Development Blogs.com


Arizona: US Court Blocks Immigration Law’s Worst Aspects via July 28th, 2010 at 23:30

(Washington, DC) – A ruling by a US district court in Arizona on July 28, 2010, will temporarily block enforcement of the most problematic provisions of Arizona’s recent law targeting immigrants, Human Rights Watch said today. read...

US: End in Sight for Infamous Crack Cocaine Laws via July 29th, 2010 at 00:14

(New York) – Legislation approved by the House on July 28, 2010, will dramatically alter the historically more punitive approach to federal crack cocaine offenders that led to racial disparities in sentencing, Human Rights Watch said today. The bill, which the Senate passed in March, is on its way to President Barack Obama for his signature. read...

Iran: Release and Provide Urgent Medical Care to Jailed Activist via July 28th, 2010 at 22:30

(New York) – The Iranian Judiciary should provide urgent medical care to Mohammad Sadigh Kaboudvand and free him from his unfair detention, Human Rights Watch said today. Kaboudvand, a leading advocate of Kurdish rights in Iran, is serving an 11-year sentence on politically motivated charges. read...

Morocco: Terror Convictions Upheld for 35, Including Political Figures via July 28th, 2010 at 16:38

(New York) - A Moroccan appeals court has confirmed the conviction of 35 defendants, including six political figures, in the so-called "Belliraj" terrorism case, apparently without addressing the procedural irregularities that denied the defendants their right to a fair hearing in the lower court, Human Rights Watch said today. read...

Singapore: Legal Charges Threat to Freedom of Expression via July 28th, 2010 at 05:00

(New York) - Singapore officials should cease using criminal defamation and contempt laws to silence government critics, Human Rights Watch said today. read...

India: Don’t Repeat Misuse of Counterterrorism Laws via July 28th, 2010 at 04:30

(New York) - The Indian government should revise its draconian 2008 amendments to counterterrorism laws that can lead to serious violations of human rights, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. The amendments mirror previous counterterrorism laws that had been allowed to lapse or were repealed because of the abuses committed under them, Human Rights Watch said. read...

Afghanistan: Investigate Any Newly Disclosed Civilian Casualty Incidents via July 27th, 2010 at 00:45

(New York) - US and NATO forces should immediately agree to investigate any previously undisclosed civilian casualty incidents in Afghanistan revealed in US military documents leaked to the media on July 25, 2010, Human Rights Watch said today. read...

Iraq: Extremist Groups Targeting Journalists via July 26th, 2010 at 22:32

(New York) - The suicide car bombing that destroyed the Baghdad bureau of Al Arabiya News Channel and killed at least six people on July 26, 2010, was an assault on the fundamental principles of freedom of expression and respect for life, Human Rights Watch said today. read...

South Ossetia: Activist Brutally Assaulted via July 26th, 2010 at 20:49

(Moscow) - The de facto authorities of South Ossetia, a breakaway region of Georgia, should promptly investigate the vicious attack on a civic activist and hold those responsible to account, Human Rights Watch said today. read...

Cambodia: Tribunal’s First Step in Search for Justice via July 26th, 2010 at 08:00

(Phnom Penh) - Today's guilty verdict by Cambodia's Khmer Rouge tribunal in the trial of the chief of the notorious Tuol Sleng prison is an important step in the search for justice for the victims of the Khmer Rouge, Human Rights Watch said today. read...

US: Confused, Alone, and in Legal Limbo via July 26th, 2010 at 00:30

(New York) - People with mental disabilities, including US citizens, face a greater risk of erroneous deportation by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) because courts do not ensure fair hearings for those not able to represent themselves, Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said in a joint report released today. read...

India: Press Burmese Leader on Human Rights via July 25th, 2010 at 23:00

(New York) - India should emphasize respect for human rights during the state visit by Burma's Senior General Than Shwe, Human Rights Watch said today. Economic and security interests should not displace concerns about protecting the Burmese people's fundamental freedoms. read...

India: Press Burmese Leader on Human Rights via July 25th, 2010 at 23:00

(New York) - India should emphasize respect for human rights during the state visit by Burma's Senior General Than Shwe, Human Rights Watch said today. Economic and security interests should not displace concerns about protecting the Burmese people's fundamental freedoms. read...

Israel: Withdraw Legislation Punishing Human Rights Activists via July 25th, 2010 at 09:44

(Jerusalem) - Israel's Knesset should reject proposed legislation that would weaken the country's vibrant civil society, Human Rights Watch said today. Recent proposed bills would penalize human rights groups for critical reporting and advocacy, including publicizing information on war crimes, expressing support for boycotts, or helping refugees and asylum seekers. read...

Syria: Free Man Falsely Held as Witness via July 23rd, 2010 at 18:51

(New York) - The Syrian authorities should release Ziad Ramadan, who the Syrian authorities falsely claim is detained so he can be interviewed by the international body investigating the assassination of Rafic Hariri, former prime minister of Lebanon, Alkarama, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch said today. The following is the statement from the three groups: read...

Israel: Withdraw Legislation Punishing Human Rights Activists via July 23rd, 2010 at 17:58

(Jerusalem) - Israel's Knesset should reject proposed legislation that would weaken the country's vibrant civil society, Human Rights Watch said today. Recent proposed bills would penalize human rights groups for critical reporting and advocacy, including publicizing information on war crimes, expressing support for boycotts, or helping refugees and asylum seekers. read...

Indonesia: US Resumes Military Assistance to Abusive Force via July 22nd, 2010 at 19:03

(New York) - The Obama administration's decision to lift a more than decade-long ban on US military assistance to Indonesia's abusive special forces seriously undermines its commitment to promoting respect for human rights in Indonesia and weakens US standards for military cooperation globally, Human Rights Watch said today. read...

Pakistan: End Collective Punishment in Swat via July 22nd, 2010 at 00:40

(New York) - The Pakistani government should immediately investigate reports that security forces are carrying out collective punishment against relatives of suspected Taliban militants during operations in the Swat valley, Human Rights Watch said today. read...

China: Witnesses Lift Veil on Abuses by Security Forces in Tibet via July 22nd, 2010 at 00:30

(New York) - Eyewitness accounts confirm that Chinese security forces used disproportionate force and acted with deliberate brutality during and after unprecedented Tibetan protests beginning on March 10, 2008, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. read...

Vietnam: Clinton Should Press Hanoi on Rights via July 21st, 2010 at 22:50

(New York) - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should highlight the importance of respect for human rights in Vietnam during her visit to Hanoi to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum on July 23, 2010, Human Rights Watch said today. read...

The Netherlands: Do Not Deport Somalis via July 22nd, 2010 at 20:32

(Amsterdam) - The Dutch government should immediately halt all plans to return Somalis to war-torn Somalia, Human Rights Watch said today. read...

India: Implement Juvenile Justice Laws in Kashmir via July 21st, 2010 at 20:38

(New York) - The Jammu and Kashmir state government should carry out a high court order to ensure due process rights and protections for children detained for allegedly participating in violent street protests, Human Rights Watch said today. read...

Venezuela: Close Chavez’s New Censorship Office via July 21st, 2010 at 14:00

(Washington, DC) - Venezuela should close a recently created office that grants the Chávez administration broad powers to limit public debate, Human Rights Watch said today. The government should also stop seeking to discredit human rights defenders and prosecuting critics. read...

Chad: Bar Entry or Arrest Bashir via July 21st, 2010 at 12:45

(New York) - Chad should deny entry to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir or arrest him for trial at the International Criminal Court should he visit the country, Human Rights Watch said today.  It has been widely reported in the media that al-Bashir is expected to travel to the Chadian capital N'djamena this week to attend a summit of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States.  read...

Rwanda: Allow Independent Autopsy of Opposition Politician via July 21st, 2010 at 05:01

(New York) - The government of Rwanda should allow independent foreign experts to carry out an autopsy on the body of André Kagwa Rwisereka, vice president of the opposition Democratic Green Party, Human Rights Watch said today. read...

Senegal/Chad: Nobel Winners, African Activists Seek Progress in Habré Trial via July 20th, 2010 at 19:48

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Kyrgyzstan/Uzbekistan: Governments Should Open Border via July 20th, 2010 at 17:02

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Burundi: Free Journalist Detained on Treason Charges via July 20th, 2010 at 12:27

(Kampala) - The Burundian authorities should release Jean Claude Kavumbagu, a journalist arrested on treason charges on July 17, 2010, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, and Human Rights Watch said today. The arrest violates his right to free expression, the groups said. read...

Macedonia: Group Wins HIV and Rights Award via July 20th, 2010 at 11:00

(Vienna) - Healthy Options Project Skopje (HOPS) is the recipient of the 2010 international Award for Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and Human Rights Watch announced today. read...

Guinea-Bissau: Pass Anti-Trafficking Law via July 20th, 2010 at 05:01

(Dakar) - Guinea-Bissau's National Assembly should act quickly to pass a law criminalizing human trafficking, Human Rights Watch, SOS Talibé Children, and the Association of the Friends of Children said today. read...