• Syria: Stop Torture of Children
    Press release
    Feb 3, 2012
    Syrian army and security officers have detained and tortured children with impunity during the past year. Human Rights Watch has documented at least 12 cases of children detained under inhumane conditions and tortured, as well as children shot while in their homes or on the street. Human Rights Watch has also documented government use of schools as detention centers, military bases or barracks, and sniper posts, as well as the arrest of children from schools.
  • Libya: Diplomat Dies in Militia Custody
    Press release
    Feb 2, 2012

    A Libyan diplomat who served as ambassador to France died less than 24 hours after he was detained by a Tripoli-based militia from the town of Zintan.

  • Haiti: Duvalier Ruling Disappoints Justice
    Press release
    Jan 31, 2012
    A Haitian judge’s decision to dismiss the case against former president-for-life Jean-Claude Duvalier for grave human rights violations ignores Haiti’s international obligation to prosecute such crimes.
  • India: Disappointing Year for Human Rights
    Press release
    Jan 23, 2012

    The Indian government during 2011 failed to hold rights violators accountable or to carry out effective policies to protect vulnerable communities.

  • UK: European Court Ruling Sends Mixed Message on Torture
    Press release
    Jan 18, 2012
    The European Court of Human Rights ruling on January 17, 2012, against the deportation of a Jordanian national from the United Kingdom could have serious consequences for human rights protection in Europe, said three nongovernmental organizations that intervened in the case.
  • Uzbekistan Blackmails the West into Silence
    Commentary
    Jan 11, 2012
    As the Arab Spring shows, it is never, ever, a good idea to go to bed with dictators.
  • Kazakhstan: Detainee Dies After Police Beating
    Press release
    Dec 22, 2011
    A man detained in connection with the December 16, 2011 violence in western Kazakhstan died on December 21 apparently from injuries sustained in police custody.
  • Kazakhstan: Protect Detainees From Torture, Ill-Treatment
    Press release
    Dec 22, 2011
    Kazakh authorities should immediately investigate allegations of torture and ill-treatment of detainees following violence in Zhanaozen on December 16, 2011, and hold those responsible accountable.
  • Syria: ‘Shoot to Kill’ Commanders Named
    Press release
    Dec 15, 2011
    Former Syrian soldiers identified by name 74 commanders and officials from the Syrian military and intelligence agencies who allegedly ordered, authorized, or condoned widespread killings, torture, and unlawful arrests during the 2011 anti-government protests. The Security Council should refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and impose sanctions against the officials implicated in abuses.
  • Uzbekistan: Detainees Tortured, Lawyers Silenced
    Press release
    Dec 13, 2011
    Uzbekistan has not kept its promises to stop torture in its criminal justice system, including electric shocks and asphyxiation.