Documents on HRC | Human Rights Watch

Letter to Permanent Representatives of HRC Member States on the Upcoming UPR Session on Bahrain

Letter
Apr 24, 2012

Bahrain’s second UPR review also takes place following an extensive independent investigation into alleged serious human rights violations by the government in suppressing large anti-government protests that began in mid-February 2011. The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), comprising a team of five renowned international jurists, concluded, in its 489-page report released in late November, that a lack of accountability had led to what the Commissioners called a “culture of impunity” for widespread and systematic violations of international human rights law as well as Bahraini law.
Joint Letter Regarding the Libya Resolution Amendments Vote at the 19th Session of the Human Rights Council

Letter
Apr 10, 2012

The undersgned non-governmental organizations want to express their dismay regarding the results of the vote that toook place during the adoption of the resolution on "Assistance to Libya in the field of Human Rights" (A/HRW/19/L39/Rev.1), at the 19th session of the Human Rights Council on 23rd March 2012.
UN Human Rights Council: North Korea Condemnation Goes Unopposed

Press release
Mar 23, 2012

The United Nations Human Rights Council’s adoption of a resolution condemning human rights violations in North Korea signaled both the gravity of the abuses and the need for the new president, Kim Jong-un, to make major reforms.
UN Rights Council: Sri Lanka Vote a Strong Message for Justice

Press release
Mar 22, 2012

The United Nations Human Rights Council’s adoption of a resolution on Sri Lanka demonstrates strong international support for accountability for abuses committed in Sri Lanka’s armed conflict.
Statement at the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Afghanistan

Oral statement
Mar 21, 2012

The key issues in Afghanistan emphasized in this statement are the following: declining international aid and political engagement; the need for an inclusive decision-making process; the need for accountable security forces; violence against women and "moral crimes"
Statement at the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Côte d'Ivoire

Oral statement
Mar 21, 2012

In his first report, the Independent Expert highlights important ongoing problems related to criminality, the continued usurping of state functions by the Republican Forces in certain regions, and the need to end impunity in order to restore the rule of law.
Statement at the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Yemen

Oral statement
Mar 21, 2012

Key challenges remain, including how to serve justice for crimes of the past. Yemen’s parliament in January 2012 granted complete amnesty to former President Saleh and near-complete amnesty to those who served with him. This immunity violates Yemen’s international obligations to investigate serious human rights crimes.
Statement at the Human Rights Council on the adoption of the Universal Periodic Review report of Uganda

Oral statement
Mar 16, 2012

The government should urgently take concrete action to address concerns over ongoing impunity and poor legislative proposals. Police and prosecutors should actively investigate the killings of at least 50 people during demonstrations in September 2009 and April 2011.
Libya: Human Rights Council Monitoring Needed

Press release
Mar 16, 2012

The UN Human Rights Council should condemn serious, ongoing human rights violations by militias in Libya. The council should appoint an independent expert to document the abuses and monitor the government’s response.
Statement at the Human Rights Council on the adoption of the Universal Periodic Review report of Venezuela

Oral statement
Mar 15, 2012

Venezuela still needs to take concrete steps to strengthen judicial independence, protect free speech, support the independent work of NGOs, and comply with the Inter-American Court’s binding rulings.