Syria: Disclose Fate of Detainees

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:01:00 -0700

(New York) - Syrian authorities should immediately make public the fate of all detainees at Sednaya prison, at least nine of whom are believed to have been killed when military police used lethal force during unrest in the prison last July, Human Rights Watch said today. Syria should also free those who have finished serving their sentences, Human Rights Watch said.

Russia/US: Obama Should Press Medvedev on Rights at Summit

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:08:09 -0700

President Barack Obama should signal clearly to people in Russia when he visits Moscow on July 6, 2009, that human rights in their country remain one of his administration's central concerns, Human Rights Watch said today.

UAE: Ruling Undermines Press Freedom

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:34:19 -0700

(New York) - A ruling by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal to suspend a local newspaper and fine its editor-in-chief further undermines press freedom in the United Arab Emirates, Human Rights Watch said today.

Honduras: Decree Suspends Basic Rights

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:10:08 -0700

The Organization of American States (OAS), should press Honduras' de facto government to ensure full respect for human rights guarantees, Human Rights Watch said in a letter released today to OAS Secretary-General José Miguel Insulza.

India: Court Strikes Down ‘Sodomy’ Law

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:32:06 -0700

(New York) – The ruling today by the Delhi High Court that Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) can no longer be used to treat consensual homosexual conduct between adults as a criminal offense is a victory for basic rights to privacy, non-discrimination, and liberty, Human Rights Watch said today.

Beyond the Burqa

Liesl Gerntholtz & Gauri van Gulik — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:12:37 -0700

President Sarkozy of France has reignited the debate about how Muslim women in Europe should dress by calling for a ban on clothing that, as he puts it, imprisons women and undermines their dignity. But in this burqa debate the voices of Muslim women are strangely absent.

DR Congo: Massive Increase in Attacks on Civilians

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:58:55 -0700

Russia: Stop Collective Punishment in Chechnya

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:45:00 -0700

(Moscow) - Russian federal and Chechen authorities should immediately put a stop to home burnings and other collective punishment practices against families of alleged insurgents in Chechnya, and ensure meaningful accountability for perpetrators of human rights violations in the region, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

Burma: Make Ban’s Visit Meaningful

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:28:15 -0700

(New York) – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during his trip to Burma should press the ruling generals to publicly commit to the release of all political prisoners and to engage in a dialogue with the opposition that leads to genuine political reforms, Human Rights Watch said today.

Iran: Release Disabled Reformist

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:33:39 -0700

(New York) - Harsh interrogation conditions and inadequate medical care are threatening the life of the detained prominent Iranian reformist Saeed Hajjarian, Human Rights Watch said today.

Rwanda: Revise Reproductive Health Bill

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:01:00 -0700

(New York) - The Rwandan Parliament should remove provisions in a draft law that would mandate compulsory HIV testing and require the sterilization of all individuals with intellectual disabilities, Human Rights Watch said today.

Ethiopia: Amend Draft Terror Law

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:45:55 -0700

Israel: Misuse of Drones Killed Civilians in Gaza

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:45:00 -0700

(Jerusalem) - Israeli attacks with guided missiles fired from aerial drones killed civilians during the recent Gaza fighting in violation of the laws of war, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

US: California Execution Procedure Violates Rights

Human Rights Watch — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:06:22 -0700

(Washington) - The state of California's new procedure for carrying out executions by lethal injection violates international human rights law, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to state officials.

US: Drop Plans for Indefinite Detention Without Charge

Human Rights Watch — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:59:08 -0700

AU: Push Senegal to Try Habré

Human Rights Watch — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:45:01 -0700

(Sirte, Libya) – Three years after asking Senegal to prosecute the former dictator of Chad, Hissène Habré, the African Union should ensure that the trial finally begins to move forward, eight African and international human rights groups said today. African heads of state will come together in Sirte, Libya on July 1, 2009, for an AU summit.

Union africaine : L’UA doit insister pour que le Sénégal juge Habré

Human Rights Watch — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:45:01 -0700

(Syrte, Libye) - Trois ans après l’immense espoir suscité par la décision de l’Union africaine de confier au Sénégal le jugement de Hissène Habré « au nom de l’Afrique », les victimes de l’ancien président tchadien et les organisations de défense des droits de l’Homme qui les soutiennent expriment leur profonde préoccupation face à l’inertie du Sénégal et à l’indiffé

Kenya: Bring Prosecutions for Torture in Northeast

Human Rights Watch — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:15:01 -0700

(Nairobi) - Kenyan security forces beat and tortured hundreds of civilians in several communities during an October 2008 disarmament operation in Kenya's northeastern Mandera districts, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

Honduras: Military Coup a Blow to Democracy

Human Rights Watch — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:09:41 -0700

(Washington, DC) - The Organization of American States (OAS) must act quickly to push for the reestablishment of democracy in Honduras after a military coup, Human Rights Watch said today.

Iran: Night Raids Terrorize Civilians

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:52:40 -0700

(New York) - Iran's paramilitary Basij are carrying out brutal nighttime raids, destroying property in private homes and beating civilians in an attempt to stop nightly protest chants, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch also said the Iranian authorities are confiscating satellite dishes from private homes to prevent citizens from seeing foreign news.