Category: International

Courts, Free Speech, International, Media, Politics, Society

Egypt Releases Journalist Peter Greste

By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor

Peter Greste
Peter Greste

We previously wrote HERE and HERE of the arrest, conviction, and sentencing to seven years Al Jazeera reporter Peter Greste for the dubious accusation of aiding the Muslim Brotherhood through their coverage of the “civil war” in Egypt. During sentencing, as we previously reported, the Court insisted that the reporters “took advantage of the noble profession of journalism … and turned it from a profession aimed at looking for the truth to a profession aimed at falsifying the truth.” It then added that “The devil guided them to use journalism and direct it toward activities against this nation.” That “devil” work was reporting on the crackdown on the supporters of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

Continue reading “Egypt Releases Journalist Peter Greste” →

Constitutional Law, Courts, Free Speech, International, Media, Politics, Society

European Commission Considering Data Retention Law Targeting Telecoms And Internet Service Providers

By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor

european-commission-logoUnder the pre-text of combatting terrorism, the European Commission is mulling a proposed regulation that would require telecommunications companies and internet service providers to retain records of European Citizens’ communications. Courts struck down on constitutional privacy grounds a previous law.

The measure comes just after the deadly terrorist attacks stemming from the Charlie Hebdo rampage in Paris in early January. The situation does appear to a lesser degree reminiscent of the changes in government approaches to privacy in the wake of terrorist outrages in other nations such as those in the United States in 2001 and the railway attacks in Spain and the United Kingdom.

Continue reading “European Commission Considering Data Retention Law Targeting Telecoms And Internet Service Providers” →

Free Speech, International, Media, Politics, Society

Press Freedom On The Decline In Hong Kong

By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor

Flag_of_the_People's_Republic_of_ChinaAn unfortunate result of the “Occupy” movement in Hong Kong has made freedom of the press one of the casualties.

Unlike other large cities and China generally, Hong Kong reporters enjoy considerable latitude comparatively but there are indications that even this is suffering erosion. Reports are emerging from journalists and other news and civil rights NGOs that Chinese authorities are beginning to import their restrictions into the former British Colony, where formerly the national government had allowed some deference due to the long standing culture and western traditions of the “special administrative region.”

Continue reading “Press Freedom On The Decline In Hong Kong” →

Criminal law, International, Military, Politics, Society

White House Struggles To Distinguish Between The Islamic State and Taliban Prisoner Swaps

bergdahl150124201815-nr-dnt-harlow-sajida-al-rishawi-explainer-00001707-large-169The White House again seems to be struggling with barriers of both language and logic as many raise comparisons between the controversial Bergdahl swap and the effort this week of Jordan to swap a terrorist for one of its downed pilots with Islamic State. During a week where one of the five Taliban leaders released by the Administration has been found trying to communicate with the Taliban, the Jordanian swap has reignited the criticism of the swap for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, which violated federal law and released Taliban leaders with long and bloody records. The White House seems to be trying to argue that the Taliban are not terrorists in direct contradiction to its prior position that they are indeed terrorists. It shows the fluidity of these terms and how the government uses or withdraws designations as terrorists to suit its purposes. The familiarities between Islamic State (IS) and the Taliban appear to be something in the eye of beholder or, to quote a certain former president, “It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.”

Continue reading “White House Struggles To Distinguish Between The Islamic State and Taliban Prisoner Swaps” →

Bizarre, Environment, International, Politics, Society

Mayor: Beijing Is Now “Unliveable” Due to Pollution

220px-beijing_smog_comparison_august_2005UnknownWe have been discussing for years how China has allowed pollution contaminate the soil, water, and air of its country to a shocking degree. That is no more apparent (literally) than the air in Beijing (here and here and here and here). Now the city is being called “unliveable.” That is nothing new except this is Beijing’s own mayor, Wang Anshun.

Continue reading “Mayor: Beijing Is Now “Unliveable” Due to Pollution” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Environment, International, Military, Society

New Zealand Confronts Three Illegal Fishing Boats In Antarctica and Then Lets Them Go When Captains Refuse To Let Them Board

85906-songhua-starboard77606-wutaishan-anhui-44-sternThere was a curious confrontation between the New Zealand navy this month and three notorious boats illegally poaching in the waters near Antarctica. The Navy caught the boats red-handed poaching and using illegal nets. The Navy called over for the three rust buckets to stop the illegal operation and the boats simply refused. The Navy called over again that it wanted to board to check their documentation and the boats said know. They simply continued to poach in front of the Navy and then the New Zealanders let them leave without firing a shot. This was called a victory by the New Zealand Navy but I am not sure why.

Continue reading “New Zealand Confronts Three Illegal Fishing Boats In Antarctica and Then Lets Them Go When Captains Refuse To Let Them Board” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, Free Speech, International, Justice, Lawyering, Military, Politics, Supreme Court

The CIA’s Whitewash Investigation of Itself

220px-John_Brennan_CIA_official_portrait

Respectfully submitted by Lawrence E. Rafferty (rafflaw)-Weekend Contributor

It is unfortunately not surprising that anything that the CIA does should be considered suspect.  When the CIA recently came under fire for allegedly spying on Senate computers, no one, except the Senators who were spied on were surprised.  Now that Director John Brennan has completed his internal “investigation” into the matter, the truth has come out.  John Brennan says he and the CIA did nothing wrong! Continue reading “The CIA’s Whitewash Investigation of Itself” →

Free Speech, International, Media, Politics, Religion, Society

Lebanese Government Declares Miss Lebanon Will Not Be Stripped Of Crown After Selfie With Miss Israel

By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor

1421711309674

We previously reported HERE the bizarre and saddening controversy involving Miss Universe contestant Saly Greige representing Lebanon who was photographed in a selfie by Miss Israel Doron Matalon. The event caused a row that could have stripped Saly of her crown for violating Lebanese fraternization prohibitions with citizens of Israel.

Now, a Lebanese government official announced that no sanctions would be taken against the young hopeful.

Continue reading “Lebanese Government Declares Miss Lebanon Will Not Be Stripped Of Crown After Selfie With Miss Israel” →

Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Free Speech, International

Boston Mayor Bans Sports Sedition: Walsh Prohibits Any Negative Talk About the Olympics By City Employees

Marty_Walsh220px-US_Navy_031029-N-6236G-001_A_painting_of_President_John_Adams_(1735-1826),_2nd_president_of_the_United_States,_by_Asher_B._Durand_(1767-1845)-cropThis month I wrote a column for the Washington Post on the crackdown of free speech in France and we have previously discussed the decline of free speech values in the West. (here and here and here). This has included attacks in the United States (here and here and here and here). Now, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh has prepared his city for its bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics by effectively suspending free speech for city employees and banning them from uttering any negative comments about the Games or the process. I suppose Walsh can cite John Adams’ infamous use of the Alien and Sedition Acts as precedent.

Continue reading “Boston Mayor Bans Sports Sedition: Walsh Prohibits Any Negative Talk About the Olympics By City Employees” →

Bizarre, Free Speech, International, Media, Politics, Religion, Society

Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder? Lebanese Beauty Pageant Contestant Put Under Investigation After Appearing In A Selfie With The Israeli Contestant

1421711309674The intense animosity between Israel and its Arab neighbors was put into sharp relief last week when a simple selfie at a beauty pageant triggered a full fledged criminal investigation. Miss Israel Doron Matalon (first from left) snapped a selfie at the pageant and posted it. Someone noticed that the smiling contestant next to her was Saly Griege, this year’s Miss Lebanon (second from left). The reaction was seismic and sad. It appears that fraternization, like beauty, remains in the eye of the beholder.

Continue reading “Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder? Lebanese Beauty Pageant Contestant Put Under Investigation After Appearing In A Selfie With The Israeli Contestant” →

Bizarre, International, Politics, Religion

Turkish President Erdoğan Continues To Make Bizarre Statements. This Time It Is Terrorist Outrages

By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor

220px-Erdogan_croppedOnly several days after world leaders converged on Paris to express solidarity with the French People and remorse for the victims’ families of recent terrorist attacks there, Turkish President Recip Erdoğan provided the world another gaffe that nested between the bizarre and the mysterious.

Though Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu attended the memorial led by numerous heads of state in a parade rally, a significant step backwards occurred when President Erdoğan later proclaimed that Muslims have never taken part in terrorist massacres.

Continue reading “Turkish President Erdoğan Continues To Make Bizarre Statements. This Time It Is Terrorist Outrages” →

Courts, Criminal law, International, Politics, Society

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Opens Examination Of Situation In Palestine Weeks After PA Grants ICC Jurisdiction

By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor

150px-International_Criminal_Court_logo.svgIn a sign of additional international scrutiny to come for the conflicts within the areas administered by the Palestinian Authority, the International Criminal Court (ICC) received a declaration on January 1st granting the ICC jurisdiction within Palestine. Following this, and the behest of the PA, the ICC Prosecutor opened an examination into the events occurring within PA administered territories.

Continue reading “International Criminal Court Prosecutor Opens Examination Of Situation In Palestine Weeks After PA Grants ICC Jurisdiction” →

Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Free Speech, International, Media, Politics, Religion, Society

Not Charlie: Pope Francis Declares That There Must Be “Limits” To Free Speech In Criticizing Religion

120px-Pope_Francis_in_March_2013_(cropped)707192-une-charlie-png.jpgAs many on this blog know, I am a great fan of Pope Francis who has brought an inspiring leadership to the Church that has drawn millions back to the faith. Given that admiration, I was disheartened to read the Pope’s comment on free speech today. I ran a column last weekend on how world leaders are failing over themselves to “Stand With Charlie” after the massacre of editors and staff at Charlie Hebdo magazine. However, the West has been rolling back on free speech rights, including some of these very leaders. Pope Francis added his view this week to those insisting that free speech must have limits when it comes to insulting people about their religion. It is a disappointing observation, particularly when coupled with a rather poor analogy.

Continue reading “Not Charlie: Pope Francis Declares That There Must Be “Limits” To Free Speech In Criticizing Religion” →

Constitutional Law, International, Politics, Society

Austria Moves To Expropriate Hitler’s Childhood Home To Prevent Its Use As A Shrine

Geburtshaus Adolf Hitlers in Braunau am Inn225px-adolf_hitler_cph_3a48970The town officials in Braunau, Austria have a bit of a problem. They have a pretty Renaissance home with “location, location, location” but also history, history, history. The picturesque corner home happens to be the birthplace of Adolph Hitler and the town is exploring ways to preventing it from continuing to draw neo-Nazis as a type of fascist heritage tour.

Continue reading “Austria Moves To Expropriate Hitler’s Childhood Home To Prevent Its Use As A Shrine” →

Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Free Speech, International, Media, Politics, Religion, Society

Turkish Court Bans Charlie Hebdo Cover With Mohammad Cartoon After Erdogan Returns From Free Speech March

220px-Recep_Tayyip_Erdogan707192-une-charlie-png.jpgRemember Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s outrage over the appearance of Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu at the Paris march for free speech? It seems a rather bizarre scene for a man who had led to one of the greatest rollbacks on free speech and press freedom in Turkey’s history as part of his insertion of Islamic fundamentalism into the once secular state. The irony only grew today after a Turkish court banned websites from show this cover of Charlie Hebdo’s magazine following the massacre of its editors and staff by Muslim extremists.
Continue reading “Turkish Court Bans Charlie Hebdo Cover With Mohammad Cartoon After Erdogan Returns From Free Speech March” →