Authorities urged to investigate use of force in quelling demonstration
“Omani citizens should be able to peacefully assemble and petition their government for positive change,” Human Rights Watch said.
Authorities urged to free cleric who backs change
Shaikh Tawfiq al-‘Amir was apparently arrested for calling for a constitutional monarchy and equal rights for Shia Muslims.
UN urged to suspend Libya’s rights council role
Non-governmental organisations, including four IFEX members, urged the UN General Assembly to immediately suspend Libya’s membership rights in the UN Human Rights Council.
Protester killed, at least a dozen wounded in shootings on peaceful protests in Aden
The security forces opened fire as protesters chanting “peaceful, peaceful,” and carrying posters reading “peaceful” stopped about 100 metres from a line of military, police and other security forces.
At least eight protesters killed by security forces, dozens injured
As a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the government is obligated to protect the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, Human Rights Watch said.
Silence is not an option: petition for immediate action by UNHRC
Several organisations, including CIHRS and Human Rights Watch, have urged the Human Rights Council to urgently respond to the violent repression of demonstrations.
Attack on rights group’s guard raises broader concerns for the security of human rights defenders
Members of the group, which have been collecting data on casualties resulting from the daily anti-government protests, received threatening phone calls in days prior to the attack.
Government urged to ensure rights of freed political prisoners
Authorities reportedly demanded that the activists each sign a document promising to refrain from criticising the government after they had been released.
African Union urged to press Gbagbo to halt abuses
Laurent Gbagbo’s forces have targeted real and perceived supporters of Alassane Ouattara, using excessive and often lethal force against largely peaceful demonstrators since early December.
Police allow gangs to attack peaceful protesters
Security forces have an obligation to protect the right to assemble peacefully and to use only the minimum necessary force to protect lives if violence erupts, Human Rights Watch said.
Human Rights Watch urges authorities to end harassment of peaceful demonstrators
“Malaysian government opposition to peaceful marches results in three big losers: the rights to free expression, freedom of association, and peaceful assembly,” said Human Rights Watch.
New media decree will force journalists to publish sources or face fines
The decree, which fines journalists for vague infractions and requires them to publish sources, is a further blow to freedom of expression in Vietnam, says Human Rights Watch.
Forty-six activists arrested for viewing video on events in Egypt and Tunisia
“Arresting people for watching a video on the historic events in the Middle East is a transparent pretext to block peaceful criticism of the government,” Human Rights Watch said.
Attacks on rights defenders underscore need for federal protection system, says Human Rights Watch
Several human rights defenders told Human Rights Watch that attacks on rights workers have generated considerable fear among their peers, leading some members of their organizations to take a lower profile in public activities.
Human Rights Watch urges government to stop arbitrary arrests of dissidents
The government arbitrarily detained at least 50 people leading up to the one-year anniversary of Orlando Zapata Tamayo’s death, according to dissidents who spoke to the organisation.
Protesters should be allowed to air grievances without risk of death, says Human Rights Watch
Pro-government armed groups killed at least one anti-government protester and injured 38 others, according to witnesses.