Rights watch

Turkey: Reform bill is new blow for judicial system, say lawyers | Financial Times

Lawyers and human rights campaigners have criticised a radical overhaul of Turkey’s bar associations, describing it as a further blow to the country’s already beleaguered judicial system.

US: Pompeo claims private property and religious freedom are ‘foremost’ human rights | The Guardian

Mike Pompeo has sought to redefine the US approach to human rights by giving preference to private property and religious freedom as the foremost “unalienable rights” laid down by America’s Founding Fathers.

Iran | Outcry after judiciary upholds death penalty for three protesters | The Guardian

Iran’s judiciary has upheld the death penalty for three men accused of involvement in last November’s massive anti-government protests, sparking an outcry from human rights groups and a swell of activism against capital punishment on social media.

Tunisia: Blogger Emna Charqui given jail term over Koran-style post | BBC News

A blogger in Tunisia has been sentenced to six months in prison after sharing a satirical post about COVID-19 written in the form of a verse from the Koran.

US: Federal law enforcement use unmarked vehicle to grab protesters off Portland streets | OPB

Federal law enforcement officers have been using unmarked vehicles to drive around downtown Portland and detain protesters since at least July 14.

South Korea: Tracing homophobia in South Korea’s coronavirus surveillance program | The Conversation

South Korea’s mass surveillance to curb the coronavirus pandemic uses technologies and techniques that are grounded in anti-LGBTQ discrimination.

Brazil: As virus spreads, Bolsonaro ties with military under strain | The Washington Post

After 35 years of civilian-led democracy, President Jair Bolsonaro has created the most militarized Brazilian government since the fall of the country’s dictatorship.

Israel: Court backs notorious spy firm NSO Group | The Electronic Intifada

An Israeli court on Sunday denied a petition backed by Amnesty International demanding that Israel’s defense ministry revoke the export license of cyberwarfare company NSO Group.