The Latest News Last updated Friday October 31, 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 5, 2001) Afghanistan: Human Rights Watch Key Documents (November 5, 2001) Crisis in Colombia  (November 6, 2001) Milosevic in The Hague   (October 26, 2001) Conflict in Macedonia   (October 3, 2001) Indonesia: Transition and Regional Conflict   (September 19, 2001) Racism and Human Rights   (August 17, 2001) Israel/Palestinian Authority : Abuses During Violent Clashes  (August 9, 2001) Bosnia-Hercegovina: Genocide Conviction for Srebrenica (August 2, 2001) Sierra Leone: A Call for Justice   (July 24, 2001) 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. Egypt: Release Child Imprisoned for Alleged Sexual Orientation (Washington, October 30, 2001) Amnesty International, Defence for Children International, Human Rights Watch and International Federation for Human Rights deplored the conviction and jailing of a 16-year-old Egyptian boy on charges of “obscene behaviour”. Afghanistan: New Civilian Deaths Due To U.S. Bombing (Quetta, Pakistan, October 30, 2001) -- At least twenty-five, and possibly as many as thirty-five, Afghan civilians died when U.S. bombs and gunfire hit their village, Chowkar-Karez, on the night of October 22, Human Rights Watch said today. Milosevic: Important New Charges on Croatia (The Hague, October 29, 2001) -- New charges against former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, which will be heard in court today, mark an important step toward a full accounting of his role in the violent breakup of Yugoslavia, Human Rights Watch said. Afghanistan: New War Puts Women's Rights In Peril (New York, October 29, 2001) Afghan women are likely to face further suffering at the hands of warring factions in Afghanistan and to endure some of the most serious humanitarian consequences of the U.S.-led military action, Human Rights Watch said today. Pakistan: Camps Over Border Would Endanger Refugees (New York, October 27, 2001) -- Plans by the government of Pakistan to establish refugee camps inside Afghanistan instead of allowing refugees to cross into Pakistan could seriously endanger the lives of refugees, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to President Musharraf of Pakistan. Afghanistan: U.S. Bombs Kill Twenty-three Civilians (Quetta, Pakistan, October 26, 2001) -- At least twenty-three civilians, the majority of them young children, were killed when U.S. bombs hit a remote Afghan village located near a Taliban military base on the night of October 21, Human Rights Watch said today. The U.S. and France Should Release Files on 1965 ‘Disappearance’ of Mehdi Ben Barka (New York, October 27, 2001) The U.S. and French governments should declassify files relating to the 1965 “disappearance” of Moroccan opposition leader Mehdi Ben Barka, human rights organizations said today in letters to the French and U.S. authorities. U.S. Report on Religious Freedom is Flawed (New York, October 26, 2001) The State Department's annual report on international religious freedom has failed to single out a number of egregious violators that are members of the U.S.-led "anti-terrorism" coalition, Human Rights Watch said today. In-Depth Report Documents Milosevic Crimes (Pristina, Kosovo, October 26, 2001) Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and his inner circle of political and military leaders are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Kosovo, Human Rights Watch said today, three days before Milosevic's next hearing at the war crimes tribunal in The Hague. Nigeria: Soldiers Massacre Civilians in Revenge Attack in Benue State (New York, October 25, 2001) Human Rights Watch today condemned the massacre of more than 100 civilians by Nigerian soldiers in several villages in Benue State, apparently carried out as revenge for the killing of 19 soldiers earlier this month. Africa: Use Trade Law for Human Rights (Washington, October 25, 2001) The United States is not doing enough to implement the human rights criteria of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Human Rights Watch said today. Nigeria: Woman Sentenced to Death Under Sharia (New York, October 23, 2001) Human Rights Watch today condemned a recent ruling by an Islamic court in Northern Nigeria that sentenced Safiya Hussaini Tungar-Tudu to death by stoning. The court issued the death sentence after finding her guilty of having pre-marital sex. Afghanistan: U.S. Pressure Needed to Prevent Abuses in Mazar-i Sharif (New York, October 23, 2001) -- In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Human Rights Watch urged the United States to use its influence with the United Front (Northern Alliance) in Afghanistan to ensure that their forces do not engage in reprisal killings, indiscriminate shelling, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law. Mexico: Investigate Assassination of Rights Lawyer (New York, October 22, 2001) Human Rights Watch today called on the Mexican authorities to conduct an independent and thorough investigation into the killing of prominent Mexican human rights advocate, Digna Ochoa. Human Rights Watch Criticizes Anti-Terrorism Legislation (New York, October 22, 2001) In a letter to Congressional leaders released today, Human Rights Watch criticized the anti-terrorism bills that have emerged from the House and Senate for failing to safeguard the rights of non-citizens. Uzbekistan: Torture Victim Dies in Custody (Tashkent, October 20, 2001) A man detained on suspicion of affiliation with a banned religious organization died in police custody in Uzbekistan, Human Rights Watch said today. Security Concerns Raised by Arms Transfers from Candidate Countries (October 19, 2001) -- Open Letter to European Union (E.U.) Foreign Ministers, Commissioners Prodi, Verheugen and Patten and High Representative Javier Solana Afghanistan: Refugee Crisis (New York, October 18, 2001) The government of Pakistan should halt plans to set up refugee camps in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas close to the Afghanistan border, Human Rights Watch said in a new backgrounder on refugees released today. Memorandum on Human Rights in Tunisia, Addressed to the President of the European Council (October 18, 2001) -- Paradoxically, while the official human rights bureaucracy flourishes, members of the independent human rights community and their relatives have been increasingly targeted and repressed. India: Proposed Anti-Terror Law Should Be Rejected (New York, October 18, 2001) - New anti-terrorism legislation approved by the Indian cabinet on Tuesday would give Indian police sweeping powers of arrest and detention, Human Rights watch warned today. U.S.: Halt Texas Execution of Juvenile Offender (New York, October 18, 2001) Human Rights Watch called today on the state of Texas to commute the death sentence of Gerald Lee Mitchell, convicted of murder at the age of seventeen. Mitchell's execution is scheduled for Monday. Afghanistan: Attacks on Aid Increasing (New York, October 18, 2001) -- Attacks on humanitarian relief agencies in Taliban-controlled areas of Afghanistan are increasing and must be stopped, Human Rights Watch said today, in releasing details of several attacks. China/APEC Summit: Crackdown in Xinjiang (New York, October 18, 2001) Claiming the presence of "extremist religious forces," the government of China is suppressing peaceful political and religious activity in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, Human Rights Watch said in a backgrounder released today. Ethiopia: Government Attacks Women Lawyers We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the recent suspension from operation of the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), a leading local nongovernmental women's rights organization. We call for an immediate and unconditional reinstatement of EWLA. Human Rights Watch Q&A on International Law (New York, October 16, 2001) -- Human Rights Watch today issued a background paper on legal issues arising from the September 11 attacks, the war in Afghanistan and related anti-terrorism efforts. European Union: Scrutinize New Security Proposals (Brussels, October 15, 2001) Human Rights Watch today called on the European Union leadership to convene an expert panel to review all new security proposals for compliance with international human rights standards. Human Rights Watch Welcomes UN/Kofi Annan Nobel (New York, October 12, 2001) Human Rights Watch today hailed the announcement that the United Nations and its Secretary General, Kofi Annan, were awarded the 100th Nobel Peace Prize. Open Letter to European Union President Guy Verhofstad We hope that E.U. member states and all governments will cooperate to investigate this crime, to hold those responsible for the attacks accountable, and to prevent a reoccurrence. We also urge E.U. member states to remain vigilant to ensure that all military action against Afghanistan is in full conformity with international humanitarian law, particularly with regard to the protection of the civilian population. U.S., Others Should Reject Landmine Use in Afghanistan (New York, October 12, 2001) The United States should not use antipersonnel landmines in Afghanistan and should take extra care not to drop food into areas that have been mined by others, Human Rights Watch urged today. Palestinian Authority: Inquiry into Student Deaths Essential (New York, October 11, 2001) The Palestinian Authority should make public the proceedings and findings of its inquiry into the fatal shooting of two protestors in Gaza City on October 8, Human Rights Watch said today. Egypt: U.S. Must Not Ignore Rights Abuses (New York, October 10th, 2001) Embracing Egypt as a close ally despite its poor human rights record could be even more counter-productive after September 11 than it was before, Human Rights Watch warned today. Afghanistan: Armed Conflict Poses Risk of Further Ethnic Violence (New York, October 7, 2001) Human Rights Watch warned today that the potential for ethnic violence in Afghanistan is likely to rise as armed conflict between the country's warring factions escalates. Afghanistan: Poor Rights Record of Opposition Commanders (New York, October 6, 2001) - A number of commanders associated with the emerging coalition of opposition forces in Afghanistan have a record of serious human rights abuse, Human Rights Watch said in a backgrounder released today. U.S.: Don't Support Legislation Against War Crimes Court (New York, October 5, 2001) In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Human Rights Watch today voiced serious concern about the State Department's endorsement of the American Servicemembers Protection Act (ASPA), legislation which would attempt to undermine the establishment of a permanent war crimes court. Tajikistan: Background on Human Rights (New York, October 5, 2001) The U.S. government's new strategic partnership with Tajikistan should take into account that country's poor human rights record, Human Rights Watch said today. U.K. Support for War Crimes Court "Significant" (Bogotá, October 4, 2001) The United Kingdom's ratification of the International Criminal Court treaty is especially significant because the U.K. is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and close ally of the United States, Human Rights Watch said today. Colombia: Paramilitary Groups Closely Tied to Army, Police (New York, October 4, 2001) Units of the Colombian military and police continue to work with and tolerate the illegal paramilitary groups responsible for the country's most serious human rights violations, Human Rights Watch charged in a new report released today. Uzbekistan: U.S. Cautioned on New Ally (New York, October 4, 2001) U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld should exercise caution in dealing with Uzbekistan, America’s newest ally in the fight against terrorism, Human Rights Watch said today. Rwanda: Elections May Speed Genocide Trials (New York, October 4, 2001) The election today of more than 200,000 judges in Rwanda offers hope of speeding up trials resulting from the 1994 genocide, Human Rights Watch said today. Guatemala: Ensure Safety of Child Rights Defenders (New York, October 3, 2001) Guatemala should take steps to protect children's rights advocates, Human Rights Watch urged in a letter sent to President Alfonso Portillo Cabrera today. No Immunity for Gross Violations in Macedonia (New York, October 3, 2001) In a letter to the President of Macedonia, Human Rights Watch cautioned today that a proposed amnesty for ethnic Albanian rebels should not bar prosecution for serious human rights abuses. Uganda: Don’t Limit Space for Civil Society (New York, October 2, 2001) The Ugandan Parliament should reject a proposed law threatening the legitimate activities of civil society, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper released today. United Nations: Responding to Sept. 11 (New York, October 1, 2001) The United Nations General Assembly, which today opens a debate on curbing terrorism worldwide, must ensure that international efforts to combat terrorism respect civilian life, Human Rights Watch said today. Europe: Stay Firm on Chechnya (Brussels, October 1, 2001) The European Union must keep a firm stand against human rights abuses in Chechnya at the E.U.-Russia summit, Human Rights Watch said today. U.S.: Letter to Attorney General John Ashcroft (September 28, 2001) -- As the United States considers the most effective means to address urgent law enforcement concerns arising from the September 11 attacks, we write to caution against ill-considered changes to U.S. law and policy that would erode basic rights to personal liberty. Turkey: Parliament Misses Big Chance for Change (New York, September 28, 2001) Human Rights Watch today warned that the Turkish parliament is short-changing constitutional reform. More...