Human Rights

Egypt: Travel Ban on Women’s Rights Leader

Ongoing Repression Against Civil Society

Egyptian authorities have banned the prominent director of a women’s rights organization from traveling outside the country. On June 27, 2016, Interior Ministry passport control officers at Cairo International Airport stopped Mozn Hassan, the director of Nazra for Feminist Studies, from boarding her flight to Beirut, where she planned to attend a meeting of regional women human rights defenders.

Central African Republic: Police Unit Killed 18 in Cold Blood

Investigate Former Commander Implicated in Abuses

Members of a special anti-crime unit in the Central African Republic unlawfully executed at least 18 people and possibly more between April 2015 and March 2016, Human Rights Watch said on June 26.

On International Day, UN chief urges end to 'dehumanizing' practice for victims of torture

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Singers wearing hats advocating “No Torture” line up before performing at a Human Rights Day event outside of Mogadishu Central Prison in Somalia on 10 December 2013.

In Paris, Ban calls for 'humane solution' for refugees and migrants

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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) and François Hollande, President of France, brief the media following their meeting in Paris.

China: New Bank’s Projects Should Respect Rights

Member Countries Key to Ensuring Transparency, Accountability

The China-founded Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) should create a robust, independent accountability body to investigate right on June 24. The AIIB, established in June 2015, convenes its first annual general meeting in Beijing on June 25-26, 2016. It is set to approve a new round of projects at the meeting.

Egypt: Free Satirical YouTube Group

Video Performers Who Mocked Government Risk Terrorism Charges

Egyptian authorities should drop their investigation into six young men who posted satirical videos commenting on Egypt’s politics on YouTube and release four of them, who have been detained since May 10, 2016. The investigation appears to be based purely on their satirical videos and violates the right to free speech.

US: Supreme Court Ruling Endangers Immigrants

Increases Urgency for Immigration Reform

The United States Supreme Court’s split decision in United States v. Texas leaves millions of undocumented immigrants at continued risk of serious human rights abuses, Human Rights Watch said on June 23.

Germany: HRW Wins Prestigious Theodore Wanner Award

The executive director of Human Rights Watch, Kenneth Roth, accepted the 2016 Theodore Wanner Award in Berlin on June 21, 2016. The prize was awarded to Human Rights Watch for 38 years defending and advancing human rights around the world.

UN: Act on South Sudan Investigations

Accountability Needed for Attack at Malakal

The United Nations should make public the findings of two UN investigations into the February 2016 attack on civilians in a UN camp in South Sudan and act on their recommendations.

Thailand: Junta Bans Referendum Monitoring

Generals Gag Criticism of Draft Constitution

Thailand’s junta has forcibly blocked opposition efforts to monitor the nationwide referendum on a new constitution scheduled for August 7, 2016, Human Rights Watch said on June 21. Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha, who chairs the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), indicated that anyone monitoring support for the referendum would be subject to arrest and trial before a military court.