International Humanitarian Law

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."

Moving Beyond the Goldstone Report

Joe Stork — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:01:29 -0800

Two months ago in this column I raised the issue of accountability for war crimes committed in the Gaza conflict. I wrote that the findings and recommendations of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, and its reception by Israel, Hamas, the United States, and others, would be the key to achieving justice.

Israel: Stop East Jerusalem Home Demolitions

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:12:21 -0800

(Jerusalem) - Israeli authorities in East Jerusalem should immediately stop demolishing Palestinian homes in violation of international law, Human Rights Watch said today.

Bahrain: Migrant Workers Denied Pay, Right to Travel

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:43:47 -0800

(New York) - Bahrain's Labor Ministry should hold employers who withhold wages and passports from migrant employees accountable, Human Rights Watch said today. Both practices are illegal under Bahraini law, but authorities do little to enforce compliance.

On Israel, Congress Tolerates Abuse

Fred Abrahams — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:25:52 -0800

Yesterday the US Congress gravely insulted hundreds of civilians who were wounded or killed in the most recent war in the Middle East.

UN: Endorse Goldstone Report

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:24:15 -0800

(Washington, DC) - The United Nations (UN) General Assembly should endorse the report of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict when it meets to discuss Middle East peace issues on November 4, 2009, more than a dozen groups working on human rights issues in the Middle East said today.

Middle East Human Rights Groups Call on the General Assembly to Adopt the Goldstone Report

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:37:25 -0800

The United Nations Human Rights Council's resolution endorsing the report of the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict is a crucial step toward securing accountability for the civilian victims of the war on all sides. It is now the responsibility of Israel and Hamas to conduct credible domestic investigations.

General Assembly: Support Goldstone Recommendations on Gaza

Human Rights Watch — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:12:26 -0800

(Washington D.C.) - A global coalition of civil society organizations from every corner of the world, ranging from Human Rights Now in Japan to the South African Council of Churches, have urged members of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to support the recommendations of the Goldstone Report and work to adopt a resolution which will ensure accountability for victims of the Gaza conflict

US: Congress Should Reject Impunity for Israel and Hamas

Human Rights Watch — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:53:35 -0800

(Washington DC) - Members of the US House of Representatives should oppose a resolution that calls for the Obama administration to reject scrutiny of Israel and Hamas for laws-of-war violations in the recent Gaza conflict, Human Rights Watch said today.

Human Rights Watch Applies Same Standards to Israel, Hamas

Kenneth Roth — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:09:08 -0700

Critics of Human Rights Watch's work on Israel raise three main points. First, they say we disproportionately focus on Israel, and neglect other countries in the Middle East. Second, they claim our research methodology is flawed - relying on witnesses with an agenda.