Corrections

Corrections to our publications

Human Rights Watch strives to maintain the highest level of accuracy in our reporting. This includes a commitment to correcting errors or clarifying facts that appear in our publications in a timely fashion. Corrections appear both on this dedicated webpage and at the bottom of the publication that contained the error.

We cannot reply individually to all corrections requests, but all such requests that specify the exact nature of the alleged inaccuracy and the publication (title, page number / web address and date) in which it appeared will be reviewed. If you believe you have found an inaccuracy in our materials, please contact us.

Errors contained in social media posts under Human Rights Watch and staff accounts will also be corrected in a prompt and transparent manner.

 

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Recent Corrections

  • In this June 19, 2009 news release a clause was inadvertently deleted from the sentence that describes mandatory installation. It should have read, “Despite domestic and international criticism, the Chinese government has apparently not reversed its initial demand that companies pre-install or otherwise include Green Dam on all personal computers by July 1.” The open letters to companies that accompanied this release did include such language to more accurately describe the Chinese government’s notification. (June 23, 2009)

  • The June 2009 report, Discrimination, Denial, and Deportation did not specify that in Haiti, only criminal deportees are taken immediately to jail and held indefinitely. The report has been corrected accordingly.

  • In This May 14, 2009 news release, Human Rights Watch originally cited civilian deaths in Afghanistan during airstrikes by US forces conducted on May 3, 2009. The date of May 3 was initially reported by the US military and in the international media; however, the airstrikes actually occurred on May 4, 2009. (August 14, 2009) US: Clinton Should Stress Human Rights on Africa Trip

  • The April 2009 report “Uniform Impunity” incorrectly states that the husband of Inés Fernandez Ortega has forced her to leave their home. The report has been corrected accordingly.

  • In this April 23, 2009 news release, Human Rights Watch quoted Kamal al Jizouli as a prominent journalist for the Sudanese newspaper Ajras al-Huriya. However, al Jizouli is in fact a lawyer and a columnist for the newspaper, and so his title has been changed as such. (Arabic Correction)

  • The Arabic translation of the January 21, 2009 media statement, “Gaza Crisis: Regimes React with Routine Repression,” mistakenly stated that the Jordanian government “systematically” denies permission for demonstrations critical of Jordanian foreign policy, where the correct English version speaks of “routine” denials. We apologize for the mistake and have corrected the language in the Arabic version.

    Furthermore, both the Iranian and Jordanian governments did allow many demonstrations against the war in Gaza to proceed. In Iran, the government allowed demonstrations nationwide to give voice to public outrage against Israeli actions in Gaza and support for the government’s rallying call for Palestinian rights. In Jordan, the government states that over 600 demonstrations against Israeli actions in Gaza took place. Nevertheless, at least one protest in Iran and two protests in Jordan met with police beatings and dispersal. (February 9, 2009 | Arabic Correction)

  • On August 21, 2008, Human Rights Watch reported a series of attacks with cluster munitions around four towns and villages in Georgia's Gori district. Human Rights Watch attributed all the strikes to Russian forces, but upon further investigation has concluded that the origin of the cluster munitions found on August 20 in two of the villages - Shindisi and Pkhvenisi - cannot yet be determined.

  • This April 16, 2008, news release was revised to correct a sentence that stated that nine Italian defendants are involved in the Milan prosecution. Instead, seven Italian defendants are involved, two had plea bargained.

  • Subsequent to the release of this press release, Human Rights Watch received new information indicating that Dilmurod Muhiddinov may have not been amnestied and has not been released from prison. Human Rights Watch is currently trying to confirm Muhiddinov's status and will provide additional updates as appropriate.

    Human Rights Watch also learned that Bahodir Mukhtarov was released from prison on November 17, 2007 and not on February 4, 2008 as reported. (February 7, 2008)

  • This August 22, 2007, press release was revised to remove a sentence that incorrectly stated that three members of the Myanmar Development Committee (MDC), including MDC leader Ko Htin Kyaw, were arrested on August 21, 2007, following MDC's call for nationwide protests against a major fuel price hike. Instead, Htin Kyaw went into hiding on that date. He was subsequently arrested in Rangoon, together with a second activist, on August 25, 2007, after a city-wide manhunt by authorities. (August 27, 2007)