• Peru: Prevent Unlawful Killings of Protesters
    Sep 20, 2012
    Press release
    The Peruvian government should act to prevent the unlawful use of lethal force by security forces during crowd-control operations, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to President Ollanta Humala. Fifteen civilians were killed during protests, allegedly by security forces, in the first year of Humala’s presidency.
  • Colombia: Magistrate’s Resignation a Loss for Justice
    Sep 6, 2012
    Press release
    The announced resignation of the auxiliary Supreme Court magistrate Iván Velásquez represents a major loss for Colombia’s justice system, Human Rights Watch said today. Velásquez’s resignation, effective September 30, 2012, followed the sudden decision by the criminal chamber of the Supreme Court to remove him as coordinator of investigations into ties between right-wing paramilitary groups and members of Congress, known as the “parapolitics” investigations.
  • Jamaica: Investigate Killing of Human Rights Defender
    Aug 28, 2012
    Press release
    Police should ensure that the investigation into the death of the refugee and asylum advocate Clover Graham is effective, thorough, and impartial, Human Rights Watch said today.
  • Awards for Rights Activists from Congo, Libya
    Aug 14, 2012
    Press release
    Abbé Benoît Kinalegu from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Salah Marghani from Libya have been selected as recipients of the prestigious Alison Des Forges Award for Extraordinary Activism. Recipients of this award are leading voices for justice in their countries, working relentlessly to protect the rights and dignity of others.
  • Chile: Investigate Police Violence Against Mapuches
    Aug 10, 2012
    Press release
    The Chilean authorities should carry out a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation into the alleged unlawful use of force by police against members of the Mapuche indigenous community, Human Rights Watch said today. Officers found responsible for any unlawful use of force should be held to account and the injured civilians ensured an effective remedy.
  • Mexico: Court’s Historic Opportunity to Address Military Impunity
    Aug 6, 2012
    Press release
    Mexico’s Supreme Court has a momentous opportunity to reform the military justice system and eliminate one of the greatest sources of impunity for grave human rights violations, Human Rights Watch said today.
  • Jamaica: Combat Homophobia
    Jul 18, 2012
    Press release
    The Jamaican government should repeal the anti-buggery law and protect people from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller of Jamaica.
  • Venezuela: Concentration and Abuse of Power Under Chávez
    Jul 17, 2012
    Press release
    The concentration of power under President Hugo Chávez has taken a heavy toll on human rights in Venezuela.
  • Peru: Investigate Killings at Mining Protests
    Jul 6, 2012
    Press release
    The Peruvian authorities should carry out a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation into the killing of five civilians during violent protests against mining activities in the Cajamarca region, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities should also investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest of an environmental activist, Marco Arana, and his treatment in detention.
  • Rio + 20 missed an opportunity to bolster human rights
    Jun 27, 2012
    Press release
    Development initiatives without a clear commitment to non-discrimination and addressing the needs of marginalised and vulnerable communities are wrong in that they violate human rights. But they can also drive injustice, poverty and conflict, and are ultimately unsustainable.