Human Rights
Thursday, June 9, 2016 - 06:57
The U.S. military was too slow to realize the full cost of “civilian harm”—the military’s term for killing innocent civilians and causing political, social, and economic disruption—in its war in Afghanistan. By the end of 2008, the United States and its allies caused nearly 40 percent of all civilian fatalities, according to UN data. Afghans judged them harshly: they expected the Taliban to be brutal, but international militaries, with their technology and “precision” weapons, should not have been doing such damage.
Thursday, June 9, 2016 - 06:54
Reports of violent repression by Colombian police takes place as lawmakers consider a controversial legislation that would violate civil liberties.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016 - 06:52
Mexico's Zetas crime syndicate and the government forces tasked with fighting it are both likely guilty of crimes against humanity according to a new report that calls for the establishment of an international body to independently investigate atrocities and fight impunity in the country.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016 - 06:47
Spokesmen of of a week-long uprising of tens of thousands of small farmers and minorities in Colombia’s countryside called for international protection after three protesters were killed, more than 200 injured and 100 were arrested.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016 - 06:44
Human Rights First today urged the State Department to submit its congressionally-mandated report assessing the extent to which the Bahraini government has implemented the recommendations of the 2011 Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report.
Tuesday, June 7, 2016 - 08:16
Tajikistan’s Supreme Court sentenced leaders of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) on June 2, 2016 to lengthy prison terms on charges of attempting to overthrow the government, Human Rights Watch, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, and the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia said today. The sentences, including two life terms, followed an unfair trial initiated in retaliation for their peaceful political opposition and reflect the government’s pervasive manipulation of the justice system and egregious violations of the right to freedom of expression. The US, EU member states, and Tajikistan’s other international partners should respond to the sentences with targeted punitive measures against Tajik officials unless concrete human rights improvements are made, including setting aside the opposition leaders’ convictions.
Tuesday, June 7, 2016 - 06:21
In a move that sparked sharp criticism from human rights advocates, Saudi Arabia persuaded U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to take it off of a U.N. blacklist of countries, rebels, and terrorist groups that have egregiously violated children’s rights despite mounting evidence that Riyadh’s air war in Yemen has killed hundreds of children.
Tuesday, June 7, 2016 - 06:19
As Iraqi security forces tighten their grip on the outskirts of militant-held Fallujah allegations of human rights violations are surfacing on both sides of the operation.
Monday, June 6, 2016 - 06:40
Saudi Arabia has rejected a United Nations report that criticized the military coalition it is leading in Yemen, saying it was based primarily on information supplied by its adversaries.
Friday, June 3, 2016 - 06:21
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon slammed the Saudi Arabia-led coalition fighting in Yemen for killing and maiming children by adding it to an annual blacklist of states and armed groups that violate children's rights during conflict.