TheRepublic.com - Human rights and civil liberties News

WHO: Scientific red tape mars efforts vs. virus

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:44:46 -0400

GENEVA - International efforts to combat a new pneumonia-like virus that has now killed 22 people are being slowed by unclear rules and competition for the potentially profitable rights to disease samples, the head of the World Health Organization warned Thursday.

Approval recommended for Greys River development

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:28:58 -0400

JACKSON, Wyoming - Planning and zoning staff in Lincoln County are recommending approval of a controversial proposed subdivision development on private land surrounded by the Bridger-Teton National Forest in western Wyoming.

Brazil police arrest 9 for abusing Indian girls

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:07:24 -0400

SAO PAULO - Brazil's Federal Police say nine people have been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing Indians girls in the northern state of Amazonas.

UA, ASU boards opt out of campus gun law

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:41:35 -0400

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas - Arkansas' two largest university systems are opting out of a new state law allowing faculty and staff to carry concealed handguns on campus.

US criticized over response to Indonesia attacks

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:31:14 -0400

WASHINGTON - The U.S. is expressing concern over increased attacks on religious minorities in Indonesia, but human rights groups accuse Washington of downplaying the problem as it looks to forge stronger relations with Jakarta.

'I'm not racist': Common claim after racial slurs

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:20:52 -0400

It's almost a cliche. First, someone talking about blacks makes reference to fried chicken, watermelon, monkeys or dogs - or even uses the indefensible N-word. Then, along with the inevitable apology, comes the kicker: I'm not racist.

NE Kansas man accused of threatening police

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:48:35 -0400

KANSAS CITY, Kansas - A Kansas City, Kansas, man has been indicted on charges of threatening the city's police chief and other law enforcement officers.

Trial delayed in alleged Pittsburgh police beating

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:03:17 -0400

PITTSBURGH - A young black man who claims he was wrongly beaten by three Pittsburgh police officers in January 2010 is to have a new trial on two of his three civil rights claims starting Nov. 4.

Ill. guns bill goes to House floor, Senate objects

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:05:17 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - A concealed-carry gun deal brokered by House Speaker Michael Madigan cleared a House committee Thursday, but its prospects were unclear across the Capitol in the Senate because of the way it would curb existing local gun laws.

Court cancels Ukraine's first gay pride rally

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:55:05 -0400

KIEV, Ukraine - A Ukrainian court on Thursday banned what would have been Ukraine's first-ever gay pride demonstration, upholding a suit by city authorities, who argued the rally would disturb annual Kiev Day celebrations and could spark violence.

Birth control coverage up for federal appeal

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:43:27 -0400

DENVER - In the most prominent challenge of its kind, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. is asking a federal appeals court Thursday for an exemption from part of the federal health care law that requires it to offer employees health coverage that includes access to the morning-after pill.

Imprisoned Ohio Amish may skip high school classes

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:55:11 -0400

CLEVELAND - Amish imprisoned in beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio have been granted a religious freedom exemption from a requirement to attend high school equivalency classes behind bars.

Fired Md. firefighter claims gender bias

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:47:01 -0400

WESTMINSTER, Maryland - A former Sykesville firefighter claims that gender discrimination led to her firing after she took time off for pregnancy and the birth of her son.

UEFA introduces minimum ban for racist abuse

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:39:13 -0400

LONDON - The UEFA executive committee on Thursday ratified a 10-match minimum ban for racist abuse by players or officials.

Gulf Coast remembers 'wade-ins'

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:38:14 -0400

BILOXI, Mississippi - Fifty years ago, civil rights protesters held sit-ins at lunch counters or in waiting rooms or bus stations across the South.

Ocean not all that separates US, European fans

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:10:53 -0400

Imagine Derek Jeter leading the New York Yankees off the field because opposing fans were yelling racial slurs and throwing bananas at his team. Or a game between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls halted because of unrelenting race-baiting from the crowd.

Jewish group: Detroit leaders abet Farrakhan bias

Thu, 23 May 2013 01:44:14 -0400

DETROIT - A leading national Jewish civil rights group criticized Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan on Wednesday for making anti-Semitic statements at a Detroit church appearance and called on a Michigan congressman and other leaders in attendance to condemn the remarks.

Conn. bill gives families say over Newtown records

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:04:25 -0400

HARTFORD, Connecticut - The public release of any photograph, videotape or digital recording related to last year's deadly Newtown elementary school shooting would require the written consent of victims' family members, according to a working draft of a bill released Wednesday by the governor's office.

Bill to regulate surrogacy nearing final passage

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:40:37 -0400

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - A proposal to create the regulatory framework for surrogacy births in Louisiana edged to within one step of final legislative passage Wednesday, winning overwhelming support from the House.

Suit filed over Conn. gun law passed after Newtown

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:32:13 -0400

HARTFORD, Connecticut - A group of Connecticut organizations that support gun rights, pistol permit holders and gun sellers has filed a lawsuit in federal court against Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and other state officials, arguing the state's new gun control law violates their constitutional rights.

Gun owner among judges hearing Colo. gun lawsuit

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:23:06 -0400

DENVER - A federal judge assigned to hear a lawsuit filed by sheriffs challenging Colorado's new gun laws is a gun owner herself but says she doesn't believe a recusal is warranted.

Racial Justice Act repeal heard by NC House panel

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:45:51 -0400

RALEIGH, North Carolina - Opponents of a measure to repeal North Carolina's law that created another method to challenge racial bias in death row cases pleaded with House members Wednesday to preserve the Racial Justice Act and prevent the acceleration of capital punishment.

Afghan students protest women's rights decree

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:38:35 -0400

KABUL, Afghanistan - Hard-line Islamist students protested in the Afghan capital demanding the repeal of a presidential decree for women's rights that they say is un-Islamic. It was the latest sign of a backlash against the legal protections passed in the 12 years since the toppling of the Taliban regime known for its harsh treatment of women.

Group spends $2M lobbying for gay marriage

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:11:14 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - The group that pushed Minnesota lawmakers to legalize gay marriage disclosed Wednesday it invested more than $2 million in the successful lobbying effort.

Lawsuit filed against state of Conn. over gun law

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:52:51 -0400

HARTFORD, Connecticut - A group of Connecticut organizations that support gun rights, pistol permit holders and gun sellers filed a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday against Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and other state officials, arguing the state's new gun control law violates their constitutional rights.