Skip to main content

Human Rights Watch Daily Brief, 2 December 2014

Venezuela, Turkey, Iran, Kenya, Catholic Church, UK, Spain, virginity tests, Arab Court of Human Rights, Syria, US

An Iranian man has been sentenced to death by hanging for allegedly “insulting the Prophet” in Facebook posts.This is unfortunately part of a disturbing pattern in Iran, which has recently stepped up its crackdown on writers and activists.
Two women have been detained in Saudi Arabia for attempting to drive across its border – the women driving bit being the “crime”. Saudi Arabia currently holds the nefarious distinction of being the only country in the world that locks women up for being behind the wheel.
Landmines placed decades ago by the Turkish military are killing and injuring Syrians attempting to flee the war-torn town of Kobani, under siege from extremist group Islamic State (also known as ISIS) since September. Estimates put the number of those trapped in the minefield at over 2,000.
Pope Francis has condemned anti-gay violence. However, other church leaders have been slow to do the same. Catholic leaders should forcefully condemn this violence in their communities.
The UN has called on Texas to halt the execution of Scott Panetti, who has a history of mental illness and has received the death penalty for murder. If carried out, the execution would violate a global ban on the death penalty, a punishment Human Rights Watch deems cruel and unusual.
From this morning: Venezuela should promptly investigate the death of 35 inmates who went on hunger strike in a prison in Lara state, Human Rights Watch said today. Officials say a group of inmates fell ill after drinking alcohol and ingesting drugs stolen from the prison pharmacy. But family members claim inmates were poisoned by food and water given to them by guards. Thirty five inmates died, 145 fell ill and 20 remain in a coma.
Landmines placed decades ago by the Turkish military have killed at least three civilians trying to flee Syria and injured at least nine others. The landmines, in a restricted zone along the border with Syria, threaten thousands more Syrian refugees trying to flee Kobani. "Turkey has the capacity to clear its minefields, and should do so immediately,” said Human Rights Watch.

Your tax deductible gift can help stop human rights violations and save lives around the world.

Region / Country