Human Rights

Turkey Forcibly Returning Syrians to Danger

Authorities Detain, Coerce Syrians to Sign “Voluntary Return” Forms

Turkish authorities are detaining and coercing Syrians into signing forms saying they want to return to Syria and then forcibly returning them there, Human Rights Watch said on July 26, 2019. On July 24, 2019, Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu denied that Turkey had “deported” Syrians but said that Syrians “who voluntarily want to go back to Syria” can benefit from procedures allowing them to return to “safe areas.”

Cameroon: Security Forces Kill Civilians, Rape Woman

Investigate Crimes, Hold Security Forces Accountable

Cameroonian security forces have killed at least four civilians and raped one woman since mid-June 2019 during security operations in the North-West region. Those killed include an elderly man with a physical disability and a young man with a mental disability.

Iraq: Water Crisis in Basra

Decades of Mismanagement, Pollution, Corruption

Iraqi authorities have failed to ensure for almost 30 years that Basra residents have sufficient safe drinking water, resulting in on-going health concerns, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on July 22, 2019. The situation culminated in an acute water crisis that sent at least 118,000 people to hospital in 2018 and led to violent protests.

Human rights breaches in Hong Kong, Russia and at the US-Mexican border

On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions taking stock of the human rights situation in Hong Kong, Russia and at the US-Mexican border.

China: Muslim-Majority States Whitewash Abuses

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Should Back Global Call to End Xinjiang Repression

More than a dozen member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) signed a statement supporting China’s policies in Xinjiang that ignored widespread repression of the region’s Muslims, Human Rights Watch said on July 17, 2019. The Chinese government-promoted letter was in response to a joint statement by 22 countries at the United Nations Human Rights Council last week expressing concern at massive rights violations in Xinjiang and urging unfettered access by international monitors.

Algeria/Western Sahara: Three Dissidents Behind Bars

Critics of Polisario Front Investigated for ‘Treason’

The government-in-exile that administers the camps in Algeria for refugees from Western Sahara is detaining three critics while an investigating judge explores treason and other charges against them, Human Rights Watch said on July 16, 2019.

Nicaragua: US Should Sanction President Ortega

Senators Call for Sanctions Against Top Officials Implicated in Crackdown

The Trump administration should impose sanctions on Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and other top officials implicated in the brutal crackdown on protests that began in April 2018, Human Rights Watch said on July 16, 2019.

Support Needed to Tackle ICC Shortcomings

Court Faces Internal, External Challenges on 21st Anniversary

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Permanent premises of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, the Netherlands. © 2018 Marina Riera Rodoreda/Human Rights Watch

Syria: Suspects’ Families Assets Seized

Collective Punishment of Relatives Under Overbroad Terrorism Law

The Syrian government is punishing entire families of people placed arbitrarily on a list of alleged terrorists by freezing their assets, Human Rights Watch said on July 16, 2019. The government should end collective punishment of families, provide evidence of unlawful activity of the people targeted, and allow them to appeal their listing or unfreeze their assets.

US: New Rule Flouts Asylum Norms

Administration Establishes New Ground to Bar Asylum Seekers

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In Tijuana, migrants can no longer simply show up at the border to claim asylum in the US. They must first put their names on a list and wait in Mexico - for weeks on end.

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