
The Cuban government has begun feeding political prisoner Vladimir Morera Bacallao “against his will,” his wife says, more than 80 days since he began a hunger strike protesting his arrest for hanging an anti-communist sign on his window.
by Frances Martel6 Jan 2016, 11:04 AM PST0

As the White House begins to hint that President Barack Obama would like to visit Cuba before his term is over, a political prisoner freed and re-arrested due to the U.S.-Cuba “normalization” deal has lost cognitive functions as he struggles to survive his 87th day on a hunger strike.
by Frances Martel4 Jan 2016, 2:33 PM PST0

The White House has confirmed that President Barack Obama may visit Cuba in 2016–and says it is looking for ways to let the Cuban “revolution” interpret human rights norms in ways that allow it to retain power.
by Joel B. Pollak3 Jan 2016, 12:16 AM PST0

The latest news from that most trustworthy of nuclear partners, Iran, has secret police thugs beating a Christian convert and dragging him off into the snow, while his family unsuccessfully pleaded to at least give him some warm clothing.
by John Hayward30 Dec 2015, 8:11 PM PST0

A mob at a Muslim shrine in central Kabul killed an Afghan woman who was falsely accused of burning the Koran, showing that Afghanistan has not changed much despite more than 14 years of U.S.-led engagement.
by Edwin Mora28 Dec 2015, 7:21 PM PST0

A court in Saudi Arabia sentenced reformist writer Zuhair Kutbi to fours years in prison and banned him from travel.
by Mary Chastain23 Dec 2015, 12:28 PM PST0

An independent investigation found reports of sexual abuse of young boys by UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic credible and said they suggested a broader pattern of abuse that should have been further investigated.
by John Sexton21 Dec 2015, 8:23 PM PST0

The Cuban government has re-arrested almost all of the 53 political prisoners released in January as part of its “normalization” with President Obama, according to Senator Marco Rubio. The news comes as Cuban police assault and detain dozens of dissidents in anticipation of International Human Rights Day, December 10.
by Frances Martel10 Dec 2015, 7:41 AM PST0

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) went to Cuba this week to promote his state’s economic interests and the Obama administration’s new policy of engagement with the regime. He failed to meet, or seek, any of Cuba’s political dissidents or human rights activists.
by Joel B. Pollak4 Dec 2015, 7:22 AM PST0

Experts and human rights activists at a congressional hearing assert that China’s recently announced switch to a “two-child policy” is nothing more than a continuation of the Communist Party’s control over its citizens through terror, and that little will change as a result of it.
by Dr. Susan Berry4 Dec 2015, 5:32 AM PST0

Moscow has begun to impose restrictions on Turks living in Russia, following Turkey shooting down a Russian fighter jet last week that had violated Ankara’s air space.
by Jordan Schachtel2 Dec 2015, 10:02 AM PST0

Anastasia Lin, who was crowned Miss World Canada in May, has been banned from competing for the global beauty pageant title in China. While she was not given a reason for being banned from entering China, she believes her outspoken criticism of the Communist Party has made her a target.
by Frances Martel27 Nov 2015, 9:58 AM PST0

A new report from Amnesty International charges the Assad regime with making over 65,000 Syrians ‘disappear’ during four years of civil war, an “organized attack against the civilian population” carried out not just for political gain, but for profit.
by John Hayward7 Nov 2015, 10:37 AM PST0

At least one man is being prosecuted in Zimbabwe after calling for an end to dictator Robert Mugabe’s regime, following an embarrassing stumble in India in which Indian head of state Narendra Modi had to help the 91-year-old walk toward him.
by Frances Martel2 Nov 2015, 7:10 AM PST0

China’s announcement Thursday that it is “abandoning” its draconian one-child policy was met with skepticism among critics, who contend that it substantially changes nothing, since the communist government still asserts absolute control over families and will continue to enforce its will with coercion.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.30 Oct 2015, 5:47 AM PST0

In a report released Thursday, the African Union has accused soldiers in South Sudan’s civil war of a harrowing list of atrocities against civilians, including rape, mutilation, burning alive, and forced cannibalism.
by Frances Martel29 Oct 2015, 11:32 AM PST0

After 36 years, communist China has finally decided to end its infamous one-child policy and will now allow couples to have up to two children.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.29 Oct 2015, 7:08 AM PST0

Egypt, Japan, Senegal, Uruguay, and Ukraine have received a non-permanent spot on the United Nations Security Council.
by Mary Chastain16 Oct 2015, 7:32 AM PST0

The United Nations Human Rights Commissioner recently wrapped up a visit to Mexico, describing his visit as “sobering.” Despite noting several legislative developments and reforms in the country, the Mexican people have painted a tragic picture filled with widespread corruption and insecurity.
by Sylvia Longmire14 Oct 2015, 7:19 AM PST0

Authorities arrested four girls and their parents in Pokot Central Sub County in Kenya after the children received female genital mutilation (FGM).
by Mary Chastain9 Oct 2015, 5:55 PM PST0

The editor-in-chief of Zaman, a major Turkish newspaper, is stepping down, citing “unlawful pressure on press” as a major factor in his departure. The resignation comes a week after a major anti-government columnist was hospitalized due to a public beating.
by Frances Martel6 Oct 2015, 10:50 AM PST0

Ali Mohammed al-Nimir will be beheaded and crucified in Saudi Arabia soon, but he had to comfort his parents when they told him about his sentence.
by Mary Chastain30 Sep 2015, 1:37 PM PST0

A Tunisian student received one year in prison for homosexuality after he allegedly failed an “anal exam” he was forced into by the government.
by Mary Chastain25 Sep 2015, 10:41 PM PST0

Authorities in Beverly Hills arrested Saudi prince Majed Abdulaziz Al-Saud on Wednesday after he allegedly tried to force a house worker to perform sex acts on him.
by Mary Chastain25 Sep 2015, 8:38 AM PST0

A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that the head of state called singer Elton John on Thursday about a possible future meeting to discuss any topics that weigh on the entertainer’s mind.
by Mary Chastain24 Sep 2015, 9:05 PM PST0