Send the Right Message

		Having trouble viewing this email? Click here THE WEEK IN RIGHTS August 7, 2014 Follow us on: Africa Leaders' Summit: Send the Right Message © 2013 Reuters Three notorious African leaders – Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, Eritrea's Isaias Afewerki, and Sudan's Omar al-Bashir – are not invited to this week's US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, DC. But a number of other long-ruling African strongmen, like Angola's José Eduardo dos Santos, Equatorial Guinea's Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and Uganda's Yoweri Museveni, are there. In fact, over a dozen African countries are represented at the summit boast disturbing human rights records of ruthlessly suppressing freedom of expression and freedom of association through harassment, arrest, torture, and trumped up charges and killings. As President Barack Obama said in an inspiring speech in Accra, Ghana, five years ago, the continent's future is up to Africans, and "Africa needs strong institutions, not strongmen." But a closer look at US policy and practice in Africa shows that Washington too often prioritizes security and trade at the expense of good governance and respect for human rights. Read more >> share on: Thailand Should Investigate Alleged Torture of Activist The Thai junta's alleged torture of detained "Red Shirt" activist Kritsuda Khunasen is further cause for alarm that rights protections are not on the military's agenda. Only by promptly investigating Kritsuda's allegations and prosecuting those responsible can the junta undo its knee-jerk denial of her serious charges. See the Latest News in Asia >> share on: In Ukraine, Insurgents Disrupt Medical Services Pro-Russian insurgents' attacks on medical units and personnel are putting sick and vulnerable people and those who care for them at risk. This appalling disregard of people who are sick or wounded can be deadly and needs to stop immediately. See the Latest News in Europe/Central Asia >> share on: In Gaza, Israeli Soldiers Shoot and Kill Fleeing Civilians Israeli forces in the southern Gaza town of Khuza'a fired on and killed civilians in apparent violation of the laws of war in several incidents between July 23 and 25. Deliberate attacks on civilians who are not participating in the fighting are war crimes. Read a Q&A on the how the Laws of War apply to Israel and Hamas conflict >> See the Latest News in the Middle East/North Africa >> share on: VIDEO US Surveillance is harming journalism, law, and democracy. Watch Now >> PUBLICATION Not Welcome: Jordan's Treatment of Palestinians Escaping Syria Download Now >> TWEET of the WEEK Tx to @amandataub at vox for the great compiliation of tweets 2 show how impunity drives violence in #CARcrisis. http://ow.ly/A4fN5 Follow Lewis Mudge >> Thank you for supporting Human Rights Watch. Follow us on: Home | Take Action | Donate | Privacy Human Rights Watch - 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor New York, NY 10118 USA Tel: 1-(212) 290-4700 | news@hrw.org

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