December 2006
United Arab Emirates: HRW Research Sparks Labor Reform
A week after Human Rights Watch sent a letter to the government criticizing abuses against migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates, the prime minister ordered the labor minister to immediately institute reforms based on our recommendations. We released a report this month documenting serious abuses of migrant construction workers by employers in the UAE. The prime minister's decree calls for the establishment of a special court to resolve labor disputes, an increase in the number of government inspectors, requirements for employers to provide health insurance for low-skilled workers, and mandatory mechanisms enabling workers to collect unpaid wages. Read More.
EU/US: European Parliament Admits Abuse
The European Parliament on November 29 released a report condemning European governments for facilitating illegal CIA operations in Europe. Human Rights Watch was the first human rights organization to report on secret CIA detention centers, and has documented and spoken out frequently against European complicity in "extraordinary rendition," by which terror suspects have been transferred to countries that routinely practice torture. We testified before the EU parliamentary committee in February and May 2006 about these issues and advocated a strong stand against member states' collusion in unlawful rendition and secret detention. The committee specifically thanked Human Rights Watch for its research and assistance. The committee's report is especially significant in the face of the universal failure of European governments and EU officials to admit their knowledge of these abuses. Read More.
Chile: Pinochet Finally Faces Torture Charges
On October 31 former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet was arrested and charged with torture, a landmark step toward justice for the thousands of victims who were tortured thirty years ago under his regime. Through reports, op-eds, press releases, and direct advocacy in Chile, Human Rights Watch has long pressed for Pinochet to be held accountable for the rampant abuses that characterized his rule. Though already facing kidnapping charges, Pinochet had never been charged with torture. On December 10, Pinochet, who was under house arrest at the time, died following a heart attack. While he was never made to stand trial, justice had caught up with him in every other sense. Indeed, his case showed the world that even the most powerful human rights abusers can be made to face justice. Read more.
British Backslide on Torture
In the Independent, UN Advocacy Director Steve Crawshaw condemns the British government for condoning torture in the name of counterterrorism.
EU Pressure Needed in Russia
Moscow Office Deputy Director Alexander Petrov, writing in the International Herald Tribune, urges the EU to denounce increasing human rights abuses in Russia, including media censorship, a crackdown on civil society, and torture in Chechnya.
Insufficient Reform in IndonesiaIndonesia Researcher Charmain Mohamed describes in the
Wall Street Journal Asia how, despite recent progress, Indonesia has failed in many ways to live up to its stated commitment to human rights reform.
Human Rights Council Falls Short
Peggy Hicks, Global Advocacy Director, argues in the Forward that the increasingly discredited UN Human Rights Council can be salvaged if rights-respecting member states take a stronger stand against human rights violators.
Canada Must Hold China Accountable
Writing in the Globe and Mail, Asia Division Director Brad Adams calls on Canada to take a leadership role in regularly voicing concerns about ongoing violations of the basic rights of Chinese citizens.
