Human Rights Watch - THE WEEK IN RIGHTS-April 11 . 2013

	THE WEEK IN RIGHTS April 11, 2013
		Follow us on:

In Syria, Death From the Skies

Photo © 2012 Getty Images 

As the conflict in Syria grows more brutal, Human Rights Watch has documented a new trend – attacks from planes that appear to target civilians, both indiscriminately and, in some cases, deliberately. Pilots have hit hospitals, bread lines, and neighborhoods where there was no fighting. 

“I heard a series of small explosions,” said one witness, describing an attack on a children’s playing field. “Then I heard people screaming and running toward the playground. I followed them with the rest of the men who were with me. When I reached the playground, I saw five children dead and many others wounded.” 

The Syrian air force has been conducting airstrikes almost daily across the country since last summer, killing more than 4,000 civilians, according to a network of local Syrian activists. 

Read the report >>

share on:

In Kenya, New Leadership Should Uphold Rights and Obligations President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, who are being sworn in April 9, 2013, should be held to their promises to attend their trials before the International Criminal Court. Victims of Kenya’s 2007-2008 election-related violence have already waited more than five years for justice.  See the Latest News in Africa >> share on:

While in China, Kerry Should Prioritize Rights With New Leadership This is US Secretary of State John Kerry’s first visit to China in his new role, and he can set a high bar by stating publicly that the fate of Chinese activists and the efforts by people in China to secure their rights are key concerns of the United States.  See the Latest News in Asia >> share on:

Egypt Should Address Recurring Sectarian Violence President Mohamed Morsy needs to acknowledge the deep and longstanding problem of sectarian violence in Egypt and take decisive steps to address it before it escalates further. Then he should reform laws that discriminate against Christians’ right to worship.  See the Latest News in the Middle East/North Africa >> share on:

TWEET of the WEEK Human Rights Watch’s Liesl Gerntholtz tweets on women in Syria to British Foreign Secretary William Hague, and he responds. View the Exchange >> Read Liesl’s related op-ed >>.

SYRIA MAP See the location of aerial attacks in Syria investigated by Human Rights Watch. View Now >>

PUBLICATION Death from the Skies: Deliberate and Indiscriminate Air Strikes on CiviliansDownload Now >>