The UN’s top human rights official, Navi Pillay, on Monday blamed disagreements within the Security Council for “emboldening” the Syrian regime to crackdown on civilians. She added she was “appalled by the ongoing onslaught on Homs.”
The Washington-based organisation Freedom House says it's committed to spreading democratic ideals worldwide. It openly says it's helping activists in countries like Burma and Belarus to get organised and stand up against repression. But the NGO has been harshly criticized. It's funded by the US government. And that's sparked accusations that Freedom House is an American foreign policy tool - something the organisation denies.
A federal appeals court on Tuesday struck down Proposition 8, a 2008 California law banning same-sex couples from marrying, saying it violated the constitutional principles of due process and equal protection under the law.
Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon faces a courtroom once again - but this time, he's the defendant. Garzon faces charges of breaking Spain's amnesty law, which prevents the prosecution of anyone accused of political crimes during the Franco years. The judge was investigating the disappearance of 114,000 people between 1936 and 1975, which he says were crimes against humanity, and therefore not subject to the amnesty law.
Egypt has defended the decision last week to raid the offices of 17 non-governmental organisations, some funded by the US, as part of investigations into illegal political funding. Washington has threatened to cut aid to Egypt over the raids.
Egyptian officials have told the US ambassador in Cairo that they would cease police raids on pro-democracy and rights groups after Thursday’s swoops on 17 NGOs drew sharp criticism from Washington.
Syrian forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad killed at least 22 people on Friday as hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets across the country to show the strength of their movement to Arab League observers.
Syrian anti-government activists are calling for mass popular protests Friday, to show visiting Arab League observers that oppression in Syria continues. This comes a day after government forces reportedly killed 25 protesters.
Egyptian police stormed the offices of 17 human rights groups on Thursday, including several backed by the United States. The groups have become increasingly vocal in criticising the military rulers and demanding a transition to civilian power.
Syrian activists said security forces killed at least 21 people Thursday when they fired at protesters across the country. The attack came despite a visit from Arab League monitors, suggesting that the regime’s cooperation is a stalling tactic.
