Thailand: End Detention of Lao Hmong Refugees

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:42:56 -0800

(New York) - The Thai government should immediately end the detention of 158 Lao Hmong refugees held in poor and abusive conditions for three years, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Uzbekistan: Ensure Fair Appeal for Human Rights Defender

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:32:21 -0800

(New York) - Uzbek authorities should ensure that an appeal hearing that began today for a human rights advocate is fair and independent, Human Rights Watch said. The activist, Farkhad Mukhtarov, was convicted of criminal charges in a trial that appeared to have been politically motivated, and he was denied the right to defend himself fully, Human Rights Watch said.

France: Inadequate Plan for Migrant Children at Airport

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:52:00 -0800

(Paris) -The French Immigration Minister's proposals to address the needs of unaccompanied migrant children held at transit zones, especially airports, falls short of bringing France into compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Human Rights Watch said today. The treaty, to which France and most other nations are parties, was adopted 20 years ago today.

Morocco: Reverse Expulsion of Sahrawi Activist

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:54:00 -0800

(New York) - Morocco must reverse its expulsion of Sahrawi rights activist Aminatou Haidar and allow her to enter her country of nationality, Human Rights Watch said today. Spain must intercede with Morocco to ensure her return, Human Rights Watch added.

US Senate: Reject Abortion Coverage Restrictions

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:03:58 -0800

Japan: Press North Korea on Human Rights

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

(New York) - The new Japanese government should take a leadership role in helping to improve human rights conditions in North Korea, Human Rights Watch and three other nongovernmental organizations said today in a letter to Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.

Kyrgyzstan: Release Rights Activists

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:12:51 -0800

UPDATE:

Afghanistan: Press Karzai to Sever Links with Warlords

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:26:53 -0800

(New York) - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and other foreign ministers attending the inauguration of President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan on November 19, 2009, should press for concrete action to sideline warlords, criminals and human rights abusers, Human Rights Watch said today.

Indonesia: Release Papuan Flag-Raisers

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:06:28 -0800

(New York) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono should exonerate three Papuan men convicted of rebellion on November 12, 2009, for raising a pro-independence flag, Human Rights Watch said today.

Cuba: Raúl Castro Imprisons Critics, Crushes Dissent

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:17:21 -0800

(Washington, DC) - Raúl Castro's government has locked up scores of people for exercising their fundamental freedoms and allowed scores more political prisoners arrested during Fidel Castro's rule to languish in detention, Human Rights Watch says in a report released today.

US: Ratify Children’s Treaty

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:50:53 -0800

(New York) - The United States should ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is supported by nearly every other nation in the world, Human Rights Watch said today. The United States and Somalia are the only countries that have failed to ratify the Convention, which was adopted 20 years ago, on November 20, 1989.

EU: Urge Russia to Protect Activists

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:45:33 -0800

(Moscow) - European leaders should use the upcoming EU-Russia summit to convey alarm over deteriorating human rights in Russia and to press for concrete improvements, Human Rights Watch said today. The summit is scheduled for November 18 and 19, 2009, in Stockholm.

ICC: Promote Global Support for Court

Human Rights Watch — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:58:00 -0800

(The Hague) - International Criminal Court member countries should use their annual meeting to strengthen international support for the court's mission and independence, Human Rights Watch said today. The ICC Assembly of States Parties, which oversees court administration, will meet in The Hague for nine days beginning November 18, 2009.

US/South Korea: Obama Should Raise North Korea Rights Issues

Human Rights Watch — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:38:03 -0800

(New York) - President Barack Obama should take a strong stance on North Korean human rights issues during talks in South Korea on November 18 and 19, 2009, Human Rights Watch said today. Obama is scheduled to visit to discuss North Korea's nuclear capabilities and the US-South Korea Free Trade Agreement, among other issues.

Morocco/Western Sahara: Reverse New Rule on Sahrawi Activists’ Contacts

Human Rights Watch — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:56:03 -0800

(New York) - Morocco is taking another regressive step on human rights by blocking "unauthorized" visits by foreigners to the homes of Sahrawi activists in Western Sahara, Human Rights Watch said today.

Uzbekistan: Free Human Rights Defender

Human Rights Watch — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:01:01 -0800

(New York) – Uzbek authorities should immediately release the human rights defender and farmers' rights activist Ganikhon Mamatkhanov, who is facing trial on politically motivated charges, Human Rights Watch said today.

US: Reform Afghanistan Detention Policy

Human Rights Watch — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:00:01 -0800

(London) - The Obama administration should revise its detention policies in Afghanistan to make them consistent with international law, Amnesty International, Human Rights First, and Human Rights Watch said today. The United States military is hosting the media and some nongovernmental organizations today at its recently constructed but empty detention facility in Parwan province, Afghanistan.

US: Federal Court Prosecution of 9/11 Suspects a Victory for Justice

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:03:35 -0800

(New York) - The Obama administration's decision to prosecute the September 11 suspects in federal court represents an important step forward for justice, Human Rights Watch said today. Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that five of the suspects facing pending military commission charges at Guantanamo would be

Uzbekistan: Stop Harassing Activists

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:04:23 -0800

(New York) - Uzbek authorities should immediately stop their new harassment campaign against political activists and human rights defenders, Human Rights Watch said today. Since November 7, 2009, local authorities in six locations have detained at least seven activists and beaten three of them, one of whom sought hospital treatment.

Syria: Restore Jailed Lawyer’s Credentials

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0800

(New York) - The Damascus Bar Association should reverse this week's decision to permanently disbar the lawyer and rights activist Muhanad al-Hasani, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch also urged Syrian authorities to free al-Hasani, who is in detention awaiting trial on charges of "weakening national sentiment" and "spreading false information."