Democratic Rights

Topic: Democratic Rights


Afghanistan’s Taliban have ‘weaponized’ the judicial system to oppress women, UN expert says

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers have “weaponized” the legal and judicial system to oppress women and girls in what amounts to “crimes against humanity,” the independent U.N. investigator on human rights in the country said. Richard Bennett said in a report to the U.N. General Assembly circulated Wednesday that after seizing power in […]

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Hundreds of groups call on Ottawa to scrap border bill over privacy, rights concerns

More than 300 civil society organizations are calling on the Liberal government to withdraw its new border bill, saying the legislation threatens liberties, refugee and migrant rights and the privacy of all Canadians. Representatives of four major coalitions held a news conference today to ramp up pressure on Ottawa to scrap the proposed Strong Borders […]

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North Perth councillors call strong mayor powers anti-democratic

LISTOWEL – At its April 29 meeting, North Perth Council requested a report from staff to help council members to understand the new strong mayor powers, in order to avoid exploiting them.  As of May 1, strong mayor powers have been expanded to an additional 170 Ontario municipalities, including North Perth. Bestowed by the Ontario […]

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‘Unquestionably in violation’: Judge says US government didn’t follow court order on deportations

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House violated a court order on deportations to third countries with a flight linked to the chaotic African nation of South Sudan, a federal judge said Wednesday, hours after the Trump administration said it had expelled eight immigrants convicted of violent crimes but refused to reveal where they would end […]

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Authorities arrest over 100 people on Tennessee roads in support of Trump’s deportation plan

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — More than 100 people have been taken into custody by federal immigration officials in a joint operation with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, leaving many in Nashville’s immigrant community uncertain and worried. “None of us have ever seen anything like this,” Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee […]

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Slovak lawmakers loyal to populist premier Fico approve law critics claim will harm civil groups

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia’s parliament on Wednesday passed legislation that critics claim will be detrimental for many nongovernmental organizations. It was drafted by coalition lawmakers and approved by the government of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has frequently attacked NGOs. The organizers of a protest rally this month in Bratislava against the legislation […]

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Trump says he’s considering ways to serve a third term as president

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump said Sunday that “I’m not joking” about trying to serve a third term, the clearest indication he is considering ways to breach a constitutional barrier against continuing to lead the country after his second term ends at the beginning of 2029. “There are methods which you […]

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Takeaways about groups working to identify and report foreign student protesters

When President Donald Trump signed an order calling for the deportation of foreign students who participated in “pro-jihadist” protests of the war in Gaza, some supporters of the crackdown were already working to identify targets for expulsion. Here are some key takeaways about the efforts by pro-Israel private groups to expose protesters using facial recognition […]

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2 journalists killed in separate incidents in Mexico within 24 hours

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The U.N. human rights office in Mexico said Wednesday journalists in Mexico need more protection, after gunmen killed a man whose Facebook news page covered the violent western Mexico state of Michoacan. Then less than 24 hours later an entertainment reporter in the western city of Colima was killed inside a […]

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Your Political Privacy Launches

A law reform activity has begun to ensure political parties respect your privacy rights. Learn more by visiting Your Political Privacy. Become part of the coalition by emailing yourpoliticalprivacy at fipa.bc.ca

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2021 Code of Silence Winner

The Provincial Code of Silence Award has been handed out and FIPA’s nominees have received national recognition. You can read the full press release here. Congratulations to @lisabeare, @jjhorgan and @BCGovNews for the big “win”. Only with the concerted effort of so many @BCNDPCaucus could they turn their back on public accountability. Thanks to the […]

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2021 Peter Bryce Nominee

The Peter Bryce Prize for Whistleblowing is awarded annually by the Centre for Free Expression to honour individuals who serve the greater good by courageously speaking up about wrongdoing and abuses of public trust.  The prize is named after Dr. Peter H. Bryce, an early Canadian whistleblower who, in 1907, spoke up about appalling public […]

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