Human rights

Internet Fast Becoming Only Refuge

Washington, D.C., May 2, 2007 -- As press freedom in Iran continued to deteriorate in 2006, a striking contrast emerged between government efforts to restrict information and the public’s attempts to access it, according to a report released today by Freedom House.    » read more »

Conditions for journalists worsening, say government, media representatives

01 May 2007 -- Washington -- Conditions for independent media are worsening in many parts of the world, and this trend threatens both democracy and respect for human rights, say U.S. officials and experts on the media.

An independent, free press is essential to democracy and holds governments accountable to its citizens, according to Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes and Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky.    » read more »

April 26, 2007 -- The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of one detainee from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Afghanistan and the transfer of one detainee to Morocco.

These transfers are a demonstration of the United States’ desire not to hold detainees any longer than necessary. It also underscores the processes put in place to assess each individual and make a determination about their detention while hostilities are ongoing – an unprecedented step in the history of warfare.    » read more »

April 26, 2007 -- Washington, DC - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today called for the closure of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Senator Clinton's call came while questioning an Administration official and outside experts at today's hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee to examine legal issues regarding individuals detained by the Department of Defense as enemy combatants.    » read more »

April 25, 2007 -- Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement applauding the introduction of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would prohibit employment discrimination based on an employees' sexual orientation or gender identity:    » read more »

Agreement to Swap Refugees Flouts International Law

(New York, April 18, 2007) – A deal between the United States and Australia to trade refugees housed at Guantanamo Bay for those held on the island nation of Nauru upends international refugee standards, Human Rights Watch said today.

“Refugees are human beings, not products that countries can broker and trade,” said Bill Frelick, Refugee Policy director at Human Rights Watch. “The United States and Australia have signed a deal that bargains with lives and flouts international law.”    » read more »

Team of Tennessee Legal Experts Lists Many Problems in State Capital Crime System

NASHVILLE, April 23, 2007 — A team of Tennessee legal experts, working under the auspices of the American Bar Association Death Penalty Moratorium Implementation Project, today cited problems in the state's use of capital punishment that range from excessive caseloads and inadequate standards for defense counsel to racial disparities and inadequate review of death row inmates’ claims of actual innocence.    » read more »

Same sex partners and senior partners have the same legal rights and responsibilities as spouses

April 21, 2007 -- OLYMPIA - Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today signed into law a measure to treat domestic partners with dignity and respect by clarifying that they have some of the same rights and responsibilities as married couples on issues relating to the health care, incapacity and death of their loved one.    » read more »

Governor also takes action on a bill to protect the quality of canola and vegetable crops

April 21, 2007 -- OLYMPIA - Washington Governor Gregoire today signed into law a measure that will amend the Washington Law Against Discrimination to prohibit discrimination based on veteran or military status.    » read more »

04/20/2007 -- California Governor Schwarzenegger issued the following statement today after directing CDCR Secretary Jim Tilton to stop construction of a new lethal injection facility at San Quentin State Prison:

“I have directed the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to stop construction of this project. My staff has briefed the Legislature and will work cooperatively with them as we address the court’s concerns on lethal injection in California.”    » read more »

Washington, D.C., April 19, 2007 -- In a report released today analyzing the Bush Administration’s 2008 budget request for foreign operations, Freedom House calls on the Congress to reverse proposed reductions in support to human rights defenders and civil society activists worldwide.

The report, “Supporting Freedom’s Advocates?” analyzes the 2008 foreign assistance budget request for “Governing Justly and Democratically” and makes specific funding recommendations based on urgent needs and opportunities.    » read more »

US and UK Bear Special Duty to Aid Refugees

(Geneva, April 17, 2007) – Iraq’s neighbors are closing off escape routes to Iraqi asylum seekers, just as the international community has begun to respond to the 2 million refugees from the war, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper released today.    » read more »