Demonstrations in Libya are taking a tragic turn as the people demand an end to Muammar Gaddafi's regime. Since the beginning of the uprisings inspired by the Arab Spring, the Libyan authorities have responded with extreme violence, targeting peaceful demonstrators and openly violating fundamental rights. There have been reports of systematic killings,... Continue reading Libya: Massive human rights violations in the face of Arab Spring protests
Israeli attack on humanitarian flotilla: global outrage and mixed results
The Israeli assault on the humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza has triggered a wave of international indignation. Comprising six boats carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid, the flotilla's aim was to break the blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza. The convoy was attacked by the Israeli army at sea, in the waters... Continue reading Israeli attack on humanitarian flotilla: worldwide outrage and mixed results
Ratko Mladić's war crimes trial: justice still awaits
In 2010, Ratko Mladić, the former Serbian army general, still remains at large, despite growing international pressure for his capture. Accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for his central role in the war in Bosnia (1992-1995), he is one of those most responsible for the Srebrenica massacre, where more than... Continue reading Ratko Mladić's war crimes trial: justice still awaits
Kurdish rights in Turkey and the state of emergency
In 2010, the situation of the Kurds in Turkey remains a major issue of political tension. Despite the official end of the state of emergency in the Kurdish regions in 2002, the Turkish authorities continue to repress demonstrations in favor of the Kurdish language and Kurdish autonomy. The government continues its fight against the Kurdish Workers' Party... Continue reading Kurdish rights in Turkey and the state of emergency
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon opens the trial for the assassination of Rafik Hariri
On June 16, the United Nations Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) sentenced in absentia two Hezbollah members to life imprisonment for their role in the deadly 2005 attack that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 21 others. The attack, carried out by a suicide bomber in Beirut,... Continue reading Special Tribunal for Lebanon opens Rafik Hariri assassination trial
Human rights violations in Gaza: assessment of Operation Cast Lead
Israel's military operation "Cast Lead", launched in December 2008, came to an end in January 2009, leaving behind a tragic toll: over 1,400 Palestinians killed, mainly civilians, and massive destruction of infrastructure in Gaza. The conflict triggered accusations of human rights violations, both on the Israeli side and on the... Continue reading Human rights violations in Gaza: assessment of Operation Cast Lead
The European Union expresses concern about Shirin Ebadi's safety
On December 31, 2008, the European Union expressed deep concern for the safety of Iranian lawyer Shirin Ebadi, following the closure of the Tehran offices of the association she heads, the Circle of Human Rights Defenders, on December 21, 2008. The closure came just days after the organization had planned to celebrate... Continue reading The European Union expresses concern for Shirin Ebadi's safety
The conflict in Iraq and human rights violations
The conflict in Iraq, which has been going on for several years, continues to generate serious and systematic human rights violations. Iraqi civilians, caught between government forces, armed groups and militias, are the main victims of this violence. Extrajudicial executions, acts of torture, enforced disappearances and attacks on civilians... Continue reading The conflict in Iraq and human rights violations
Violence in Algeria and the rights of civil war victims
In 2007, Algeria still bears the heavy scars left by the civil war that disfigured the country between 1991 and 2002. This conflict, marked by extreme violence, massacres and enforced disappearances, pitted the state against armed Islamist groups, plunging the country into widespread terror. Thousands of civilians disappeared... Continue reading Violence in Algeria and the rights of civil war victims
Enforced disappearances in Algeria: The CFDA's key role for Truth and Justice
In 2007 and 2008, the Collectif des Familles de Disparus en Algérie (CFDA) submitted alternative reports on the human rights situation in Algeria to international bodies. For example, the Committee on Human Rights in Algeria. The Human Rights Committee, the African Commission on Human Rights... Continue reading Enforced disappearances in Algeria: CFDA's key role for Truth and Justice