#CANADA: In Diplomatic Fight, Saudi Arabia Launches Campaign To Defame Canada's Treatment Of Women

[world politics news]

Within hours of Saudi Arabia expelling Canada’s ambassador after Canada's foreign minister criticized the jailing of dissidents in the Kingdom, the country’s broadcasters and pro-government social media accounts launched a propaganda campaign against Canada, in part, attempting to argue that Canada is the "world's worst oppressor of women." This despite PM Trudeau's cabinet being composed of 50% women, and the fact that Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, who leveled the charges, is herself a woman. They also asserted that best-selling Canadian author Jordan Peterson is a political prisoner (he is not) and that the streets of Canada are full of homeless people.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CHINA: Gov't Issues "Human Rights Report" On USA Pointing Out Prison Population, Economic Woes

[world politics news]

The Chinese government issues a human rights report highlighting failures of the United States. The report, titled "The Human Rights Record of the United States in 2016," was released in response to "the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016" issued by the U.S. State Department on March 3rd. The US report notes China's "Repression and coercion of organizations and individuals involved in civil and political rights advocacy." The Chinese report cites America's high incarceration rate and surveys showing Americans believe the middle class is shrinking. The US has 2.14 million people behind bars among 322 million people. China, by contrast, has 1.64 million incarcerated among its 1.6 billion citizens.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#KOSOVO: Autopsy Of Opposition Activist: Committed Suicide In Prison

[world politics news]

An autopsy on the body of a Kosovo opposition activist who died in prison found that he committed suicide, authorities in the Balkan nation said, after his death drew protesters onto the streets. Medical student Astrit Dehari, 26, died in jail earlier this month in the southeastern city of Prizren, where he had been detained since August along with five fellow members of the opposition Self-Determination Party.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#EGYPT: Journalists Suspend Sit-In At Press HQ After Gov't Grants Some Of Its Demands

[world politics news]

Journalists have suspended their sit-in at the Press Syndicate headquarters in Cairo protesting the conditions of imprisoned journalists in Al-Aqrab Prison after families were allowed in to visit them.An Interior Ministry statement said Hesham Gaafar, a journalist and researcher serving a sentence in Al-Aqrab, will undergo surgery next week. Gaafar had gone on hunger strike to protest the "inhuman conditions" of their detention.

#ARMENIA: National Assembly Approves New Ombudsman, Vows To Meet Imprisoned Activist

Armenia’s National Assembly, by a secret ballot, elected Arman Tatoyan as Armenia’s fourth Ombudsman in a 96 to 7 vote. Tatoyan, 34, until now served as deputy minister of justice. The Western-educated lawyer was nominated for the post by the ruling Republican Party of Armenia. He promised to visit Vardges Gaspari, an imprisoned human rights activist, and Gevorg Safaryan, a member of the opposition New Armenia movement.

#NIGER: Top Court Rules Jailed Oppo. Ldr. Hama Amadou Can Contest Feb. 21 Pres. Election

[world politics news]

Niger's constitutional court approved 15 candidates for a presidential vote next month, including key opponent Hama Amadou, who was jailed two months ago as he returned from a year-long exile. The ruling is likely to increase pressure on Niger’s government to free Amadou, seen as one of three leading contenders in the Feb. 21 battle for leadership of the impoverished, uranium-producing West African country.

#VENEZUELA: Opposition Leader Leopoldo Lopez Found Guilty of "Incitement To Violence"

[world politics news]

Prominent Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez has been sentenced to 13 years and nine months in prison. He was found guilty of inciting violence during protests in 2014 in which 43 people - from both sides of the political divide - were killed. The 44-year-old had been held in a military prison since February 2014.

#RUSSIA

Freed Dissident Khodorkovsky Won't Enter Politics After Pardon [world politics news]