Beyond the Burqa
President Sarkozy of France has reignited the debate about how Muslim women in Europe should dress by calling for a ban on clothing that, as he puts it, imprisons women and undermines their dignity. But in this burqa debate the voices of Muslim women are strangely absent.
Russia: Stop Collective Punishment in Chechnya
(Moscow) – Russian federal and Chechen authorities should immediately put a stop to home burnings and other collective punishment practices against families of alleged insurgents in Chechnya, and ensure meaningful accountability for perpetrators of human rights violations in the region, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.
Saudi Arabia: Drop ‘Cross-Dressing’ Charges
(New York) – The arrests of 67 men in Riyadh on June 13, 2009, reportedly for wearing women’s clothing, violate basic human rights to privacy and freedom of expression, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch called on Saudi authorities to drop charges against the men, most of them from other countries, and release any they are still holding.
Honduras: Military Coup a Blow to Democracy
(Washington, DC) – The Organization of American States (OAS) must act quickly to push for the reestablishment of democracy in Honduras after a military coup, Human Rights Watch said today.
Rwanda: Revise Reproductive Health Bill
(New York) – The Rwandan Parliament should remove provisions in a draft law that would mandate compulsory HIV testing and require the sterilization of all individuals with intellectual disabilities, Human Rights Watch said today.
Iran: Night Raids Terrorize Civilians
(New York) – Iran’s paramilitary Basij arecarrying out brutal nighttime raids, destroying property in private homes andbeating civilians in an attempt to stop nightly protest chants, Human RightsWatch said today. Human Rights Watch also said the Iranian authorities areconfiscating satellite dishes from private homes to prevent citizens fromseeing foreign news.
US: Prevent Prison Rape
(New York) – The new report and standards on prison rape – released today by the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission – challenge prison officials to end this devastating and all too prevalent human rights violation, Human Rights Watch said.
US: Drop Plans for Indefinite Detention Without Charge
Kenya: Bring Prosecutions for Torture in Northeast
(Nairobi) – Kenyan security forces beat and tortured hundreds of civilians in several communities during an October 2008 disarmament operation in Kenya’s northeastern Mandera districts, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.
US: Support Law on Crimes Against Humanity
(New York) – A newly proposed US law on crimes against humanity would make an important contribution to ensuring justice for atrocities committed anywhere in the world, Human Rights Watch said today.