The Latest News Last updated Friday, November 30, 2001 News Archive   |   Latest Reports from Human Rights Watch Contribute to HRW   |   Join the HRW Mailing List Current Events Focus on Human Rights September 11 Attacks: Crimes Against Humanity The Aftermath (November 13, 2001) Afghanistan: Human Rights Watch Key Documents (November 13, 2001) Indonesia: Transition and Regional Conflict   (November 13, 2001) Act Now: Child Soldiers Ratification Campaign  (November 14, 2001) Russian Federation / Chechnya: Renewed Catastrophe  (November 13, 2001) Crisis in Colombia  (November 6, 2001) Milosevic in The Hague   (October 26, 2001) Conflict in Macedonia   (October 3, 2001) Palestinian Authority: End Torture and Unfair Trials (New York, November 30, 2001) - People detained by the Palestinian Authority are frequently subjected to torture and denied access to fair trials, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. Uzbek Dissident Arrested in Prague, Threatened with Extradition (New York, November 29, 2001) -- A prominent Uzbek dissident, Mohammed Solih, was arrested in Prague yesterday for a politically motivated conviction in Uzbekistan and faces extradition, Human Rights Watch said today. Solih had traveled to Prague on an invitation from U.S. Radio Free Europe. Fact Sheet: Past U.S. Criticism of Military Tribunals (Washington, November 28, 2001) Under President Bush's November 13th Executive Order on military commissions, any foreign national designated by the President as a suspected terrorist or as aiding terrorists could potentially be detained, tried, convicted and even executed without a public trial, without adequate access to counsel, without the presumption of innocence or even proof of guilt beyond reasonable doubt, and without the right to appeal. Recommendations for Afghanistan Meeting in Bonn (New York, November 27, 2001) -- As delegates gather in Germany to discuss the composition of a transitional government in Afghanistan, Human Rights Watch issued a statement setting out key recommendations on human rights, accountability, the political engagement of women, and the reintegration of Afghan refugees. Rights Groups Support Belgium's Universal Jurisdiction Law (Brussels, November 26, 2001) -- Three leading international human rights groups today voiced support for the Belgian law which permits prosecutions in Belgium for atrocities committed abroad. Afghanistan: Urgent Need to Decide How to Prosecute Captured Fighters (New York, November 26, 2001) — Human Rights Watch today called on the United States and their Northern Alliance allies to guarantee the humane treatment of surrendered or captured forces from the Afghan town of Kunduz, and to institute fair screening procedures to determine who should face prosecution later for serious violations of international law, including war crimes and crimes against humanity. Zimbabwe: Crackdown on Opposition Condemned (New York, November 22, 2001) Human Rights Watch today called on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to speak out strongly on the need to ensure that the rule of law is respected in Zimbabwe. Moroccan Court Acquits Rights Activists (London, November 21, 2001) -- Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch welcomed today's acquittal of thirty-six human rights activists by a Rabat, Morocco appeals court. U.N.: Dangers in Anti-Terror Treaty (New York, November 21, 2001) -- Now that the United Nations has decided to schedule more time to complete a comprehensive treaty on international terrorism, governments should revise the text in order to avoid doing serious damage to human rights protections, Human Rights Watch said today. E.U.: Include Human Rights in India Summit (Brussels, November 21, 2001) - Human Rights Watch today urged the European Union to raise pressing human rights concerns at the second annual E.U.-India summit to be held in New Delhi on November 23 and 24. U.S.: Pentagon Mine Policy Rollback (Washington, DC, November 21, 2001) The Pentagon is proposing to roll back U.S. policy on antipersonnel mines, Human Rights Watch said today. South Africa: Stop Court Fight on AIDS Drugs (New York, November 21, 2001) Appealing to his history of leadership in the country’s struggle for rights and freedoms, Human Rights Watch today urged President Thabo Mbeki to have his government drop its fight against a legal appeal for low-cost AIDS treatment for pregnant women. Torture Not an Option (New York, November 20, 2001) Human Rights Watch today issued a detailed rejection of the suggestion made by some commentators that torture or the involuntary administration of "truth serums" should be permitted against September 11 detainees who are suspected terrorists or who may have information about them. Egypt: Overturn Boy's Conviction for Homosexuality (New York, November 20, 2001) - A sixteen-year-old boy's prosecution and conviction for engaging in sexual relations with men violates international standards, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to Egyptian authorities released today. Afghanistan: Northern Alliance Must Accept Surrender Offer (New York, November 20, 2001) -- Human Rights Watch today called upon Afghanistan's Northern Alliance to respect the laws of war in Kunduz, and to accept any offer of surrender by any Taliban or allied troops, including foreign elements. U.S: Rights Not "Optional" in Israel/Palestinian Peace Process (Washington, November 16, 2001) - U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell should call on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to end systematic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in his upcoming policy speech. Cluster Bomblets Litter Afghanistan (New York, November 16, 2001) Nearly 5,000 unexploded and highly volatile cluster bomblets may be littered across areas of Afghanistan that were targeted by U.S. warplanes, Human Rights Watch said today. U.K. Anti-Terrorism Bill Undermines Human Rights Protections (New York, November 16, 2001) Human Rights Watch expressed deep concern today over proposed measures included in the United Kingdom's Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Bill that would violate human rights and undermine protections provided by the 1951 Refugee Convention. U.S.: New Military Commissions Threaten Rights, Credibility (New York, November 15, 2001) Human Rights Watch today called on President Bush to rescind his Executive Order permitting the trial of non-citizens by special military commissions. Unfolding Events in Afghanistan (New York, November 15, 2001) - There is a lack of clarity in many of the reports now coming out of Afghanistan as to when, by whom, and even whether human rights violations took place. Congolese Activist Detained and Beaten in Eastern DRC (New York, 15 November 2001) The head of a Congolese non-governmental organization from Uvira has been detained and severely beaten by the rebel Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD) Human Rights Watch said today. Uzbek Activist in Eighth Day of Detention (New York, November 15, 2001) The Uzbek government must explain the continued detention of a human rights activist, Human Rights Watch said today. Egypt: Gay Men Convicted in Politically Motivated Trial (Washington, November 14, 2001) Human Rights Watch condemned the convictions and harsh sentences handed down today against twenty-three Egyptian men for their alleged sexual orientation. Recommendations for Afghanistan's Future (New York, November 15, 2001) -- With the ground rapidly shifting in Afghanistan, Human Rights Watch sent separate letters to the U.S. State Department and the U.N. Security Council setting out key recommendations on human rights issues and the future of Afghanistan. Burundi: Children Abducted for Military (New York, November 14, 2001) Dozens of students abducted from Burundian schools last week must be released and the Burundian rebel movement that captured them must stop such kidnappings, Human Rights Watch said today. New Ban on Child Soldiers to Take Effect (New York, November 13, 2001) Human Rights Watch today welcomed news that a new treaty banning the use of children in combat will take effect early next year. Yugoslavia Back at U.N. Forum (New York, November 13, 2001) As Yugoslav Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic prepares to address the United Nations General Assembly today, Human Rights Watch criticized Belgrade's defiance of the U.N.-created Yugoslav war crimes tribunal. Human Rights in the New Russia-U.S. Relationship (New York, November 13, 2001) The Bush administration should make human rights protections a central part of the emerging new relationship with Russia, Human Rights Watch said today. Indonesia: Investigate Death of Papuan Leader (New York, November 11, 2001) Human Rights Watch today condemned the murder of Papuan independence leader Theys Eluay and called for a high-level investigation into his death. Iran: Release Detainees from Iran Freedom Movement (New York, November 10, 2001) Human Rights Watch today called for the release of twenty six members of the Iran Freedom Movement (IFM) who are due to go on trial on November 11 in Tehran. Argentina: Amnesty for Human Rights Violators Scrapped (Washington, November 9, 2001) Human Rights Watch hailed today's decision by the Federal Court of Buenos Aires to nullify Argentina's "due obedience" and "full stop" amnesty laws. A three-judge appeals panel ruled unanimously to uphold a March 6 decision by federal judge Gabriel Cavallo that found the 1986 and 1987 amnesty laws to be unconstitutional and contrary to Argentina's international human rights obligations. Georgia: Shevardnadze Must End Religious Violence (Tbilisi, Georgia, November 9, 2001) President Eduard Shevardnadze must select new security ministers who will end organized violence against non-Orthodox Christians, Human Rights Watch said today. India, Pakistan: Include Human Rights in U.S. Summit (New York, November 8, 2001) -- Human Rights Watch today urged the United States, India, and Pakistan to include strategies to protect human rights in their bilateral meetings this week. President Bush will meet with Prime Minister Vajpayee on November 9 in Washington, and with President Musharraf on November 10 in New York. Mexico's Decision to Free Environmental Activists Hailed (Washington, November 8, 2001) Human Rights Watch today applauded the decision of President Vicente Fox to free environmental activists, Rodolfo Montiel Flores and Teodoro Cabrera García. Australia: Next Government Must Improve Refugee Protection (New York, November 8, 2001) In a letter to Australian Prime Minister John Howard on the eve of the Australian general election, Human Rights Watch and the U.S. Committee for Refugees called on the Australian government to improve its treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. Israel/Palestinian Authority: Call on Islamic Jihad to Stop Civilian Killings Human Rights Watch today strongly condemned attacks on civilians by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad organization. WTO Summit: Don't Undercut AIDS Drug Access (New York, November 7, 2001) Trade ministers at the upcoming WTO summit in Doha, Qatar should abandon threats of sanctions against countries trying to obtain medicines for health emergencies such as HIV/AIDS, Human Rights Watch said today. The WTO summit will take place from November 9 to 13. Questions and Answers on Human Rights in Colombia (New York, November 6, 2001) This week President Andrés Pastrana will visit the United States on a trip that includes a scheduled meeting on November 11 with President George W. Bush. His agenda will include discussions about the new war on terrorism as well as continued U.S. funding for counternarcotics efforts in Colombia. European Union: Security Proposals Threaten Human Rights (Brussels, November 6, 2001) European Union-wide security measures proposed in the aftermath of the 11 September attacks could violate human rights norms, Human Rights Watch said in a memorandum released today. Liberia: U.N. Arms Embargo Failing (New York, November 5, 2001) The United Nations Security Council must enforce the international arms embargo on Liberia, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch Honors Global Rights Defenders (New York, November 5, 2001) -- On Wednesday, November 7, Human Rights Watch will give its highest honor to five leading human rights activists from around the world. Those chosen to be human rights "monitors" for the year 2001 have defended civilians in brutal wars in Sudan and Aceh, and worked to build civil society from the ground up in Pakistan, Guatemala and Uzbekistan. Pentagon Should Explain Civilian Deaths in Chowkar (Washington, November 1, 2001) -- Human Rights Watch today reiterated its call to the U.S. Department of Defense to explain why the village of Chowkar-Karez in southern Afghanistan was hit on October 27. Groups Call for Liberty and Security in September 11th Aftermath (Washington, November 1, 2001) -- A diverse coalition of 48 humanitarian, religious, human rights and civil liberties organizations today released a set of recommendations for responding to the September 11th attacks. Nigeria: Hold Military to Account (New York, November 1, 2001) -- In advance of Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo's meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush, Human Rights Watch urged Bush to raise concerns about the recent massacre by soldiers in Benue State, Central Nigeria. Afghanistan: US Should Stop Using Cluster Bombs (New York, October 31, 2001) -- The United States should immediately stop using cluster bombs in Afghanistan because they pose an unacceptable risk to civilians, Human Rights Watch said in a backgrounder released today. More...