Bob Rae, Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations, does not shy away from tough questions. Though many in a position such as his might shy away from argument, Rae seems to relish the opportunity to engage in some intellectual sparring. It was in this context that I requested an interview as Canada grapples with multiple [...]
Search Results for: freedom of information act
India blocks YouTube access to Canadian investigative documentary on killing of Sikh activist
CBC reported Wednesday that India blocked access on YouTube and X to a Canadian investigative documentary focused on the alleged involvement of the Indian government in the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed last June in British Columbia, Canada. The CBC Fifth Estate documentary, released last Friday, connects Nijjar ‘s death to [...]
European Parliament adopts Media Freedom Act in move to protect journalists
The European Parliament on Wednesday adopted the Media Freedom Act to protect journalists and press freedoms. The new law was adopted with 464 votes in favor, 92 against and 65 abstentions. The act forbids EU member states from compelling journalists to disclose their sources and deploying surveillance spyware against journalists. A new European Board for [...]
Breaking Barriers: A Global Review of Legislative Reform on Women's Rights
The plight of women’s rights in various countries reflects a complex interplay of legal, cultural and societal norms that significantly disenfranchise women and girls, threatening their human rights and dignity. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran, Yemen, Sudan, Pakistan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, and Nigeria present challenging environments where women’s rights [...]
AP and CNHI report finds US sunshine laws put transparency request burden on private citizens
An AP and CNHI News report published Sunday found that less than a third of US states have agencies to resolve citizen disputes regarding access to public records or open meetings. The only recourse for resolving transparency-related disputes in these states is for citizens to engage in expensive litigation. While some states like Arizona do [...]
Delaware House approves bill creating new permit requirements to purchase handguns
The Delaware House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday requiring individuals who are seeking to purchase a handgun to first obtain permission from the state, in addition to undergoing fingerprinting and firearms training. The bill now awaits approval from the Delaware Senate before it becomes law. The bill also includes provisions on firearms resale and [...]
The Legal Framework of Extradition and the Case of Julian Assange
Julian Assange is among the most polarizing public figures of the 21st century thus far. In the nearly two decades since he established WikiLeaks, a website that gained infamy in the aughts for its release of millions of classified documents and related analyses, Assange has galvanized free speech advocates, incensed national security stalwarts, and fostered [...]
Explainer: Assange Launches Final Bid to Avoid Extradition to US
Publisher and activist Julian Assange appealed to London’s High Court this week in a last-ditch effort to avoid extradition to the US to face espionage charges. Following the hearing which spanned Tuesday and Wednesday, judges will consider whether Assange can appeal an earlier ruling ordering his extradition from the UK to the US, where he [...]
New Zealand protesters demonstrate against proposed changes to treaty governing indigenous rights
Māori protesters marched to Waitangi to oppose the Treaty Principles Bill, allowing changes to the “principles” of the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) – New Zealand’s founding document that established British and Māori governance of New Zealand – ahead of Waitangi Day, the national day of New Zealand which celebrates the signing of [...]
Canada Supreme Court rules disclosure of Premier Doug Ford's mandate letters are not required
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s mandate letters to his cabinet fell under an exemption of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) on Friday. The request for the mandate letters by a journalist from the Canadian news outlet Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) was denied by Ontario’s [...]