Human Rights

Amnesty condemns controversial French bill

13 Apr 2021; MEMO: Amnesty France on Tuesday urged the Macron government to withdraw discriminatory provisions adopted in an amended version of a controversial bill confirming respect for the principles of the Republic that targets the French Muslim population, Anadolu Agency reported.

The rights group expressed concerns about the bill passed Monday by the Senate that includes new amendments under the guise of fighting extremism.

Ex-Israel spy Pollard storms Joseph's Tomb in Nablus

14 Apr 2021; MEMO: Former Israeli spy, Jonathan Pollard, yesterday joined scores of illegal settlers in storming Joseph's Tomb in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus.

Local Kan reported that Pollard had accompanied a "convoy of buses packed with scores of Jewish settlers who broke into the site and performed religious rituals," adding that Israeli occupation forces had secured the road and venue for them.

USA: Senate filibuster test over Asian-American hate crime bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is poised to start debate on legislation confronting the rise of potential hate crimes against Asian Americans, a growing problem during the coronavirus crisis that will also test whether the chamber can push past partisanship on an issue important to many constituents.

24 Sudan parties reject Israel normalisation deal

13 Apr 2021; MEMO: More than 24 Sudanese political parties announced their rejection of normalising relations with the occupation and the abolition of Israel boycott law.

This came after the Sudanese cabinet approved a bill to cancel the 1958 Israel boycott law, which was approved by Arab countries at the time, in an expected step after the rapprochement between Khartoum and Tel Aviv in recent months.

Rights group warns of rising number of prisons in Egypt

13 Apr 2021; MEMO: The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) yesterday warned of the rapid increase in the number of prisons in Egypt, since the January 25 Revolution in 2011.

The network said in a report that the number of prisons in Egypt has reached 78, nearly half of them – 35 prisons – had been built after 2011 under the rule of coup leader and President, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.

Israel to seal off Palestinian territories for 3 days

11 Apr 2021; MEMO: Israel will seal off the occupied Palestinian territories for three days as of Tuesday, according to the Israeli military on Sunday, Anadolu Agency reported.

A military statement said the measure includes a complete lockdown of the West Bank and the closure of crossing points with the Gaza Strip.

The statement said the closure will start as of Tuesday 19:00 local time (16:00 GMT) till Thursday April 15.

India: 4 killed by CISF in Cooch Behar, EC trying to suppress facts: Mamata

Siliguri, Apr 11 (PTI) Describing the incident of firing in Cooch Behar as a "genocide", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said the Election Commission has restricted the entry of politicians in the district for 72 hours as it seeks to "suppress facts".

The TMC supremo, while addressing a press meet here, claimed that central forces "sprayed bullets aiming at the torso of the victims" in Sitalkuchi area, when the fourth phase of polling was underway in the state.

India: 4 Kashmiris killed by Indian Sec Forces in Shopian and Anantnag district of Indian Administered Kashmir

Anantnag, 11 April  2021: 4 Kashmiris have been killed on Sunday by Indian security forces in Shopian and Anantnag district of the Indian Administered Kashmir, Indian officials said.

Police has claimed that the slain separatists were responsible for the killing of Havaldar Mohammad Saleem AKhoon outside his residence at Goriwan in Bijbehara area on Friday.

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