United States

The Forgotten Defendant of Guantanamo

Stephen Paul Smith, Terrorism & Counterterrorism Program legal intern — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:55:55 -0800

Prosecutors, defense counsel, a military judge, several journalists and a handful of non-governmental organization observers like myself convened at Guantanamo Bay this week for what was to be the first hearing for a Guantanamo defendant under the Obama administration's "new and improved" mili

US Senate: Reject Abortion Coverage Restrictions

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

Letter to US Senate: Reject Abortion Coverage Restrictions

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:57:47 -0800

Dear Senator,

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.

Q&A: The Convention on the Rights of the Child

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:32:18 -0800

What does the Convention on the Rights of the Child require governments to do?

What was the US' role during the negotiation of the Convention?

What is the current status of US ratification?

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

US/ASEAN: Obama Should Press Asian Leaders on Rights

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:08:18 -0800

(New York) - US President Barack Obama should urge Asian leaders at the first ASEAN-US summit to unite in addressing the region's most pressing human rights concerns, Human Rights Watch said today.

CBS Evening News with Katie Couric Features Rape Kit Researcher

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:06:42 -0800

As part of a special investigation into unprosecuted rape cases, CBS Evening News with Katie Couric features an interview with Sarah Tofte, researcher with the US Program at Human Rights Watch.

Part 1

US Senate: Move Quickly on Sexual Assault Bill

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:46:09 -0800

(New York) - The introduction in the Senate today of the Justice for Survivors of Sexual Assault Act of 2009 is a significant step toward eliminating the backlog of evidence in rape cases, Human Rights Watch said today.