fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
U.S. sex crime laws were reactionary when they were created and haven’t been updated since (e.g.
By: April M. Hamm, She They
Tags: Sex Offender, Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Reform, Human Rights, Sex Crimes

U.S. sex crime laws were reactionary when they were created and haven’t been updated since (e.g. with any actual logic).

As teenagers, my boyfriend at the time and I were both almost arrested for kissing in the parking lot on campus. I was 16 and he was 19. They informed us that anything other than “missionary sex" was considered “sodomy" in the Great State of Georgia (and elsewhere in the South). Had I been laying on my back getting f#cked, I would have been in clear (with only my mom to answer to — which would be far worse than jail as far I was concerned at 16). Either way, whether we both got charged with sodomy or not, my then 19 yo bf was on the hook for child molestation bc I was under age while he was technically a grown-up. But since my mom wasn’t pressing charges (because our families know each other) and since I wasn’t crying rape (since it was actually consensual…and just kissing), he didn’t become a sex criminal for kissing his roughly same age girlfriend. Meanwhile, they let us both go with a warning on the sodomy thing…after which we did our kissing in a graveyard where we could have some privacy. 🤷🏾‍♀️

Looking back, considering it was the campus police (at an HBCU), I think they just wanted to scare us. Being Black in rural Georgia, it was a good warning because Confederate-sympathizing cops in the country might not be so nice. Also, since I was technically “a child" on a college campus, they probably didn’t want me getting pregnant on their watch. (I learned that at my previous college where I got expelled for being a 15-year-old (Black) girl tutoring (Black) male athletes who were 18+. They said I was a “disturbance to the natural flow of activity on campus.” Go figure).

That was all in the late nineties. I believe the sodomy laws have since been changed or removed (thanks to LGBTQ+ advocacy), but consensual teenage sex is still a sex crime in 2020. The residents of Miracle Village in Florida are all nonviolent “sex offenders” who were guilty of consensual teenage sex. I was almost one them — and for underage kissing no less!

And that’s just one of the ridiculous things that turns otherwise decent people into unfree laborers without voting rights while actual sex criminals go free, keep their jobs, get even better jobs, make even more money, and vote to maintain status quo.

Meanwhile, the U.S. legal system is so convoluted that it’s impossible to change in any efficient manner. Then again, that’s kinda the point!
HAM di Indonesia : Jalan di Tempat?
By: Media Remaja
Tags: Indonesia, Law, Hukum, Human Rights

in The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer
GFI Founder’s Update — December 2020
By: The Global Fairness Initiative
Tags: International Development, Covid 19, Human Rights

Dear Friend,

As 2020 comes to a close I know many are relieved that this year will soon end. Far too many have faced undeniable hardship and loss. Communities of color, the poor and working poor and millions of informal workers have had to shoulder a far greater share of this year’s burdens. The women, men and children with whom the Global Fairness Initiative (GFI) works have been on the front lines of this pandemic facing disproportionate harm as government relief efforts and social safety nets have fallen far short. It is in this context that I want to acknowledge GFI’s efforts and express my gratitude for what GFI was able to accomplish despite COVID-19.

At the start of the pandemic, I sounded the call that informal and marginalized workers must be at the center of relief efforts. In Nepal, GFI responded. When brick workers were trapped during a nationwide lockdown, GFI provided emergency relief including food and PPE, and worked with kiln owners to design a severance plan that covered lost wages, ensuring these workers were not left behind. In Tunisia, GFI’s years-long partnership with the Tunisian government led to a sweeping regulatory reform. As the pandemic raged, Tunisia eased the registration process for informal workers precisely because the government was unable to target relief efforts to citizens who were not formally registered. Moreover, in September, GFI published a groundbreaking report calling on all stakeholders, especially those governments committed to reducing global poverty, to focus their interventions and relief on informal workers.

Most importantly, GFI’s efforts were not simply a response to the pandemic. Instead, GFI designed its response to tackle inequality at its roots, addressing underlying systems and structures to begin to lessen the systemic and disparate impacts they have historically had on the poor, working poor and informal workers. As the new year approaches, GFI’s work is far from over. Much more must be done and GFI is ready to take on the challenges 2021 will no doubt present.

On behalf of the Global Fairness Initiative, its Board of Directors, Advisors, staff and partners I want to thank you for your support. It is because of you that GFI can and will continue its global work. And, may you and your family have a happy holiday season and a safe and healthy New Year.

Sincerely,

Karen Tramontano

GFI Founder & President
Norms
Tags: Law, Justice, Equality, Human Rights

Norms

Maybe it’s been too long for people to understand stephenstillwell ·Dec 23, 2020

I keep hearing people claim that criminal things done by criminal public officials aren’t against the law, they just violate Norms.

Norms define the boundaries of abuse, of tre45on

(any abuse by POTUS, as an act against the Nation, is tre45onous. We adopted the Norms to delineate boundaries)

So officials know not to do that, because that’s a violation of oath & office.

Because there isn’t enough space or time to enumerate every specific abuse a madman may be inspired by.

A crime

Just sayin’
Dr. Preeti Singh .
By: Jessica Bugg
Tags: Trade, News, Human Rights, Economics, Short Form

Dr. Preeti Singh . . . What can you tell us about the current farmers strike? This is a huge deal that is not getting enough coverage on mainstream media.

When as many agricultural workers strike as there are adults in the United States, when farmers who supply the world with food cannot live and survive . . . This is not just an India issue . . . This is a global issue . . . A human rights issue.

I stand by your people and your farmers. Their work and their lives are valuable.

Much love from the States. Please let us know how to assist.
Finland & Germany repatriate women from Syrian Islamic State camps, human rights groups coax other nations to follow the suite
By: The Workers Rights
Tags: Is Group, Human Rights, Syria, Germany, Finland

On humanitarian grounds, Germany and Finland have repatriated five women and 18 children from Islamic State (IS) camps in Syria. These camps are believed to house IS militants’ suspected family members.

German media conveys that three of the rescued women are under investigation to be belonging to the IS.

Past few years have seen hundreds of Europeans fleeing to join the IS militant group. They are currently in Kurdish run camps in northern Syria. These people were displaced along with others after IS was defeated territorially in March 2019 in Iraq and Syria. Majority of these people are believed to be sympathizers of the jihadist group or wives and children of the IS militants.

Human rights groups and activists have been persuading other governments to bring back their citizens from the war hit zone. The activists argue that the region puts women and children at risk of illness and radicalization. But European countries have been apprehensive about it as it is a potential security threat to the nations. The recent example of UK girl Shamima Begum brings a valid clause to the governments’ worry. The schoolgirl had joined IS in 2015 and was later stripped off her UK citizenship on security grounds.

Noting the recent repatriation of women and children, Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Mass said on Sunday that these repatriations were “humanitarian cases, primarily orphans and children who were ill and their need was deemed particularly necessary and urgent.”

One of the women who returned was arrested at Germany’s Frankfurt Airport on suspicion of being a member of the jihadist group along with other crimes. The woman is from German state of Saxony-Anhalt, and is believed to have fled to Syria to join the IS group when she was 15 years old. One other woman is also being investigated on being an IS member.

The other three repatriated women are said to be in very poor health and were “wives of jihadists”. The details were shared by Kurdish administration’s foreign relation office spokesman, Kamal Akif.

Finland is said to have repatriated two women and six children. Finland’s foreign ministry said, “Under the constitution, Finnish public authorities are obligated to safeguard the basic rights of the Finnish children interned in the camps insofar as this is possible.”

The Finnish government says, in line with human rights groups, that more the delay in rescuing children from the camps, more it will be difficult to counter the radicalization they are imposed upon.

https://www.theworkersrights.com/us-embassy-in-fiji-issues-100000-usd-relief-fund-to-support-the-state-hit-by-cyclone-yasa/
Congress and Donald Trump want a pat on the back for making a deal on a $900 billion COVID-19…
By: Greg Prince
Tags: Breaking News, Stimulus, News, Human Rights, Politics

Congress and Donald Trump want a pat on the back for making a deal on a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package now, but history shows they really need a kick in the ass! The deal will be done as soon as the House and Senate vote on the legislation Monday and the President signs it into law. The $600 check for individuals and $300 a week unemployment supplemental jobless benefit is far below the relief Americans need. Because Congress and the President have dragged out passing any relief bill since August millions of people are suffering.

Democrats and Republicans are to blame. Their inability to come to an agreement on the issues concerning the relief legislation shows a lack of empathy and understanding towards all of us who are not part of the ‘Upper-income class.’

We need real representation and a reinvention of our government now!
Five Bills Passed in 2019 that you might’ve missed!
By: Mandvi Mishra
Tags: Indian Law, Bills, Human Rights, Parliament, Daman And Diu

1. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Merger

Photo by Tatiana Rodriguez on Unsplash

While everyone remembers what followed after the abrogation of article 370 in Kashmir was the creation of two union territories out of one state. i.e. Jammu and Kashmir as one and Ladakh as another; a lot of people do not know about the fact that former union territories Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were merged to form one UT in order to reduce the cost of administration and enhance development in 2019. The legislation came into effect from 26 January, 2020.

2. The RTI Amendment Bill

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

There have been several instances when centralisation in India has been criticised, because it takes away autonomy of institutions and gives a lot of power to the central government. The Right to Information amendment was criticised for the same, as it gave all the regulatory powers to the centre government, making one question the neutrality and loyalty of the information officers. The amendment replaces the standardised term and salary norms for the information officers and empowers the government instead of the citizens by letting government decide on the salary and work term of the RTI officers,

3. The Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act

Photo by Mark König on Unsplash

This law replaced the consumer protection law of 1989, finally making stricter laws for e-commerce. It seeks to establish a Central Consumer Protection Authority and lays down rules for the prevention of unfair trade practice by any e-commerce platform. It also aims to provide easy, quick and efficient methods to resolve consumer disputes in the country thus empowering the buyer.

4. The controversial NIA amendment

Photo by Maninderjeet Singh Sidhu on Unsplash

The National Investigation Agency which came into force after the 2008 Mumbai Terror Attacks to investigate into special matters like human trafficking; circulation of fake currency; manufacture and sale of prohibited arms; and cyber-terrorism was amended in 2019, extending its power not just in India but also in foreign affairs. The opposition highly criticised the bill for the immense powers it provides to the body, calling it an attempt to make India a ‘Police State’ or “for misuse by the centre for political vendetta”.

5. Human Rights (Amendments)!

Photo by Maria Oswalt on Unsplash

Passed in both the houses, the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019 provides for a reduction in tenure of chairpersons of national and state human rights bodies to three years from the current five years. It also allows for former Supreme Court and High Court judges to chair the national and state human rights commission respectively, a position which was only reserved for chief justices by then. The bill was criticised because it gave the power to the Centre to handpick the heads of the Human Right Commissions.
Femicides in Turkey is continuing to rise, Erdogan is making this situation worse
By: Joie Cooper
Tags: Femicide, Human Rights, Erdogan, Turkey, Violation Of Human Laws

According to my research femicide is a sex-based hate crime term, broadly defined as “the intentional killing of women or girls because they are female”. Violence against women is only getting worse in Turkey. Although the Turkish government avoids commenting on this matter.

The government’s lack of enthusiasm and apathy has a lot to do in this issue. Increasing femicides and domestic violence in Turkey has caused women’s global mobilization. Women have become more visible in work and social life and more confident in their public appearances. Victims of domestic violence are right to be worried about the future of women’s rights in Turkey.

And it is very clear that Erdogan cannot be trusted to protect women and their rights in his country. All he knows is to support his own interest committing crimes, supporting terrorism violating human rights and ruining other countries. He is also good at pointing fingers or giving the blame to others. That’s why we cannot expect him to do such protecting his own people.
Melihat Kampanye Penegakan HAM dari Olahragawan Dunia
By: Amnesty International Indonesia Uin Jakarta
Tags: Amnesty International, Opinion, Human Rights

Kelompok pendukung @amnestyindonesia. Campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all🌏
Brief study of the New Testament’s Insights on Human Rights
By: Sunrise Pohtam
Tags: New Testament Studies, Jesus Christ, Human Rights

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

The New Testament is very aware of the human rights. The oppression of the dominant over the powerless is understood as violation of human rights as human dignity is denied. The unequal distribution of resource is also denial of human rights. Poverty is another example for the violation of human rights. In Jesus’ time the Romans (imperial power) and Jewish (dominate/elite Jews) nexus controlled the structure and they oppressed the poor. Here Jesus was stating that Kingdom of God affirms the right of the poor as it empowers them and restore their dignity. Kingdom f God upholds the dignity of all persons, justice and righteousness. The right and dignity of all persons regardless of class, race and gender is upheld by the New Testament (Galatians 3:28).

Galatia 3:28 is usually referred as Magna Carta of freedom and Luke 4:16–21 (the Nazareth Manifesto) are the manifestos of human rights

Jesus was the Champion of human rights as challenged the inhuman elements (Matthew 21:12–13). Jesus vision was socialistic. He recognized the dignity of all persons. He executed justice without any prejudice. The right of the poor to gain their dignity was a great concern of Jesus. Rights of the marginated were understood by Jesus as the prime factor in human rights. As Jesus was beside the poor he was siding the human rights. As Jesus recognized poverty as injustice and an element of dehumanization, he reacted against the dominated class who were the instruments of oppression. The rich were extensively criticized by Jesus as they were the agents of human rights violation (Matthew 19:16–25; Luke 12:14–21).

There was serious human rights violation found in the Greco-Roman context which reflected in Acts of the Apostles and Pauline Corpus. The minority rights were very much curtailed. The Christian minority was persecuted by the Roman imperial power and other fanatics. The dominant religious communities attacked Christians. Religious freedoms were not so much enjoyed by the Christians. The Roman authorities killed several Christian believers and their leaders without any proper cause. The rights were confined to the dominant class. Everyone was not Roman citizen, but Paul was not a Roman citizen. He affirmed his rights as a Roman citizen as he responded to injustices done to the vulnerable citizens of the Roman Empire.
Islamic Laws are Universal
Tags: Allah, Islam, Human Rights, Universal, Social Justice

Islamic laws are universal and as a Muslim, I think there’s no doubt in this statement. All the laws which the Messenger (S.A.W) of ALLAH has told us through the Holy Qur’an and through his lifestyle, which are called ‘Shariah’, ‘Sunnah’

Islamic laws are universal in the sense that they can be implemented and applied in every society, culture, religion, race, city, and country; or everywhere in the world. They are not specified for a religion, culture, society, etc. For instance, if we talk about Human Rights the laws told in Islam are very simple and universal, like if we go 6 months back, you would remember that in the USA a black was cruelly killed by whites because they do not follow the Islamic laws. They are universal and the same for every mankind.

There are some laws or rights in Islam that are very simple and can be easily implemented on any of the society or people of the world, (he or she may be of any color, religion, culture, society, etc.) Now I am quoting some examples:

The rights/ laws for women (inheritance, education, marriage, and others) are for all the women in the world. The rights/laws for slaves (kindness, care, fulfilling their necessities, do not beat them) all the slaves are included in this law told by ALLAH. The rights/laws for children (freedom to take decisions, education) The rights/laws for animals (no beating, take care of food and sleeping place, etc.)

So these all rules are very simple and universally acknowledged and can be implemented easily in any society, culture, anywhere in the world.
How Unicef and the EU Are Teaming up to Promote Children’s Rights Around the World.
By: Alessia Donna
Tags: Children, Human Rights, Charity, Humanitarian, Politics

Photo by Caleb Woods on Unsplash

UNICEF: for every child

Founded in 1946, the United Nation Children’s Fund, better known as UNICEF, is a United Nation (UN) agency devoted to aiding children from early childhood through adolescence in over 190 countries and territories around the world [1].

Its origins lie in the aftermath of the Second World War, when UNICEF was created to provide short-term relief to millions of refugee children in Europe, regardless of their ethnicity, creed, nationality, status or political belief. Soon after, the relief efforts spread to other continents, reaching almost 100 countries during its first five years.

Despite some resistance in continuing UNICEF’s mission beyond post-war relief, it eventually became a permanent part of the UN in 1953. Since then, UNICEF started expanding the scope of its mission, providing programmes for the improvement of children’s rights, particularly in developing countries.

Making a difference

UNICEF’s activities include efforts to decrease child mortality and malnutrition, the organisation of vaccination and disease prevention campaigns and the promotion of education for both boys and girls. Furthermore, the agency is also one of the first international actors to provide emergency relief in response to disasters [2].

Despite being entirely funded by the voluntary contribution of governments and individual donors, UNICEF has been remarkably successful in helping children all over the world, gaining international recognition in 1965, when the agency was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for its effort to enhance solidarity between nations and reduce the difference between rich and poor states”[3].
The Human Rights Crisis in Poland
Tags: Homophobia, LGBTQ, Poland, Human Rights, Civil Rights

In Poland, identifying as LGBT can make you an enemy of the state. Not only is same-sex marriage illegal, but over 80 towns in Poland have declared themselves “LGBT free zones.” The President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, has signed legislation which “protects children from LGBT ideology.” Duda believes the LGBT community to be a foreign ideology that is more dangerous than communism and he believes that very ideology is deteriorating family-values. Leaders in Poland have declared that this “foreign ideology” needs to be irradiated.

In response to the country’s anti-LGBT policies, activists in Poland have displayed peaceful acts of protest. Rainbow flags have been placed on many statues around Poland. A truck with speakers blaring LGBT slurs was defaced. The response to the protests, however, has been extreme. One woman who participated in hanging the rainbow flags was handcuffed by officials, verbally harassed, and thrown into an unmarked van.

In September of 2020, an open letter coordinated by the Belgium Embassy in Poland, and signed by nearly 50 other ambassadors, called for an end to the rampant and destructive discrimination against sexual minorities in Poland. They asked the country to “affirm the inherent dignity of each individual as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” They request that the people of Poland shield those in the LGBT community from verbal and physical abuse and to work toward a more tolerant future. Whether or not leaders in Poland will respond to this letter and take action toward positive change has yet to be seen.

In 2019 in Lublin Poland, a pride march was met with protests, some even throwing eggs at the marchers. The police in Lublin, however, took a surprising stance, and shielded participants, working to stop the protests against the pride celebrations. Human rights organizations have called for responses like this to be adapted across Poland. The measures taken to discriminate against LGBT individuals in Poland have been destructive for the people and regressive overall for the nation’s human rights policies. Hope lies, however, in the heart of the protesters, and those who dare not to conform with the hateful laws passed in Poland. Hopefully, a brighter future for Poland’s LGBT community is on the horizon.
Why We Value Freedom of Opinion and Expression
By: Smpf Media
Tags: Human Rights

At last years OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting — when we could meet in person, Set My People Free’s founder shared this intervention with the OSCE states on the importance of freedom of speech and access to information.

You can download the intervention here: https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/1/0/432527_0.pdf

Thank you for prioritising freedom of expression by giving the first three days of the OSCE HDIM to this issue, as it is basic for democracy to impart information and to receive information.

Freedom for the media and of the internet is crucial for freedom of expression. If you cannot promote your speech there is no freedom of expression.

Freedom for the media and of the internet is crucial for freedom of expression. If you cannot promote your speech there is no freedom of expression.

If you have a deaf and dumb child, that child will not develop normally unless you work on making it possible for the child to receive information and impart information. To impart and receive information is crucial and critical for the growth and development of the child mentally.

This is why freedom to impart and receive information is key for the prosperity of a nation. It is for progress and for creativity and innovation. It helps in pollination of ideas and it enriches the community.

This is why freedom of receiving and imparting information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers is so important. Without it, its impact on the society and the community will have similar effect as deafness and dumbness on the individual.

Having only one narrative and forcing it on all makes the information propaganda.

Freedom of expression opens the door for critical thinking, different opinions and debate.

It leads to accountability. Freedom of expression protects the democratic state from tyranny.

This is why it is crucial that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers.

Recommendations:

For implementation of the above we need to remove obstacles and any hindrances for freedom of expression.

Stop censorship because it does not help to stop hate speech or end fake news. Counter it by more speech, debate and critical thinking and truth.

We do not need to make new laws for the internet. We can use the existing freedom of expression and opinion laws for the press and media.

Protect journalist, freedom of expression, the public domain and the independence of the press and the internet from the state control.

Kamal Fahmi

International Executive Director Set My People Free

Tel. 0046 703419766 freedom2worship.org
Welcome to Raise the Voices
By: Raise The Voices
Tags: Human Rights, Iran, USA, Turkey, Hong Kong

Raise The Voices Logo (raisethevoices.org)

Raise the voices is a national non-profit working to advocate for victims of injustices around the world. Founded in 2019, we are volunteer led and run.

We currently have projects in the US, China, Belarus, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Iran, and others.

This Medium page is mainly going to be used to amplify our posts from our website (raisethevoices.org).

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, reach out to chetan@raisethevoices.org
Be Safe, Not Silent
Tags: Censorship, Covid 19, Human Rights, Freedom of Expression, Press Freedom

The IFEX network is ready to welcome 2021 with open arms! But before we do that, Executive Director Annie Game takes a look back at 2020 — an exceptional year for so many reasons.

Image credit: IFEX

There’s no denying it: 2020 has been hard. And before we welcome 2021 (with open arms), we want to acknowledge the incredible work done by the IFEX network in keeping freedom of expression and information front and centre while facing such staggering global challenges — especially this year, when the free flow of health and safety information has had a outsized influence on our lives.

The organisations that make up the network have brought their experience, expertise, resolve and creativity to speak truth to power, amplify marginalized voices, and demand justice. While they have been doing their best to stay safe, they have been far from silent on the issues.

In 2020 IFEX members have been quick to point out how the pandemic has changed the free expression landscape:

We know that 2020 has been disruptive, particularly because we haven’t been able to get together in person. The individuals who make up this network are always a source of energy and inspiration. So we thought this year would be a good time to relaunch our updated Faces of Free Expression series.

This project truly puts a human face on our work; people included in the series have been at the centre of advocacy efforts by IFEX members, allies in legal challenges, and even past and present IFEX members themselves. The Faces of Free Expression are a reminder that there is strength in numbers; we need to keep working together to counter actions that degrade the right to freedom of expression and information.

Over the last year IFEX members have continued to support each other’s work by signing on to dozens of statements and letters to governments and international bodies. And the organisms we rely on to uphold free expression as a critical human right have pressed on — appointing three new Special Rapporteurs in the area of free expression: Teresa Ribeiro of the OSCE, Irene Khan at the UN, and former IFEX council member Pedro Vaca Villarreal at the OAS. This is a reminder that these bodies are not letting the pandemic halt their work, and will be there for us to consult and inform.

Our network has shown that they can be resilient and safe in this pandemic without sacrificing ideals or their voices, and this is something we want to encourage in all our partners and the wider network. In other words: Be Safe, Not Silent.

While we still have a way to go before we discover our new normal — before we can travel and meet each other in person — we are confident that the individuals and organisations that make up this network are as committed as ever to persevering and innovating to continue the work.

To our members, allies, partners and supporters: Thank you for sticking with it, and us, while we close the door on 2020 and get ready to meet 2021 with a renewed sense of purpose. To everyone reading this, remember, you too can Be Safe, Not Silent.
АМЬДРАЛЫГ ӨӨРЧИЛСӨН ЗАХИДАЛ
Tags: Human Rights

in The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer
Victoria watchdog accuses Melbourne public housing of violating human rights through stringent Covid-19 lockdown measures
By: The Workers Rights
Tags: Victoria, Melbourne Public Housing, Human Rights

Victoria’s ombudsman Deborah Glass has accused the Melbourne public housing of its timing of Covid-19 lockdown in July of violating human rights of the people. The Victorian government has however refused to apologize and has rejected all the allegations.

The stringent lockdown measures that were imposed on July 4 led to police surrounding nine public housing towers, thereby “house-arresting” over 3000 residents in their flights for five days. After five days the lockdown was lifted at eight of the nine towers. Residents at 33 Alfred Street were under lockdown for complete 14 days.

In her investigation Glass says that though the lockdown was implemented to safeguard the residents from spread of Covid-19 infection, the immediate start of lockdown measures were not based on any medical advice and thus violated human rights of the people of residential towers.

Glass said, “Many residents knew nothing of the lockdown or the reason for it when large numbers of police appeared on their estate that afternoon. We heard that initially there was chaos. Some people were without food and medicines. At the tower at 33 Alfred St, the focus of the investigation, residents waited more than a week to be allowed outside under supervision for fresh air.”

Report by Glass recommended the Victorian government to apologize to the people and acknowledge the “impact of their immediate detention on their health and wellbeing”. But the government has refused to do so.

The housing minister, Richard Wynne said on Thursday during a media briefing, “We make no apology for saving people’s lives. Absolutely no apology for saving people’s lives. The primary objective of government is to protect the community… The human rights of people are not secondary at all. We absolutely have conformed with all of our legal obligations. There’s no question about that.”

Glass says in her investigation that the health officials too acknowledged that lockdown was expected to begin next morning thus allowing people to plan for food and medical supplies and other logistics.

Glass said, “The rushed lockdown was not compatible with the residents’ human rights, including their right to humane treatment when deprived of liberty. In my opinion, based on the evidence gathered by the investigation, the action appeared to be contrary to the law.”

“Proper consideration of human rights before the lockdown began would have put health, not security, front and centre. In a just society, human rights are not a convention to be ignored during a crisis, but a framework for how we will treat and be treated as the crisis unfolds,” she added.

https://www.theworkersrights.com/victoria-watchdog-accuses-melbourne-public-housing-of-violating-human-rights-through-stringent-covid-19-lockdown-measures/
Harvard Library Has Books Bound With Real Human Skin
By: Wonder Earth
Tags: Humanity, Books, Harvard Business School, Human Rights, Harvard University

Here where you can find a lot of interesting daily videos about: Discovery, Family stories, Facts, Mysterious, Funny and weird things
CODED BIAS Unveils Racism in Technology
By: Debbie Cerda
Tags: Movies, Coded Bias, Human Rights, Streaming, Documentary

The phrase “unprecedented times” may seem overused to many, as 2020 has demonstrated to be a tumultuous year of economic and political instability as well as civil unrest across our nation. Incidents and conflicts in our American cities demonstrate the negative impact of racial inequality and disparity. Virtual learning as a mitigation effort to thwart the spread of a world-wide pandemic has exposed the disparity in technology. Many schoolchildren from lower socioeconomic communities don’t have access to computers and the internet to participate and complete their classwork.

One would think that the technology industry would offer more parity to individuals of all races and ethnicities. However, as demonstrated in the documentary Coded Bias directed by Shalini Kantayya, this assumption is grossly inaccurate. This insightful documentary exposes and examines how machine-learning algorithms are biased and continue to perpetuate inequities amongst race and class.
Germany still has my children. 17.12.2020
By: Shireen Pasha
Tags: Germany, Children, Amnesty International, Human Rights

17.12.2020

Letter to the US Consulate in Frankfurt

Dear Mr. Coleman, Frau Plate, and Ms. Knoblauch,

The Jugendamt still has my children. When I ask them to prove that they have evidence against me, they cannot. Yet, they want to conduct weeks-long diagnostic on my children. I agreed to this, with the hope that they would release my children for the holidays. They refuse to do this as well. I called the lawyers on the list you provided, none of them were available to help me. Could you please send me another list of lawyers in the Düsseldorf area? I am cornered. I don’t know what to do. Please help me, I need some assistance to get my children back. Please, I beg you.

With best regards,

Shireen Pasha

Mobile: +49 15166510832

On Thu, Dec 17, 2020 at 5:07 PM Shireen Pasha <shireen.pasha@gmail.com> wrote:
Seven Short and Long-Term Steps to Re-set Immigration in the US
Tags: Joe Biden, Human Rights, Children Rights, Immigration, Diversity

Seven Short and Long-Term Steps to Re-set Immigration in the US

Rol Dimor on Unsplash

President-elect Biden gave hope to the nation stating that the new administration will end cruel policies towards immigrants.¹,² With humility, I am offering the following short and long-term steps to be considered in their deliberations:

Needs Assessment

Consultation among an interdisciplinary team of experts in the fields of immigrant advocacy, cultural sensitivity, psychiatry, trauma, psychology, sociology, social work, child development, law, sexual assault, abuse and neglect, women’s rights, human rights, health, public health, government, and, most importantly, former and recent immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. The team will conduct a needs assessment for developing phases of policy changes that integrate best practices and American values, and look into innovative models that may be duplicated.

Steps for improving situation of detainees prior to revamping of systems

Review to make sure current border control guards/ICE staff have appropriate background checks. Removal of those with backgrounds with violence from working with detainees. Hiring to include psychological and bias testing and rigorous education and training.

Dismissal of guards and staff who are complicit in neglect, abuse, and/or sexual assault of people detained like criminals.

Assessments and interventions re suspected abuse, neglect, and sexual assault to be done independently of government agencies in a manner advised by a consortium of Hispanex and human rights advocacy organizations with respect for the need for compassion and freedom from covert or overt intimidation.

Immediate transfer of people who report sexual assault to safe houses, freedom from repercussions of reporting, with the advisement of Hispanex advocacy organizations on culturally sensitive counseling, and assistance on bio-psycho-social levels including legal guidance.

Removal of camera blind spots in all detention center hallways and rooms. Women staff conducting or being witness to body checks of females.

Careful monitoring so that “whistle-blowers” are not penalized in any manner such as the reduction in shifts, demotion, or termination.

Thanks so much for reading about these short and long-term steps towards immigration in the US. The administrations is raising the beacon of hope for immigrants to be welcomed by “one nation, with liberty and justice for all”.
The Burial of Grief
By: Hafsah Muheed
Tags: Covid 19, Humanity, Grief And Loss, Human Rights

As soon as death knocks on the door

The fear crept up my core

For the theft of grief was about to occur

Robbing the tears of love in a blur

The metal clang and cold hands

Grief is lost in my homeland

As I hear the hollow sound to rest in peace

All I see is an ash fleece

I saw a dream through the white knots

The need for people’s solidarity racked my thoughts

Humanity asked me sing my rights

I prayed the below to the stars at night

I wish to rest under a blue sky

With the wind dancing so high

Through the caress of the blooming petals

As the memory of the universe settles
Goodbye KuCoin — it’s time to move on
By: Kick Ecosystem Official
Tags: Trading, Partnerships, Kick Token, Kucoin, Kickex

Goodbye KuCoin — it’s time to move on

Friends,

KICK token is waiting to be delisted from KuCoin exchange. This is for the best, and we will tell you why.

But first, the details…

The KICK / ETH and KICK / BTC trading pairs will be stopped on December 22, 2020 at 18:00 (UTC + 8). We recommend cancelling all existing orders in these pairs on KuCoin as soon as possible and starting the KICK withdrawal process. You may withdraw your assets and continue trading KickToken on the KickEX exchange or withdraw KickToken to your private wallet. Official deposits and withdrawals of the aforementioned pairs will close on January 16, 2021, at 18:00:00 (UTC + 8) on KuCoin.

Now, here’s why it’s happening…

The KickEX team did not inform KuCoin in time about an experimental listing with decentralized exchange Uniswap, which required the adding of liquidity — specifically, 500 Ethereum and 11 billion KICK. We had to temporarily create 10 billion KICK, due to the lack of a sufficient amount of the token. (This temporary issuance has since been burned.) It was this fact that caused the delisting since our agreement with KuCoin states that additional token issuances must be explicitly agreed upon with the KuCoin exchange.

Of course, KuCoin’s decision upset us, because we worked together for a long time and burned this temporary 11 billion KICK — but it is their exchange and their rules. We still believe that KuCoin is a wonderful exchange with a great team. We sincerely express our gratitude to them for many years of work and we regret what happened!

In an act of good faith, we will soon list the KuCoin Shares token on KickEX. Despite this issue, we still consider KuCoin our friends and hope that KICK will return to KuCoin soon.

The good news

That said, this should not be construed as bad news. There are several positives, here. For example, KickToken will no longer be affected by the KuCoin bots when Bitcoin rises or falls, which means it will become a more-independent asset.

Of course, we will continue to do everything possible to develop KickToken and the Kick Ecosystem. KICK will never be removed from the KickEX exchange. Additionally, we are actively working to allow residents of currently-prohibited countries to trade on KickEX. Our team is doing everything to solve these regulatory hurdles.

Thank you for your continued activity and support. The Kick Ecosystem is growing and developing very quickly — and, with it, so is KickToken!

Trade KICK on KickEX now!

Sincerely,

The KickEX Team

We offer support 24/7

KickEX Trading Chat
rStake Tri-Chain Launch | Integrations For IOST, TOMO and XTZ To Roll Out Across December
By: Ramp Defi
Tags: Liquid Staking, Partnerships, Defi, Rampdefi, Staking

rStake Launch Timeline

One blockchain integration for rStake shall be launched each week, across three weeks, in the month of December.

The rStake tri-chain launch is expected to follow the following timeline:

1) IOST

Launch date: 9 December 2020 (Wednesday)

9 December 2020 (Wednesday) RAMP x IOST voting node: https://www.iostabc.com/account/rampdefi

https://www.iostabc.com/account/rampdefi Assets staked as of 30 Nov 2020: USD 25.6 million

2) TOMO

Launch date: 16 December 2020 (Wednesday)

16 December 2020 (Wednesday) RAMP x TOMO masternode: https://master.tomochain.com/candidate/0xbae4e4ec54f8f4f5732b9316b5c7db7e316d1650

https://master.tomochain.com/candidate/0xbae4e4ec54f8f4f5732b9316b5c7db7e316d1650 Assets staked as of 30 Nov 2020: USD 23.6 million

3) XTZ

Launch date: 23 December 2020 (Wednesday)

23 December 2020 (Wednesday) RAMP x XTZ baking node: https://tzstats.com/tz1VAN3wSA9cBqJMe8ccyVWheUutwWQfgZrt

https://tzstats.com/tz1VAN3wSA9cBqJMe8ccyVWheUutwWQfgZrt Assets staked as of 30 Nov 2020: USD 1,641.6 million

Note: While the above timelines are on track as at time of writing, do understand that in the cases of unexpected roadblocks or last minute development changes required, the above launch dates may be adjusted at any time.
JV Meaning — Considerations for a Joint Venture Agreement (with Samples)
Tags: Business Planning, Partnerships, Agreement, Joint Ventures, Business Development

First published — https://docpro.com/blog30/5-things-to-consider-for-a-joint-venture-agreement-with-templates

What is the meaning of a Joint Venture (JV)? The abbreviation “JV” is short for joint venture. A joint venture is a business arrangement where 2 or more parties agree to combine their assets and resources with the aim to fulfil a specific business activity. In a joint venture, parties are responsible for all things associated with this particular business activity, including the profits, losses and expenses etc. However, apart from the joint venture, the parties and their own personal businesses are not affiliated in any other way. For more information on joint ventures, please visit: https://docpro.com/cat33/setup-of-business-entity/joint-venture-agreement.

Before you decide to set up a joint venture agreement, it is important to keep a few things in mind:

1. Purpose and Objective of the Joint Venture

You should decide on what you would want the joint venture to accomplish and the goals of this business.

Decide with your business partner(s) the specifics of the business venture:

Where will you be doing the business?

How will you be doing it?

What are the main business goals?

Be as specific and detailed as possible so that all parties in the joint venture are clear and in agreement to avoid future disputes.

Also, consider if a joint venture is necessary. Is a joint venture the right type of arrangement in light of the purpose or relationship? Would other alternatives suffice? For example:

Co-operation agreement

Research and development agreement

Licence or franchise agreement Distribution or agency agreement

Supply of goods or services contract

Merger or acquisition

Would these agreements fit better with your current business needs already?

2. Scope of the Joint Venture

Read more at: https://docpro.com/blog30/5-things-to-consider-for-a-joint-venture-agreement-with-templates
Strategic Partnership Announcement <> NUTS Finance x BoringDAO
By: Define Defi
Tags: Cryptocurrency, Partnerships, Ethereum, Blockchain, Bitcoin

Our journey to unite all ERC20 BTC projects!

NUTS Finance #acBTC is proud to announce a strategic partnership with BoringDAO. This marks the beginning of a highly collaborative partnership with the focus to maximize Bitcoin’s usability in the DeFi ecosystem.

BoringDAO’s proprietary cross-chain tunnel comprises the triple dimensions of credit, technology and pledge design positions oBTC as one of the most secured wrapped BTC with a stable peg against Bitcoin.

“We look forward to adding oBTC, a robust ERC20 BTC asset to the acBTC ecosystem to further accelerate DeFi adoption for Bitcoin holders through secure and fully decentralized cross-chain capabilities.” — Terry Lam, Co-Founder of NUTS Finance #acBTC

acBTC is a composite Bitcoin solution on Ethereum, designed to maximize usability and interoperability across blockchain networks. The acBTC ecosystem integrates Bitcoin and ERC20 BTC with swap, savings and lending applications into one highly secure, efficient and usable standard.
Conflux Network and Waves Enterprise Will Work Together to Bridge Data Between Private Blockchains
By: Conflux Network
Tags: Partnerships

We are happy to announce that Waves Enterprise and Conflux Network have entered into a strategic partnership to help Waves Enterprise develop its ecosystem and concept of hybrid blockchain technologies in China and the Asia-Pacific region.

The parties intend to promote a hybrid approach to data transactions in private blockchain networks based on Waves Enterprise technologies. Anchoring is a hybrid data storage concept which involves the reference storage of data hashes from private networks in a public network without passing the actual data, enhancing data integrity and immutability. According to Gartner such hybrid interaction models ensure optimized convergence of private and public blockchains, where private transactions are validated by public chain consensus. This provides the guaranteed trust that blockchain supports, while preserving business confidentiality.

By default, the reference network’s role is played out by Waves Enterprise’s public permissioned main network. In China, with its specific regulatory landscape, this function can be executed by Conflux Network’s public permissionless network.

“The Chinese market of innovative blockchain solutions is essential for us, and promotion in this market is one of our priorities. For the successful implementation of our hybrid approach for Chinese clients and partners using our technology, we need a reliable, technologically advanced and regulatory-compliant partner in China, and Conflux meets all the requirements.” — Artem Kalikhov, CPO at Waves Enterprise.

After launching projects based on the Waves Enterprise private network in China, they will be offered a data anchoring service in the Conflux network.