NEWS RELEASES 2000 and 1999 Bush Should Halt Execution of Mentally Retarded Offender (New York, N.Y. November 13) Human Rights Watch called on Governor Bush to stay the execution of Johnny Paul Penry, a man with the mental capacity of a second grader because of mental retardation. Convicted of murdering a twenty-two year old woman in 1979, Penry has an execution date of November 16. U.S.: South Dakota Agrees to Respect Rights of Detained Youth (New York, November 9, 2000)—South Dakota has agreed to a proposed settlement that would protect detained children from many inhumane disciplinary practices. US: Governor, Board Urged to Halt Texas Execution (New York, November 9, 2000) Human Rights Watch today urged Governor George W. Bush and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to halt the execution of a foreign national. US: Florida Ex-Offenders Barred from Vote (New York, November 8, 2000) The permanent disenfranchisement of over 400,000 ex-offenders in Florida is likely to have determined the outcome of the presidential election, two non-partisan research and advocacy groups said today. Almost one third of the African American men in Florida were unable to vote because of a felony conviction at some point in their past. United States: Immigration Detention Centers Need Improvements Press Release, Oct 31, 2000 (New York, October 31, 2000) Human Rights Watch today called on the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to do more to provide humane and safe facilities for detainees in its custody. "Consent Decree" to Curb NYPD Abuses Needed (New York, August 24, 2000) The U.S. Justice Department has reportedly reached an impasse in its negotiations with New York City officials to reach an agreement on how to implement overdue NYPD reforms. US: Investigation of Philadelphia Police Needed (Washington, D.C., August 23, 2000) In a letter released today, Human Rights Watch expressed concern over reports of police ill-treatment of protesters during the Republican National Convention, held at the beginning of August. Pattern of Post-Chase Police Abuse Condemned (Washington, D.C., July 14, 2000)—Police officers need special training and better supervision to ensure they do not beat or abuse suspects after chases, Human Rights Watch said today. The Philadelphia Videotape Questions Unanswered About Police Behavior (July 14, 2000) -- The Philadelphia videotape leaves many questions unanswered about police behavior in the incident. In evaluating the incident in weeks to come, Human Rights Watch suggested that the following issues should be monitored Bush Should Halt Texas Execution (New York, June 20, 2000) — Human Rights Watch today urged Texas Gov. George W. Bush to halt the execution of Gary Graham (now known as Shaka Sankofa). Graham, who was convicted of murder at the age of seventeen, is slated to be executed on Thursday evening unless Gov. Bush intervenes. HRW Letter to the Director U.S. Marshals Service (April 25, 2000) -- We are writing to express our concern over allegations of ill-treatment by U.S. Marshals during the April 15-19 period of World Bank/IMF protests. HRW Letter to Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey (April 25, 2000) -- We are writing to express our concern over allegations of police ill-treatment of IMF/World Bank protesters. Human Rights Watch, the largest U.S.-based international human rights group, monitored the protests on April 16 and 17. Statement in Support of the Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act of 2000 (Washington, D.C., March 14, 2000)-- Human Rights Watch, the largest U.S.-based international human rights organization, strongly supports the Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act of 2000. Michigan Legislature Denies Inmates Have Rights (New York, December 8, 1999) -- In an unprecedented move, the Michigan Legislature today passed a law declaring people detained in its jails, prisons and juvenile detention centers are not "persons" entitled to basic human rights protection. Independent Panel Should Review Police at WTO (New York, December 2, 1999) -- Human Rights Watch today called on Seattle Mayor Paul Schell and Washington State Governor Gary Locke to appoint an impartial, independent panel to investigate the response of law enforcement to this week's protests at the World Trade Organization (WTO) conference. Use WTO Process to Push China on Rights (November 24, 1999, New York) -- As the World Trade Organization (WTO) prepared to meet in Seattle (November 30-December 3), Human Rights Watch called on the Clinton Administration to take steps to ensure that its support of China's WTO membership is matched by consistent pressure on China to comply with its international human rights obligations. Clinton Visits Bulgaria New York, November 15, 1999) The upcoming state visit to Bulgaria by U.S. President Bill Clinton, scheduled for November 21-23, presents an important opportunity to press Bulgarian officials on the urgent need for arms trade reforms. Human Rights Watch pointed out that it would be negligent for Clinton to visit Bulgaria without addressing the country's long history of supplying weapons to human rights abusers. Children Abused In Maryland Jails (Baltimore, November 4, 1999) -- Hundreds of children are being held in appalling conditions in the Baltimore City Detention Center and other adult jails around Maryland, Human Rights Watch charged in a report released today.

WORLD REPORT 2000  1999 CURRENT EVENTS BACKGROUNDERS PUBLICATIONS BY COUNTRIES RECENT PUBLICATIONS Georgia--Backtracking on Reform: Amendments Undermine Access to Justice October 2000 Unfair Advantage: Workers' Freedom of Association in the United States under International Human Rights Standards September 2000 Fingers to the Bone: United States Failure to Protect Child Farmworkers June 2000 Punishment and Prejudice: Racial Disparities in the War on Drugs May 2000 US: Out of Sight: Super-Maximum Security Confinement in the US February 2000 No Minor Matter: Children in Maryland's Jails November 1999 U.S.: Red Onion State Prison: Super-Maximum Security Confinement in Virginia May 1999