Widespread injuries and scars among prisoners at the “Old Rust” penitentiary in Brazil were caused by punches, kicks, blows, collective beatings, prods with pitchforks, and institutionalized torture, according to a report by the Mato Grosso state’s internal affairs department that concluded prisoners were being subject to institutionalized routine bodily injury by prison officials. There was … Read more
Packed tightly and fighting, hundreds of students at the Public University of El Alto pressed and shoved against a railing that collapsed as the balcony appeared to crumble at the base, dropping 11, leaving a mounting death toll, and at least 4 young people in intensive care. The dead range in age from 19 to … Read more
Police in India said a rooster in a cockfight had a 3-inch knife tied to its leg and fluttered in panic, slashing its owner in the groin. The man died on the way to the hospital. By Milan Sime Martinic Read more
SAO PAOLO – Despite a weak increase in sales of 1.2%, retail trade in Latin America’s largest economy suffered its biggest pullback since 2016 — when the country was in the midst of the worst recession in memory — according to data from the National Confederation of Trade in Goods, Services and Tourism of Brazil. … Read more
Women and men from Quechua indigenous communities and low-income families of the Andean country were sterilized between 1996 and 2001, according to information provided by Peru’s Ministry of Health when it announced a case that is now reaching the courts for the first time. Peruvian prosecutors say it was all part of former President Alberto … Read more
Freedom House downgrades the “world’s largest democracy” from free to partly free Citing politicization of the Indian judiciary, deterioration of political rights and civil liberties, intimidation of journalists and academics, internet censorship, undue pressure on human rights groups, scapegoating, stigmatization, and harm to Muslims and other religious minorities and an overall decline in democratic values … Read more
Around 400 inmates broke out of the maximum security prison in Croix-des-Bouquets near the capital Port-au-Prince, killing the warden and several civilians. Six of the fleeing prisoners died, half of them have been arrested again, others are still handcuffed but still on the loose, according to a government spokesman. By Milan Sime Martinic Read more
YANGON – Myanmar security forces cracked down on protesters again this week, causing four dead and five wounded. The protesters have been calling on the military to release detainees including the state counselor, Aung San Suu Kyi, and the president, Win Myint. Security forces arrested many peaceful protesters and reporters during the crackdown. This week, … Read more
SAO PAOLO, Brazil – In one of the most violent countries on Earth, its president says the solution is more arms and he is relaxing the gun laws by decree: A mid-February executive order increases the number of guns Brazilians can legally acquire to 6 to be keep at home, but 30 if you are … Read more
“They want to silence me,” charged Valérie Murat of the French Toxic Alert Association after being ordered to pay damages of €125k to the Bordeaux Wine Council and other wine world plaintiffs for having reported that an analysis of 22 bottles of wine boasting a “High Environmental Value” which denotes a “virtuous practice” did indeed … Read more
DURBAN, South Africa – The South African cabinet has approved the submission of the Land Court Bill which is aimed at ensuring stronger judicial oversight over land claims. The new court will allow the appointment of permanent judges and will now go through the parliamentary legislative process, which will include public participation. Justice and Correctional … Read more
DURBAN, South Africa – The Constitutional Court of South Africa has set a date to hear former President Jacob Zuma’s contempt application on 25 March. The commission filed an urgent application last week after Zuma failed to appear. The court said the hearing would take place on a virtual platform. By Zakithi Dlamini Read more