Human Rights

Egypt: No Justice For Rab’a Victims 5 Years On

Impunity for Officers; Unfair Mass Trials for Survivors

Egyptian authorities have failed to investigate or prosecute a single member of the security forces five years after their systematic and widespread killing of largely peaceful protesters in Rab’a Square in Cairo, Human Rights Watch said. Hundreds of protesters have been convicted under unfair charges in mass trials stemming from the protests.

Indonesia: Vice Presidential Candidate Has Anti-Rights Record

Amin’s Abusive Fatwas Put Burden on Jokowi to Defend Rights

The decision by Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to select Ma’ruf Amin as his vice-presidential running mate in the 2019 presidential election, raises questions about Jokowi’s commitment to improve human rights protection for all Indonesians, Human Rights Watch said on Aug 10, 2018.

Nicaragua must end 'witch-hunt' against dissenting voices – UN human rights experts

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Protesters in Managua take part in a march to demand an end to violence in Nicaragua. The banner reads "This struggle is non-violent" in Spanish.

South Sudan: No Amnesty for War Crimes

Don’t Ignore Victims’ Rights, International Obligations

South Sudanese leaders should not undermine their efforts to bring an end to the country’s devastating conflict with an amnesty for war crimes and crimes against humanity, Human Rights Watch said. The parties to the conflict signed a peace agreement on August 5, 2018, in Khartoum, agreeing to new power sharing arrangements and a timetable for further talks. On August 8, President Salva Kiir offered a “general amnesty” to heads of armed groups involved in the nation's five-year civil war as part of the agreement to end the fighting.

Turkmenistan: UN Blames Government for Activist’s Death

Carry out Ruling in Muradova Case

The United Nations Human Rights Committee (HRC) has found the Turkmen government responsible for the torture and death of a human rights activist, the Prove They are Alive Campaign! said on Aug 09, 2018. The activist, Olgusapar Muradova, died in state custody in 2006, after her arrest and trial on politically motivated charges. Human Rights Watch is a member of the campaign.

UN urges protection of indigenous peoples’ rights during migration

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Santa Francisca Manzano is an indigenous woman from the high Andean pastures of Peru.

Papua New Guinea: Video Shows Police Brutality

Investigate and Prosecute Police Abuse

Papua New Guinean authorities should promptly conduct a thorough and credible investigation into the beating of a boy by police in Kimbe, West New Britain, that was captured on video and shared on social media, Human Rights Watch said on Aug 09, 2018. The investigation should be capable not just of identifying the police responsible, but of prosecuting and punishing them.

South Sudan: Release Peace Activist

Arbitrary Detentions Underscore Need for Reforms

The South Sudanese National Security Service (NSS) should immediately and unconditionally release peace activist and academic Peter Biar Ajak or take him to court and charge him with a recognizable crime. The authorities should also end the arbitrary detention of many others held by the security service, in violation of their rights.

Argentina: Pass Law to Legalize Abortion

Senate Should End Harmful Policy

The Argentine Senate, in a vote set for August 8, 2018, should approve a bill that would limit the country’s criminalization of abortion, which undermines the fundamental rights of women and girls, Human Rights Watch said on August 8. The bill passed the House of Representatives in June.

Tajikistan: Allow 10-Year-Old to Reunite with Mother

Authorities Block Activists’ Relatives from Leaving the Country

Tajik security services forced an activist’s 10-year-old daughter, elderly mother, and brother off an airplane at Tajikistan on August 4, 2018, seven human rights groups said on August 7. They were on their way to Europe to reunite with the activist.