Human Rights | WPN World People News

Pakistan’s judges should cease using their contempt of court powers to prevent the media from airing programming critical of the judiciary, Human Rights Watch said.

Compelling evidence has emerged that an airstrike using cluster bombs on the town of Deir al-`Assafeer near Damascus killed at least 11 children and wounded others on November 25, 2012. The Syrian government should immediately cease its use of this highly dangerous weapon, which has been banned by most nations.

Parliament is gravely concerned that Libya is detaining foreign persons, including women and children, in extreme conditions. It urges the democratically-elected Libyan authorities to protect all foreign nationals, regardless of their status, from violence, exploitation, threats, intimidation and abuse. Libya should adopt appropriate legislation and instructions to this end and respect its international obligations, says the resolution.

European Union institutions and member countries should act on the European Parliament’s resolution linking enhanced relations in Kazakhstan to human rights improvements, Human Rights Watch said. The resolution, adopted on November 22, 2012, addresses the ongoing negotiations over an EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA).

Few of those who enter New York City’s criminal justice system as a result of marijuana possession arrests become dangerous criminals, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on Friday.

Gaza city after Israeli airstrikes.

Syrian children outside their UNHCR tent at Jordan’s Za’atri refugee camp.