HRW weekly digest

August 15th - August 22nd, 2008
China: Hosting Olympics a Catalyst for Human Rights Abuses
IOC and World Leaders Fail to Challenge Great Leap Backward for Rights in China
(New York, August 22, 2008) – The hosting of the 2008 Beijing Olympics has set back the clock for the respect of human rights in the People’s Republic of China, Human Rights Watch said ahead of the Games’ closing ceremony in Beijing on Sunday, August 24. Read more

Georgia: Civilians Killed by Russian Cluster Bomb 'Duds'
More Attacks Confirmed; Unexploded Ordnance Threatens Many
(Tbilisi, August 21, 2008) – Georgian and Russian authorities should take urgent measures to protect the civilian population in Georgian villages from unexploded ordnance left by Russian attacks, Human Rights Watch said today. Read more Photo Essays

Mongolia: Protect Rights of North Korean Migrant Workers
Conduct Investigations in Facilities Where North Koreans Work
(New York, August 20, 2008) – The Mongolian government should protect the human and labor rights of North Koreans coming to Mongolia to work, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Mongolia’s minister of social welfare and labor.Read more

US: End Beating of Children in Public Schools
Abusive, Discriminatory Punishment Undermines Education
(Dallas, August 20, 2008) – More than 200,000 US public school students were punished by beatings during the 2006-2007 school year, Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union said in a joint report released today.Read more Audio Clip Interactive Graphic

Syria: Wives of Islamist Suspects Detained, Whereabouts Unknown
Authorities Have Not Said Why the Women Were Detained
(New York, August 18, 2008) – The Syrian government should immediately release three women detained by state authorities since July 31, 2008, unless they have evidence that these women have committed criminal offenses and intend to try them for these, Human Rights Watch said today. Read more

Colombia: Bomb at Party Kills Many Civilians
FARC Should Stop Indefensible Attacks
(Washington, DC, August 18, 2008) – The bombing of a party in Ituango, Colombia, is an indefensible attack on civilians and the perpetrators should be prosecuted, Human Rights Watch said today.Read more

India: Repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act
50th Anniversary of Law Allowing Shoot-to-Kill, Other Serious Abuses
(New York, August 18, 2008) – India’s Armed Forces Special Powers Act has been used to violate fundamental freedoms for 50 years and should be repealed, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.Read more

China: Olympic Sponsors Ignore Human Rights Abuses
TOP Sponsors Should Back Introduction of a Permanent Olympic Rights Monitor
(New York, August 19, 2008) – The major corporate sponsors of the Beijing Olympics have failed to uphold their own principles of corporate social responsibility. Sponsors have failed to speak out about human rights abuses linked to the Beijing Games, and should be prepared to support the establishment of a permanent body inside the International Olympic Committee to monitor rights abuses at future Olympics.Read more

Georgia: International Groups Should Send Missions
Investigate Violations and Protect Civilians
(Tbilisi, August 18, 2008) – Mounting evidence that Russian and Georgian military used armed force unlawfully during the South Ossetian conflict highlights the need for international fact-finding missions in Georgia.Read more

Russia/Georgia: Militias Attack Civilians in Gori Region
Russia Should Curb Militias and Allow in Humanitarian Aid
(Tbilisi, August 17, 2008) – Russian authorities should immediately take steps to end Ossetian militia attacks on ethnic Georgians in the Gori district of Georgia. The Russian military should also ensure safe passage for civilians wishing to leave the region and for humanitarian aid agencies to enter.Read more

Turkey: Support Justice in Darfur
Turkey Should Reject Calls to Suspend the ICC Investigation
(New York, August 15, 2008) – The Turkish government should reject efforts by Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir to secure a suspension of the International Criminal Court’s investigation against him. Turkey should also convey a clear message that Khartoum must not respond to the investigation with retaliation against civilians, peacekeepers, or humanitarian workers.Read more