• International Justice: Taylor Trial Sets Positive Example
    Jul 25, 2012
    Press release
    The trial of the former Liberian President Charles Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone’s armed conflict was a largely well-run proceeding, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The trial benefitted from a high-quality defense, sound handling of witnesses, and dynamic outreach to communities affected by the crimes. At the same time, Human Rights Watch’s analysis identified areas in which practice should be improved for future trials of the highest-level suspects before domestic, international, and hybrid war crimes tribunals.  
  • Liberia: Strong Action on Justice for Border Attacks
    Jun 19, 2012
    Press release
    Liberian authorities should be commended for swiftly undertaking criminal investigations with a view to prosecuting or extraditing armed men alleged to be involved in cross-border attacks into Côte d’Ivoire. The response followed an attack on June 8, 2012, in which at least 17 people, including seven United Nations peacekeepers, were killed in southwestern Côte d’Ivoire.
  • Liberia: Ivorian Government Foes Wage, Plot Attacks
    Jun 6, 2012
    Press release
    Armed militants hostile to the Ivorian government have recruited Liberian children and carried out deadly cross-border raids on Ivorian villages in recent months, Human Rights Watch said today. Liberian authorities have failed to investigate and prosecute dozens of Liberian and Ivorian nationals who crossed into Liberia after committing war crimes during Côte d’Ivoire’s 2010-2011 post-election crisis, some of whom have been implicated in the recent attacks, Human Rights Watch said.
  • Sierra Leone: 50-Year Sentence for Charles Taylor
    May 30, 2012
    Press release
    The sentencing of Charles Taylor to 50 years in prison on May 30, 2012 by the Special Court for Sierra Leone is a landmark in ensuring justice for the victims of Sierra Leone's brutal armed conflict, Human Rights Watch said today.  
  • Sierra Leone: Landmark Conviction of Liberian Ex-President
    Apr 26, 2012
    Press release
    The conviction on April 26, 2012, of Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia, for serious international crimes during Sierra Leone’s brutal armed conflict provides justice for victims and shows that no one is above the law. Taylor was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity before the United Nations-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone on charges that stemmed from his support for rebel groups there.
  • Nobel Prize Shows Role of Women in Democracy, Peace
    Oct 7, 2011
    Press release
  • Liberia: Protect Refugees Against Sexual Abuse
    Apr 20, 2011
    Press release
    Dozens of Ivorian refugee women and girls recently arrived in eastern Liberia say they have had to engage in sex to get adequate food, shelter, or money, Human Rights Watch said today. The Liberian government, the police, and United Nations agencies should take urgent measures to protect and assist vulnerable women and girls, including rapidly building protected shelter and helping them get sufficient and appropriate food, Human Rights Watch said.
  • Liberia: President Should Act on Rights Commission
    May 19, 2010
    Press release
    President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia should demonstrate leadership in accelerating the establishment of the country's Independent National Human Rights Commission.
  • Liberia: Warlord’s Arrest in US Shows Need for Justice
    Feb 22, 2010
    Press release
    The arrest of a former Liberian warlord in the United States underscores the need for prosecutions of serious crimes committed during Liberia’s civil wars.
  • 2009 a Bad Year for Migrants
    Dec 16, 2009
    Press release
    Many governments’ policies toward migrants worldwide expose them to human rights abuses including labor exploitation, inadequate access to health care, and prolonged detention in poor, overcrowded conditions.