Announcements

Sri Lanka: International Investigation Needed

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:17:00 GMT

New York) - The Sri Lankan government's announcement that it was ending its special inquiry into conflict-related abuses underscores the need for an international commission to investigate violations of international law by government forces More..

Fresh claims over Tamil casualties

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:19:00 GMT

A doctor working with injured and displaced Tamils in northern Sri Lanka tells Channel 4 News that there may be as many as 20,000 amputees among those who fled last month's routing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam More...

Sri Lanka: End Illegal Detention of Displaced Population

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:24:00 GMT

(New York) - The Sri Lankan government should end the illegal detention of nearly 300,000 ethnic Tamils displaced by the recently ended conflict in Sri Lanka, Human Rights Watch said today More..

Injustice fuels Sri Lanka's cycle of abuse and impunity

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:29:00 GMT

Amnesty International has accused the Sri Lankan government of trapping the country in a vicious cycle of abuse and impunity More

Sri Lanka: Avoid a Postwar Witch Hunt

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:47:00 GMT

(New York) - The Sri Lankan government should ensure that military defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam does not result in new "disappearances," unlawful killings or the jailing of government critics More

DR Congo police receive UN training ahead of local elections

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:51:00 GMT

3 June 2009 – The United Nations has begun training the first of some 75,000 policemen in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in preparation for local elections More

Paramilitaries 'abducting Tamil children from Sri Lanka camps'

Thu, 21 May 2009 12:32:00 GMT

Paramilitary groups with links to the Sri Lankan Army are abducting Tamil children as young as 12 from the state-run internment camps set up to hold 300,000 people displaced by the Government’s war with the Tamil Tigers, a campaign group claimed. More

Claims Of Abuse In Sri Lankan Refugee Camps

Thu, 21 May 2009 12:33:00 GMT

Sky News has been told women are being raped in Sri Lankan camps set up for Tamils who have fled the country's war zone. More

Where are the images of horror from Sri Lanka?

Mon, 18 May 2009 12:18:00 GMT

Pictures of the beach near Mullaitivu, the last outpost of Tamil Tiger resistance in Sri Lanka, would have been among the greatest visual images of what war does to people More

Sri Lanka: UN expert on genocide prevention calls for end to conflict

Mon, 18 May 2009 12:21:00 GMT

15 May 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Adviser on the prevention of genocide today said that “it is not too late” for Sri Lanka's Government forces and rebels to end their brutal conflict, More

Sri Lanka: Repeated Shelling of Hospitals Evidence of War Crimes

Sat, 09 May 2009 14:34:00 GMT

(New York) - The Sri Lankan armed forces have repeatedly struck hospitals in the northern Vanni region in indiscriminate artillery and aerial attacks, Human Rights Watch said today More...

UAE: Detention in Torture Case

Sat, 09 May 2009 14:51:00 GMT

New York) - The reported detention of a member of the United Arab Emirates royal family, Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al Nahyan More..

Sri Lanka conflict: refugees 'shelled in no-fire zone'

Thu, 07 May 2009 11:54:00 GMT

Tamil refugees who fled Sri Lanka's war zone by boat have given harrowing first eye-witness accounts of how they were shelled by the army in a "no-fire" civilian safe zone More..

Sri Lanka’s displaced now numbers over 192,000, UN reports

Thu, 07 May 2009 12:01:00 GMT

6 May 2009 – The United Nations humanitarian wing said today that over 192,000 people have fled the conflict zone in northern Sri Lanka, where clashes continue between Government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) More

'War crimes shadow' over Sri Lanka: Britain

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:54:00 GMT

London: The international community has rejected calls for suspending Sri Lanka from the Commonwealth although the current conflict in that country is taking place "in the shadows of war crimes," a British minister said More

Sri Lanka rejects West 'lectures'

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:38:00 GMT

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa has again ruled out a ceasefire with Tamil Tiger rebels and says the West should not lecture him about it. More

Sri Lanka: Protect Civilians in ‘Final’ Attack

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:32:00 GMT

An expected major attack following the Sri Lankan government's "final warning" to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam underscores the need for heightened measures to minimize civilian casualties, Human Rights Watch said today. more...

Please act now -Amnesty International Australia

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:34:00 GMT

At least 60,000 civilians remain trapped in the conflict zone in the north of Sri Lanka, facing serious risk of injury and death. more...

Bulletin - 101 released!

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:35:00 GMT

The bulletin (101) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the Current Bulletin menu from the top.

Uganda: End Torture by Anti-Terror Unit

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:36:00 GMT

The Ugandan government should take prompt action to end unlawful arrest and torture by its anti-terrorism unit, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today More

MEDIAWATCH: U.N. aid chief warns of "bloodbath" on Sri Lanka's beaches

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:46:00 GMT

As fresh reports come in of civilian deaths from shelling in the "no-fire zone" on Sri Lanka's northeastern coast - where the military has confined Tamil Tiger rebels - the U.N. aid chief has warned of a "bloodbath". More

Bulletin - 100 released!

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:28:00 GMT

The bulletin (100) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the " Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Sudan’s 2010 elections crucial benchmark in peace process – Ban

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 10:54:00 GMT

3 April 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the announcement that national elections will be held in Sudan in February 2010 More

Sri Lanka's war on the Tamils is about racism, not terrorism

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 10:56:00 GMT

HE horror that is unfolding in Sri Lanka becomes possible because of the silence that surrounds it. There is almost no reporting in the mainstream Indian media More

Bulletin - 99 released!

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 10:59:00 GMT

The bulletin (99) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Bulletin - 99 released!

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 10:50:00 GMT

The bulletin (99) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Expulsion of aid groups from Darfur will have wide impact, UN agencies warn

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 11:44:00 GMT

Adding their voices to the deep concern expressed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon over the ordered departure of at least 13 aid organizations from Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region More

Sri Lankan journalist's year of detention for reporting on the war

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 11:45:00 GMT

Saturday marks the first anniversary of the detention of Sri Lankan journalist and human rights activist, Jayaprakash Sittampalam Tissainayagam. He was arrested for writing about the impact on civilians of the war in Sri Lanka More

Bulletin - 98 released!

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:48:00 GMT

The bulletin (98) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the " Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Sri Lanka special report: Failure to investigate

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:20:00 GMT

As the Sri Lankan government steps up its war with the LTTE, assaults on journalists are on the rise. So are suspicions that the government is complicit in these attacks More

Continuing Africa tour, Ban holds talks with Tanzanian President

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:23:00 GMT

26 February 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon began an official visit to Tanzania today, meeting with President Jakaya Kikwete with whom he discussed a range of issues More

Sri Lanka: UNICEF voices concern for children victimized by conflict

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:25:00 GMT

18 February 2009 – As the conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continues More

Sri Lanka: End ‘War’ on Civilians

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:24:00 GMT

The Sri Lankan government should immediately cease its indiscriminate artillery attacks on civilians in the northern Vanni region and its policy of detaining displaced persons in internment camps More

Sri Lanka: UN official concerned over shelling of hospital, worsening civilian plight

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:09:00 GMT

A United Nations humanitarian spokesman in Sri Lanka today voiced concern over the shelling of a hospital in the zone of fighting between the Government and rebel forces, More

President Kabila Should Enforce ICC Arrest Warrant on War Crimes Charges

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:11:00 GMT

(New York) - The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo should arrest Bosco Ntaganda, a former rebel commander charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC) More

Patients flee hospital under attack in Sri Lanka

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:12:00 GMT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) -- Patients are fleeing a hospital that was hit four times by artillery shells in the war between the Tamil Tiger rebels and government forces in northern Sri Lanka this week, the Red Cross said Tuesday More

Bulletin - 96 released!

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:30:00 GMT

The bulletin (96) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the " Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

UN to embark on humanitarian assessment in post-conflict Gaza

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:34:00 GMT

The top United Nations humanitarian official arrived in Jerusalem today to begin an assessment of the needs on the ground in the Gaza Strip following the three-week Israeli military offensive that came to a halt just a few days ago More

Bulletin - 95 released!

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:18:00 GMT

The bulletin (95) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the " Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

SRI LANKA: A senior editor assassinated and the killing of many others is feared

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:48:00 GMT

The Asian Human Rights Commission, which two days ago raised the alarm on the possibility of more political assassinations in Sri Lanka More

Iran: End Repression in Kurdish Areas

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:50:00 GMT

(New York, January 9, 2009) - The government of Iran should amend or abolish broadly worded national security laws used to stifle peaceful dissent More

Security Council overwhelmingly calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:59:00 GMT

8 January 2009 – The United Nations Security Council tonight overwhelmingly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza leading to a full Israeli withdrawal, the unimpeded provision throughout Gaza of food More

Bulletin - 94 released!

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:50:00 GMT

The bulletin (94) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Uzbekistan: Imprisoned Activists’ Health in Danger

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:43:00 GMT

Uzbekistan is coming up for scrutiny before the United Nations' global rights body, the Human Rights Council, under its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) procedure in Geneva More

Bulletin - 93 released!

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:38:00 GMT

The bulletin (93) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the" Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Sri Lanka: Allow Aid Groups to Help Cyclone Victims

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:41:00 GMT

The Sri Lankan government should stop playing games with aid organizations and let them get on with their life-saving work. More

Bulletin - 92 released!

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:39:00 GMT

The bulletin (92) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

UN experts call for strong government response to anti-Roma violence in Europe

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:46:00 GMT

21 November 2008 – Two United Nations human rights experts today expressed grave concern over the recent rise in anti-Roma sentiment and More...

Sri Lankan air strikes in civilian areas unacceptable

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Rajinder Sachar, today criticised the Sri Lankan air strikes in northern parts in the name of targetting the LTTE, terming them as "unacceptable." More

Bulletin - 58 released!

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:56:00 GMT

The bulletin (91) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Global initiative promises to harmonize ICT and human rights

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:12:00 GMT

Wednesday marks the official beginning of a new organization designed to infuse human rights and freedom of expression into the practices of Internet and tech companies working in places More

EU: Integration Policies Should Respect Rights

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:20:00 GMT

The European Union should ensure that measures aimed at integrating migrants also respect their human rights HRW says more..

Bali bombers to face firing squad

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:21:00 GMT

Three men convicted of involvement in the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings, which killed 202 people and injured a further 209, are to be executed in early November More

Bulletin - 89 released!

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 11:47:00 GMT

The bulletin (89) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

India: All Sides Using Children in Chhattisgarh Conflict

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 11:50:00 GMT

Indian security forces and Naxalite rebels should immediately end the use of children in the conflict in Chhattisgarh state in central India, Human Rights Watch said today. More

CAMBODIA: The Cambodian government must address the election flaws

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 11:55:00 GMT

In 1993, as part of its administration of Cambodia, the UN organized an election of a new government for that country. Since then Cambodia has organized, by itself, three periodic parliamentary elections,More

Bulletin - 86 released

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:06:00 GMT

The bulletin (86) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin"menu from the top.

The bizarre trial of bin Laden's bodyguard

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:06:00 GMT

The "capture videos" the Pentagon aims to bury, late-night brutality pointing to the CIA – and even a surreal viewing of "The Dark Knight" here in Guantánamo More..

URGENT APPEAL: The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:06:00 GMT

Sri Lanka: Two young men severely assaulted; one has permanently lost his eyesight due to delayed medical treatment More..

Bulletin - 85 released!

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:28:00 GMT

The bulletin (85) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the “Current Bulletin” menu from the top.

CAMBODIA: Statutory presumption of bail must be effectively enforced

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:32:00 GMT

Cambodia adopted a code of criminal procedure. In a section on pre-trial detention this code succinctly stipulates the presumption in favour of bail More..

End State Support for Vigilantes

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:34:00 GMT

The Indian central and Chhattisgarh state governments should hold accountable government security forces and state-backed vigilantes responsible for attacking More

Bulletin - 84 released!

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:37:00 GMT

The bulletin (84) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the “Current Bulletin” menu from the top.

House of Lords Should Reject Harmful Provisions of Terrorism Bill

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:39:00 GMT

A draft terror law giving British authorities the power to detain terrorism suspects for up to six weeks without charge violates the fundamental right to liberty and risks undermining counterterrorism efforts, Human Rights Watch said More..

Bulletin - 83 released!

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:53:00 GMT

The bulletin (83) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the “Current Bulletin” menu from the top.

France: Guilty-by-Association Prosecutions Violate Rights

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:58:00 GMT

In its effort to fight terrorism, France routinely arrests and prosecutes people for being associated with possible terror suspects, undermining international fair trial standards, Human Rights Watch said More...

Migrants face illegal arrest in Mauritania

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:04:00 GMT

Irregular migrants trying to reach Europe are being arrested, ill-treated and collectively expelled from Mauritania without opportunity to challenge the decision according to a new Amnesty International report. More...

Bulletin - 82 released!

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:14:00 GMT

The bulletin (82) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the“Current Bulletin“ menu from the top.

Bulletin - 81 released!

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:53:00 GMT

The bulletin (81) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

37 Million Refugees in Spotlight This Week

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:57:00 GMT

Over 37 million people were living as refugees from conflict or persecution at the end of 2007, marking the second straight year of increases after a five-year decline, said a concerned UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) More..

Boys, Girls Among Hundreds Abducted Across Three Countries

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:28:00 GMT

The UN Security Council should adopt a resolution or presidential statement supporting efforts to rein in the capacity of the Lord’s Resistance Army to attack civilians and to ensure justice for the most serious crimes committed during the northern Uganda conflict More..

Bulletin - 79 released!

Fri, 30 May 2008 22:48:00 GMT

The bulletin (79) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Human rights violated in India: Amnesty

Fri, 30 May 2008 23:09:00 GMT

Painting a gloomy picture of the human rights situation in India, Amnesty International today alleged that there had been gross violation of human rights, including in Nandigram in West Bengal More

Burma: Stop Forced Evictions

Fri, 30 May 2008 23:11:00 GMT

The Burmese government should immediately halt forcibly evicting people displaced by Cyclone Nargis from their temporary shelters, Human Rights Watch said today More.

Bulletin – 76 released!

Sun, 11 May 2008 12:05:00 GMT

The bulletin (76) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

UN: Reject Sri Lanka’s Bid for Human Rights Council

Sun, 11 May 2008 12:07:00 GMT

Sri Lanka’s worsening human rights record and failed promises for improvement undermine its claim for a place on the UN Human Rights Council, a coalition of more than 20 national and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) said in a letter released today More

Egypt: Investigate Beating of ‘Facebook’ Activist

Sun, 11 May 2008 12:09:00 GMT

Egyptian authorities should immediately investigate and prosecute those security officials responsible for beating Ahmed Maher Ibrahim, Human Rights Watch said today. Maher, a 27-year-old civil engineer, used the social-networking site Facebook to support calls for a general strike on May 4, 2008, President Hosni Mubarak’s 80th birthday. More

Bulletin - 74 released!

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:05:00 GMT

The bulletin (74) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the"Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Bulletin - 73 released!

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:08:00 GMT

The bulletin (73) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the"Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Israel: Investigate Death of Gaza Civilians

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:15:00 GMT

The Israeli government should conduct an immediate and independent investigation into the deaths of four civilians, including a Reuters cameraman and two teenage boys, in Gaza on April 16, 2008, Human Rights Watch said today More ...

Post-election violence increases in Zimbabwe

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:19:00 GMT

Zimbabweans had little to celebrate on Friday 18 April, the 28th anniversary of their country's independence. Since the country went to the polls on 29 March 2008, nearly three weeks ago, the results of the presidential vote have still not been announced and violent attacks on opposition supporters are increasing in number. Amnesty International said More....

Bulletin - 71eleased!

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 08:00:00 GMT

The bulletin (71for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Curretn Bulletin" menu from the top.

Bulletin - 70 released!

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:04:00 GMT

The bulletin (70) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

UN: Rights Council Chooses Consensus Over Victims

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:05:00 GMT

The UN Human Rights Council showed little resolve to take on states responsible for serious human rights violations in its session ending today, Human Rights Watch said. More..

Fighting intensifies in Basra

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:10:00 GMT

The US military launched air strikes in Basra on Friday for the first time since the Iraqi authorities began their crackdown on the Mahdi Army, followers of the Shi’a cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. More..

Bulletin - 69 released!

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:29:00 GMT

The bulletin (69 for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking thee "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Chad: Charge or Release Political Detainees

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:32:00 GMT

The Chadian government should charge or release persons arrested following a February coup attempt, Human Rights Watch said today. At least eight individuals More..

Activists Face Charges for Nonviolent Expression

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:33:00 GMT

The Indonesian government should order the immediate release of nine Papua activists arrested for displaying the Papuan Morning Star flag, Human Rights Watch said today. All charges against them should be dropped. More..

Bulletin - 68 released!

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:02:00 GMT

The bulletin (68) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Bulletin - 67 released!

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:35:00 GMT

The bulletin (67) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Malaysia: Citizens Denied a Fair Vote

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:37:00 GMT

Government restraints on expression, assembly and access to state media will deny Malaysians a fair vote in the March 8 general elections, Human Rights Watch said today. More

Bulletin - 97 released!

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:21:00 GMT

The bulletin (97) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the " Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

China: National People’s Congress Must Address Rights Reforms

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:12:00 GMT

China’s National People’s Congress should not allow another session to conclude without adopting reforms to improve protections on 10 key human rights issues, Human Rights Watch said today More

Iran: Halt Execution of Juvenile Offender

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 07:09:00 GMT

The head of Iran’s judiciary, Ayatollah Shahrudi, should immediately order a stay of execution for Mohammad Reza Haddadi, who was sentenced to death for a crime that he allegedly committed at the age of 15, Human Rights Watch said today More

Bulletin - 65 released!

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:37:00 GMT

The bulletin (65) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Bulletin - 64 released!

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 23:25:00 GMT

The bulletin (64) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Saudi Arabia: Halt Woman’s Execution for ‘Witchcraft’

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 23:28:00 GMT

King Abdullah should halt the execution of Fawza Falih and void her conviction for “witchcraft,” Human Rights Watch said in a letter to the Saudi king. More

Sri Lanka: Make human rights the priority

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 23:29:00 GMT

Amnesty International today called on the Sri Lanka government to make human rights the priority by allowing the organisation into the country to make an impartial assessment of its and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) human rights record, More

Bulletin - 63 released!

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:15:00 GMT

The bulletin (63) for this week has been released! You can view the current bulletin by clicking the "Current Bulletin" menu from the top.

Sudan: Government Must End Attacks on Civilians

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:18:00 GMT

Recent attacks on villages in West Darfur that have left more than 150 people dead highlight the urgent need for all sides to respect the rules of war and protect civilians, Human Rights Watch said today More