China: Critic’s Arrest Signals Hardening of Political Climate
(New York) – The formal arrest of Chinese rights activist Liu Xiaobo on charges of subversion signals a hardening of the political climate in China, Human Rights Watch said today. Liu had been held incommunicado since his detention on December 8, 2008, after co-signing Charter 08, a document calling for greater democracy in China.
Malaysia: Release Burmese Celebrating Suu Kyi’s Birthday
(New York) – District police in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia should free Burmese asylum seekers detained since June 19, 2009, at a peaceful celebration of the 64th birthday of the Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Human Rights Watch said today.
Gaza: Allow Shalit Contact With Family, International Red Cross
(Jerusalem) – Hamas authorities should immediately allow Sgt. Gilad Shalit of Israel to communicate with his family and to receive visits from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Human Rights Watch said today, on the third anniversary of his captivity.
Morocco: Narco-Traffic Whistleblower Unfairly Sentenced
(New York) – The sentencing today of the human rights activist Chekib el-Khayari to three years in prison is a stark reminder of Morocco’s tenuous and uneven progress on human rights, Human Rights Watch said.
AU: Push Senegal to Try Habré
(Sirte, Libya) – Three years after asking Senegal to prosecute the former dictator of Chad, Hissène Habré, the African Union should ensure that the trial finally begins to move forward, eight African and international human rights groups said today. African heads of state will come together in Sirte, Libya on July 1, 2009, for an AU summit.
Union africaine : L’UA doit insister pour que le Sénégal juge Habré
(Syrte, Libye) – Trois ans après l’immense espoir suscité par la décision de l’Union africaine de confier au Sénégal le jugement de Hissène Habré « au nom de l’Afrique », les victimes de l’ancien président tchadien et les organisations de défense des droits de l’Homme qui les soutiennent expriment leur profonde préoccupation face à l’inertie du Sénégal et à l’indiffé
Vietnam: Free Prominent Rights Lawyer Le Cong Dinh
(New York) – The Vietnamese government should immediately free respected human rights lawyer Le Cong Dinh and repeal national security laws that criminalize peaceful expression and association, Human Rights Watch said today.
Uganda: Act Swiftly on Long-Term Detainees
(New York) – The Ugandan minister of justice should immediately inform 17 individuals who have languished in prison for years of their legal status, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to the minister of justice.
Zimbabwe: End Repression in Marange Diamond Fields
(Johannesburg) – Zimbabwe’s armed forces are engaging in the forced labor of children and adults, and are torturing and beating local villagers on the diamond fields of Marange district in eastern Zimbabwe, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.
Colombia: Obama Should Press Uribe on Rights
(Washington, DC) – President Barack Obama should raise human rights concerns on June 29, 2009, during his first official meeting with President Álvaro Uribe of Colombia, Human Rights Watch said in a letter made public today.