• Syria: Incendiary Weapons Used in Populated Areas
    Dec 11, 2012
    The Syrian military has used air-delivered incendiary bombs in at least four locations across Syria since mid-November 2012 according to interviews with witnesses and video analysis. Human Rights Watch is also investigating unconfirmed reports of the use of such weapons in other parts of Syria. Human Rights Watch has identified the weapons as ZAB-series incendiary aircraft bombs that release submunitions containing the flammable substance thermite. Incendiary weapons are designed to set fire to objects or to cause burn injuries. A total of 106 nations have prohibited the use of air-delivered incendiary weapons in populated areas, but Syria has not banned the weapons.
  • Egypt: Impunity After Deadly Protests
    Nov 28, 2012
    Families of the 45 protesters killed and the hundreds injured when police responded to protests over military rule with excessive force and brutality from November 19 through 24, 2011, are still waiting for justice a year later.
  • Syria: More Cluster Bomb Attacks
    Nov 28, 2012
    Mounting evidence shows that Syria's air force is continuing to drop cluster bombs on towns across five governorates despite the Syrian army's denial that it is using them, Human Rights Watch said today. Data compiled by Human Rights Watch show an important increase in the use of cluster bombs in the past two weeks. The cluster bomb strikes are part of an intensifying air campaign by government forces on rebel-held areas that has included dropping high explosive, fragmentation, and even improvised "barrel" bombs into populated areas.
  • Cluster Bombs Dropped in Syria
    Nov 28, 2012
    New evidence has emerged that the Syrian air force has used cluster munitions in recent days. Many of the strikes were near the main highway that runs through Ma`arat al-Nu`man, the site of a major confrontation between government and rebel forces this week.
  • Libya: Bloody Vengeance in Sirte
    Oct 19, 2012
    New evidence collected by Human Rights Watch implicates Misrata-based militias in the apparent execution of dozens of detainees following the capture and death of Muammar Gaddafi one year ago. The Libyan authorities have failed to carry out their pledge to investigate the death of dozens held in rebel custody.
  • Libya: New Proof of Mass Killings at Gaddafi Death Site
    Oct 18, 2012
    New evidence collected by Human Rights Watch implicates Misrata-based militias in the apparent execution of dozens of detainees following the capture and death of Muammar Gaddafi one year ago. The Libyan authorities have failed to carry out their pledge to investigate the death of Gaddafi, Libya’s former dictator, his son Mutassim, and dozens of others in rebel custody.
  • Syria: Government Attacking Bread Lines
    Oct 1, 2012
    Syrian government forces have dropped bombs and fired artillery at or near at least 10 bakeries in Aleppo province over the past three weeks, killing and maiming scores of civilians who were waiting for bread.
  • Bahrain: Continuing Abuse of Migrant Workers
    Sep 28, 2012
    Hundreds of thousands of mostly South Asian migrant workers in Bahrain face exploitation and abuse despite government reforms intended to protect them. Human Rights Watch documented the many forms of abuse and exploitation suffered by migrant workers in Bahrain and details the government's efforts to provide redress and strengthen worker protections. Human Rights Watch found that authorities enforce some safeguards, but have not adequately carried out several other worker protections, such as those against withholding wages, charging recruitment fees, and confiscating passports. All of these practices make it harder for workers to leave abusive work situations. Bahrain has just over 458,000 migrant workers. Most are employed in low-skill, low-wage jobs in construction, trade, manufacturing, and domestic work.
  • Yemen: Troops Endangering Children
    Sep 10, 2012
    Government forces and other armed groups deployed in schools in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, are putting tens of thousands of students at risk and undermining education. The troops and armed groups were deployed during the 2011-2012 uprising, which ended the 33-year rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Forces on both sides used schools as barracks, bases, surveillance posts, and firing positions. Combatants also stored weapons and ammunition, detained prisoners, and in some cases tortured or otherwise abused detainees on school grounds or in school buildings, in some cases as teachers and students looked on. In some instances, the forces inside schools came under attack while students and teachers were present. Yemen, which already has the lowest rates of literacy in the Middle East and some of the lowest rates of school enrollment in the world, should prohibit the deployment of armed forces and groups in schools where it violates international law and endangers the lives of students, teachers and school administrators throughout the country.
  • Interactive Map: Syria's Torture Centers
    Jul 2, 2012