Articles by Human Rights Watch
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 […]
Human Rights Watch selects 44 writers from 19 countries to receive Hellman/Hammett grants
(HRW/IFEX) – The following statement was issued by Human Rights Watch on 3 August 1998: The 1998 Hellman/Hammett grant recipients provide a fascinating look at the myriad ways that government repress freedom of speech. The forty-four writers who hail from nineteen countries have faced obstacles ranging from imprisonment and torture to having their works banned […]
Academic leaders and scholars’ advocates critique proposed Jordanian press law
(HRW/IFEX) – In a 9 July 1998 letter to Jordanian Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Mohammad Hamdan, made public on 13 July, the Human Rights Watch Academic Freedom Committee criticizes the draft press and publications law currently being considered by the Jordanian parliament. The letter, signed on behalf of the committee by Jonathan F. Fanton, […]
HRW report describes rampant abuses under regime of President Aleksander Lukashenka
(HRW/IFEX) – In a forthcoming report, Human Rights Watch describes rampant abuses under the regime of Belarusian president Aleksander Lukashenka. “The current diplomatic flap is vintage Lukashenka,” says Holly Cartner, executive director of Human Rights Watch’s Europe and Central Asia division. “The man does not accept challenges to his power – and in Belarus, his […]
Academic leaders and human rights advocates urge U. S. President Bill Clinton to champion academic and political freedoms during his visit to China
(HRW/IFEX) – In an open letter to United States of America President Bill Clinton, the Human Rights Watch Academic Freedom Committee calls on the President to speak out forcefully in support of both academic and political freedom during his planned visits to university campuses in China. During his upcoming state visit, the President is scheduled […]
HRW calls for immediate release of imprisoned Cameroonian journalist
(HRW/IFEX) – In a letter sent to the president of Cameroon on 2 June 1998, HRW welcomed his call to resolve the case of a wrongfully-imprisoned journalist. Pius Njawe, of “Le Messager”, was convicted of “spreading false information” after he published an article raising the possibility that President Paul Biya had suffered heart trouble during […]
HRW urges Indonesian government to dismantle barriers to academic freedom
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is the full text of a statement made available by HRW on 1 June 1998: (New York, May 28) — In an open letter today to new Indonesian Education Minister Juwono Sudarsono, the Human Rights Watch Academic Freedom Committee urges the government to dismantle immediately the mechanisms of control over academic […]
Reforms needed after Soeharto’s resignation
(HRW/IFEX) – Human Rights Watch (HRW) has stated that though the resignation of Indonesia’s long-serving President Soeharto is an important first step toward reform, it is still unclear whether his successor, President Habibie, has the will or the ability to do away with Indonesia’s authoritarian political system. According to Sidney Jones, Asia director of HRW, […]