Human Rights Watch Daily Brief, 20 August 2014

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August 20, 2014 5:30PM EDT

Human Rights Watch Daily Brief, 20 August 2014

The execution of a US journalist in Syria; US Attorney General visits Ferguson, and Israel and Gaza

An American journalist missing inside Syria since 2012 has apparently been executed by Islamic State militants. If confirmed, this constitutes a war crime. The group released an online video purporting to show freelancer James Foley being beheaded, in apparent revenge for US air strikes against its fighters in Iraq. Another captive, identified as American journalist Steven Sotloff, is shown at the end of the video, with the warning that his fate depends on President Barack Obama's next move. Obama said he was "appalled" by the beheading and will continue air strikes on IS.

Britain's foreign secretary has said the militant carrying out the "completely horrifying" act appears to be a young Briton.

Journalists can undergo great risk to expose what's happening around the world. The Committee to Protect Journalists has identified Syria as the most dangerous country in the world for journalists, finding that at least 69 other journalists have died covering the conflict there and more than 80 have been kidnapped, including about 20 who are still missing.

Protests have continued in Ferguson, and US Attorney General Eric Holder is visiting the city today. While there, he should press state and local officials to review their regulations and policies on policing and look at ways the federal government may be contributing to the problems there. Human Rights Watch is also calling for improved communication from the police force on the ground.