Chilean President Sebastian Piñera has blamed the Judiciary for not protecting victims. Today, on the urging by the Association of Magistrates, the Supreme Court responded. The Court admitted to grave actions and omissions, and failing to protect people from human rights violations, including denying protection to those detained and disappeared. Jorge Garreton, FSRN, Santiago.
Drone strike kills high-ranking militia commander in Pakistan
A US drone strike today in the North Waziristan area of Pakistan has killed an influential commander of the Haqqani Network. The militant group has ties to the Taliban and has been fighting NATO troops in Afghanistan. The group mainly operates along the border between the two countries. From Pakistan, Malik Ayub Sumbal has more for FSRN.
Mullah Sangeen Zadran, a commander of the notorious Haqqani Network, was added to the list of specially designated global terrorists by the US State Department in 2011. The US says Zadran orchestrated kidnappings, led attacks, and coordinated an influx of foreign fighters into Afghanistan. Friday’s drone strike killed the network’s second- in-command, along with at least four others. Zadran’s death has been confirmed by militants and official sources. A funeral was planned for this afternoon, according to announcements made in Miranshah, southwest of Peshawar. US drone strikes continue to be strongly criticized by Pakistan’s foreign ministry, which condemned the attack today. This is the second drone strike in the region in the past week. Malik Ayub Sumbal, FSRN, Islamabad.
Activists call for closure of Guantanamo, end to force feedings
Former military officials, prisoners and activists gathered in front of the White House today to protest the ongoing detention of prisoners at Guantanamo. They also drew attention to the force-feeding of 30 detainees on hunger strike at the facility, a practice that human rights groups consider torture. FSRN’s Noelle Galos reports.
Surrounded by supporters wearing orange jumpsuits, human rights activist Andrés Thomas Conteris underwent a voluntary force feeding Friday in front of the White House. He has been fasting for 61 days in solidarity with prisoners in Guantánamo and Pelican Bay Prison in California. Pelican Bay hunger strikers ended their protest on Thursday. Today’s action aimed to raise awareness about the indefinite detention of Guantanamo detainees. Protesters demand the prison’s closure. Eric Montalvo is the attorney of former Guantanamo detainee Mohammad Jawad:
“I’m not here to say they are innocent or guilty, but they deserve a trial. And when you start trying to do a trial 10 years after the fact, that undermines the entire justice system and the rule of law, which is what it’s all about.”
Last week, the Obama administration transferred two detainees to their home country of Algeria, the first release from Guantanamo in more than a year. One-hundred sixty-four detainees remain, 84 of whom are already cleared for release. Noelle Galos, FSRN, Washington, DC.
ICE releases new guidelines for solitary confinement in detention centers
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement released new guidelines this week for the use of solitary confinement in immigration detention facilities nationwide. Among other things, the changes improve the standard of review for segregated housing of more than two weeks and states non-punitive segregation should only be used if other options aren’t available. This kind of solitary confinement is often used when the well-being of a detainee in the general population is a concern because of factors like mental illness, gender identity, and current and previous sexual assault. The ACLU calls the policy change a “good example” for the entire US prison system. But says effectiveness will be determined by the level of enforcement – things like whether the rules will apply to detainees held in non-ICE facilities.
Anti-war protests continue into second weekend
The US continued its domestic and international push for military intervention in Syria today. Peace activists across the globe, from Cairo to Kuala Lumpur, have been marching and holding rallies to oppose military involvement. And organizers intend to keep up the pressure – more protests are scheduled today and over the weekend. FSRN’s Mark Taylor-Canfield has more from Seattle.
Demonstrations are being held today in Tokyo, Honolulu, San Francisco, and Seattle to show opposition to a proposed US military strike on Syria. The latest opinion polls show that the majority of Americans are opposed to military intervention. Activists will be gathering in downtown Seattle to hold a rally and march, and in San Francisco protesters planned to converge on Market Street during rush hour. Protests are also being organized in Asheville, North Carolina, Tuscon, Arizona and dozens of other US cities. Activists in Seattle are also organizing a benefit to raise funds for Syrian war refugees. According to the Interoccupy website, more than 250 rallies and direct actions for peace in Syria have been scheduled since reports of a chemical weapons attack emerged. Mark Taylor-Canfield, FSRN, Seattle.
