Today’s update of human rights events around the world.
US: Senate Committee Weighs “Truth Commission”
In a preview of the heated divisions likely be triggered by the formation of a “truth commission” to investigate detainee interrogation, warrantless wiretapping and other alleged violations during the administration of President George W. Bush, witnesses before a Senate committee Wednesday characterised such a body as either a “profoundly bad idea” or “critically important to avoiding the mistakes of the past.” IPS
SUDAN: Rights Groups Applaud Bashir War Crimes Warrant
Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir, the first head of state to be indicted by the Hague-based International Criminal Court, now faces an arrest warrant issued Wednesday by the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. IPS
EGYPT: Hundreds Still Held Over Gaza Protests
Egyptian authorities should immediately charge or free Diaa Eddin Gad, a blogger held since February 6, 2009, Human Rights Watch said today. Gad is among a number of bloggers and activists arrested in relation to protest in Egypt since the beginning of the Gaza offensive in late December 2008. Human Rights Watch
SRI LANKA: Urgently Evacuate Civilians
The Sri Lankan government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) should immediately agree to a plan of action to allow civilians trapped in the Vanni to leave the conflict area, Human Rights Watch said today. Some 150,000 civilians are at grave risk from fighting and aid shortages in the shrinking war zone in northeast Sri Lanka. Human Rights Watch
COLOMBIA: Extradition of HH leaves hundreds of questions unanswered
The extradition of former paramilitary boss Hebert ‘HH’ Veloza — expected within 24 hours — leaves crimes against thousands and the disappearance of dozens unanswered. ‘HH’ will be taken to the United States where he faces charges for drug trafficking and is the fifteenth leader of the demobilized AUC to be extradited and face U.S. justice within a year. His extradition comes too soon for him to finish his collaboration with Colombian Justice and to confess the crimes he committed as one of the most feared leaders of the AUC. Colombia Reports
ZIMBABWE: Forced Closure of Refugee Area Further Endangers Zimbabweans in South Africa
The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) today denounced the decision by South African authorities to close the ‘showground’, a large open field in Musina town near the border with Zimbabwe, where 3,000 – 4,000 Zimbabweans line up to apply for asylum and seek refuge every night. The closure of the showgrounds demonstrates a flagrant disregard for the humanitarian and protection needs of Zimbabweans seeking refuge in South Africa, and will have extremely negative consequences as no allowances have been made to ensure their access to shelter, food, or medical assistance. Common Dreams
ISRAEL: US denounces Israeli demolitions
Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, has criticised Israel’s plans to demolish dozens of Palestinian homes in occupied East Jerusalem, describing the move as “unhelpful”. Al Jazeera
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