Today’s update of human rights events around the world.
GAZA: Israeli forces storm Gaza aid ship
A Lebanese boat carrying more than 60 tonnes of aid for Gaza has been fired upon by Israeli troops off the coast of Gaza. Al Jazeera’s correspondent aboard the Al-Ikhwa (The Brotherhood) ship said five Israeli soldiers then boarded the ship, beating and threatening the crew. Al Jazeera
COLOMBIA: FLIP Report on Press Freedom in 2008
In 2008, there were 130 recorded violations of press freedom, according to Colombia’s Freedom of Press Foundation (FLIP). This means a reduction of 20 percent in comparison with 2007. Colombia Reports
SRI Lanka: UN Says Cluster Bombs Being Used in Sri Lanka
At least 52 civilians were killed in the past day’s fighting between Tamil rebels and government forces in northern Sri Lanka, and cluster bombs struck the war zone’s last functioning hospital Wednesday, the UN said. Common Dreams
DRC: Lack of Protection for Civilians Under Attack in Northeast Congo
As the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) continues to unleash violence against the people of Haut-Uélé in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the intensity of the targeted violence has prompted the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders to denounce MONUC-the United Nations peacekeeping force in eastern DRC-for its inaction in protecting the population. Common Dreams
CUBA: 205 political prisoners, including 23 journalists, await release
As the UN Human Rights Council prepares to hold its universal periodic review of the situation in Cuba on 5 February in Geneva, Reporters Without Borders points out that the Cuban government, for all its denials and claims to have a “clear conscience,” continues to hold 23 journalists solely because of their dissident views and still refuses to permit an independent press. Reporters Without Borders
U.S.: Hiding the Homeless – Super Bowl Edition
With the country abuzz about this weekend’s Super Bowl, Tampa Bay is busy cleaning up the streets to host out-of-towners for the big game. That is, by conducting homeless sweeps and “aggressively” jailing un-housed people. Change.org
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