As U.S. President George Bush meets in Washington today with the current European Union president Guy Verhofstadt, Human Rights Watch is urging leaders on both sides of the Atlantic to make human rights protection part of the fight against terrorism.
"The September 11 attacks were crimes against humanity, an assault on the most basic human rights principle of safeguarding civilian life," said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. "However the United States and Europe respond, that response should comply strictly with human rights standards."
In separate letters to leaders and policy makers in Washington and Brussels since September 11, the rights group has cautioned against forging unconditional alliances with repressive regimes.
"The U.S., the E.U. and other leaders in this effort need to make clear that this campaign is about reaffirming the rule of law and respect for human rights," Roth said. "States that use the fight against terrorism to justify their own internal crackdowns on perceived political opponents, peaceful advocates of separatism, or religious activists only undermine the cause."
Human Rights Watch has written separately to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, to question remarks he made on Tuesday calling for a "differentiated evaluation of the war in Chechnya" in light of the antiterrorism campaign. Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently on a state visit to Germany.
Human Rights Watch urged the international community to step up humanitarian assistance for more than five million Afghanis displaced by ongoing civil war, drought, and the threat of U.S. military attacks. U.N. relief agencies are warning of a "humanitarian crisis of stunning proportions" unless emergency steps are quickly taken.
Acknowledging that additional security measures may be warranted, Human Rights Watch also expressed concern about proposed restrictions on civil liberties in both the U.S. and Europe. "We must remain vigilant against vague or broad measures that discriminate against unpopular views or disfavored minorities," Roth explained.
