Bahrain: Human Rights Body Should Target Repression
(Geneva) – United Nations member states should scrutinize Bahrain’s deplorable human rights record during the country’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the UN Human Rights Council on May 21, 2012, Human Rights Watch said today.
UN Security Council: Press Libya on Impunity
(New York) – Members of the United Nations Security Council should condemn attempts by the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) to prevent accountability for serious and ongoing crimes committed in Libya.
Philippines: UN Rights Body to Assess Manila’s Record
(Manila) – United Nations member countries should call on the Philippine government during its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the UN Human Rights Council to honor its commitments to ensure accountability for serious human rights abuses, Human Rights Watch said today. The UPR is scheduled for May 29, 2012 at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Angola: Stop Rape, Abuse of Congolese Migrants
(Johannesburg) – Angolan security forces frequently abuse irregular migrants during expulsions from Angola, including sexual violence and other degrading and inhuman treatment, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.
Ukraine: First-ever Kyiv pride cancelled in face of ultra-right threat
The Ukrainian authorities should take action to protect the rights of LGBT people and ensure they are able to exercise their human rights without fear of attacks, Amnesty International said today after the first-ever pride parade had to be cancelled on Sunday.
Police advised pride organizers to abandon the march just 30 minutes before it was due to start. They claimed 500 ultra-right football hooligans were en route to the rally point with the intention of preventing the march from going ahead.
Two activists were beaten up and tear gassed by a dozen youths in central Kyiv after those already gathered for the march were evacuated with police escort.
“It has been clear from the start that the Kyiv police department did not want this march to go ahead. Their reluctance to commit to the event and to put adequate security measures in place to protect demonstrators left organizers fearing for their safety,” said Max Tucker, Ukraine campaigner at Amnesty International.
A senior Kyiv police official had previously told pride organizers that he was not prepared to put his officers in harm’s way for the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.
“The Kyiv authorities and police must work harder to ensure next year pride participants can feel confident they will be protected,” said Tucker.
Amnesty International also expressed its deep concern about support expressed on Wednesday by a parliamentary committee for a bill restricting the distribution of and access to information “promoting homosexuality”.
The bill would amend several laws including the law on protection of public morals, the law on print media, the law on television and radio broadcasting, the law on publishing and the Criminal Code.
The provisions, if adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament, would directly discriminate against Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual individuals in the exercise of their right to freedom of expression.
“Passing this bill would fly in the face of Ukraine’s international obligations to protect the right to freedom of expression and prohibit discrimination,” added Tucker.
Amnesty International calls on the Ukrainian Parliament to reject the bill and to ensure that Ukraine protects, respects and fulfills the rights of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual individuals without any discrimination.
Police in Kyiv failed to stop ultra-right hooligans from putting LGBT activists at risk and marring the city’s first-ever Pride parade.
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Sudan: Repression Intensifies after Border Violence
(New York) – Sudan has stepped up harassment of journalists, censorship, and arrests of political opponents in the wake of recent fighting with South Sudan, Human Rights Watch said today.
US/Burma: Don’t Lift Sanctions Too Soon
(Washington, DC) – The US government should not ease sanctions on business activities in Burma until adequate safeguards are in place to prevent new investment from fueling human rights abuses. A US presidential order imposing a ban on investment and financial services in Burma is scheduled to expire on May 20, 2012, unless it is renewed or revised.
US: House Vote a Step Backward for Women’s Rights
(Washington, DC) – The US Congress should move forward with a Senate bill to renew the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and reject the dangerous alternative passed by the House of Representatives, Human Rights Watch said today.
Egypt: Widespread Military Torture of Protesters Arrested in May
(Beirut) – Military soldiers beat and tortured protesters they arrested at a demonstration near the Defense Ministry on May 4, 2012, Human Rights Watch said today, after interviews with numerous victims and lawyers.
NATO: Rights Key to Afghanistan’s Security
(Chicago) – NATO governments at the May 20-21, 2012, summit in Chicago should endorse measures to bolster oversight and accountability of Afghan security forces and to protect women’s rights.