Passion of the Present | Human Rights News

US: New Prison Rape Standards Offer Landmark Protection

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:13:06 +0000

The long awaited national prison rape elimination standards issued on May 17, 2012 by the Justice Department, if fully implemented, may end widespread prison rape in the United States. The standards provide detailed guidance to federal, state, and local officials on how to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse in their confinement facilities.

(New York) – The long awaited national prison rape elimination standards issued on May 17, 2012 by the Justice Department, if fully implemented, may end widespread prison rape in the United States, Human Rights Watch said today.

US: House Vote a Step Backward for Women’s Rights

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:11:41 +0000

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.

(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.

Honduras: Investigate Killing of Four Civilians

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:51:35 +0000

(Washington, DC) – Honduran and US authorities should ensure a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation of the alleged killing of four civilians and wounding of four others during a joint counternarcotics operation in the Mosquitia region of Honduras.

Technology, people and solutions

eherbert — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:50:49 +0000

By Sherif Esayed-Ali, head of refugee and migrants’ rights When Amnesty International started more than 50 years ago, our weapon of choice was the pen. Members in their thousands would write letters to governments asking for the release of prisoners of conscience. This simple tool was more effective than [...]

UN rights chief to make first visit to Zimbabwe

"human rights" - Yahoo! News Search Results — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:34:07 +0000

HARARE (Reuters) - United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay will visit Zimbabwe next week as President Robert Mugabe seeks to dispel charges that Harare is a major rights violator. Pillay will be the first U.N. rights chief to visit the country and was invited by Mugabe's government, which in 2009 expelled Manfred Nowak, a former U.N. rights investigator. The West has imposed sanctions on ...

Sudan: Repression Intensifies after Border Violence

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:53:46 +0000

Sudan has stepped up harassment of journalists, censorship, and arrests of political opponents in the wake of recent fighting with South Sudan.

(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.

Human Rights Watch tells Zardari not to sign NHRC bill

"human rights" - Yahoo! News Search Results — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:50:57 +0000

Karachi, May 17 (ANI): Human Rights Watch has urged Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari not to sign a bill to authorise a newly formed national human rights commission until it is revised to "authorize investigations of the military and the intelligence agencies for human rights violations."

AFDI/SIOA, FMU to Host "Summer Night for Human Rights" in Defense of Iranian Pastor Sentenced to Death for Leaving Islam

"human rights" - Yahoo! News Search Results — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:58:04 +0000

NEW YORK, May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The prominent human rights organization American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI) and its Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) program, along with Former Muslims United (FMU) will be hosting the first-ever "Summer Night for Human Rights" Town Hall dedicated to defending the freedom of conscience. Dedicated to Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who has ...

Azerbaijan: Free Activists, Journalists Held on Bogus Charges

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

The Azerbaijani authorities should promptly follow the May 15, 2012 release of an opposition activist by releasing others held on politically motivated charges.

(Baku) – The Azerbaijani authorities should promptly follow the May 15, 2012 release of an opposition activist by releasing others held on politically motivated charges, Human Rights Watch said today.

Pakistan: Revise National Human Rights Commission Law

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan should not sign a bill creating a national human rights commission until it is revised to authorize investigations of the military and the intelligence agencies for human rights violations.

(New York) – President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan should not sign a bill creating a national human rights commission until it is revised to authorize investigations of the military and the intelligence agencies for human rights violations.