Human Rights

More than 40,000 university students inside the Georgia Dome stadium in Atlanta are trying to make an impact against human slavery, and after being nearly half way through the four-day Passion 2012 conference it’s hard to downplay the energized event.

Still, Passion founder Louie Giglio wanted those watching the event, which began Monday and ends Thursday, not to focus on the names of the top of the line Christian speakers, including Francis Chan, John Piper, and Beth Moore. Despite the conference opening to a set of worship songs that included dramatic stage lighting and pounding drums, Giglio insisted those in attendance were not at an “event.”

While clearly the worship music led by Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Matt Redman, Charlie Hall, Christy Nockels, and Kristian Stanfill is a highlight of the huge gathering, Giglio said there was one name even bigger. more >>

President Obama signed into law a controversial $662 billion military funding bill titled the National Defense Authorization Act on New Year’s Eve.

Obama vowed to interpret the meaning of the legislation moderately and that he would not necessarily use all the powers granted to the executive branch under the new law. The new bill details how the military is to be funded and also expands the powers of the federal government in regards to the War on Terror to include indefinitely detaining terrorist suspects without trial – even U.S. citizens. The U.S. military now also has the authority to conduct anti-terrorism operations on American soil.

The law is considered by many to be extremely vague and therefore policy makers on both sides of the aisle are leery. Obama stated that he signed the bill into law with “serious reservations.” more >>

In just a few days, New Hampshire legislators could make their state's death penalty law the most expansive in the country if they vote in favor of a bill that allows capital punishment to be eligible for all murders without any distinction. Anti-death penalty organizations and church groups are calling for lawmakers to vote against the proposed bill, arguing that capital punishment is too expensive and puts innocent lives at risk.

State Rep. Phil Greazzo (R-Manchester) wrote the bill, HB 162, to make all "purposeful" murders eligible for the death penalty. The Republican legislator claims current state law is unfair and that the death penalty should be more expansive and apply to all cases involving murder.

In New Hampshire, the only crimes that are eligible for the death penalty include the murder of on-duty law enforcement officers, murder-for-hire cases, murder during imprisonment, murder during a rape, kidnapping or burglary, and murders involving drug crimes. more >>

On Friday, a day after North Korea completed its nearly two weeks of “mourning” for the late Kim Jong-il, the country sent a stern message to the world vowing that it would not alter policies despite the death of their “Dear Leader.”

North Korea is widely known as an intelligence “black hole” and leaders of the international community have expressed grave concerns over the future of the nuclear-armed nation, especially under a new and inexperienced leader.

The North Korean populace lives in some of the worst human rights conditions on the planet, with virtually no freedoms and all aspects of cultural, political, and social life tightly monitored and controlled by the leading Workers’ party. more >>

An Egyptian court ordered Tuesday that the ruling military council stop “virginity testing” on female detainees.

The ruling comes after the court case of female protester Samira Ibrahim, who sued the country’s military for forcing the invasive test after she was detained during Tahrir Square’s March protests.

“The court orders that the execution of the procedure of virginity tests on girls inside military prisons be stopped,” Head of the Cairo Administrative Court Judge Ali Fekri announced Tuesday. more >>

Tens of thousands took to Cairo’s streets Friday to protest the ruling military’s violent tactics against protesters and its continued control over the country’s government.

Thousands gathered in Tahrir Square Friday for the “Regaining Honor and defending the revolution” rally.

Egypt’s violent clashes between military and protesters began last week when a small group of sit-in protesters clashed with soldiers. The group was protesting the military’s continued hold in Egypt’s government. more >>