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DR Congo: Protect Civilians From Brutal Rebel Attacks
Killings, Abductions, and Pillaging by Lord?s Resistance Army Continue The UN Security Council should urgently increase the number of peacekeepers to help protect civilians in northern Democratic Republic of Congo following renewed attacks by the Lord?s Resistance Army (LRA), four international and national human rights organizations said today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 13-Nov-2008 06:00

ICC: Members Should Confront Critics and Increase Cooperation
Ten Years on, Use Annual Meeting to Support and Strengthen the Court International Criminal Court (ICC) member countries should speak up to support the court?s independence and mandate during their annual meeting beginning November 14, 2008, Human Rights Watch said today. They should also pledge increased international cooperation on arrest warrants and should resolve to carry out arrests in the coming year.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 12-Nov-2008 06:00

DR Congo: Increase Peacekeepers in Eastern Congo
Security Council Should Urgently Add Troops to the UN Mission The United Nations Security Council should urgently increase the number of peacekeepers in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to protect civilians in the face of new fighting and mounting civilian deaths, Human Rights Watch said today. The Security Council is meeting today with Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy to discuss the situation.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 10-Nov-2008 06:00

DR Congo: Civilians Under Attack Need Urgent Protection
EU and Other UN Member States Should Send More Peacekeepers United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other African and international leaders meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, this weekend should take immediate action to protect civilians who are at severe risk in eastern Congo, 10 human rights and humanitarian agencies, including Human Rights Watch, Oxfam, ENOUGH and the Norwegian Refugee Council, amongst others, said today. The agencies also called on the European Union (EU), whose foreign ministers are to meet in Brussels on November 10, to send immediate reinforcements to the beleaguered UN peacekeeping mission, MONUC, whose forces have been unable to halt abuses against civilians.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 07-Nov-2008 06:00

DR Congo: New Attacks on Civilians
Strengthen UN Peacekeepers to Protect Civilians Rebel leader Laurent Nkunda?s forces and government-backed Mai Mai militias deliberately killed civilians in Kiwanja, North Kivu province, on November 4-5, 2008, Human Rights Watch said today. UN peacekeepers based in the area were apparently unable to protect civilians from attack.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 06-Nov-2008 06:00

Burundi: Detentions of Political Opponents Threaten Rights
The detention of political activist Alexis Sinduhije and 36 others by Burundian police on November 3, 2008, highlights the growing obstacles to the free exercise of civil and political rights in Burundi, Human Rights Watch said today. Sinduhije, well-known as a former radio journalist, has been trying since February to form an opposition political party, the Movement for Security and Democracy (MSD).
Source : Human Rights Watch | 04-Nov-2008 06:00

DR Congo: International Leaders Should Act Now to Protect Civilians
Intensify Diplomacy and Bolster UN Peacekeeping Force to Save Lives The United States, European Union, and African Union should urgently intensify diplomatic efforts to protect civilians and bolster the UN peacekeeping force in eastern Congo, Human Rights Watch said today. As a result of the fighting in North Kivu, which resumed in August after the collapse of a January peace deal, tens of thousands of civilians are fleeing fighting between government troops and combatants led by the rebel general Laurent Nkunda.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 30-Oct-2008 06:00

Burundi: Muyinga Massacre Convictions a Victory
15 Soldiers Sentenced for Executions of 31 Civilians The October 23 conviction by a military tribunal of 15 soldiers for the massacre of 31 civilians in Muyinga province in 2006 is an important blow against impunity in Burundi, Human Rights Watch said today. The series of killings is among the worst atrocities committed by state security forces since President Pierre Nkurunziza took office in 2005.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 24-Oct-2008 07:00

United States: Bush Signs Law on Child Soldiers
Measure to Prosecute Recruiters Abroad Puts Commanders on Notice Under a new law signed today by US President George W. Bush, leaders of military forces and armed groups who have recruited child soldiers may be arrested and prosecuted in the United States, Human Rights Watch said today. The law could apply to leaders of dozens of forces that have recruited and used child soldiers in over 20 armed conflicts.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 03-Oct-2008 07:00

DR Congo: Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Peace Process Falters
Renewed Fighting Displaces 100,000 More Civilians in Eastern Congo Renewed combat in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has caused a drastic deterioration in the humanitarian situation and immense suffering for civilians, the Congo Advocacy Coalition, a group of 83 aid agencies and human rights groups, said today. The coalition called for urgent action to improve protection of civilians and an immediate increase in assistance to vulnerable populations.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 24-Sep-2008 07:00

Uganda: Protect Sexual Rights Activists
Ensure Due Process for All Citizens Police should end investigations into the activities of two Ugandan human rights activists working in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities, Human Rights Watch and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) said today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 19-Sep-2008 07:00

Five Activists Win Human Rights Watch Awards
Honored for Courage in Exposing Abuse and Seeking Justice Five brave and selfless advocates of human rights from Burma, Congo, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan have been awarded the prestigious 2008 Human Rights Defender Awards, Human Rights Watch said today. All five have been persecuted and threatened for their work. One winner, Saudi lawyer Abd al-Rahman al-Lahim, is, which Human Rights Watch urges the Saudi government lift so that he may receive his award in person in London.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 15-Sep-2008 07:00

SADC: Adopt Gender and Development Protocol
Summit Leaders Should Act on Equality for Women Southern African leaders should adopt the proposed Gender and Development Protocol at their upcoming summit after amending it to include crucial provisions deleted in 2007, Human Rights Watch said today. One of the most important provisions that should be put back in to the protocol would commit states to criminalize marital rape.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 14-Aug-2008 07:00

Uganda: Torture Threat for HIV/AIDS Activists
Abduction and Intimidation Accompany Unfair Trial The abduction and torture of a Ugandan HIV/AIDS activist who faces trial for holding a peaceful protest reveals the danger to those who challenge the government?s policies, Human Rights Watch, and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders said today. The three human rights organizations (the Observatory is a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture and the International Federation of Human Rights), called on the Ugandan authorities to investigate the abduction and torture and sanction those responsible. They also urged that the charges against all three human rights defenders on trial for the protest be dropped
Source : Human Rights Watch | 30-Jul-2008 07:18

DR Congo: Peace Process Fragile, Civilians at Risk
More Than 200 Killed and 150,000 Displaced Since January Accord Signed Six months since the signing of a peace agreement, horrendous violence continues to plague eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a coalition of 64 aid agencies and human rights groups said today. The new Congo Advocacy Coalition was created in July 2008 to focus attention on the protection of civilians as part of the peace process in eastern Congo. It called on the international community to put further pressure on armed groups and the Congolese government to make real their promises to protect civilians.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 28-Jul-2008 07:00

Rwanda: Progress in Judicial Reforms Falls Short
Technical Advances, but Insufficient Fair Trial Guarantees The Rwandan government has made notable progress in reforming its judicial system since 2004, but fair trial is still not assured, said Human Rights Watch in a new report released today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 24-Jul-2008 07:00

DR Congo: Peace Accord Fails to End Killing of Civilians
Murder, Rape, Looting Continues Six Months After Goma Agreement The killing and rape of civilians in the eastern province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues at a horrifying rate despite the signing of a peace accord six months ago, Human Rights Watch said today. The agreement was supposed to stop such attacks.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 18-Jul-2008 07:00

ICC: Good Progress Amid Missteps in First Five Years
Court Needs Continuing International Support for Challenges Ahead The International Criminal Court (ICC) has made notable progress in bringing justice for the worst crimes despite mistakes in policy and practice, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today that assesses the court?s first five years. Human Rights Watch urged greater international support of the ICC to meet the political and financial challenges ahead.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 11-Jul-2008 07:00

UN: Council Should Help End Fresh Abuses by Uganda?s LRA
Boys, Girls Among Hundreds Abducted Across Three Countries (New York, June 19, 2008) ? 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, Human Rights Watch said in a letter released today to council members. The Security Council will be briefed on June 20 by the former president of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano, who is the UN secretary-general?s special envoy to areas affected by the insurgent Lord?s Resistance Army (LRA).
Source : Human Rights Watch | 19-Jun-2008 07:00

Burundi: Constitutional Court Decision Unseats 22 Lawmakers
Lawyers, Civil Society Allege Bias and Political Manipulation by Ruling Party The ousting of 22 National Assembly members, following a Constitutional Court decision that they could not sit as ?independents,? raises serious concerns about double standards given that other independent deputies supporting the government remain in parliament, Human Rights Watch said today. The affected parliamentarians had been elected as members of the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (Conseil national pour la d?fense de la d?mocratie-Forces pour la d?fense de la d?mocratie, CNDD-FDD), but had left or been expelled from the party following internal divisions.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 17-Jun-2008 07:00

Uganda: Drop Charges Against Sexual Rights Activists
Censorship, silence around HIV/AIDS can kill The arrest of three sexual rights activists during a peaceful demonstration to raise awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues shows the Ugandan government?s determination to enforce silence around sexuality and HIV/AIDS, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to Minister of Justice and Attorney General Edward Kiddu Makubuya.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 11-Jun-2008 07:00

UN: Empower Peacekeepers to Stop Rape
Security Council Should Listen to Women Hurt by War The United Nations Security Council should effectively address sexual violence in conflict as a weapon of war and its destabilizing impact on communities, Human Rights Watch and the International Women?s Tribune Center said today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 10-Jun-2008 07:00

ICC: Congo?s Former Vice-President Arrested
International Court Should Pursue Other Top Officials in the CAR and Congo Following the arrest of Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo on May 24, the International Criminal Court should pursue other top officials in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo for atrocities committed against civilians, Human Rights Watch said today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 30-May-2008 07:00

Burundi: Release Civilians Detained Without Charge
Stop Arbitrary Arrests, Beatings of Alleged FNL Members Burundian police and judicial officials should immediately release the scores of persons still detained solely as suspected members of a movement long opposed to the government, Human Rights Watch said today. They should also instruct security forces to cease such arrests.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 29-May-2008 07:00

UN: Africa Trip Should Focus on Human Rights
Protection of Civilians Necessary for Lasting Peace The United Nations Security Council should address protection of civilians, justice, and human rights during its upcoming visit to Africa from June 1-10, 2008, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to the council. Human Rights Watch highlighted critical issues that needed to be addressed at each of the stops on the council?s tour.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 27-May-2008 07:00

Uganda: LRA Regional Atrocities Demand Action
International Response Needed to Stop New Abuses and Ensure Justice International action is needed to end the Lord?s Resistance Army?s reported new spree of abductions and sexual violence and to help execute arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for the group?s leaders, Human Rights Watch said today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 19-May-2008 07:00

DR Congo: Avert Blatant Miscarriage of Justice
Rights Groups Say Court Denied the Accused Basic Rights in Maheshe Murder Trial A group of international and Congolese human rights organizations are greatly concerned that international fair-trial standards have been violated in the trial and appeal of four men convicted in the murder of Congolese journalist Serge Maheshe.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 19-May-2008 07:00

UN: Tackle Wrongdoing by Peacekeepers
Investigation Division Ignores Gold Smuggling and Arms Trading in Congo United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon should urgently address the failings of the investigating arm of the United Nations and ensure that UN peacekeepers responsible for abuses are held to account, Human Rights Watch said today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 02-May-2008 07:00

Burundi: Government Should Act to End Police Abuses
Climate of Impunity Contributes to Illegal Detention, Beatings and Torture The Burundian government should take immediate steps to end the climate of impunity that facilitates illegal detention, mistreatment and torture of individuals by the police, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 30-Apr-2008 07:00

DR Congo: Suspected War Criminal Wanted
International Court Unseals Arrest Warrant Against Bosco Ntaganda Congolese officials and UN peacekeepers should take swift action to enforce the International Criminal Court?s (ICC) arrest warrant against a rebel leader accused of forcibly conscripting child soldiers and of other abuses, Human Rights Watch said today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 29-Apr-2008 07:00

DR Congo: End the Horrific Suffering in Eastern Congo
63 Leading NGOs Press for Urgent Implementation of Goma Peace Agreement (London, April 23, 2008) ? The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the armed groups, and international parties to the Goma peace agreement should urgently implement the accord and end the horrific suffering of hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children facing brutal violence and deadly diseases in eastern Congo, 63 international and Congolese human rights and aid groups said in a joint statement today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 22-Apr-2008 07:00

UN: Rights Council Fails Victims in Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo Needs More Expert Help, Not Less The UN Human Rights Council?s failure to renew the mandate of the expert for the Democratic Republic of Congo is a betrayal of its responsibilities toward the Congolese people, Human Rights Watch said today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 27-Mar-2008 06:00

Burundi: Investigate Attacks on Opposition
Burundian authorities should promptly investigate grenade attacks on four prominent opposition politicians and bring those responsible to justice, Human Rights Watch said today. The attacks on the politicians? homes took place almost simultaneously on March 8, 2008, suggesting they were a coordinated effort to intimidate the political opposition to the ruling party, the National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (Conseil National pour le D?fense de la D?mocratie-Forces pour le D?fense de la D?mocratie, CNDD-FDD). They followed two months of growing tension between the CNDD-FDD and opposition political parties.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 12-Mar-2008 06:00

UN: Rights Council Should Tackle Somalia Crisis
Put Spotlight on Burma, Eastern Congo, and Sri Lanka The UN Human Rights Council should draw attention to the neglected human rights crisis in Somalia, Human Rights Watch said today as the council began its first session of this year. The council, meeting in Geneva, should also intensify its engagement on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sri Lanka and Burma, Human Rights Watch said.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 03-Mar-2008 06:00

Uganda: New Accord Provides for War Crimes Trials
Prosecuting Rights Abusers Will Require Political Will, Legal Reforms The agreement announced today between the Ugandan government and the Lord?s Resistance Army is a major step, but provisions on war crimes trials must be effectively put into practice for sustainable peace and justice in northern Uganda, Human Rights Watch said today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 19-Feb-2008 06:00

Religious Leaders Call on Government of Uganda to Protect the Rights of Gays and Lesbians
A coalition of 120 religious leaders has called on the government of Uganda to protect the human rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) citizens in the East African nation.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 15-Feb-2008 06:00

Rwanda: Review Doctor?s Genocide Conviction
Correct Injustice Against Ex-Presidential Candidate and Surgeon Officials of the Rwandan popular justice system known as gacaca should immediately review a recent judicial decision that found the surgeon and former presidential candidate Dr. Theoneste Niyitegeka guilty of complicity in genocide, Human Rights Watch said today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 15-Feb-2008 06:00

Africa: Bush?s Trip Highlights Flaws in US HIV/AIDS Policy
President George W. Bush?s praise for US efforts against HIV/AIDS in Africa should not obscure how his administration?s policies continue to undermine HIV prevention on the continent and globally, Human Rights Watch said today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 14-Feb-2008 06:00

ICC/DRC: New War Crimes Suspect Arrested
ICC Should Investigate Senior Officials Linked to Local Warlords (Brussels, February 7, 2008) ? The International Criminal Court?s arrest of a third war crimes suspect in the Democratic Republic of Congo should encourage the court to pursue senior civilian and military officials in the Great Lakes region linked to international crimes committed there, Human Rights Watch said today. Congolese authorities yesterday arrested Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui, former chief of staff of the Front for National Integration (FNI), an ethnic Lendu-based militia group that committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Ituri district of northeastern Congo. Ngudjolo was placed in ICC custody on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He will arrive in The Hague later today. At the time of his arrest, Ngudjolo was in military training in Kinshasa following his appointment as a colonel in the Congolese national army in October 2006.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 07-Feb-2008 06:00

Burundi: Suspect in Muyinga Killings Must Be Returned to Face Justice
Burundi should formally request that Tanzania extradite Col. Vital Bangirinama to ensure he comes home to face justice over the 2006 Muyinga massacre, Human Rights Watch said today. Burundi must also ensure that Bangirinama, a Burundian military officer accused of involvement in the summary execution of at least 31 civilians in Muyinga province, receives a trial in accordance with international standards and that he and any witnesses are guaranteed protection.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 04-Feb-2008 06:00

DR Congo: Warring Sides Must Protect Civilians
UN Peacekeepers Must Also Help Civilians at Risk in North Kivu All sides to the renewed fighting in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo must protect civilians at risk, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch also called on United Nations peacekeepers in the area to strengthen their civilian protection efforts.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 11-Dec-2007 06:00

UN: ICC Needs Backing to Bring Justice for War Crimes
Secretary-General to Address ICC Meeting at UN Headquarters The United Nations secretariat and the 105 states that have joined the International Criminal Court should step up support for the court so that it can bring justice for war crimes, Human Rights Watch said today as the ICC opens its annual meeting in New York.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 30-Nov-2007 06:00

Commonwealth Summit: Leaders Should Join Forces Against Rights Abuses
Pakistan Should Be Suspended Unless Emergency Rule Is Lifted When Commonwealth heads of government convene in Kampala this week for their biennial retreat, they should address human rights abuses within their ranks, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch endorsed the suspension of Pakistan from the Commonwealth unless emergency rule there is lifted.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 19-Nov-2007 06:00

UK: Put Genocide Suspects on Trial in Britain
UK Prosecution Preferable to Extradition The United Kingdom should prosecute four Rwandans accused of participating in genocide instead of sending them to Rwanda for trial, said Human Rights Watch today. An extradition hearing for the four, who are being sought by the Rwandan government, begins on November 5.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 01-Nov-2007 06:00

US/Uganda: Bush, Museveni Should Talk Human Rights
Justice for Atrocities in Uganda, Protection in Somalia President George W. Bush should press his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni on key human rights issues when the two leaders meet at the White House on October 30, Human Rights Watch said in a letter made public today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 29-Oct-2007 06:00

DR Congo: Civilians in Peril
Army and UN Peacekeepers Must Protect Civilians at Risk in North Kivu As Congolese politicians and diplomats scramble to avoid full-scale war in the eastern province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Human Rights Watch today issued a report documenting horrific murders, rape, and pillage by all parties to the conflict.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 22-Oct-2007 07:00