Human Rights Watch

Vietnam should be urged to release all political prisoners and to end restrictions on the freedoms of expression, association, peaceful assembly, belief, and religion when the two sides meet for their annual bilateral human rights dialogue, Human Rights Watch said.

For Immediate release Russia: A Move to Investigate Police Abuses New Unit Needs Independence, Robust Mandate, Resources (Moscow, April 20, 2012) – The creation of a special unit to investigate crimes by law enforcement officials is an important step toward ending impunity and eliminating torture by law enforcement and security agencies in Russia, Human Rights […]

The National Assembly of Suriname amended an existing amnesty law to give immunity to those who were on trial for the alleged abduction and murder of 15 prominent political opponents, including journalists, lawyers, and a trade union leader, in December 1982.

The decision to go ahead with the Grand Prix on April 22, 2012, gives the country’s rulers the opportunity they are seeking to obscure the seriousness of the country’s human rights situation, says Human Rights Watch.

The law which would replace the infamous ISA offers some reform but opens the door to a range of future abuses, Human Rights Watch said.

In 2006, Alisher Karamatov was arrested, tortured in custody and forced to confess to politically-motivated charges, then sentenced to nine years in jail.

For Immediate Release Bangladesh: Investigate Killing of Labor Activist Union Organizer Aminul Islam’s Body Bore Signs of Torture (New York, April 12, 2012) –¬ The Bangladesh authorities should immediately and impartially investigate the killing of the labor rights activist Aminul Islam, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed. […]

Human Rights Watch calls for the revision of laws that set prison terms for “offending public morals”.

Two men attacked Elena Milashina, a journalist with the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, and her friend Ella Asoyan, a Freedom House program officer.

The action against Activists for Change (A4C) was taken ahead of a planned demonstration on 5 April.

The Palestinian Authority has arrested several journalists and Facebook users in recent weeks over critical remarks, while Israeli forces have raided Al Quds University.

Thirteen people have been charged with speech crimes after police violently broke up a demonstration at a police station.

The UN Human Rights Committee voiced concern about the fact that the government “systematically does not respect the right to freedom of expression,” “harasses and intimidates journalists and human rights defenders,” and “monitors the use of the internet and blocks access to some websites.”

The legislation would allow the public to obtain access to information held by public bodies including information that was previously inaccessible, or that was considered sensitive such as government contracts with multinational companies.

Since January, authorities have banned and cracked down on five anti-government rallies and arrested at least 46 protesters, 11 of whom courts sentenced to prison terms of up to 90 days. The increasing violence and threats raise concerns about 2012 elections.

To end the cycle of impunity, the prime minister and her government should promptly bring charges against those responsible for crimes committed during the 2010 political upheavals, whatever their political affiliation or official position in the military or government, Human Rights Watch said.