Joe Stork is an American political activist and Deputy Director for Middle East and North Africa at Human Rights Watch. He holds an M.A. in International Affairs/Middle East Studies from Columbia University.[1] (wikipedia)
The Iranian authorities marked International Women's Day by attacking hundreds of people who had peacefully assembled to honor women's rights. Once again, Iran's government has signaled that it is ready to use violence to suppress peaceful public assembly of any sort.
Reform means not only changing laws but also holding abusers accountable.
President Chirac should tell him that this persecution undermines Egypt's professed commitment to democratic reforms, and threatens improved relations with France.
Given Bahrain's strategic value, Washington may be reluctant to criticize its ally, but a failure to do so could result in growing anti-U.S. sentiment in the kingdom.
These crude attempts to intimidate judges underscore the urgent need for judicial reform in Egypt.
There is still torture in Jordan, especially with regard to security suspects. All the good reasons that prevented the U.K. from deporting people to Jordan before August 10 remain unchanged by this agreement.
There is still torture in Jordan, especially with regard to security suspects, ... All the good reasons that prevented the U.K. from deporting people to Jordan before August 10 remain unchanged by this agreement.
The high loss of life suggests the police acted with extreme brutality A police force acting responsibly would not have allowed such a tragedy to occur.
Jordan's General Intelligence Department, prisons and ordinary police stations all have known records of abuse. By seeking Jordanian promises to treat these returned persons differently, the U.K. is confirming that the risk of torture continues.
Jordan, Egypt and Algeria all have a documented history of torture. Neither Britain nor any other country should consider returning people to such countries where they face the risk of torture.
