• EU: Rights Abuse at Home Ignored
    Press release
    Jan 22, 2012
    The European Union and member governments proved unwilling to tackle human rights abuse at home during 2011, even as they proclaimed the issue’s importance in inspiring the Arab Spring, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2012.
  • Universal Periodic Review of South Africa
    Written statement
    Jan 20, 2012

    South Africa has failed to clarify its position on the 22 recommendations made during the first UPR cycle in 2008 – making the assessment of the implementation problematic.  South Africa should clearly communicate its responses and commitments on all recommendations made during its second UPR cycle. 

  • Thailand: End Harsh Punishments for Lese Majeste Offenses
    Press release
    Dec 2, 2011
    A Thai court’s sentencing of a 61-year-old man to 20 years in prison for sending four text messages illustrates the misuse by successive Thai governments of laws intended to protect the monarchy.
  • The Women's Lib Movement in Libya Sees a Surprising Twist
    Commentary
    Nov 24, 2011
    As female activists in Tripoli push for equal rights, they get a surprise visit from the country’s highest-ranking men, including chairman of the National Transitional Council—who hedges on his controversial stance on polygamy.
  • Israel: New Commander Should Protect Palestinians From Settler Violence
    Press release
    Nov 21, 2011

    The newly-appointed Israeli military commander in the West Bank should end the military’s hands-off approach to settler attacks against Palestinians and Palestinian property. The new commander should end the use of excessive force by security forces against Palestinians responding to settler attacks.

  • Tunisia: Affirm Human Rights in New Constitution
    Press release
    Oct 19, 2011
    Many parties competing in Tunisia’s election for a constituent assembly on October 23, 2011, believe that basic freedoms should be protected, but they disagree about circumstances under which freedoms could be limited, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper issued today. The paper was prepared to help voters make decisions based on the parties’ stances on basic human rights and freedoms.
  • Nobel Prize Shows Role of Women in Democracy, Peace
    Press release
    Oct 7, 2011
  • Libya: Transitional Government Should Support Victims
    Press release
    Sep 19, 2011
    The National Transitional Council (NTC), the de facto authority that controls most of Libya, should investigate allegations of sexual violence perpetrated during the Libyan armed conflict and provide medical services, treatment, and support for survivors. Heads of state from the group of countries who have pledged to support Libya as it moves toward democratization – the so-called Friends of Libya – are gathering this week at the United Nations to discuss the future of the country.
  • Libya: Stop Arbitrary Arrests of Black Africans
    Press release
    Sep 4, 2011

    The de facto authorities in Tripoli, the National Transitional Council (NTC), should stop the arbitrary arrests and abuse of African migrant workers and black Libyans assumed to be mercenaries. They should release those detained as mercenaries solely due to their dark skin color, Human Rights Watch said, and provide prompt judicial review to any for whom there is evidence of criminal activity. Both the NTC and those who are supporting it need to prioritize setting up a justice system capable of providing such review of detainees as quickly as possible. 

  • Cameroon: Free Men Charged Under ‘Sodomy’ Law
    Press release
    Aug 17, 2011

    Three men returning from a bar last month in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, were detained by police because two of them appeared feminine. The three were jailed on July 25, 2011, for one week and were tortured and otherwise abused by police during this time, according to a Cameroonian civil society group that has been working on their behalf.