Bolivia should conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation of the killing of at least 15 civilians in a confrontation in Pando department, Human Rights Watch said today.

The United States should suspend Ecuador's trade benefits due to the country's failure to comply with the labor rights requirements of the Andean Trade Preferences Act.

Bolivian military personnel implicated in human rights violations must be tried in civilian rather than military courts, Human Rights Watch said today after the Constitutional Court upheld civilian court jurisdiction in a case involving alleged killings by army troops.

The Bolivian military’s lack of cooperation threatens an investigation into the armed forces’ shooting of scores of civilians during anti-government protests in September and October, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Bolivian President Carlos Mesa.

Dear President Mesa: I write respectfully to draw your attention to serious obstacles to the ongoing investigation of the killings of more than fifty Bolivians in protests that took place in September and October of this year. Human Rights Watch is deeply concerned that if these problems are not resolved in an expeditious way the investigation will end unsuccessfully.

Bolivian President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada must bar troops from using lethal force against protesters unless its use is absolutely necessary to protect life, Human Rights Watch said today.