How should the United States relate to a solid ally whose human rights record is better than the norm in its region and better than its own record of 20 years ago - but is now heading in the wrong direction?

Morocco is taking another regressive step on human rights by blocking "unauthorized" visits by foreigners to the homes of Sahrawi activists in Western Sahara.

The Damascus Bar Association should reverse this week's decision to permanently disbar the lawyer and rights activist Muhanad al-Hasani.

We, the undersigned independent human rights and civil society organizations from diverse regions and societies around the world, respectfully urge your support for a United Nations General Assembly Resolution condemning the serious human rights violations in the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and advising the IRI of steps it should take to respect the rights of the Iranian people in accordance with international law.

Iran's Judiciary should block the execution of Ehsan Fattahian, scheduled for November 11, 2009, and revoke his death sentence.

Iraq's central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government should protect besieged minorities in the disputed territories of Nineveh province.

Four Iranians are among 37 writers from 18 countries who are receiving the prestigious Hellman/Hammett award.

Two months ago in this column I raised the issue of accountability for war crimes committed in the Gaza conflict. I wrote that the findings and recommendations of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, and its reception by Israel, Hamas, the United States, and others, would be the key to achieving justice.