Articles by Human Rights Watch
Canadian cryptography policies announced; no breakthrough on international human rights
(HRW/IFEX) – On 4 October 1998, Human Rights Watch welcomed the Canadian government’s recent announcement affirming the freedom of Canadians to develop, import and use whatever cryptography products they choose. Minister of Industry John Manley announced the policy last week as pressure to expand controls on encryption technologies continues to build. “This move recognises Canadian […]
Trial of Aleksandr Nikitin due to start
(HRW/IFEX) – On 22 September 1998, Human Rights Watch-Moscow reported the start of the trial against Aleksandr Nikitin, writer, environmental activist and retired naval officer who is facing Russian Federation Security Bureau (FSB) inspired treason charges for his work for the Norwegian environmental organization Bellona Foundation on the dangers of nuclear contamination caused by Russia’s […]
Controls on encryption technology a threat to free expression, HRW warns Vienna conference
(HRW/IFEX) — Human Rights Watch on 18 September urged an international conference on technology, now meeting in Vienna, not to expand controls on encryption technologies. The organization said that cryptographic products are critical to the ability of human rights defenders around the world to transmit sensitive information without detection by repressive governments. The conference is […]
Human Rights Watch pushes for prisoner’s immediate release
(HRW/IFEX) – Human Rights Watch on 15 September 1998 called for urgent action to save the life of imprisoned Syrian dissident Nizar Nayouf, a 36-year-old writer and human rights activist suffering from Hodgkin’s disease in a Damascus military prison. **For background, see IFEX alert of 10 September 1998** “We are deeply concerned that Nizar Nayouf […]
Indonesian reforms urged to ensure that Soeharto-era abuses not repeated
(HRW/IFEX) – In a major new report released on 04 September 1998, Human Rights Watch warns that if the current political opening in Indonesia is not followed by legal and institutional protections for basic rights, the entire reform effort could unravel. HRW has warned that if the current political opening in Indonesia is not followed […]
Serbian journalist and driver missing in Kosovo
(HRW/IFEX) – According to HRW, an ethnic Serbian journalist and his driver have been missing for five days, and are feared abducted by members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in the province of Kosovo. Djuro Slavuj and his driver, Ranko Perinic, both of Radio Prishtina, were last seen in the city of Orahovac on […]
Journalist released
(HRW/IFEX) – Musa Kurhasku, journalist with “Koha Ditore”, was released after seven hours in police detention on 19 August 1998. According to the “Koha Ditore” editorial staff, he was beaten while in custody. **Updates IFEX alert of 20 August 1998** The police reportedly warned Kurhasku that he would be arrested again if an ethnic Serb […]
Ethnic Albanian journalist arrested in Kosovo
(HRW/IFEX) – On 19 August 1998, HRW expressed deep concern about the most recent arrest of an ethnic Albanian journalist in the war-torn province of Kosovo. Musa Kurhasku, correspondent for the largest Albanian-language daily newspaper, “Koha Ditore”, was taken into police custody on 19 August 1998, around 3:00 p.m. (local time) from his home in […]