Life Sentence for U.S. Soldier
Source:  National Public Radio

A jury convicted Staff Sgt. Calvin Gibbs, 26, of murder, conspiracy, and other charges for his role in killing three unarmed civilians in Afghanistan. Gibbs was the highest-ranking soldier in the Stryker “kill squad;” he received a life sentence but will be eligible for parole in nine years.
  

Court Rules Against Occupy Protesters
Source:  Bloomberg

A state judge did not reverse an eviction order issued to the Occupy Wall Street protesters in New York City, ruling that protesters failed to show a First Amendment right to camp in Zuccotti Park. The ruling came on the heels of a forcible eviction, leaving human rights organizations calling for accountability for police misconduct.

Police Crackdown on Papuan Student
Source: Jakarta Post

Police officers and Indonesian military have reportedly raided the homes of Papuan students who have protested government-led violence in Papua. The raids are a violation of Article 9 of Indonesia’s Law on Human Rights, according to the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence, a nongovernmental organization.

Defendants Criticize Khmer Rouge Court
Source: BBC

Two former leaders of the Khmer Rouge have challenged the authority of the tribunal trying them for their role in the massacre of more than 2 million people in Cambodia during the 1970s. One of the defendants said he was pardoned for his crimes by the country’s former king.

Peru Reinvestigates Forced Sterilization Cases
Source: Latinamerica Press

Peru’s Attorney General has reopened thousands of forced sterilization cases that occurred during Alberto Fujimori’s presidency in the 1990s. The investigations began after the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights found that his administration might have committed crimes against humanity. While the goal was to reduce poverty, eighteen deaths resulted from the sterilizations.

Violence Against Venezuelan Opposition Candidate
Source: CNN

Presidential hopeful Maria Corina Machado's campaign event in a President Chavez-stronghold was cut short when gunshots were fired. Some government officials are advising opposition candidates running in next year’s primaries to avoid pro-Chavez areas. Other political leaders feel the government must respond and protect the right of all candidates to campaign freely.

Sex Exploitation Continues in Mali
Source: allAfrica.com

More than 100 Nigerian girls were saved from a sex-slave ring in Mali. The operation was discovered after one victim escaped and informed police. Madams reportedly lured the girls from Nigeria with promises of work in Europe. The agency responsible for returning the girls urged the government to help reintegrate them back into society.


Mercury Poses Health Risk
Source: Human Rights Watch

Representatives met in Kenya to discuss a treaty on the use of mercury around the world. The metal, which is highly toxic, is regularly used in mining and poses a particular risk to child laborers. Human Rights Watch is urging governments to focus on the metal’s health consequences as well as its environmental impact.

Balkan Countries Sign Refugee Declaration
Source: The Sofia Echo

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, and Serbia signed a joint declaration aimed at resettling 74,000 refugees displaced during the Balkan conflict in the 1990s. The U.N. Refugee Agency praised the countries’ efforts to find speedy solutions to place the refugees and help them resume normal lives.  
 

Turkey May Amend Military Requirement
Source: The Guardian

Turkish officials are considering excusing conscientious objectors from military service. Currently, all men over the age of 20 are required to serve in the nation’s military, and conscientious objectors often face criminal charges. Turkey’s juice minister announced the proposal at a conference focused on reducing European human rights claims.

Egypt Extends Detention of Blogger
Source: Asharq Alawsat

The Egyptian military has ordered Alaa Abdel-Fattah, a blogger and leader of the uprising that expelled President Mubarak from power, to remain in custody for an additional 15 days. The military has been accused of adopting Mubarak-style tactics, such as silencing government critics like Fattah. The U.N. has called for Fattah’s release.

U.A.E. Activists on Hunger Strike
Source: Al Jazeera

Five activists detained by U.A.E. authorities for allegedly insulting U.A.E. leaders and calling for anti-government demonstrations have begun a hunger strike to pressure officials for their release. The activists have refused to attend court hearings claiming the verdict is already decided. The activists claim their constitutional rights have been violated.

Evidence of Torture in Uzbekistan
Source:  EurasiaNet

Fergananews.com published a 2006 video in which a secret agent admitted to torturing and killing prisoners in the 1980s. Uzbekistan has a long history of human rights abuses involving torture and imprisonment. The agent claimed that a death squad murdered hundreds of people—a much higher number than rights activists had originally believed.
 

India Trains Vulnerable Women
Source: Times of India

A community in Sundergarh, one of India’s most vulnerable areas to human trafficking, has started a skills-training program for women. The women learn mostly security personnel skills to ready them for working at local industries. Some graduates have found employment in their communities, reducing their vulnerability to trafficking.