The founder of an international group of advocates for the equality and rights of Coptic Christians is appealing to the leaders of democratic nations to cut any ties with Egypt. The Voice of the Copts is attempting to thwart President Mohamed Morsi's regime from implementing a primarily Islamic-based constitution.

"We demand that world leaders withdraw their recognition of Egypt's phony 'pro-democracy' leader, Mr. Morsi, who is backed by the illegal Muslim Brotherhood party," states Dr. Ashraf Ramelah, president of Voice of the Copts, in an open letter sent Monday. "Freeze your political relationships with Egypt, halt all investments and aid to Egypt and force Mr. Morsi's regime to step down. This will facilitate legitimate democratic goals yet to be achieved by Egypt's freedom fighters."

Coptic organizations around the world, including the U.S.-based Egyptian Front for National Salvation and Coptic Solidarity have been issuing similar demands since Morsi issued a new constitutional declaration in which he arrogated to himself sweeping powers, and enabled himself to be shielded from legal challenge through the courts. more >>

The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) released a report on Monday analyzing how secular people around the world are treated, and found that seven different countries have laws that make atheism punishable by death.

The report, "Freedom of Thought 2012 – A Global Report on Discrimination Against Humanists, and the Nonreligious," is 72 pages long and details some of the most extreme cases of persecution or discrimination targeting non-believers around the world. IHEU describes its vision as "a Humanist world, in which human rights are respected and everyone is able to live a life of dignity. The mission of IHEU is to build and represent the global Humanist movement that defends human rights and promotes Humanist values world-wide."

Afghanistan, Iran, Maldives, Mauritania, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Sudan are the seven countries identified by the organization where it is possible that people who admit to being atheists could face capital punishment. more >>

A number of organizations are raising international awareness on the debate concerning Uganda's proposed death penalty for homosexuals, and have called on Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren to once again speak out on the issue – which he did on Friday via Twitter.

Conflicting accounts stemming from Uganda have reported on where the African nation stands in its review of an anti-homosexuality bill that has been condemned by many Western countries.

Uganda is one of the only places in the world where engaging in homosexual activity is considered a crime, punishable by fines and jail time, with some government members pushing to make same-sex acts a capital punishment offense. more >>

Blind human rights activist Chen Guangcheng has recently released a video condemning the Chinese Communist Party's poor human rights record, especially focusing on the country's controversial One-Child Policy.

Additionally, Chen calls on the international community to focus its attention on policing the human rights practices of China in preparation for the upcoming international Human Rights Day 2012, slated to take place on Dec. 10.

"The violence in maintaining China's One-Child Policy still extensively exists. It is a sin, because life is sacred," Chen said in a Dec. 2 video produced and translated by ChinaAid, a New York-based human rights group. more >>

With the U.S. Senate set to vote Wednesday on ratification of the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), some critics, including former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum and homeschool advocates, warn the treaty could undermine parental rights.

Nations that ratify the CRPD agree to forbid discrimination against persons with disabilities, much like the United States has done with passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The CRPD was first negotiated during the George W. Bush administration and has been ratified by 126 nations.

While the treaty sounds beneficial, Santorum said Monday on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight," it would be harmful because it says the state, not parents, have authority over what is in the best interest of the child. more >>

Hollywood actor Christian Bale has honored a Chinese dissident with a human rights award for his work exposing injustices in China, including alleged forced abortions carried out by the government, at a ceremony event in New York on Wednesday.

Bale presented Chen Guangcheng, who is blind, with the Human Rights First award, just months after the actor was blocked by Chinese officials from visiting the activist at his home in China where he was kept under house arrest, Yahoo News reported.

"I have not been officially trained in the law. But one doesn't need to go to a special school to understand injustice. No one with a conscience can stand by while innocent people are bullied and beaten until they bleed," Bale said at the ceremony, translating Chang's words while standing next to the human rights activist on stage. more >>