Saudi Prisoner Raif Badawi, Flogged for Blogging, Is Awarded the EU’s Top Human Rights Prize

By Deirdre Fulton / Common Dreams Oct 30, 2015 The president of the European Union's Parliament calls on Saudi Arabia's king to free Raif Badawi "so he can accept the prize." Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Federal Judge Throws Out Lawsuit by ACLU and Nation Magazine Against the NSA

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Oct 24, 2015 In dismissing the plaintiffs’ claim that they were threatened by unwarranted surveillance, the judge ludicrously reasoned that, because the NSA did not admit to its spying, the plaintiffs' fears were "subjective." Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Why Are We Ignoring the War on Yemen?

Sonali Kolhatkar / Truthdig Aug 20, 2015 Key human rights groups have warned about war crimes and mass starvation in the U.S.-backed, Saudi-led war on Yemen. But almost as stunning as the atrocities there is the silence of politicians and the public. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Amnesty International: Protecting the ‘Human Rights’ of Johns, Pimps and Human Traffickers

Chris Hedges / Truthdig Aug 17, 2015 The group’s call for prostitution decriminalization is another in a long line of triumphs for heartless neoliberal economics and capitalism’s grotesque commodification of human beings. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Have Rich, White Feminists Made Matters Worse for Sex Workers?

Natasha Hakimi Zapata / Truthdig Aug 6, 2015 Several famous actresses have signed a letter opposing Amnesty International's proposal to decriminalize sex work. Veronica Bayetti Flores believes "their position is misguided in several ways." Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

All 50 U.S. States Fail to Meet Global Standards on Police Use of Lethal Force

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Jun 18, 2015 A report by Amnesty International USA found that each and every U.S. state ran afoul of international standards on the use of lethal force by police officers -- and that in Pennsylvania, cops can kill if it is "necessary to suppress a riot or mutiny" after the assembeld crowd has "been ordered to disperse." Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Exploited and Sexually Abused Qatari Migrant Workers Were Forced to Run Marathon

Donald Kaufman / Truthdig Apr 7, 2015 Laborers were bused in -- some wearing jeans and flip-flops -- and told they had to run the race, which was a failed effort to break the Guinness World Record for the largest marathon. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Amnesty International: China Still No. 1 in Executions

Donald Kaufman / Truthdig Apr 4, 2015 Amnesty International has released an annual report of the recorded death sentences carried out around the world in 2014. China's estimated tally was higher than the combined number of executions in all other countries. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

April Fools’ Day Will Be No Joke at the International Criminal Court

Bill Blum / Truthdig Apr 1, 2015 Palestine, as a new member state, will be able to ask for a probe into alleged war crimes in last summer’s Gaza war as well as into Israel’s West Bank settlement policy—whether Israel likes it or not.Palestine will be able to ask for a probe into alleged war crimes in last summer’s Gaza war as well as into Israel’s West Bank settlement policy—whether Israel likes it or not. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Edward Snowden Comments on the CIA’s Secret Torture Report

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Dec 11, 2014 "If we can run a rendition, a kidnapping, a detention program, a torture program, keep it secret for years, and then when it is revealed, hold no one to account, what does this mean for the future direction of our society?" the NSA whistle-blower said after the U.S. Senate's release of the CIA torture report. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Amnesty Releases Free Tool to ‘Detekt’ Government Spyware on Computers and Phones

Natasha Hakimi Zapata / Truthdig Nov 20, 2014 Sick of being tracked without your consent or knowledge by the National Security Agency and its ilk? Amnesty International has an app for that. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Amnesty Report Accuses Israel of War Crimes and Condemns Palestinian Rocket Fire

Natasha Hakimi Zapata / Truthdig Nov 6, 2014 A damning 49-page report says the Israel Defense Forces acted with "callous indifference" to civilians in airstrikes that destroyed entire families in homes during the recent war in Gaza. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )