Human Rights Reports

Human Rights Watch: Final Talks on Cluster Munition Ban Treaty 2008-05-16

States Should Resist Weakening Treaty in Any Way | The more than 100 countries that will gather in Dublin, Ireland on May 19 to negotiate a new international treaty aimed at banning cluster munitions should reject attempts to weaken the treaty, Human Rights Watch said today. Participating countries are scheduled to adopt the final text of the treaty on May 30.

Human Rights Watch: Netherlands: Discrimination in the Name of Integration 2008-05-15

Overseas Integration Test Infringes on Rights of Migrants | The Netherlands should abolish the overseas integration test that discriminatorily targets only migrants of certain nationalities trying to join their families, while citizens from other, western countries are exempt, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper released today. People of Moroccan and Turkish origin two of the three largest non-western migrant communities in the Netherlands have been especially affected.

Human Rights Watch: Burma: China Should Push to Get Aid in 2008-05-10

India, ASEAN Also Need to Push Generals to Accept International Help | China, India, Thailand and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should work to convince Burmas government to lift restrictions on international assistance so aid can reach survivors of Cyclone Nargis, Human Rights Watch said today.

Human Rights Watch: Morocco: Investigate Migrant Deaths at Sea 2008-05-09

Navy Sailors Accused of Deliberately Sinking Boat | The Moroccan government should immediately investigate allegations that its naval forces sank a boat in the Mediterranean in which at least 28 migrants drowned, Human Rights Watch said today.

Human Rights Watch: Vietnam: Religious Freedom Denied 2008-05-08

Buddhists Remain Behind Bars While Vietnam Hosts UN Buddhist Celebration | As Vietnam prepares to host the United Nations Day of Visak next week, one of the most sacred days for Buddhists, the government should cease the persecution, harassment and imprisonment of Buddhists and other independent religious groups, Human Rights Watch said today. More than 400 people remain behind bars in Vietnam for their peaceful religious or political activities.

Human Rights Watch: Morocco: Sham Inquiry Highlights Impunity for Police Abuse 2008-05-08

Prosecutor Prematurely Closes Investigation Without Hearing All Testimony | Citing lack of evidence, Moroccan authorities closed an investigation into police abuse allegations made by two human rights defenders whose testimony the prosecutor refused to solicit, Human Rights Watch said today.

Human Rights Watch: Jordan: Prison Burning Deaths Need Independent Investigation 2008-05-08

Police Investigation Ignores Evidence, Intimidates Witnesses | King Abdullah should order an independent investigation into the events surrounding the deaths on April 14 of three prisoners at al-Muwaqqar prison east of Amman, Human Rights Watch said today. Despite ample evidence of misconduct, and potentially criminal acts by prison officials, police authorities told Human Rights Watch that their investigation into the incident will vindicate the prison officials, setting out that they acted correctly.

Human Rights Watch: Kosovo/Albania: Investigate Postwar Abductions, Transfers to Albania 2008-05-05

Official Dismissals Premature | Additional information has emerged that bolsters allegations of abductions and cross-border transfers from Kosovo to Albania after the 1998-1999 Kosovo war, Human Rights Watch said today. The Kosovar and Albanian governments should open independent and transparent investigations to help resolve the fate of approximately 400 Serbs who went missing after the war.

Human Rights Watch: Israel: Independent Probe Needed in Gaza Killings 2008-05-02

Military-Only Investigations Into Civilian Deaths Inadequate | The Israeli government should go beyond a military field investigation and conduct an impartial and thorough probe into the tank shelling that killed a Reuters cameraman and three other civilians in Gaza on April 16, Human Rights Watch said today.

Human Rights Watch: UN: Tackle Wrongdoing by Peacekeepers 2008-05-02

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.