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China: Free Prominent Tibetan Cultural Figure

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:03:15 -0500

(New York, December 5, 2008) - The international community should protest the imprisonment and secret sentencing of Paljor Norbu, an 81-year-old Tibetan traditional printer, and seek his immediate exoneration and unconditional release, Human Rights Watch said today.

US spells out Iraq mission under new pact

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:01:07 -0500

BAGHDAD (AP) -- The top U.S. commander in Iraq warned his troops Friday to expect subtle changes in combat operations - including obtaining warrants before searching homes and detaining people - when the newly approved U.S.-Iraq security agreement takes effect on Jan. 1....

Car bomb kills 20 in northwest Pakistan's Peshawar

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:36:13 -0500

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) -- A car bomb devastated a busy street in this northwestern Pakistani city on Friday, killing 20 people, injuring scores more and unnerving a region already dangerously on edge following the attacks on India's commercial capital....

Turkey: Rising Police Violence Goes Unpunished

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:59:00 -0500

(Istanbul, December 5, 2008) - A rising wave of police violence against the public in Turkey is linked to the Turkish government's failure to hold abusive officers to account, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

Cries for Help From Congo’s War Victims

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:20:48 -0500

94 Nations Sign Global Ban on Cluster Munitions

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:07:54 -0500

(Oslo, December 4, 2008) - The new international treaty banning cluster munitions, which opened for signing on December 3 and 4, 2008, is one of the most important measures that nations have taken to protect civilians from the deadly effects of armed conflict, Human Rights Watch said today.

Russia: Police Raid Prominent Rights Group

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:19:41 -0500

(Moscow, December 4, 2008) - The Russian government should immediately investigate a police raid on Memorial, a prominent human rights organization, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch also called on the government to ensure the speedy and safe return of all seized equipment and documents.

UN: Rights Council Gives Weak Response to Civilian Protection in DRC

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:13:08 -0500

(Geneva, December 3, 2008) – The UN Human Rights Council’s resolution condemning abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo failed to include concrete steps to protect civilians, Human Rights Watch said today.

Lebanon: Ruling for Lawyer a Victory for Free Speech

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:00:00 -0500

(Beirut, December 4, 2008) – A Lebanese court’s decision to dismiss charges of criminal slander against Muhammad Mugraby, a prominent lawyer and human rights activist, is an important victory for freedom of expression in Lebanon, a group of 11 Lebanese and international human rights organizations said today.

Zimbabwe: Investigate Whereabouts of Abducted Human Rights Activist

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:57:47 -0500

(Johannesburg) - The Zimbabwe authorities should immediately investigate and reveal the whereabouts of the human rights activist Jestina Mukoko, who was taken from her home on December 3, 2008 by a group of armed men who identified themselves as policemen, Human Rights Watch said.