Spain: End Amnesty for Franco Era Atrocities

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:31:18 -0700

(Washington, DC) – Spanish authorities should abide by the United Nations call for an end to its 1977 amnesty law rather than prosecuting a judge seeking accountability for past abuses, Human Rights Watch said today.

Burma: Military Government Frees US Citizen

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:38:04 -0700

The Burmese military government's release today of imprisoned US citizen Nyi Nyi Aung should be followed by the immediate and unconditional release of Burma's more than 2,100 political prisoners, Human Rights Watch said today.

"Protect Jewelry Industry from the Taint of Blood Diamonds"

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:16:48 -0700

~English translation of an op-ed published in the Swiss daily Le Temps on March 18, 2010

UK: Interrogation Policy Appears to Permit Complicity in Abuse of Detainees

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:26:01 -0700

(London) - The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) should immediately clarify statements in its annual human rights report that appear to give a green light to complicity by UK security agencies in the mistreatment of terrorism suspects in other countries, Human Rights Watch said today.

Bangladesh: Hundreds Held One Year After Massacre

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:57:10 -0700

(New York) - The Bangladeshi government should charge or release members of Bangladesh's border guards who have been held since the massacre of senior army officers and others a year ago, Human Rights Watch said today.

Mississippi Stops Segregating Prisoners With HIV

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:06:00 -0700

(Jackson) - The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) has agreed to end the segregation of prisoners with HIV, Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said today.

Burma: UN Should Move on International Inquiry

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:26:44 -0700

(New York) - The United Nations should not delay the setting up of an international inquiry to address possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma, Human Rights Watch said today.

Serbia: 9 Arrested for Kosovo War Crimes

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:15:42 -0700

(New York) - Serbia's recent arrest of nine men suspected of killing 41 Kosovo Albanians civilians in 1999 is a welcome step toward justice for the victims, Human Rights Watch said today. The nine men have not been identified.

African Al Qaeda Should Stop Targeting Civilians

Human Rights Watch — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:01:00 -0700

(Dakar) - Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has in recent months stepped up targeting tourists and aid workers for murder and kidnapping in Mali, Niger, and Mauritania, Human Rights Watch said today. AQIM should immediately and unconditionally free hostages in its custody and end attacks on civilians, Human Rights Watch said.

Iran: Indict or Free Filmmakers

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:59:00 -0800

(New York) - Iran's Judiciary should immediately clarify the reasons behind a raid on the home of film director Jafar Panahi as well as the legal basis for detaining him and two of his colleagues, Human Rights Watch said today.

Uzbekistan: Reverse Rights Defender’s Prison Sentence

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:25:48 -0800

(New York, March 12, 2010) - The Uzbek government should immediately release a human rights defender convicted on fabricated religious extremism charges, Human Rights Watch said today.

China: Accountability Overdue on Tibet Protests

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:44:22 -0800

(New York) - On the second anniversary of the March 2008 protests in Tibetan areas, the Chinese government should release those detained without charge, Human Rights Watch said today. The Chinese government should also respect rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in responding to protests in Lhasa and other Tibetan areas during the anniversary.

US: Groups Urge End to Military Commissions Case Against Child Soldier

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:45:14 -0800

(Washington, DC) - Three leading civil liberties, human rights, and juvenile justice organizations today issued a letter urging Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to end military commission proceedings against Omar Khadr, the Canadian national apprehended

Indonesia: US Should Justify Training Counterterrorism Unit

Human Rights Watch — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800

(New York) - The US government should train members of Indonesia's elite special forces only if Indonesia takes sufficient steps toward accountability and reform to deter future abuses, Human Rights Watch said in two letters released today.

Hamas: Journalist's Detention Violated Due Process

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:19:14 -0800

(New York) - The 25-day detention by Hamas authorities of the journalist Paul Martin seriously violated his due process rights, Human Rights Watch said today. Martin was arrested on February 14, 2010, and was released today.

Syria: Repression Grows as Europe, US Avoid Discussing Rights

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:42:49 -0800

(New York) – Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign relations chief, should raise human rights concerns with Syrian officials during her visit next week and seek specific commitments to improve their record, Human Rights Watch said today.

Azerbaijan: Appeal Court Leaves Bloggers in Jail

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:32:20 -0800

(New York) - The Azerbaijani government should release two bloggers who have been detained since July 2009 as the result of a staged fight designed to frame them, Human Rights Watch said today. The bloggers, Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade, lost their appeal against their conviction today.

Burma: Election Laws May Shut Down Opposition Parties

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:22:48 -0800

(New York) - Newly issued laws in preparation for 2010 elections in Burma are designed to exclude the main opposition party and ensure a victory for the ruling military, Human Rights Watch said today.

Sri Lanka: End Witch Hunt Against the Media and NGOs

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:55:44 -0800

(New York) - The Sri Lankan government should end its harassment of journalists and activists and take steps against those making threats, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said in a joint statement today.

Saudi Arabia: Drop Charges for Publicizing Bureaucratic Failures

Human Rights Watch — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:21:55 -0800

(New York) - Saudi Arabia's Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecutions should immediately drop "cybercrimes" charges against Nasir al-Subai'i for writing about his bureaucratic ordeal as he tried to get the government to pay for his brother's medical care, Human Rights Watch said today.