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Human Rights Watch Issues Commentary: Vietnam Should Release Ailing Political Prisoners
NEW YORK, July 28 [Category: International] -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary by Senior Associate Asia Director Patricia Gossman:
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Vietnam Should Release Ailing Political Prisoners
Immediately Free Can Thi Theu and Other Wrongfully Imprisoned Activists
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Can Thi Theu, 64, is serving an eight-year prison sentence at Prison No. 5 in Vietnam's Thanh Hoa province because she joined protests against land confiscation and environmental degradation in 2016 and publicly supported other human rights activists and political prisoners languishing behind bars.
During a recent
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NEW YORK, July 28 [Category: International] -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary by Senior Associate Asia Director Patricia Gossman:
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Vietnam Should Release Ailing Political Prisoners
Immediately Free Can Thi Theu and Other Wrongfully Imprisoned Activists
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Can Thi Theu, 64, is serving an eight-year prison sentence at Prison No. 5 in Vietnam's Thanh Hoa province because she joined protests against land confiscation and environmental degradation in 2016 and publicly supported other human rights activists and political prisoners languishing behind bars.
During a recentvisit, Can Thi Theu's family learned that she had been suffering from acute abdominal pain and fever for days. They said medical personnel at the prison told her it was nothing and gave her some painkillers. Her daughter, Trinh Thi Thao, filed a petition to allow Can Thi Theu to seek care at a hospital outside the prison.
Can Thi Theu had a similar episode last summer and in January suffered from dizziness and tremors and could not walk without assistance for two weeks. In both instances, the prison authorities ignored her requests to have independent medical examination and treatment.
Her sons, Trinh Ba Tu and Trinh Ba Phuong, are also serving long prison sentences for their peaceful activism.
Can Thi Theu is among a number of political prisoners in Vietnam suffering from poor health. Tran Duc Thach, Nguyen Nang Tinh, and Phan Van Bach, all imprisoned for campaigning for democracy, have also fallen ill in Prison No. 5.
This July, Tran Duc Thach's wife filed a petition urging the authorities to allow her husband, who suffers from severe eye pain, to seek treatment at an outside hospital. Nguyen Nang Tinh's wife meanwhile has said he suffers from osteoarthritis and severe nerve compression and is in great discomfort.
During a visit in February, Phan Van Bach's wife said he suffered from severe tooth pain and has subsisted on congee (rice porridge) for more than a year. He felt "chest tightness, shortness of breath, and unsteady gait." He also told his family that prison guards pepper-sprayed him and another prisoner beat him for protesting prison conditions.
The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) provide that "[a]ll prisons shall ensure prompt access to medical attention in urgent cases. Prisoners who require specialized treatment or surgery shall be transferred to specialized institutions or to civil hospitals."
Vietnam's international trade partners and donors should press the Vietnamese government to immediately release Can Thi Theu, Tran Duc Thach, Nguyen Nang Tinh, and Phan Van Bach, and allow them to seek adequate medical care at home or abroad.
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Original text here: https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/07/27/vietnam-should-release-ailing-political-prisoners
CAIR-NY Offers Reward for Info on Suspect Who Threatened Women Perceived to Be Muslim
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on July 26, 2026:
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CAIR-NY Offers Reward for Info on Suspect Who Threatened Women Perceived to Be Muslim
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today announced a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect who allegedly threatened two young women perceived to be Muslim while brandishing a box cutter aboard a bus in Queens.
According to the NYPD, the incident occurred on July 16 at approximately 6 p.m. near Northern Boulevard
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on July 26, 2026:
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CAIR-NY Offers Reward for Info on Suspect Who Threatened Women Perceived to Be Muslim
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today announced a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect who allegedly threatened two young women perceived to be Muslim while brandishing a box cutter aboard a bus in Queens.
According to the NYPD, the incident occurred on July 16 at approximately 6 p.m. near Northern Boulevardand 51st Street in Woodside. Police say the suspect directed anti-Muslim remarks at the two women, ages 19 and 21, threatened them with violence while displaying a box cutter, and then fled the bus. The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the incident as a suspected bias crime.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online through the NYPD.
In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said:
"No one should have to fear for their safety because of their faith or because they are perceived to be Muslim. Threatening passengers with a weapon while spewing anti-Muslim hate is an attack not only on the victims, but on the values of safety and religious freedom that all New Yorkers deserve. We urge anyone with information to come forward so this individual can be held accountable."
She noted that CAIR-NY recently welcomed charges against a suspect accused of carrying out a series of allegedly anti-Muslim firebombing attacks, joined a call for members of the public to provide any information that may assist law enforcement in identifying the individual responsible for a series of anti-Islamic graffiti incidents in Brooklyn and called for a hate crime investigation into a violent threat targeting the Sunnyside Muslim Center.
CAIR-NY also recently condemned vandalism targeting two Queens synagogues.
Washington, D.C. based CAIR's latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 - the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
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CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ny-offers-reward-for-info-on-suspect-who-threatened-women-perceived-to-be-muslim/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR-MI Condemns Anti-Arab Racism by Farmington Hills School Board Trustee
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on July 27, 2026:
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CAIR-MI Condemns Anti-Arab Racism by Farmington Hills School Board Trustee
The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned a recent anti-Arab racist outburst by Farmington Hills School Board Trustee Angie Smith targeting US Senate Democrat candidate Dr. Abdul El Sayed.
In recent comments, Smith said of El Sayed, who is an Arab American: "You have
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WASHINGTON, July 28 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on July 27, 2026:
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CAIR-MI Condemns Anti-Arab Racism by Farmington Hills School Board Trustee
The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned a recent anti-Arab racist outburst by Farmington Hills School Board Trustee Angie Smith targeting US Senate Democrat candidate Dr. Abdul El Sayed.
In recent comments, Smith said of El Sayed, who is an Arab American: "You haveto know how to work the room, don't just come in here speaking Arabic, don't come out with your Arabic music on."
SEE comments via X page of Sam Robinson (https://x.com/samueljrob/status/2080758781634310654).
"We condemn Smith's inaccurate and misguided comments, which have undertones of anti-Arab racism, "said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. "Given the history of racist tropes deployed against African Americans in politics, it is disgusting that Smith would replicate such for political purposes."
Walid, who is also African American, also noted that Smith has a history of making contentious and unfounded remarks pertaining to race while serving in her position in Farmington Hills.
SEE: Farmington school board chaos: Superintendent, 2 board members resign (https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/defenders/2020/11/17/farmington-school-board-chaos-superintendent-2-board-members-resign/) (WDIV 4)
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CAIR is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that does not endorse political candidates.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-mi-condemns-anti-arab-racism-by-farmington-hills-school-board-trustee/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR Welcomes Wisconsin Library's Condemnation of Islamophobia Following Bigoted Backslash to Muslim Heritage Month Display
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on July 27, 2026:
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CAIR Welcomes Wisconsin Library's Condemnation of Islamophobia Following Bigoted Backslash to Muslim Heritage Month Display
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a statement condemning Islamophobia by the Altoona Public Library in Wisconsin following bigoted backlash in response to the library's Muslim Heritage Month display.
After the library set up a display celebrating Muslim
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WASHINGTON, July 28 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on July 27, 2026:
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CAIR Welcomes Wisconsin Library's Condemnation of Islamophobia Following Bigoted Backslash to Muslim Heritage Month Display
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a statement condemning Islamophobia by the Altoona Public Library in Wisconsin following bigoted backlash in response to the library's Muslim Heritage Month display.
After the library set up a display celebrating MuslimAmerican Heritage Month, it was met with backlash from anti-Muslim bigots online. In a post, the library said:
"The Altoona Public Library is dedicated to promoting literacy, building community, and enriching lives. Our current Muslim Awareness display is part of our ongoing commitment to engage our community in opportunities to learn, grow, and connect through diverse cultures, voices, and histories of our neighbors.
"We welcome input and differing viewpoints from all community members, but public comments on our platforms must remain respectful. We stand firmly against Islamophobia, discrimination, and hate speech. We will continue to protect our online and physical spaces to ensure Altoona remains an involved, literate, informed, and inclusive community for everyone."
"We welcome this statement against Islamophobia by the Altoona Public Library and thank library officials for not bowing to intimidation from anti-Muslim bigots who would deny the past contributions of American Muslims to our society and would exclude Muslims from our nation's future," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
Just yesterday, CAIR's New York chapter announced a $1,000 rewardfor information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect who allegedly threatened two young women perceived to be Muslim while brandishing a box cutter aboard a bus in Queens.
Today, CAIR's Michigan chapter condemned a recent anti-Arab racist outburst by Farmington Hills School Board Trustee Angie Smith.
Washington, D.C. based CAIR's latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 - the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-welcomes-wisconsin-librarys-condemnation-of-islamophobia-following-bigoted-backslash-to-muslim-heritage-month-display/
[Category: Sociological]
Uniting for Veterans Marks Most Successful Year Since VFW-Humana Collaboration Began in 2018
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, July 28 -- The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., a veterans service organization, issued the following news release:
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Uniting for Veterans Marks Most Successful Year Since VFW-Humana Collaboration Began in 2018
First full year of expanded initiative delivers record support for veterans and military families nationwide
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RENO, Nev. - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Humana today announced the most successful year in the history of their joint veteran support initiative, Uniting for Veterans, which provided more than 1.6 million meals and 359 nights of housing
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KANSAS CITY, Missouri, July 28 -- The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., a veterans service organization, issued the following news release:
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Uniting for Veterans Marks Most Successful Year Since VFW-Humana Collaboration Began in 2018
First full year of expanded initiative delivers record support for veterans and military families nationwide
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RENO, Nev. - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Humana today announced the most successful year in the history of their joint veteran support initiative, Uniting for Veterans, which provided more than 1.6 million meals and 359 nights of housingsupport for veterans and military families during the 2025-2026 campaign year. The results were shared during the 127th VFW National Convention and mark the first full year under the program's expanded mission and new name.
Formerly known as Uniting to Combat Hunger & Homelessness, the initiative evolved in 2025 to become Uniting for Veterans, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing the diverse and evolving needs of veterans, service members and their families. The expanded mission enables local communities to respond more flexibly to the challenges veterans face while continuing the program's longstanding work combating food insecurity and housing instability.
During its first full year as Uniting for Veterans, the initiative generated:
* 1,600,423 meals provided to veterans and military families
* 359 nights of housing support for homeless veterans
These results represent the strongest annual performance since the relationship was established in 2018 and reflect the collective efforts of VFW Posts, Auxiliaries, volunteers, Humana employees and community partners across the country.
"When we expanded this initiative to become Uniting for Veterans, our goal was to give VFW Posts and Humana representatives the flexibility to meet veterans exactly where they are," said VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore. "These record-breaking results prove just how powerful that localized approach is. Providing over 1.6 million meals and hundreds of nights of shelter in a single year is a testament to the unstoppable synergy between the VFW and Humana. We aren't just addressing critical needs; we are restoring dignity, building stronger communities and showing our veterans that we will always have their backs."
The record-setting year demonstrates the impact of broadening the initiative's mission while remaining focused on issues that directly affect veterans and military families. While food insecurity and housing instability remain important priorities, Uniting for Veterans gives local communities the flexibility to respond to emerging needs and deliver support where it can make the biggest difference.
Since launching in 2018, the program has provided 8 million meals, 684 nights of housing support, and has positively impacted nearly 20 million lives, helping strengthen local communities and improve the well-being of veterans and military families nationwide.
"The success of our first full year as Uniting for Veterans demonstrates why this expanded mission was so important," said Cara Brown, National Director of Key Relationships at Humana. "By working together with the VFW and local communities, we're able to respond to veterans' changing needs and connect them with meaningful resources and support their individual needs."
The initiative is rooted in the belief that health and well-being are influenced by more than healthcare alone. Access to nutritious food, stable housing, community support and trusted local resources all play important roles in helping veterans and military families thrive. Through Uniting for Veterans, the VFW and Humana work alongside communities across the country to help reduce barriers and connect veterans with the support they need.
Since launching in 2018, the relationship has continued to evolve alongside the needs of America's veterans. The first full year of Uniting for Veterans represents an important milestone in that journey and reinforces both organizations' commitment to ensuring veterans and military families have access to the resources and support they need to live healthier, more secure lives.
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About Humana
Humana (NYSE: HUM) is a leading U.S. healthcare company. Through our Humana insurance services and our CenterWell healthcare services, we strive to make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health - delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare and Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer at Humana.com and at CenterWell.com.
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Original text here: https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2026/7/uniting-for-veterans-marks-most-successful-year-since-vfw-humana-collaboration-began-in-2018
[Category: National Defense]
CAIR Condemns Distribution of White Supremacist Propaganda in Indiana Communities
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on July 27, 2026:
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CAIR Condemns Distribution of White Supremacist Propaganda in Indiana Communities
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the reported distribution of white supremacist propaganda in Indiana's Jay County and nearby communities and called on public officials and community leaders to forcefully reject all forms of hate and bigotry.
Residents discovered flyers containing white supremacist
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WASHINGTON, July 28 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on July 27, 2026:
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CAIR Condemns Distribution of White Supremacist Propaganda in Indiana Communities
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the reported distribution of white supremacist propaganda in Indiana's Jay County and nearby communities and called on public officials and community leaders to forcefully reject all forms of hate and bigotry.
Residents discovered flyers containing white supremacistmessaging distributed in neighborhoods across Jay County and surrounding communities. Law enforcement is reportedly investigating the incident.
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
"Whenever and wherever white supremacists attempt to spread their hateful ideology, Americans of every background must stand together to reject all forms of bigotry. Those responsible for distributing these materials seek to intimidate communities and divide our nation. Their efforts must be met with a united response affirming that hatred and racial supremacy have no place in Indiana or anywhere in our country."
CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and every other form of hatred and discrimination.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-distribution-of-white-supremacist-propaganda-in-indiana-communities/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR Condemns Arson Attacks on West Bank Mosques by Illegal Israeli Settler Terrorists
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on July 26, 2026:
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CAIR Condemns Arson Attacks on West Bank Mosques by Illegal Israeli Settler Terrorists
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned arson attacks on two mosques in the illegally-occupied West Bank by illegal Israeli settlers, calling the attacks acts of terrorism targeting Palestinian civilians and their houses of worship.
Illegal Israeli settlers set fire to mosques in the Palestinian
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on July 26, 2026:
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CAIR Condemns Arson Attacks on West Bank Mosques by Illegal Israeli Settler Terrorists
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned arson attacks on two mosques in the illegally-occupied West Bank by illegal Israeli settlers, calling the attacks acts of terrorism targeting Palestinian civilians and their houses of worship.
Illegal Israeli settlers set fire to mosques in the Palestinianvillages of Qusra and Kour. Hebrew-language graffiti was reportedly spray-painted on at least one of the mosques, and Palestinian officials said the attacks formed part of a broader wave of settler violence against nearby communities.
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
"We unequivocally condemn these terrorist arson attacks on Palestinian mosques by illegal Israeli settlers. Burning houses of worship and terrorizing civilian communities are acts of religious hatred and terrorism that must be denounced without qualification. These attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a longstanding pattern of illegal settler violence - supported by the Israeli military -that has occurred with impunity.
"No mosque, church, synagogue, temple, or any other house of worship should ever be targeted because of the faith of those who pray there. The sanctity of religious institutions must be respected and protected."
Last week, CAIR condemned a deadly attack by armed Israeli settlers and military forces in the West Bank village of Tell that left four Palestinians dead and several others critically injured.
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CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-arson-attacks-on-west-bank-mosques-by-illegal-israeli-settler-terrorists/
[Category: Sociological]
