The Latest News Last updated Wednesday, April 30, 2003 News Archive   |   Latest Reports from Human Rights Watch Contribute to HRW   |   Join the HRW Mailing List Current Events Focus on Human Rights Background on War in Iraq  (April, 2003) Russian Federation / Chechnya: Renewed Catastrophe  (April, 2003) Afghanistan: Human Rights Watch Key Documents  (February, 2003) September 11 Attacks: Crimes Against Humanity The Aftermath (November, 2002) U.S.: Bill to Lift Cuba Travel Restrictions (New York, April 30, 2003) The U.S. Senate bill to lift travel restrictions to Cuba is an important step toward protecting the right of Americans to travel freely, Human Rights Watch said today. Burundi: Fighting Intensifies Amid Power Shift Fighting has intensified in Burundi in the months before the transfer of power to a new president today, Human Rights Watch said. There have been military operations in nine of Burundi’s seventeen provinces in the last two months. Iraq: Protect and preserve mass grave sites (New York, April 30, 2003) U.S.-led coalition forces, working with local religious and secular leaders, should urgently protect and preserve mass grave sites, Human Rights Watch said today. U.N.: Khmer Rouge Tribunal Flawed (New York, April 30, 2003) -- The United Nations General Assembly should not approve a draft agreement between Cambodia and the United Nations to create a tribunal for the Khmer Rouge unless the agreement includes major changes, Human Rights Watch said today in a 13-page briefing paper. Colombia: Bush-Uribe Summit Should Spotlight Rights (Washington, April 29 2003) When U.S. President George W. Bush sits down with Colombian President Álvaro Uribe on Wednesday, human rights should top the agenda, Human Rights Watch said today. Iraq: Clusters Info Needed from U.S., U.K (Kuwait City, April 29, 2003) The United States and United Kingdom are failing to provide adequate data on their cluster munition strikes in Iraq, and this lack of information is endangering Iraqi civilians, Human Rights Watch charged today. U.N.: Human Rights Elections Flawed (New York, April 29, 2003) – This week's elections to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights are likely to deepen the membership crisis of the world's highest human rights body, Human Rights Watch warned today. Child Soldiers Forgotten in Angola  (Report)  (Português) (New York, April 29, 2003) Child soldiers who fought in the Angolan civil war have been excluded from demobilization programs, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. April marks the one-year anniversary of the agreement that brought peace to mainland Angola in 2002. Israel: Stop Using Flechettes in Gaza (Jerusalem, April 29 2003) The Israeli army should immediately stop using U.S.-supplied flechette shells in the Gaza Strip, Human Rights Watch said today. The use of such antipersonnel weapons in densely populated areas makes the risk of civilian casualties intolerably high under international law. Northern Iraq: Civilian Deaths Higher Since War Ended (Arbil, Iraq, April 27, 2003) The number of civilians killed or wounded since the war ended in northern Iraq is higher than it was during the conflict, Human Rights Watch said today. U.S. Misleading on Cluster Munitions (Washington, April 25, 2003) - U.S. claims that cluster munitions have not caused significant damage to civilians in Iraq are highly misleading since the Pentagon is evidently citing only figures on air-dropped cluster bombs, Human Rights Watch said today. Nigerian Government Must Stop Ongoing Electoral Violence The Nigerian government should act immediately to address the political violence and intimidation that occurred during the recent elections, Human Rights Watch said today. U.N. Rights Body In Serious Decline (Geneva, April 25, 2003) This year's session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights has proved even more disappointing than last year, Human Rights Watch said on the last day of the six-week meeting in Geneva. Iraq: Garner Must Address Human Rights (New York, April 24, 2003) Retired U.S. general Jay Garner should invite independent monitors to check on human rights progress in the reconstruction of Iraq, Human Rights Watch said today. U.S.: Guantanamo Kids at Risk (New York, April 24, 2003) The detention of children at Guantanamo poses grave risks to their well-being, Human Rights Watch said today, in response to the U.S. military's acknowledgement that at least three children, ages 13 to 15, are among the detainees at Guantanamo. Egypt: Torture in State Security Headquarters (Washington, April 24, 2003) Seven students, journalists and activists detained more than ten days ago in connection with antiwar protests have been subjected to torture and beatings at the Cairo headquarters of Egypt’s State Security Investigations (SSI), Human Rights Watch charged today. Iraq: U.S. and Allies Must Protect Refugees (New York, April 23, 2003) The United States and allied forces, as occupying powers in Iraq, have an obligation to protect refugees living inside the country from threats, physical attacks and forced displacement, Human Rights Watch said today. Indonesia: Aceh Ceasefire Threatened By Escalating Violence (New York, April 23, 2003) An upsurge in rights abuses threatens the ceasefire in Aceh, Human Rights Watch said today. In an open letter sent to the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), Human Rights Watch urged both sides to reconvene negotiations without delay. Vietnam: New Documents Reveal Escalating Repression (New York, April 21, 2003) - Vietnam's campaign of persecution against ethnic minorities known as Montagnards is increasing, Human Rights Watch said today, making public new documents smuggled out of the country's Central Highland region. First ICC Prosecutor Selected (New York, April 21, 2003) The election of the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s first chief prosecutor marks an historic moment in the struggle for justice and accountability for atrocities, Human Rights Watch said today. Colombia: Talks with paramilitary groups (New York, April 21, 2003) The Colombian government is undertaking talks with the country's largest illegal paramilitary group, the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, AUC), aimed at demobilization. Post-War Oil Management Should Bolster Rights, Benefit Iraqis (Washington, April 18, 2003) Iraq's oil must be managed in a transparent and accountable manner that meets humanitarian needs and ensures respect for human rights, Human Rights Watch said today. Post-War Oil Management Should Bolster Rights, Benefit Iraqis (Washington, April 18, 2003) Iraq's oil must be managed in a transparent and accountable manner that meets humanitarian needs and ensures respect for human rights, Human Rights Watch said today. Indonesia: Death in Custody Increases Fear in Papua (New York, April 17, 2003) - The death in Indonesian military custody of a Papuan man, Yapenas Murib, needs an independent investigation, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch also called for outside access to other detainees in military custody who might be at serious risk of ill-treatment. U.S. Sidesteps Charges of Mistreating Detainees (New York, April 17, 2003) The Bush administration's first formal response to allegations of torture and other mistreatment of detainees in Afghanistan risks legitimizing practices that are legally prohibited, Human Rights Watch said today. U.N.: Setback on Human Rights Votes (Geneva, April 16, 2003) – The United Nations Commission on Human Rights today condemned some of the world’s worst human rights violators, but let others off the hook, Human Rights Watch said. U.S. Use of Clusters in Baghdad Condemned (New York, April 16, 2003) The U.S. Central Command should respond publicly to evidence that U.S. forces used cluster munitions in a populated area of Baghdad, Human Rights Watch urged today. Iraq: Killings, Expulsions on the Rise in Kirkuk (Arbil, April 15, 2003) Dozens of civilians have been killed in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk since April 10, and looting and forced expulsions are continuing, Human Rights Watch said today. Côte d’Ivoire: Liberian Fighters Attack Civilians (New York, April 14, 2003) Government and rebel groups are responsible for serious human rights abuses against civilians in western Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberian combatants are fighting on both sides, Human Rights Watch said today in an open letter to the United Nations Security Council. Cuba: Executions of Three Alleged Hijackers (Washington, April 12, 2003) Cuba's execution this morning of three alleged hijackers after summary trials violates basic human rights standards, Human Rights Watch said today. Coalition Forces Must Stop Iraqi Looting (New York, April 12, 2003) U.S. and British forces in Iraq must act more decisively to enforce public order in areas under their authority. Saudi Arabia/GCC States: Ratify Migrant Rights Treaty (New York, April 11, 2003) Millions of migrants who work in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries lack real legal protection, Human Rights Watch said today. In letters to the six states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- Human Rights Watch strongly urged their leaders to endorse the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Brazil: Abusive Conditions for Detained Children (São Paulo, April 10, 2003) Children in northern Brazil are routinely beaten by police and detained in abusive conditions, Human Rights Watch charged in a new report released today. The release comes on the 100th day of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's administration.  Português    Español Nigeria: Spiraling Violence Threatens Elections (New York, April 10, 2003) An upsurge of politically motivated violence is threatening the legitimacy of impending elections in Nigeria, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. U.N. Should Censure Russia Over Chechnya Abuses (Geneva, April 10, 2003) The United Nations Commission on Human Rights should adopt a strong resolution condemning abuses in Chechnya and Russia’s failure to investigate them, Human Rights Watch said today. Iraq's Civilians Face Security Vacuum (New York, April 9, 2003) U.S. and coalition forces must not allow a security vacuum to develop in areas of Iraq under their occupation, Human Rights Watch said today. Dutch Asylum Policies Breach Rights (Brussels, April 9, 2003) Critical aspects of Dutch asylum policy violate international refugee standards, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. Nigeria: Government and Oil Firms Should Act on Delta Violence (London, April 9, 2003) The Nigerian government and multinational oil companies should take immediate measures to prevent further violence and abuses around Warri in the oil-rich Niger delta, Human Rights Watch today said in letters to President Olusegun Obasanjo and the managing directors of three companies. D.R. Congo: Uganda Must Protect Civilians in Ituri (New York, April 7, 2003) Ugandan forces and their allies must prevent the killing of civilians in Ituri in northeastern Congo, Human Rights Watch said in an open letter to President Museveni of Uganda today after information of yet another massacre of civilians surfaced over the weekend. U.S. Plans for Iraq Tribunals "A Mistake" (New York, April 7, 2003) Iraqis responsible for past crimes should be prosecuted before an international tribunal, not the U.S.-sponsored, Iraqi-led judicial process outlined at the Pentagon today, Human Rights Watch said. Cuba: Heavy Sentences Are "Totally Unjustified" (New York, April 7, 2003) The heavy sentences imposed against non-violent Cuban dissidents are unjustified and draconian, Human Rights Watch said today. Defendants received sentences ranging from twelve to twenty-five years of imprisonment. Global Campaign to Extradite Fujimori Launched (Washington, DC, April 7, 2003) Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori should be extradited from Japan to Peru, where he faces trial on charges of human rights violations and corruption, Human Rights Watch and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) said today. Iraq: Who Was Ali Hassan Al-Majid ("Chemical Ali")? (New York, April 7, 2003) Iraqi General Ali Hassan al-Majid, a cousin of President Saddam Hussein, was the architect of the 1988 genocidal Anfal campaign against the Iraqi Kurds, which resulted in the murder and "disappearance" of some 100,000 Kurds. Serbia: End Complete Isolation of Detainees (New York, April 7, 2003) Serbia should immediately end the isolation of those detained during the ongoing state of emergency, Human Rights Watch said today. Cuba: Unfair Trials of Nonviolent Dissidents The trials of nonviolent Cuban dissidents that began this morning should be halted immediately, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch also called on the Cuban government to drop all charges against the defendants. Rwanda: Youth Still Suffer from Genocide, War (New York, April 3, 2003) Rwandan children still suffer the devastating consequences of the 1994 genocide and the war that preceded and followed it, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. U.N.: 'Who's Who" of Human Rights Abuse (Geneva, April 3, 2003) The United Nations Commission on Human Rights risks being turned into a "who's who" of abusive governments if several candidates for membership are elected later this month, Human Rights Watch warned today. Iraqi Landmines Found in Mosque (Washington, DC, April 2, 2003) -- Iraq has violated international humanitarian law by storing antipersonnel landmines inside a mosque in Kadir Karam in northern Iraq, and placing them around the mosque before abandoning the area on March 27th, Human Rights Watch said today. U.N.: Key Human Rights Resolutions May Fail (Geneva, April 1, 2003) Several important resolutions censuring repressive governments may fail at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights this month, Human Rights Watch warned today. U.S. Using Cluster Munitions In Iraq (Washington, D.C., April 1, 2003) U.S. ground forces in Iraq are using cluster munitions with a very high failure rate, creating immediate and long-term dangers for civilians and friendly soldiers. West Africa: Stop Trafficking in Child Labor (New York, April 1, 2003) — West African governments are failing to address a rampant traffic in child labor that could worsen with the region’s growing AIDS crisis, Human Rights Watch charged in a new report released today. Russia Should Curb Racial Discrimination (New York, April 1, 2003) Russia should immediately implement the United Nations’ recommendations on curbing racial discrimination, Human Rights Watch said today. Iraq: Feigning Civilian Status Violates the Laws of War (New York, March 31, 2003) Feigning civilian or noncombatant status to deceive the enemy is a violation of the laws of war, Human Rights Watch said today. More...