Acknowledgments

This report was researched and authored by Matthew Wells, researcher in the Africa Division, and Tirana Hassan, researcher in the Emergencies Division. It was reviewed and edited by Corinne Dufka, senior West Africa researcher; Thomas Gilchrist, senior associate in the Africa Division; Lois Whitman, children’s rights director; Agnes Odhiambo, Africa researcher in the Women’s Rights Division; Joseph Amon, health and human rights director; Clive Baldwin, senior legal adviser; and Danielle Haas, program editor. The report was translated into French by Danielle Serres; vetting for a faithful translation was provided by Thomas Gilchrist and Peter Huvos, French website editor. John Emerson designed the maps. The report was prepared for publication by Grace Choi, publications director; Anna Lopriore, creative manager; and Fitzroy Hepkins, mail manager.

Human Rights Watch thanks all of the organizations and individuals interviewed for this report for their invaluable assistance and insight. Many of those who made possible the research for this report cannot be named due to security concerns, and we salute their courage and determination in the face of great risk to their own safety.

Human Rights Watch particularly expresses its gratitude to the victims and eyewitnesses to violence, brutality, and extortion who overcame their fear and agreed to share their stories.