Vietnam: Stop Muzzling the Messengers

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:08:51 -0800

Ethiopia: New Law Ratchets up Repression

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:49:02 -0800

Egypt: Stop Deporting Eritrean Asylum Seekers

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:58:14 -0800

(New York, January 8, 2009) - Egypt should immediately halt deportations of Eritrean asylum seekers to their home country, where they face detention and the risk of torture, Human Rights Watch said today.

South Africa: End Strain on Asylum System and Protect Zimbabweans

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:29:07 -0800

Israel and Egypt: Allow Humanitarian Access to Gaza

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:54:19 -0800

(Jerusalem, January 8, 2009) - Israel and Egypt should open their borders to permit humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and to allow civilians to seek safety from the conflict, Human Rights Watch said today, on the occasion of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, addressing the United Nations Security Council.

Thailand: Inquest Blames Soldiers for Imam’s Death

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:25:35 -0800

(New York, January 8, 2009) - Prosecuting the soldiers who killed an imam in army detention will be a test of the administration of Thailand's new prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, who has vowed to bring justice to Thailand's conflict-ridden southern border provinces, Human Rights Watch said today.

Gaza: Israeli Attack on School Needs Full UN Investigation

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:54:48 -0800

(Jerusalem, January 7, 2009) - The United Nations Security Council, meeting on January 7, 2009 in a high-level emergency session, should establish a commission of inquiry to investigate alleged laws-of-war violations in Gaza, Human Rights Watch said today.

Uganda: Drop Treason Charges Against Abducted Child

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:25:21 -0800

Cambodia: 30 Years After Fall of the Khmer Rouge, Justice Still Elusive

Human Rights Watch — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:56:08 -0800

(New York, January 5, 2009) - Thirty years after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia's culture of impunity remains as strong as ever, Human Rights Watch said today.

Israel: Allow Media and Rights Monitors Access to Gaza

Human Rights Watch — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:35:57 -0800

Israel should immediately allow journalists and human rights monitors access to Gaza, Human Rights Watch said today. Their presence can discourage abuse by warring parties and help save lives.

Israel: Gaza Ground Offensive Raises Laws of War Concerns

Human Rights Watch — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:01:17 -0800

(Jerusalem) – As an Israeli ground offensive in Gaza gets underway, both Israeli and Palestinian forces must address heightened civilian protection concerns because of likely combat in densely populated urban areas, Human Rights Watch said today.

Iran: Threats to Nobel Laureate Escalate

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:52:29 -0800

(New York, January 2, 2009) - The Iranian government should immediately end its campaign of persecution against Dr. Shirin Ebadi, which has now escalated to mob threats and violence against her home, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran and Human Rights Watch said today. Dr.

Iran: End Persecution of Nobel Laureate

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:20:02 -0800

The Iranian government should end immediately its escalating persecution of Dr. Shirin Ebadi, the 2003 Nobel peace laureate and a leading human rights defender, Human Rights Watch and the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.

Israel/Hamas: Civilians Must Not Be Targets

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:00:53 -0800

Israel and Hamas both must respect the prohibition under the laws of war against deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on civilians, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch expressed grave concern about Israeli bombings in Gaza that caused civilian deaths and Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilian areas in violation of international law.

Israel: Artillery Poses Risk to Gaza Civilians

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:26:05 -0800

(Washington, DC, December 31, 2008) - Israel's renewed use of artillery in Gaza poses an increased risk to civilians if the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) adopts the same reduced "safety zones" that resulted in many civilian casualties there in 2006, Human Rights Watch said today.

Indonesia: Accountability Needed for Murder of Rights Defender

Human Rights Watch — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:31:16 -0800

(New York, December 29, 2008) - The verdict expected on December 31, 2008, in the trial of a senior intelligence official charged with the murder of the Indonesian human rights lawyer Munir is an important test of the independence of the Indonesian judicial system, Human Rights First and Human Rights Watch said today.

Cambodia: Supreme Court Tested by Labor Leader’s Murder Case

Human Rights Watch — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:01:00 -0800

Update, December 31, 2008: Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun Released on Bail

Zimbabwe: Free Detained Rights Activist

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:03:42 -0800

(New York, December 24, 2008) – Zimbabwe authorities should immediately release a prominent Zimbabwean human rights activist, Jestina Mukoko, who appeared in a Harare magistrates court on December 24, 2008, on charges that seem politically motivated, Human Rights Watch said today. Eight activists from the party Movement for a Democratic Change (MDC) also appeared in court.

China: Nobel Laureates, China Scholars Call for Liu Xiaobo’s Release

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:19:36 -0800

Nepal: Investigate Journalists’ Attackers

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:17:29 -0800

(New York, December 23, 2008) - Nepalese authorities should promptly and impartially investigate and prosecute alleged ruling party activists responsible for an attack on journalists on December 21, 2008, Human Rights Watch said today.