Russia: New Move to Suffocate Civil Society

Update (November 30, 2020): This news release was corrected to reflect additional grounds on which a person or organization can be designated a “foreign agent.” (Moscow) – A new bill introduced in Russia’s parliament on November 18, 2020 is a potentially very dangerous addition to a growing body of oppressive

An Invitation to Seeking Truth in a Country of Lies

In lieu of writing reviews of their own books – with the exception of Walt Whitman, who did that with Leaves of Grass – writers often write introductions or prefaces. The purpose of such introductions is to give the prospective readers a sense of what to expect in the pages that follow,

New Research Adds Evidence That Weed Killer Glyphosate Disrupts Hormones

New research is adding worrisome evidence to concerns that the widely used weed killing chemical glyphosate may have the potential to interfere with human hormones.

Portuguese Court Rules That The PCR Test “Is Unable To Determine” A COVID-19 Infection

A Portuguese court has determined that the PCR tests used to detect COVID-19 are not able to prove an infection beyond a reasonable doubt, and thus determined that the detainment of four individuals was unlawful and illegal. With no clear cut answer, and many doctors and scientists contradicting each other,

Afghanistan: Donors Should Support Rights Gains

(Geneva) – Afghanistan’s foreign donors meeting in Geneva, beginning November 23, 2020, should prioritize funding for education and health, especially for girls and women, and for independent media, Human Rights Watch said today. The pledging conference will discuss funding commitments at a critical time, as the armed conflict and the

Human Rights Watch Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau, I write to you today to express Human Rights Watch’s deep concern that Neskantaga First Nation is once more in a state of emergency due to its inadequate water infrastructure. Human Rights Watch conducted research in First Nations communities in the province of Ontario between

Canada Needs to Deliver Promised Climate Accountability

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has tabled legislation that would increase transparency of government efforts to meet climate change commitments.

Computer Science Prof & Edward Snowden Explain How Easily Voting Machines Can Be Hacked

Edward Snowden & J.Alex Halderman, a computer science and engineering professor at the University of Michigan both share how easy it is to hack voting machines and change votes.

Bad News for the US on World Prematurity Day

The nonprofit March of Dimes, which works to improve the health of mothers and babies in the United States, issued its “Annual Report Card” on Monday ahead of World Prematurity Day today.

Trump Administration Moves to Entrench Global Gag Rule

With attention turning toward what the administration of President-elect Joe Biden should do to protect sexual and reproductive rights, the administration of President Donald Trump is trying to further entrench rules that restrict work on these issues overseas. These late efforts would expand the global gag rule, a policy that

Scorpio New Moon + Mars Direct: Passing Through the Portal

November 13, 2020 — A Scorpio New Moon arrives on Saturday, at 12:07 am Eastern Time, opening the last eclipse portal of the year.

EU: Bring Human Rights to the Top of Central Asia Agenda

(Brussels) – The European Union (EU) should set consequences if Central Asian governments fail to meet more ambitious human rights goals, Human Rights Watch said today.

Waiving Intellectual Property Rules Key to Beating Covid-19

With two companies, Pfizer and BioNTech, having announced promising early results for a Covid-19 vaccine they are developing, governments in the United States, European Union, and the United Kingdom are racing to prebook hundreds of millions of doses for their own use. But as long as intellectual property rights limit

Schisandra: The Five-Flavor Fruit

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) is an intriguing berry indeed! Hailing from its home in the lush, mountainous regions of China, we know of its many medicinal merits thanks to a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is an adaptogen and a tonic herb often used to promote

Cambodia: Scrap Draft Cybercrime Law

(San Francisco) – The Cambodian government should immediately scrap the draft cybercrime law, which threatens increased surveillance of internet users, privacy rights, and free speech online, Human Rights Watch said today. The United States, other concerned governments, and international technology and communications companies operating in Cambodia should call for the bill