Egypt: Activists Detained for Advocating for Shi`a Minority

Sat, 6 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
Two Men Who Criticized Torture Imprisoned Egypt should immediately free two men active in promoting the rights of Egypt’s Shi`a minority and halt any criminal proceedings against them, Human Rights Watch said today. The two men were arrested after also criticizing the prevalence of torture in Egyptian prisons.

Russia: Rethink Use of Youth Groups to Police Protests

Fri, 5 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
Russian police should rethink the use of police volunteers from pro-Kremlin youth groups, Human Rights Watch said in a letter sent to the Minister of the Interior today. At a minimum, the police should ensure accountability for the volunteers’ actions before proceeding with their use.

US: Attorney General Nominee Should Repudiate Torture Memos

Thu, 4 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
Gonzales and Administration Officials Should Be Investigated Reports of two new “torture memos” underscore the need for the next US attorney general to declassify and repudiate secret government legal opinions that permit abusive interrogations, Human Rights Watch said today.

Sudan: Surrender Kosheib

Wed, 3 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
Khartoum Continues to Flout Obligation to Turn Over Suspects Sudan should immediately surrender suspect Ali Kosheib to the International Criminal Court, Human Rights Watch said today. Sudan announced yesterday that it had released Kosheib from prison for lack of evidence.

US: Immigrants in Detention at Risk

Wed, 3 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
Government Lax in Monitoring Medical Care The United States government should increase executive and legislative branch oversight of medical care for immigrants in detention. Human Rights Watch urges Subcommittee members to hold the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accountable for its failure to ensure uniform medical care standards that comply with national and international guidelines and for its incomplete monitoring and oversight of detention facilities.

Nicaragua: New Abortion Ban Puts Women’s Lives at Risk

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
President Ortega Should Show Leadership by Protecting Women s Lives Nicaragua’s blanket ban on abortion, which criminalizes life-saving medical treatment, has had a devastating impact on women’s health and lives, Human Rights Watch said today in the first-ever report on the human rights consequences of the ban, which was enacted in November 2006.

US: Close Legal Loopholes Allowing Contractors to Act with Impunity

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
US Contractors in Iraq, Afghanistan Must Be Held Liable for Criminal Activity Congress should quickly pass legislation that would ensure US government contractors who commit felonies in Iraq and Afghanistan can be prosecuted in US federal courts, Human Rights Watch said today. A vote on such legislation is expected in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, October 3.

Russia Targets Georgians for Expulsion

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
Government Targeted Ethnic Group in Response to Political Conflict The Russian government undertook a deliberate campaign to detain and expel thousands of Georgians living in Russia in October and November 2006, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

Guatemala: Reject Bill Threatening Families

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
Discriminatory Bill Strips Rights of 40 Percent of Families Guatemalan legislators should protect all families by voting against the “Integral Protection for Marriage and Family Act,” Human Rights Watch urged today in a letter to the Guatemalan Congress.

Sudan: Peacekeeper Killings are War Crimes

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
Government and Rebels Should Aid Investigation The killing of 10 African Union peacekeepers in Darfur is a war crime and should be promptly investigated by the United Nations and the African Union, Human Rights Watch said today.

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