Greece Toughens Line on Violence Against Migrants

		Having trouble viewing this email? Click here THE WEEK IN RIGHTS November 1, 2012 Impact Edition Follow us on: Greece Toughens Line on Violence Against Migrants Photo © 2012 Zalmai for Human Rights Watch Xenophobia has soared in Greece, a country in the midst of a deep economic crisis and on the front line of immigration into the European Union. The upsurge of violence this year has left migrants and asylum seekers — many of whom have fled war zones — afraid to walk the streets of Athens at night for fear of being attacked. But after Human Rights Watch released a report on the issue, Greece announced plans to establish a new police unit to deal with racial violence. The justice minister also promised stiffer sentences for hate crimes. Both were key recommendations from our report. Saleh Ibrahim, a 26-year-old Somali who acted as an interpreter for Human Rights Watch during research for this report, was chased down the street in Athens by five men in June 2012. They caught him and beat with a piece of wood. His hand was broken when he tried to shield his head from the blows. Ibrahim did not report the crime because he believed the police would not help him. But hopefully in the near future, other asylum seekers will trust the police to investigate their cases and hold their attackers accountable. Read more >> share on: In Burma, New Violence in Arakan State New satellite imagery obtained by Human Rights Watch shows extensive destruction of homes and other property in a predominantly Rohingya Muslim area of the coastal town of Kyauk Pyu – one of several areas of new violence and displacement. See the Latest News in Asia >> share on: In Rwanda, Eight-Year Sentence for Opposition Leader The prosecution of opposition party leader Victoire Ingabire for "genocide ideology" and divisionism illustrates the Rwandan government's unwillingness to tolerate criticism and to accept the role of opposition parties in a democratic society. The courts should not be used for such political purposes. See the Latest New in Africa >> share on: In Iran, Political Prisoners Denied Visits, Care Journalists, human rights lawyers, and rights defenders are held solely on account of their peaceful activities – none of these people should be in prison in the first place. Bullying a prisoner's child or denying the person family visits and medical care only makes Iran look even worse in the eyes of the world. See the Latest News in the Middle East/North Africa >> share on: HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER Human Rights Watch honors Consuelo Morales, director of Citizens in Support of Human Rights in Mexico, which brings abuses in Mexico's "war on drugs" to light. Learn More >> HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER Human Rights Watch honors Anis Hidayah, executive director of Indonesia's Migrant Care, a leading Indonesian organization working to protect the rights of millions of migrant workers. Learn More >> HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER Human Rights Watch honors Farai Maguwu, director of the Center for Natural Resource Governance in eastern Zimbabwe, a leading voice against the abuses taking place in the Marange diamond fields. Learn More >> 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