Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv MANILA - A foreigner's entry to the Philippines should not equate to the surrender of the rights to free speech and assembly, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said Thursday. The rights body made the statement in light of the Bureau of Immigration's (BI) cancellation of the missionary visa of 71-year-old Australian nun Patricia Fox for allegedly participating in a protest action. The BI said she violated the terms of her stay in the country. Foreign nationals should have freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly even outside their own country, said CHR Commissioner Chito Gascon. "Foreigners also have human rights, as much as citizens. That's why it is called human rights, not citizen rights, meaning it's universal," "When a visitor comes to the country and is accepted into the country, then that person should be free to exercise whatever rights they had prior to entry so long as -- I guess from the perspective of … [Read more...] about News CHR: Foreigners visiting PH shouldn’t lose rights to free speech, assembly
Right to protest
Farmers protest against acquisition of land, seek ‘right to die’
More than 5,000 people have been protesting for about a month in the Indian state of Gujarat over the acquisition of land by the state power utility – saying they want permission from the authorities to die. Narendrasinh Gohil, the protest leader and a member of Gujarat Khedut Samaj, an organisation fighting for farmer’s rights, said: “A total of 5,259 people, comprising farmers and their family members from 12 affected villages, have sought “icchha mrityu” (the right to die) as the land they cultivate is being forcibly snatched by the state government and Gujarat Power Corporation Ltd or GPCL.” He said that letters, signed by the affected farmers and their kin, have been sent to the president, the prime minister, plus the chief minister of Gujarat. Indeed, Bhavnagar district collector Harshad Patel has confirmed that letters have been received from the farmers seeking ‘right to die’. 2013 law ‘annuls buy-up of land … [Read more...] about Farmers protest against acquisition of land, seek ‘right to die’
US Students Walk Out Again to Protest Gun Violence
Littleton, Colorado. Demanding an end to gun violence and tougher restrictions on firearm sales, thousands of students again walked out of classes across the United States on Friday (20/04) in hopes of putting pressure on politicians ahead of November's midterm elections. Timed to coincide with the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre, students left classes at midmorning, many waving placards with slogans including "I should be worried about grades, not guns," and "Enough is enough." Organizers said students from more than 2,600 schools and institutions were scheduled to take part, but that was fewer than participated in a similar walkout last month. In some places, demonstrators even met with resistance from school administrators. "Today is about being proactive and being empowered and really funneling all that energy and anger we have as young people into some productive change," one of the student organizers, Lane Murdock of Connecticut, told Reuters. Olivia … [Read more...] about US Students Walk Out Again to Protest Gun Violence
Thousands march in Barcelona to protest jailing of separatist leaders
BARCELONA: Thousands of people began marching in Barcelona on Sunday (Apr 15) to protest the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders facing trial on "rebellion" charges.Many chanted "Freedom for the political prisoners" as they massed on the Parallel Avenue, one of the city's main streets, wearing yellow scarves, sweaters or jackets - the colour chosen to show solidarity with the jailed leaders.The march was called by a platform set up in March to "defend Catalan institutions" and "the rights and fundamental freedoms" of its citizens.The protest was backed by the Catalan branches of Spain's two largest trade unions, the CCOO and the UGT, sparking unease among union members who oppose independence for the wealthy northeastern region."There have been tensions (among unions members) just like in the rest of the Catalan society," the secretary general of the Catalan branch of UGT, Camil Ros, told AFP on Saturday on the eve of the march."But it is not a separatist protest. It … [Read more...] about Thousands march in Barcelona to protest jailing of separatist leaders
Jewish people have a right to their ‘own land,’ Saudi crown prince says as he seeks ally against Iran
By Rick Noack The Washington Post Tues., April 3, 2018 Saudi Arabia appears to be in the middle of an attempt to rebrand the kingdom as progressive and, judging from the headlines since last year, the strategy appears to be working, at least to some extent. Last September, the kingdom announced it would finally allow women to drive. One month later, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said he wanted to return to a “moderate Islam.” Now, in an interview with the Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg, the crown prince has acknowledged that Jewish people have a right to their own homeland — long a taboo for the conservative kingdom that was known as a fierce foe of Israel’s creation. The remarks come as the crown prince is seeking closer economic and security ties with Israel. Read more: Saudi prince denies media reports claiming he said Jared Kushner was ‘in his pocket’ Article Continued Below Palestinian death toll from Gaza … [Read more...] about Jewish people have a right to their ‘own land,’ Saudi crown prince says as he seeks ally against Iran