Human Rights Watch writes in advance of the Security Council’s mission to Africa on June 1-10, 2008, urging the Council to use this opportunity to address pressing human rights issues in Sudan, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.

Human Rights Watch writes to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in advance of his meetings in Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire as part of his upcoming four-nation West African tour, urging him to use his meetings with Liberian and Ivorian government officials, UN mission representatives, and members of civil society to address justice for past crimes.

Human Rights Watch writes to urge Dr. Ihsanoglu to use his position as Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to support measures at the upcoming Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Conference in Dakar, Senegal on March 13-14 that would improve and strengthen the 1999 OIC Convention on Combating International Terrorism. In particular, the OIC should consider two amendments to the Convention to narrow its overbroad definition of terrorism and make absolutely clear that there is no sanction in Islam for deliberately attacking civilians, whatever the circumstances or justifications.

Human Rights Watch writes to members of the Security Council in advance of their mission to Africa from June 14-21. This letter addresses important concerns regarding Sudan/Darfur, Côte d'Ivoire, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, in connection with the Security Council's visits to Khartoum, Abidjan, and Kinshasa, respectively. It also addresses important issues in Chad, Somalia, and northern Uganda, especially in connection with UN-African Union meetings in Addis Ababa and Accra.

Human Rights Watch writes to Sir Emyr Jones Parry, United Kingdom ambassador to the United Nations and leader of a U.N. Security Council trip to West Africa later this month, identifying key concerns and suggesting steps that the Security Council could take to address them, including the consideration of an arms embargo against all parties to the conflict in Côte d'Ivoire; promoting the rule of law by ending impunity for the horrific crimes committed during the conflicts in Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia; addressing bad governance in Sierra Leone; and stopping the use of child soldiers.

Human Rights Watch writes to Ghanaian President John Kufuor in his capacity of chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which is poised to send 1,000-1,500 peacekeeping troops to Liberia. ECOWAS forces should act in full accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law, and with a clear mandate to protect civilians and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Human Rights Watch writes to apprise members of the Security Council of the deteriorating human rights situation in western Côte d’Ivoire, and to recommend actions that the Security Council should take to address the crisis.