The Latest News Last updated Friday, May 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  (May, 2003) Russian Federation / Chechnya: Renewed Catastrophe  (May, 2003) Afghanistan: Human Rights Watch Key Documents  (May, 2003) September 11 Attacks: Crimes Against Humanity The Aftermath (November, 2002) Peru: Investigate Use of Lethal Force (New York, May 30, 2003) Peru’s government should immediately investigate the reported use of lethal force by the security forces to quell protests taking place throughout the country, Human Rights Watch said today. Iraqi Suspect in Mass Killings Released (New York, May 30, 2003) The mistaken release of Sheikh Mohammad Jawad al-Naifus from custody in Iraq is a major setback in the effort to bring mass murderers to justice, Human Rights Watch said today. G-8: Learn Lessons For Iraq Reconstruction (New York, May 30, 2003) - The "Group of Eight" world leaders gathering in Evian should learn lessons from Afghanistan when it comes to rebuilding Iraq, Human Rights Watch said today. The G-8 summit is expected to pledge international support for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq. Nepal Endangers Tibetans with Efforts to Force Return to China (New York, May 30, 2003) Nepali officials should immediately release a group of imprisoned Tibetans to the protection of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Human Rights Watch said today. On May 29, Nepali officials sought to turn the group over to Chinese authorities intent on returning them to China, where they would have faced the risk of persecution. Russia: St. Petersburg Summit Should Not Eclipse Chechen Suffering (New York, May 30, 2003) World leaders should not ignore human rights violations in Chechnya at the upcoming summit with Russia, Human Rights Watch said today. Uzbekistan: Rights Defender Detained on Homosexuality Charges (New York, May 29, 2003) Uzbek authorities have detained rights defender Ruslan Sharipov and two colleagues for what appear to be politically motivated reasons, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch called on the Uzbek government to immediately release the three rights activists pending further investigation. Iraq: Witnesses Link Mass Graves to 1991 Repression  (Report) (Washington D.C., May 29, 2003) A survivor who escaped after he was left for dead in a mass grave in March 1991 linked the thousands of victims unearthed earlier this month to systematic mass killings by Iraqi Special Republican Guards and Ba'th Party officials, Human Rights Watch said today. Indonesia: Jakarta Rights Group Attacked for Aceh Stance (New York, May 28, 2003) Indonesian police failed to stop two organized attacks on Kontras, a prominent Jakarta-based rights group, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch called for a full investigation into the attacks, which appeared directed at the group because of its work in the embattled province of Aceh. Saudi Justice: Report Card Needed (New York, May 28, 2003) A year after the introduction of reforms to its criminal justice system, the government of Saudi Arabia should publicly disclose the concrete steps it has taken to improve safeguards against longstanding abuses, Human Rights Watch said today. The kingdom's new criminal procedure code became law in May 2002. Israel and the Occupied Territories: International Rights Groups Decry Increased Harassment of Monitors (27 May 2003) - A coalition of international human rights groups today expressed deep concern about the increase of Israeli restrictions against human rights and humanitarian workers. U.N.: Iraq Rep Should Focus on Human Rights (New York, May 23, 2003) - The new United Nations Special Representative for Iraq should make human rights a central element in rebuilding the country, Human Rights Watch said today. Australia: Don’t Send Afghans Home to Abuse (New York, May 23, 2003) Australia would put Afghan refugees and asylum seekers at risk if they are returned to an unstable Afghanistan, Human Rights Watch warned today. Armenia: End Abuse Of Administrative Detention   (Briefing Paper) (New York, May 23, 2003) There must be no repeat of the mass arrests that marred Armenia’s recent presidential election, Human Rights Watch said today. Armenia’s parliamentary elections are slated to take place May 25. Venezuela: Protect Journalists, Revise Radio-TV Law (Caracas, May 21, 2003) — The Venezuelan government is not doing enough to protect journalists from violence, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. Cambodia: Opposition Party Targeted Ahead of July Elections (New York, May 21, 2003) The Cambodian government should immediately drop charges against members of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) for distributing leaflets that accuse the Prime Minister of misconduct, Human Rights Watch said today. Saudi Arabia: Reforms Needed to Fight Terror (New York, May 21, 2003) -- Legal and political reforms long promised by the Saudi government should be speeded up in light of the latest anti-terror campaign, Human Rights Watch urged today. Congo: U.N. Should Deploy a Rapid Reaction Force in Ituri (New York, May 21, 2003) Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International today jointly called on the U.N. Security Council to authorize the deployment of a rapid reaction force to protect civilians in Ituri, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). New Death from Torture in Uzbekistan (New York, May 21, 2003) Another suspicious death in custody with clear signs of torture reveals Uzbekistan’s resistance to reform, Human Rights Watch said today. Iraq: Security Council Resolution Silent on Human Rights (New York, May 20, 2003) - The new U.N. draft resolution on Iraq contains no explicit plans for protecting human rights or setting up an international tribunal for past abuses. These defects will make it much more difficult to establish peace and security in Iraq, Human Rights Watch said today. Hong Kong Should Reject Subversion Bill (New York, May 20, 2003) - Hong Kong's legislature should reject controversial national security legislation because it will roll back basic freedoms, Human Rights Watch said today. Indonesia: Martial Law, Bombing in Aceh (New York, May 20, 2003)-- The declaration by the Indonesian government of a state of military emergency for Aceh, and the start of a military campaign, sets the stage for gross human rights violations in the province, Human Rights Watch warned today. Kazakhstan: One Political Prisoner Released; Repression Continues For Others (Moscow, May 16, 2003) The release of a prominent opposition leader in Kazakhstan is a good step forward, but other prominent political prisoners remain in detention, Human Rights Watch said today. U.S.: Ashcroft Attacks Human Rights Law (New York, May 15, 2003) – A new legal brief filed by the U.S. Justice Department would roll back twenty years of judicial rulings for victims of human rights abuse, Human Rights Watch warned today. State-Sponsored Homophobia in Southern Africa    (Report) (Cape Town, May 14, 2003) Many leaders in southern Africa have singled out lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people as scapegoats for their countries' problems, Human Rights Watch and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) said today. Iraq: U.S. Unresponsive on Mass Graves (Baghdad, May 14, 2003) - The U.S. government has known since May 3 about the existence of a mass grave in Hilla but has not taken action to protect the site. Serbia: Run-Around on Prison Visits (New York, May 14, 2003) The Serbian authorities are obstructing efforts by Human Rights Watch and other nongovernmental organizations to visit people arrested during the state of emergency, Human Rights Watch said today. Chechnya Attack Violates Rights (New York, May 13, 2003) Yesterday's bombing of several administrative buildings in Znamenskoe, Chechnya showed callous indifference to civilian life, Human Rights Watch said today. China: Tibetan Prisoners' Health in Jeopardy (New York, May 13, 2003) The Chinese government should immediately release two Tibetan prisoners whose medical conditions are deteriorating sharply, Human Rights Watch urged today. Bhutan/Nepal: Talks Should Include Refugee Rights    (Briefing Paper) (New York, May 13, 2003) Upcoming talks between Bhutan and Nepal may break a decade-long impasse on the return of Bhutanese refugees, but refugees' rights are still at risk, Human Rights Watch said today. Iraq: Mass Graves Still Unprotected (Basra, May 11, 2003) Coalition forces must immediately secure sites of potential mass graves in order to preserve the evidence necessary for identifying the remains and initiating prosecutions against human rights violators, Human Rights Watch urged today. China: Harsh Sentences for Labor Activists (New York, May 10, 2003) -- China's conviction of two labor activists for organizing peaceful protests shows how little China's legal system has changed in political cases, Human Rights Watch said today. The activists, Yao Fuxin and Xiao Yunliang, were convicted without legal representation. Serbia: Detainees’ Access to Lawyers Long Overdue (New York, May 10, 2003) Serbia should ensure that all persons detained during the state of emergency promptly get access to lawyers, Human Rights Watch said today. Iraq: Foreigners Fleeing to Jordan (Baghdad, May 10, 2003) – Attacks and harassment amidst the security vacuum in Iraq have forced refugees and other foreigners to flee the country and become refugees again, this time in Jordan, Human Rights Watch said today in a new report, “Flight From Iraq.” Israel/OT: Human Rights Watch to Appeal Deportation of Researcher (New York, May 9, 2003 ) Israel's arrest of Human Rights Watch's researcher for Israel and the Occupied Territories sends the wrong signal on the eve of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's visit to the country, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch protested the arrest and called for the researcher's immediate release [Sissons was released at approximately midnight local time today]. Iraq: Journalist's Death Mourned (New York, May 9, 2003) -- Human Rights Watch today mourned the passing of Elizabeth Neuffer, a Boston Globe correspondent and eloquent chronicler of human rights tragedies around the world. Ms. Neuffer and her Iraqi translator were reported killed today in a car accident north of Baghdad. Saudi Arabia: Human Rights Groups Emerging (New York, May 9, 2003) The royal decree approving the establishment of Saudi Arabia's first nongovernmental human rights organization is a welcome initiative that holds a promise of greater freedom of association, Human Rights Watch said today. In addition, the government plans to launch its own national human rights body. Guatemala: Court Ruling Is A Major Setback (Washington D.C., May 8, 2003) The decision to release a senior army officer convicted last year for the 1990 killing of Myrna Mack is a severe blow for human rights in Guatemala, Human Rights Watch said today. Israel/PA: Roadmap Fails Rights Test   (Briefing Paper) (Jerusalem, May 8, 2003) The “roadmap” for ending Israeli-Palestinian violence will fail unless it includes basic human rights safeguards, Human Rights Watch warned today, on the eve of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell’s visit to Israel and the Occupied Territories. Congo: UN Must Protect Civilians Under Threat in Ituri (New York, May 8, 2003) The United Nations Observer Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) must urgently protect civilians threatened by renewed violence in the war-torn region of Ituri in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Human Rights Watch said today. Rwanda: RPF Seeks to Eliminate Opposition (New York, May 8, 2003) The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) is working to eliminate any opposition to its victory in elections scheduled before the end of 2003, Human Rights Watch said in a new briefing paper published today. Vancouver Police Persecuting Drug Users     (Report) (Vancouver, May 7, 2003) — An anti-drug crackdown by the Vancouver Police Department has driven injection drug users away from life-saving HIV prevention services, raising fears of a new wave of HIV transmission in the city that is already home to the worst AIDS crisis in the developed world, said Human Rights Watch. Uzbekistan’s Repressive Tactics Continue During EBRD Meeting (Tashkent, May 7, 2003) The Uzbek government intimidated dissidents during the annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Tashkent, giving rise to concern about their safety, Human Rights Watch said today. Kyrgyz Police Threaten to Arrest Opposition Activist (Bishkek, May 7, 2003) Kyrgyz authorities have threatened to arrest an opposition activist on politically motivated charges, Human Rights Watch said today. Iraq: Basra: Unprotected Munitions Injure Civilians (Basra, May 6, 2003) Civilians are being wounded by abandoned ordnance in Basra, Iraq, because British forces have failed to secure weapons caches, Human Rights Watch said today. Colombia: Hostage Deaths Underscore Guerrilla Abuse (Washington, May 5, 2003) -- The deaths of two well-known Colombian political figures underscores the need for Colombian guerrilla forces to cease kidnapping and return all hostages immediately and safely to their families, Human Rights Watch said today. Liberia: Maintain U.N. Embargo (New York, May 5, 2003) The United Nations Security Council should maintain the arms embargo against the Liberian government and Liberian rebel factions, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to the Security Council today. The Security Council will review existing sanctions on Liberia on May 7, 2003. Human Rights Watch Mourns Death of Asia Advocate Mike Jendrzejczyk (New York, May 2, 2003) Human Rights Watch is deeply saddened to announce the death of our beloved colleague Mike Jendrzejczyk. Mike was the Washington Director for the Asia division. He died of natural causes in Washington, D.C. on May 1. He was 53. Cyber-Dissidents Should be Freed (New York, May 2, 2003) Journalists, webmasters, and students who have been jailed by their governments for simply expressing their views via the Internet should be freed immediately, Human Rights Watch said today. U.K. Turns a Blind Eye to Electoral Violence in Nigeria (London, May 2, 2003) The United Kingdom government has failed to denounce incidents of violence and intimidation that occurred in several areas of Nigeria during the elections of April 12 and 19, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. Uzbekistan: Harassment before EBRD Annual Meeting (Tashkent, May 2, 2003) With an important international financial meeting set to open in Tashkent on Sunday, police have sought to preempt public protests by harassing dissidents and human rights defenders, Human Rights Watch said today. Sharp Rise in Press Attacks in Afghanistan (New York, May 2, 2003) - Attacks and threats against Afghan journalists have increased sharply in recent weeks, Human Rights Watch said today, on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, which is May 3. Afghan security personnel have created a pervasive climate of fear in which journalists are afraid to openly publish articles that criticize leaders. U.S.: Protect Labor Rights in CAFTA (New York, May 1, 2003) Trade negotiators at the upcoming round on the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) should take account of serious labor rights abuses in El Salvador, Human Rights Watch said today. 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. More...