Reports

Israel Deliberately Depriving Palestinians in Gaza of Water

In the 179-page report, “Extermination and Acts of Genocide: Israel Deliberately Depriving Palestinians in Gaza of Water,” Human Rights Watch found that Israeli authorities have intentionally deprived Palestinians in Gaza of access to safe water for drinking and sanitation needed for basic human survival. Israeli authorities and forces cut off and later restricted piped water to Gaza; rendered most of Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure useless by cutting electricity and restricting fuel; deliberately destroyed and damaged water and sanitation infrastructure and water repair materials; and blocked the entry of critical water supplies.

People pull plastic water containers down a muddy street amid destroyed buildings

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  • April 1, 1991

    Human Rights in Romania

    Shortly after the December 1989 revolution in Romania, many of the most repressive practices of the Ceausescu era were abolished. As Romanians looked forward to 1990, there was much to celebrate. However, the initial euphoria was quickly followed by a bitter realization that, although Ceausescu was gone, he had left his mark on every institution and every citizen.
  • April 1, 1991

    In describing the conditions experienced by all major categories of inmates including criminal and security offenders, Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel, and Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Middle East Watch investigates issues of overcrowding, food, hygiene, outdoor time, visiting rights, and treatment by staff, among others concerns.
  • April 1, 1991

    In advance of Albania’s first contested elections under Communist rule on March 31, we took part in a fact-finding mission from March 7 to March 12 as part of the first team of independent human rights investigators to have officially visited the country.
  • March 11, 1991

    It has been nearly three years since the chemical bombardment of Halabja, a small town on Iraq's northeastern border with Iran in which up to 5,000 civilians, mostly women and children, died a painful and well publicized death.
  • March 7, 1991

    Middle East Watch Reminds Allied Countries And Iraq Of Obligations Under Geneva Conventions

    Middle East Watch is gratified that both sides in the Persian Gulf war have begun to release prisoners of war (POWs) in their custody, and that Allied countries have stated their intention not to repatriate any Iraqi POW who claims to fear persecution in Iraq.
  • March 6, 1991

    Middle East Watch Condemns Bombing Without Warning Of Air Raid Shelter In Baghdad's Al Ameriyya District On February 13

    The purpose of this newsletter, the fourth released by Middle East Watch since January 17, is to provide information and analysis concerning compliance by the U.S. and coalition forces under its command with binding restraints on methods and means of combat as they apply to the conduct of air warfare.
  • March 5, 1991

    One Year after Reform is Announced, No Improvements in Civil and Political Rights

    This newsletter examines the promises of reform held out by the Ethiopian government one year ago, and assesses whether these promises have been fulfilled. Africa Watch considers that few promises were made in the way of increased respect for civil and political rights, and that the small improvements promised in freedom of association have not in fact been delivered.
  • March 1, 1991

    The report details a range of human rights violations against the academic community, defined as persons teaching, studying, researching and working at an institution of higher learning.
  • March 1, 1991

    Mexico’s prison system is characterized by massive overcrowding, deteriorating physical facilities, poorly trained and vastly underpaid guards and other prison officials, system-wide corruption, and, most fundamentally, lack of money.
  • February 27, 1991

    U.S. Freedom of Expression and the War: An Update

    On January 28, shortly after the start of the Persian Gulf War, the Fund for Free Expression issued "Freedom of Expression and the War," a report on U.S. Defense Department regulations that impede press coverage in the Gulf, and on other U.S. war-related censorship issues. This newsletter updates that information in light of developments to date.

  • February 25, 1991

    Attacks Against Independent Associations March 1990- February 1991

    President Fidel Castro's dismissive attitude toward the resolution on Cuban human rights abuses adopted last year by the U.N. Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) reflects the latest chapter in a continuing and disappointing deterioration in Cuban human rights over the past three years.
  • February 1, 1991

    Human Rights Abuses and Violations of the Laws of War Since the Soviet Withdrawal

    For the last decade, Afghanistan has been the scene of some of the most serious human rights violations on record. About one half of the country's prewar population are either refugees, internally displaced, or dead. Most of the abuses were at one time attributable to the Afghan government and its Soviet advisers.
  • January 28, 1991

    Press and Speech Restrictions in the Gulf and F.B.I. Activity in U.S. Raise First Amendment Issues

    War is the most profound action any government can take, and for that reason the decision to wage and conduct it must be subject to the continuing scrutiny of a well-informed public. In recent U.S.

  • January 8, 1991

    The Role of the Security Forces and the Response of the State

    In July and August 1990, some seven months after the end of violence was announced, black townships around Johannesburg erupted in warfare. The conflict which has raged in Natal for several years and which recently spread north to the townships near Johannesburg has pitted supporters of the ANC against supporters of the Inkatha movement, which became a political party in July 1990.
  • January 2, 1991

    Middle East Watch is concerned that the Egyptian government is using its emergency law and other measures to stifle emerging domestic dissent against the Gulf War.