Topic: Human Rights Watch

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Focus In 2013, possibilities for stability from Somalia to South China Sea

Policymakers in many of the world's hot spots have a common New Year's wish: for unity to usher in and consolidate political and economic stability.
In war-torn Syria, tactic of targeting civilians is on the rise

Under international law, it's a war crime to target civilians in a war zone. That hasn't halted the tactic in Syria, where hundreds of civilians have died in attacks such as one Sunday at a bakery in Halfaya in a rebel stronghold.
ICC acquits Congolese warlord for crimes against humanity

Congolese warlord Ngudjolo was acquitted of all charges of war crimes at the International Criminal Court today, raising doubts about the case against better-known, co-accused Katanga.
Is Morsi a president for all Egyptians, or just Brothers? (+ video)

President Mohamed Morsi's reliance on Muslim Brotherhood activists to put down protests around the palace has further alienated some Egyptians from his rule.
New law puts spotlight on India child abuse

Activists say cultural attitudes and red tape have allowed child abuse to run rife in India. But a new law seeks to change that by bringing abuse to light.
Egypt freedoms in balance during constitutional showdown

Egyptian protesters swamped the presidential palace in Cairo today, angry at a draft constitution favored by President Morsi that many fear will limit freedoms.
Why is Egypt's draft constitution so controversial? (+video)

Protesters took to the streets in Cairo and other Egyptian cities today over a draft constitution written by Islamists. Here are the points many in Egypt are talking about.
Spike in Tibetan self-immolations draws international attention to China

Today, yet another Tibetan died after he set himself on fire in protest. And neither the Chinese authorities nor exiled Tibetan leaders seem able, or willing, to halt the recent spike in such incidents.
Will the rush to pass Egypt's constitution render it hollow? (+video)

Egypt's latest draft of a new constitution was already weakened because of constitutional committee resignations by non-Islamists. Rushing the document to completion could cement that.
Why Egyptian protesters rally against Morsi (+video)

Protesters took to the streets in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday, voicing their concerns about President Mohamed Morsi's expanding powers. Hundreds have been injured in what is the biggest protest the country has seen since Morsi took office five months ago.
Focus Islamists silence the musicians who guide rural Mali

For centuries, griots have directed ceremonies, smoothed over disputes, and served as repositories of history and genealogy. Now in northern Mali they are out of a job.
Focus Will Mali be Africa's Afghanistan?

Mali was hit by two successive shocks to its system this year – with the north seized by rebels and a coup in the capital – leaving its government fragile and the international community mulling intervention.
Russian NGOs say new law makes them look like spies (+video)

The majority of Russian NGOs with outside funding sources have given notice that they will not submit to the law and some are bracing for a legal battle to protect their existence.
Syrian rebels forced to police their own as crime tarnishes reputation

With opposition Free Syrian Army fighters increasingly accused of looting and other criminal behavior, the rebels have launched Revolutionary Security to keep them in check.
Did Syria drop cluster bombs on a playground near Damascus?

Syrian jets hit a playground outside of Damascus with cluster bombs, killing 10 children, according to Syrian opposition activists. A video purports to show the carnage. Syria denies that it uses cluster bombs.
Congo: Will the U.N. take action against rebels' backers? (+video)

Clashes between M23 rebels and U.N. supported soldiers have forced tens of thousands to flee Goma, a provincial capital in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The U.N. Security Council has voiced concerns that the rebels are receiving external support from neighboring countries.
UN slams its own response to Sri Lanka's civil war

The UN, in a 'scathing' self-critique released Wednesday, said that it failed to protect civilians in 2009, during the final months of the Sri Lankan government's battle with the Tamil Tigers.
Briefing Who is Abu Qatada and why is Britain unable to deport him?

Britain released Islamist preacher Abu Qatada on bail Monday after a British court ruled he could not be extradited to Jordan.
Malawi suspends anti-gay laws

Malawi's moratorium has attracted a lot of attention in Africa, where two-thirds of countries criminalize homosexuality.
Terrorism & Security Myanmar unrest threatens to destabilize democracy and region

A week of clashes in western Myanmar has left at least 84 people dead and forced some 22,000 into crowded camps along the coast, putting pressure on the government.
Syria: Airstrikes leave dozens dead

The Syrian war continues as airstrikes target opposition-held cities in the northern part of the country. Restrictions against journalists make it difficult to confirm the death tolls, but activists say more than 40 people have been killed.
How will FARC peace talks play out in rural Colombia?

Successful peace talks could mean the end of nearly five decades of fighting between the FARC and the Colombian government, when civilians and rural communities were often hit the hardest.
Report: Syria using widely-banned cluster bombs

A Human Rights Watch report points to new evidence that the Syrian regime is using the widely-banned munitions, which pose a significant risk to civilians long into the future.
Two years after Mubarak, his prison torture apparatus still wounds Egypt

Human rights activists hoped a democratic government would bring reform to Egypt's prison system, but two years after the revolution, they are still calling for an end to torture.
In Egypt's draft constitution, little sign of revolutionary ideals

A partial draft of Egypt's new constitution released yesterday has prompted warnings that it restricts rights such as freedom of expression and religion.