The Misconception about and Misuse of Presidential Immunity: A Global Threat to Accountability

Presidential immunity is a legal concept that is intended to protect sitting presidents from frivolous lawsuits and prosecutions related to their official duties, ensuring that the head of state can perform their responsibilities without the constant fear of litigation. This immunity is not absolute, nor is it a free pass for presidents to act beyond […]

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UK Government in Talks with Turkey, Vietnam, and Iraq’s Kurdistan Region Over Migrant Payments: A Human Rights Concern

London, UK – The UK government is reportedly in talks with Turkey, Vietnam, and officials from the Kurdistan region of Iraq about a controversial plan to pay these countries to help curb the flow of migrants heading towards Britain, according to a report by The Times on Sunday. This development raises serious concerns about the […]

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Germany’s Muddle on Antisemitism | Human Rights Watch

A resolution adopted by the German Bundestag last week on curbing antisemitism and protecting Jewish life could negatively impact civil society and free expression in the country. Germany’s concern about antisemitism is justified and, given its history, understandable. It is a pressing issue emanating from both the far right and the left and needs to be taken seriously. […]

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Libyan Minister’s ‘Morality’ Measures Would Violate Women’s Rights

During a November 6 press conference in Tripoli, the Government of National Unity’s acting interior minister, Emad Trabelsi, vowed to impose wide-ranging “morality” measures targeting women and girls in western Libya. The restrictions on clothing, social interactions, and travel would flagrantly violate the rights of Libyan women and girls, yet the prime minister and other government […]

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Sudan: UN Acts on Abusive Commanders

(New York) – The United Nations Security Council’s November 8, 2024 sanctions designations for two commanders of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are a positive first step in ensuring consequences for abuses by the force, Human Rights Watch said today. The Security Council imposed an international travel ban and asset freeze on the Rapid Support […]

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US Jury Awards $42 Million to 3 Iraqis Abused at Abu Ghraib Prison

A federal jury in the US state of Virginia found defense contractor CACI Premier Technology, Inc. legally responsible for conspiring to torture and otherwise ill-treat three Iraqi men during their detention at Abu Ghraib prison two decades ago. The case, Al Shimari et al. v. CACI, was the first time a US jury heard claims brought […]

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First Public Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Responsible Business Conduct

Today, the Advisory Committee on Responsible Business Conduct convened for the first time. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Dafna Rand and Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Amy Holman delivered remarks, while the Committee discussed preliminary recommendations to advance human rights and environmental considerations in business […]

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Iraq: Sinjaris Finally Compensated | Human Rights Watch

(Beirut) – The Iraqi authorities have finally dispersed a first round of compensation payments to people from Sinjar district in northern Iraq for damages to their property both by the Islamic State (ISIS) and the Iraqi and US-led coalition military battles against them, Human Rights Watch said today. The payments were made after years of delay […]

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Rights expert demands release of Russian doctor jailed for anti-war views

Dr. Nadezhda Buyanova was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for allegedly making anti-war remarks concerning Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, during a private medical consultation. “It is appalling to sentence a doctor for unproven private comment in the course of her professional duties,” said Mariana Katzarova, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human […]

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Marking One Year Since ICJ Provisional Measures Against Syria with Designation of Syrian Official Due to Involvement in Gross Violations of Human Rights

One year ago, the United States welcomed the provisional measures order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) calling upon the Syrian regime to immediately take all measures to prevent acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment as well as to prevent the destruction of evidence of such acts. This […]

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