Human Rights Watch THE WEEK IN RIGHTS October 10, 2013

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Witness: And Then They Took His Land – Pierre’s Story

© 2012 REUTERS/Thierry Gouegnon 

Pierre sat in a chair under a large tree in his western Côte d’Ivoire village while he spoke about his family’s land, located several kilometers away. He had worked the soil, as had his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he explained. After Pierre and his family fled advancing armed forces in March 2011 for Liberia, where he stayed as a refugee for around eight months, a young man from a neighboring Ivorian village sold all 10 hectares of his family’s land for a quick profit, he said.

When Pierre returned from Liberia, he found his home looted and burned, and strangers working in his family’s forest. Unable to work his family’s land, where they also grew food crops, Pierre said he struggled to grow or earn enough to feed his family and pay his children’s school fees.

His story is not uncommon. Whether and how the government deals with such land issues will help determine whether large-scale violence returns to western Côte d’Ivoire.

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Malaysia Should Reject Police ‘Shoot First’ Policy Home Minister Zahid is Malaysia’s top law enforcement official, yet he is promoting the illegal use of lethal force. Prime Minister Najib should be clear he won’t tolerate such statements or unlawful practices, which show a callous disregard for basic rights.  Read more >> share on:

Dispatches: Boat Migrant Tragedy Should Shake Europe’s Conscience By Judith Sunderland Deaths of migrants and asylum seekers trying to reach European shores are a recurring tragedy, and a continuing European shame. Preventing deaths at sea needs to be at the heart of a coordinated European-wide approach to boat migration. Read more >> share on:

130 Groups Across Africa Call for Countries to Back ICC  The groups, from 34 countries, said African countries should support the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a crucial court of last resort, including for its current cases on crimes committed during Kenya's post-election violence in 2007-2008.  Read more >> share on:

MAP The Olympic Torch traveled across Russia ahead of the Sochi Olympic Games. This map highlights human rights stories along the route.  View Now, click here >>

FELLOWSHIPS Apply to Fellowships in international human rights. Click here >>

TWEET of the WEEK OSCE blasts #Azerbaijan presidential vote for multiple abuses: http://ow.ly/pG21n Results predictable: http://ow.ly/pG1Uy #AZvote13  Follow Andrew Stroehlein >>