Contrary to an earlier ruling, an en banc panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that Washington's felon disfranchisement law does not violate Section Two of the Voting Rights Act.  Last month, the N.A.A.C.P. argued that the law denied the right to vote on a discriminatory basis to African American, Latino and Native American citizens.

How Much is Too Much?
Source: The New York Times

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear the claims of Kansas-born Abdullah al-Kidd for what he contends was an unconstitutional use of the “material witness” law.  Al-Kidd spent sixteen days in federal detention - sometimes naked and shackled hand and foot - never to be charged with a crime.

Japan proposed a resolution to U.N. General Assembly which would eliminate all nuclear weapons.  This is Japan’s seventeenth proposal for disarmament, but this time over fifty countries co-sponsored the resolution.  This resolution calls upon countries with nuclear weapons to further reduce their arsenal, with the goal of complete disarmament.

Burmese Farmers Seek Just Compensation
Source: The Irrawaddy

Over 600 Burmese farmers recently filed a lawsuit against the Yuzana Company for stealing their land. However, some of the farmers dropped the lawsuit after Yuzana promised to pay the farmers $80 per acre.  Now, Burma is releasing the chairman of Yuaana from any prosecution over the stolen land.

Months ago, political prisoners from Chile’s indigenous Mapuche population went on hunger strike to protest the government’s application of Anti-Terrorism Law to their cases.  The prisoners justify their alleged crimes as a defense of their ancestral homeland and an exercise of their right to social protest.  Human rights groups claim that the law has hampered the prisoners’ ability to build defenses.

Colombia Agrees to Promote Rights
Source: Colombia Reports

Colombia's Vice President, Angelino Garzon, announced he and the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights signed an agreement to improve the country’s respect of human rights and international humanitarian law.  Garzon highlighted the agreement’s purpose of “build[ing] an agenda which respects, not only life, but the activity of human rights defenders...without fear of being threatened or killed.”

Southern Sudan regional president, Salva Kiir, is urging southern Sudan to stand together as the vote regarding independence nears.  In an attempt to reconcile with political adversaries at a recent conference, Kiir shared the platform with a northern politician and offered amnesty to rebel fighters.  Kiir stated, “no drop of blood should be shed again.”

Mogadishu: A War Torn Capital
Source: BBC News

Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, has turned into what many are calling a ghost town due to the indiscriminate killings which are taking place.  Civilians report that rotting bodies have begun to pile up.  The fighting is between African Union–backed government forces and Islamic militants, the largest group being al-Shabab.

Highlighting the tension between Germany and its growing Muslim population, German Chancellor Angela Merkel opined that multiculturalism in Germany has "absolutely failed."   The Chancellor stressed the need to overcome barriers of language and education in order to improve opportunities for immigrants in Germany.

United Kingdom Begins Zimbabwe Deportations
Source: BBC News

After a four year hiatus, the United Kingdom announced it would begin deporting Zimbabweans who had been denied asylum protection in the U.K.  Enforced returns of denied asylum-seekers were previously suspended because Zimbabwe was declared to be unsafe.  The deportations come despite a recent human rights report stating that Zimbabwe's rule of law has not improved.

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The 2010 World Economic Forum released its report ranking countries based on standards of gender equality.  Though all Gulf nations rank in the bottom quarter, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates have seen significant improvements when compared to their performance in previous years.  The report evaluates factors including economic opportunities, education, politics and wage gaps in employment.

Israeli Housing Plans Displace Palestinians
Source: Amnesty International

Amnesty International (A.I.) asked Israel to halt its plans to construct new Israeli housing in East Jerusalem.  The new development would displace Palestinians that call the area home and would not afford them new housing or compensation.  A.I. claims the actions would constitute war crimes and would deprive Palestinians of their rights to housing and water.

In Azerbaijan, the supply of water is not enough to keep up with the country’s population growth, especially in the capital of Baku.  Currently, 87 percent of Baku households are rationing water.  There is a plan in place to address Baku’s inadequate infrastructure, but government spending watchdog groups are criticizing the high cost of implementing such a project.
 

Threat to Freedom of Speech
Source: Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch recommends reversing the conviction of journalist Vladimir Berezovskii for defamation and insult. Uzbekistan allows prosecution of any journalist whose work is critical of Uzbekistan and the government.   Berezovskii was granted amnesty, but his conviction still stands.   The E.U. will assess Uzbekistan’s progress in guaranteeing freedom of speech.