http://www.hrw.org/ News releases from Human Rights Watch en-us Copyright 2006, Human Rights Watch News Releases in English webadmin@hrw.org webadmin@hrw.org http://hrw.org/doc/?t=news 20 http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/07/04/uk19249.htm House of Lords Should Reject Harmful Provisions of Terrorism Bill A draft terror law giving British authorities the power to detain terrorism suspects for up to six weeks without charge violates the fundamental right to liberty and risks undermining counterterrorism efforts, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper released today. Fri, 4 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Press Release http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/07/03/thaila19251.htm Commanding Officer Refused to Implicate Abusive Soldiers The Thai Army should instruct its officers to provide crucial evidence to a court conducting an inquest into the torture and killing of Imam Yapa Koseng, Human Rights Watch said today. Thu, 3 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST Thailand Press Release http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/07/03/slanka19257.htm Colombo Should Now Prosecute Karuna Amman The British government today regrettably allowed an abusive former Tamil Tiger leader who had been in its custody to return to Sri Lanka as a free man, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch called on the Sri Lankan government to investigate and prosecute Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan, known as Colonel Karuna Amman, for war crimes committed as a commander of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and later as head of an anti-LTTE armed group. Thu, 3 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST Sri Lanka Press Release http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/07/02/france19186.htm Improve Criminal Justice Safeguards, Provide Legal Counsel for Terror Suspects In its effort to fight terrorism, France routinely arrests and prosecutes people for being associated with possible terror suspects, undermining international fair trial standards, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST France Press Release http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/07/02/slanka19243.htm Government Illegally Holding Civilians Fleeing Fighting in the North The Sri Lankan government should end the arbitrary detention of more than 400 civilians displaced by recent fighting at a newly established camp in northern Sri Lanka, Human Rights Watch said today. Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST Sri Lanka Press Release http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/07/02/vietna19244.htm Human Rights Defender Released from Prison, but Whereabouts Unknown The Vietnamese authorities should immediately lift any restrictions on the liberty of Buddhist monk Tim Sakhorn, who was released from prison in Vietnam on June 28, 2008, Human Rights Watch said today. Sakhorn’s whereabouts are unknown. He was last seen in the company of government officials. Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST Vietnam Press Release http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/07/02/colomb19247.htm Human Rights Watch today welcomed reports that 15 hostages that had been held for several years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have been rescued. Human Rights Watch called on the FARC to immediately and unconditionally release hundreds of others still being held. Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST Colombia Press Release http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/06/30/jordan19229.htm US, EU Should Condition Aid on Kingdom’s Rights Record Prime Minister Nader Dahabi should withdraw two new draft laws on nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and public assembly from consideration by parliament, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to the prime minister. The draft law on NGOs would further expand the government’s wide control over establishing, operating, and funding NGOs. The draft law on assembly would continue to restrict Jordanians’ right to congregate, requiring the Ministry of Interior’s approval for meetings that discuss “public policies.” Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST Jordan Press Release http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/07/01/morocc19230.htm Charged With Disseminating ‘False Information,’ Men Go on Trial July 1 Morocco should drop criminal charges against a human rights defender and a television reporter, both of whom are accused of disseminating “false information,” Human Rights Watch said today. Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST Morocco Press Release http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/07/01/india19235.htm Authorities Should Act Against Those Responsible The Jammu and Kashmir state government should protect Parvez Imroz, an award-winning human rights lawyer who survived an armed attack on June 30 in Srinagar by alleged security forces members, Human Rights Watch said today. The state government and Human Rights Commission should launch an immediate and thorough investigation into the attack and take criminal action against those responsible. Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST India Press Release