In a landmark decision on October 3, the European Union agreed to sanction Uzbekistan over its refusal to allow an independent inquiry into the recent massacre in the city of Andijan. The E.U.'s decision will impose an embargo on arms exports to Uzbekistan and enact an E.U.-wide ban on issuing visas to individuals who are directly responsible for the massacre. Human Rights Watch has steadfastly called on the international community to hold accountable those government officials responsible for inciting the May 13 killing spree that murdered hundreds of unarmed protestors as they fled a demonstration in Andijan. Our reports following the massacre have provided the most comprehensive documentation to date of the government's indiscriminate lethal use of force and ensuing attempt to silence witnesses and human rights defenders. In June, we played a key role in bringing about the United Nations airlift of 439 refugees from the massacre to safety. Human Rights Watch applauded the E.U. decision, and continues to stress the immediate need for an independent, international inquiry into the Andijan events. Read More.
Israel: Supreme Court Bans Use of "Human Shields"
After issuing a temporary injunction in 2002, the Israeli Supreme Court in October permanently banned the use of Palestinian "human shields" in military operations and arrest raids. Human Rights Watch had consistently advocated for an end to this Israeli army practice of forcing Palestinian civilians to serve as "shields" to protect soldiers from Palestinian militants, a practice which violates international humanitarian law. In 2002, the court's temporary injunction came on the heels of an HRW report on the conduct of the Israeli army at the Jenin refugee camp. At that time, our advocacy with the Israeli army and litigation initiated by local groups (and based largely on our documentation), prompted the army to prohibit the taking of hostages and the use of human shields. We continue to monitor violations of international law on both sides of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Our most recent report documents the climate of impunity fostered by the Israeli army in its failure to thoroughly investigate whether soldiers have killed and injured Palestinian civilians unlawfully or failed to protect them from harm. Read More.
Sri Lanka: No Tavel for Child Soldier Recruiters
Human Rights Watch laid the groundwork for the European Union's recent decision to impose a travel ban on the leaders of a Sri Lankan rebel group responsible for the widespread recruitment of children into its army. Our November 2004
report documented the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE, or Tamil Tigers)'s escalating abduction and recruitment of children in the north and east of Sri Lanka, despite a ceasefire agreement with the government since 2002. We successfully pressed the United Nations Security Council to publicly speak out against child recruitment and to urge countries to adopt sanctions against those responsible. In response to continuing child recruitment and political killings, the European Union has said it will refuse to admit LTTE delegations into any of its member states. Human Rights Watch is also calling for an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the recent spate of political violence and murders in Sri Lanka, including the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar in August. Read More.
IN THE NEWS:
Justice, Not Vengance, in Iraq
In the International Herald Tribune, International Justice Program Director Richard Dicker calls on the Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal to conduct a fair and credible trial of Saddam Hussein.
Travel Restrictions Tear Cuban-American Families Apart
Daniel Wilkinson, Senior Americas Researcher, exposes in the Miami Herald how limits on traveling imposed by both Cuba and the United States have kept young children from their parents, destroyed marriages, and prevented exiles from visiting and caring for their aging or dying relatives.
Dark Stain of U.S. Prisoner Abuse
In the Baltimore Sun, Senior
Legal Advisor James Ross advocates for a thorough investigation of
the inhumane treatment of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan, and
the role of high-level military and civilian officials in sanctioning
these abuses.
Bring Justice for Chad's Victims
Human Rights Watch Special Counsel for Prosecutions Reed Brody reports in the International Herald Tribune on a Belgian court's indictment of former Chadian dictator Hissène Habré on charges of crimes against humanity and torture.
