African man dies while under ICE detention at Moshannon Valley Processing Center, a place that is being described as a “cruel euphemism for a concentration camp.” The details are stark: a 46-year-old man, held for 215 days awaiting an immigration review, died this week after complaining of chest pain. This is a tragic event, especially considering it’s the second death in ICE custody this week. The fact that the man had a criminal record seems almost secondary in the face of such a loss. The fundamental question arises: is this the way we want our society to function?
The very notion of indefinite detention, especially in facilities run by a system like ICE, appears to be a source of significant concern.… Continue reading
On December 20, Russian forces reportedly detained and deported approximately 50 Ukrainian civilians from the village of Hrabovske in the Sumy region to Russia. The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights confirmed the illegal detention and forced deportation, citing violations of international humanitarian law. Ukrainian officials have appealed to Russia’s human rights commissioner and the International Committee of the Red Cross, demanding information and the civilians’ immediate return. The abduction is believed to be a localized provocation aimed at political or information pressure, with officials urging the international community to condemn the actions.
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Four died in ICE custody this week as 2025 deaths reach a 20-year high, a stark reality that demands immediate attention and raises profound questions about the treatment of those detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The sheer number, four deaths in a single week, is shocking and points to a crisis within the agency, especially when considering the larger context of this being a 20-year high. The circumstances surrounding these deaths must be thoroughly investigated, and the public deserves answers.
The conditions under which people are being detained are a cause for serious concern. Descriptions of the facilities paint a grim picture, and the lack of transparency surrounding ICE operations fuels a sense of distrust.… Continue reading
The US military conducted strikes on two alleged drug-trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Thursday, resulting in five deaths and marking the third such attack this week. This is part of Operation Southern Spear, a campaign aimed at curtailing narcotics trafficking. The ongoing campaign has raised questions in Congress, especially regarding the legality of the strikes and lack of public evidence connecting the boats to drug cartels. A provision in the recently signed defense policy bill withholds funds from the Secretary of Defense’s travel budget until unedited videos of the initial September strikes are released to Congress.
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The US military conducted strikes on three boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. These attacks, targeting vessels allegedly involved in drug smuggling and linked to “designated terrorist organizations,” were justified by the US President as an escalation to combat drug trafficking. The strikes are drawing increased scrutiny from lawmakers, especially given the rising death toll and the recent designation of fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction,” which has expanded government authority.
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Human rights organizations, including the ACLU, have alleged widespread abuse at Camp East Montana, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility at Fort Bliss. These organizations claim detained immigrants are coerced into crossing the border into Mexico, even if they have no connection to the country, or face being sent to jail in third countries. The report details physical abuse, sexual misconduct by officers, medical neglect, and denied access to legal counsel, prompting calls for the camp’s closure. Detainees describe instances of assault, threats, and substandard living conditions, leading organizations to demand a thorough investigation into the alleged human rights violations.
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Human rights campaigners have reported that Ukrainian children abducted by Russia have been sent to North Korea for “political indoctrination” at the Songdowon International Children’s Camp. The Kyiv-based Regional Centre for Human Rights confirmed several cases of children from occupied territories being subjected to militarization and ideological training, causing potentially severe psychological consequences. Children like 12-year-old Misha and 16-year-old Liza were sent there as part of “Korean-Russian Friendship” events, where they were taught to “destroy Japanese militarists.” Campaigners fear these trips are a form of “children’s diplomacy” and a tool for Russian propaganda, meant to legitimize the annexation of Ukrainian territories. The organization is raising awareness to prevent these isolated cases from escalating into broader Russian policies.
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During a federal court hearing in Eugene, a judge halted proceedings when an ICE detainee testified she had not eaten since being awakened at 2 a.m. for transport. The judge, appalled by the detainee’s treatment, ordered the woman to be fed immediately and expressed strong disapproval to the Department of Justice. Ultimately, the judge ordered the woman’s immediate release, citing that more than 90 days had passed since her deportation order, which violated immigration law. The woman had been detained by ICE following a recent arrest and had previously been unaware of her deportation order from 2017.
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Goli Kouhkan, a 25-year-old child bride sentenced to death in Iran for her husband’s murder, has had her execution halted after his parents accepted approximately £70,000 in blood money. Kouhkan was arrested at 18 and spent seven years on death row, facing qisas (retribution-in-kind) for allegedly participating in her abusive husband’s death. Her case highlights systemic gender bias in Iran’s justice system, where child brides and victims of domestic violence often face severe penalties. While the payment saved her life, concerns remain about the qisas law, which violates international standards.
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The CIA employed the Confinement Box, a horrific torture method, in post-9/11 black sites, subjecting detainees like Abu Zubaydah to prolonged periods in coffin-sized boxes. Now, a similar practice has been identified at the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility in Florida, where migrants are confined in small, cage-like structures as punishment, reminiscent of the CIA’s methods. This mirroring of torture techniques, stemming from the lack of accountability for the original architects, raises concerns about the persistence of inhumane treatment and the need for immediate criminal investigations into such practices. The article connects this to mass surveillance and its potential for abuse in Palestine, and the cover-up of civilian killings.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker
ACLU Reports Physical Abuse of Migrants at Fort Bliss Detention Center
Human rights organizations, including the ACLU, have alleged widespread abuse at Camp East Montana, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility at Fort Bliss. These organizations claim detained immigrants are coerced into crossing the border into Mexico, even if they have no connection to the country, or face being sent to jail in third countries. The report details physical abuse, sexual misconduct by officers, medical neglect, and denied access to legal counsel, prompting calls for the camp’s closure. Detainees describe instances of assault, threats, and substandard living conditions, leading organizations to demand a thorough investigation into the alleged human rights violations.
Read More