Spotlight on War Crimes in Syria: Daily Brief

New reports by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International about war crimes in Syria by armed groups and Syrian, Russian and Turkish military forces show once again how civilians bear the brunt of the armed conflict. “Through its repeated strikes on civilian objects, the Syrian-Russian alliance has sent a message to civilians in Idlib that there is nowhere they can run to,” says Gerry Simpson, HRW's associate crisis and conflict director.

There's awful news about the Human Rights Council: Venezuela just got a seat on this important United Nations organization, despite its long track record of serious human rights abuses.

The government of Guinea should end its crackdown on the right to protest by releasing civil society leaders and demonstrators opposed to a new constitution, says HRW today. An investigation is needed into the killings of protesters and one gendarme during three days of demonstrations which began this week in the capital Conakry, and in towns in Guinea’s interior.

The rapid digitization and automation of welfare systems is hurting the poorest and most vulnerable people in many countries.

The horrible consequences of Europe's migration and refugee policies deserve much more attention. HRW has a team on the Greek island of Lesbos now, researching the condition in camps for migrants and refugees. 

And this week HRW published a report on abuses against older people in Australia, followed by a Facebook live on-topic.