according to freedom house

Amongst the many problems and concerns that the United States of America is facing, one of the biggest ones is the fact that a lot of citizens in the country do not feel safe. This is due to a number of different reasons. One of them is that there are crimes being committed against the people of the United States of America, and there are attacks on the term limits for executives. Another reason is the fact that there are some crimes being committed against human rights defenders.

Russia

Despite 17 years of democratic rule, Russia’s freedom has declined, according to Freedom House. The annual freedom index ranks nations on a scale of 1-7. The score declined by two points from 1.39 to 1.32.

The Russian Federation has experienced a series of repressive measures against journalists and independent critics. The government has also enacted laws targeting “extremist” organizations and “foreign agents.”

According to Freedom House, Russia’s government has systematically abused the security services, resulting in the arrest and incarceration of several opposition figures. In December, the government announced it would tighten its control on the media. In October, the police raided the homes of Dagestan’s Chernovik newspaper and its editor, Alexandr Nikishin. Nikishin was interrogated for his work reporting on opposition politicians. The police confiscated his cell phone and his hard drive. He was also accused of working for a foreign agent.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has continued to consolidate power over the country. He has been president for two four-year terms from 2000 to 2008. He served as acting president for two years, following Boris Yeltsin’s resignation. In 2012, Putin was elected to a second four-year term, keeping him in office until 2036.

Russia’s constitution was amended in 2020. Amendments changed the makeup of the Federation Council, the upper chamber of the Federal Assembly, which includes two representatives from each of Russia’s 85 regions. Among other changes, the amendments prohibited same-sex marriages.

Latin America

During the second annual Freedom House Latin America event, held in Washington DC on April 17, several distinguished speakers, including United States Senator Bill Nelson, Julio Borges, President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet discussed the role of human rights defenders in Latin America. Panel discussions addressed the upcoming elections in Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador.

In addition to a keynote speech by Senator Nelson, the event included a panel discussion focusing on the upcoming legislative elections in Venezuela and Bolivia. The Venezuelan parliamentary elections are scheduled for December 6, 2020, and the Bolivian local elections are scheduled for February 2021.

Panelists also discussed the role of women in Latin America, including the Ladies in White, a group of Cuban mothers. Human rights defenders continue to face significant challenges in Latin America.

Human rights defenders in Latin America face physical attacks, intimidation, and harassment. They also lack the physical and psychological security support they need to operate. Many HRDs are forced to leave their home countries. Some states have responded to the risks they face by creating national protection mechanisms. However, others have not.

The assessment is based on interviews with key informants and on a literature review. It also includes two case studies. The assessments provide a baseline overview of trends in relocation programs in Latin America and provide recommendations for an effective regional approach to HRD protection.

Iraq and Afghanistan

During the first half of 2021, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported 3,524 civilian injuries. These numbers are likely incomplete. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated that 3.4 million people were displaced internally, while 700,000 were newly displaced within Afghanistan during the year.

The United States remains the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. The President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, is subject to parliamentary oversight. He was reelected in September to serve a second five-year term.

During the first half of 2021, there was significant turmoil in the political arena. Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi attempted to reshuffle his cabinet, but the cabinet remained in limbo. Similarly, former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki squared off against followers of a rival Shiite political leader, Moqtada al-Sadr.

The Taliban deposed the elected government in August 2021. In the interim, a government led by former army chief of staff, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, was formed. A few private universities reopened in mid-September, but the government largely suppressed assembly rights.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported on Taliban violence against protesters during the month of September. In particular, the Taliban detained two female protesters in Herat and killed a third in Kabul.

The Taliban also took control of the judicial system. They appointed judges to both civil and military courts. These judges have not been able to find employment. Some are in hiding.

Crime against human rights defenders

Across the world, human rights defenders work to defend and promote human rights. They are active at the local, national, and international level. Their work encompasses many different forms, such as defending armed opposition groups, training law enforcement, securing justice for victims, or providing aid to survivors of human rights abuses.

Human rights defenders are often targeted for their work. In many cases, authorities perceive them as in the wrong and subject them to intimidation, physical attacks, and detention. Some are targeted because they speak out against a specific government, while others defend human rights within their own country.

For example, in Egypt, authorities arbitrarily detained and imprisoned human rights defenders. In addition, authorities targeted opposition politicians and activists, resulting in dozens of convictions. In addition, the Supreme Administrative Court upheld a decision to disbar six lawyers from the “list of terrorists.”

In Turkiye, a non-democratic region of Afghanistan, UN experts have documented instances of criminal provisions that have been used to detain and harass civil society actors. In addition, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has violated fundamental human rights, and testimony from escaped Russian prisoners confirms that Russian forces have committed grave human rights violations.

In Colombia, the country has responded to the risks HRDs face by constructing national protection mechanisms. However, the country has also experienced a resurgence in violence and human rights abuses. Thousands of people have fled the country due to human rights abuses. Thousands more remain detained arbitrarily for exercising their human rights.

Crime related to computer hacking

Depending on the nature and extent of the hacking, computer hacking can be prosecuted at the state level or at the federal level. Most of the federal computer hacking charges are filed under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

Computer hacking involves breaking into a computer system or network. Typically, this occurs to obtain information, financial accounts, or government records. It can also be perpetrated to cause harm to the target. Hackers often use malicious software to launch cyberattacks.

The FBI and Secret Service have jurisdiction to investigate computer crimes. However, they cannot collect cyber-threat intelligence unless the private sector does so as well. In addition, law enforcement personnel must be trained to conduct digital forensics.

Top hackers have played a key role in the evolution of cyber security. They may have worked as software engineers, testers, or cyber security experts. They are often referred to as “white hat hackers”. They are often employed to help improve the security of computers.

In the early 1980s, Congress recognized the emergence of a new type of criminal. They used computers to hack, steal, and abuse property. As the number of computer networks and computers increased, this made it easier for criminals to obtain information and property.

The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act was enacted in 1986 to reduce the number of computer hacking incidents. It also makes it illegal to gain access to a computer without consent or knowledge.

Chelsea Glover