Documents on United States
Commentary
Nov 19, 2009
Prosecutors, defense counsel, a military judge, several journalists and a handful of non-governmental organization observers like myself convened at Guantanamo Bay this week for what was to be the first hearing for a Guantanamo defendant under the Obama administration's "new and improved" military commissions.
Press release
Nov 19, 2009
The “Stupak amendment” to the House health care reform bill, which would effectively eliminate abortion access for millions of women, threatens women’s human rights, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to US senators today. The restrictive provision was included in the final health care reform bill that passed the House earlier this month, and similar language is likely to be considered in the Senate.
Letter
Nov 19, 2009
As you deliberate upon the health care reform bill, we write to urge you to reject provisions that would effectively obstruct access to insurance coverage for abortion and interfere with the ability of women in the United States to make decisions about their own health care.
Press release
Nov 18, 2009
The United States should ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is supported by nearly every other nation in the world, Human Rights Watch said today. The United States and Somalia are the only countries that have failed to ratify the Convention, which was adopted 20 years ago, on November 20, 1989
Backgrounder Briefing
Nov 18, 2009
Press release
Nov 14, 2009
The Obama administration should revise its detention policies in Afghanistan to make them consistent with international law.
Press release
Nov 13, 2009
Obama administration’s decision to prosecute the September 11 suspects in federal court represents an important step forward for justiceObama administration’s decision to prosecute the September 11 suspects in federal court represents an important step forward for justice.
Press release
Nov 12, 2009
US President Barack Obama should urge Asian leaders at the first ASEAN-US summit to unite in addressing the region’s most pressing human rights concerns.
Commentary
Nov 10, 2009
As part of a special investigation into unprosecuted rape cases, CBS Evening News with Katie Couric features an interview with Sarah Tofte, researcher with the US Program at Human Rights Watch.
Press release
Nov 5, 2009
The introduction in the Senate today of the Justice for Survivors of Sexual Assault Act of 2009 is a significant step toward eliminating the backlog of evidence in rape cases.