Newswire week 16-22 July
16 July
Syrian deserters claim ruthless army commands
Hundreds of people in Syria have been killed in a popular uprising that began in March, according to human rights groups. The BBC's Ian Pannell has returned from a secret trip inside Syria where he was told by deserters that soldiers had orders to open fire on unarmed protesters.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14172607
17 July
In Sierra Leone, New Hope for Children and Pregnant Women
Sierra Leone has eliminated fees for pregnant women and children at public health clinics, leading to a rush for services now that it is no longer necessary to give birth at home, risking the death of a newborn and its mother.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/18/world/africa/18sierra.html
18 July
China police station attack leaves several dead in Xinjiang
Official version of events disputed as Uighur assault on police building raises fears of new violence.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/18/china-police-station-attack-xinjiang
Jailed Kazakh Rights Activist Doubtful About Parole
Kazakhstan's most prominent human rights activist, who is serving a four-year prison term for a traffic accident, says it is unlikely he will be granted parole.
http://www.rferl.org/content/jailed_kazakh_rights_activist_doubtful_about_parole/24269398.html
19 July
According to Human Rights Watch, in the Philippines extrajudicial killings continue
Human Rights Watch says activists in the Philippines are still being killed with impunity, despite the president's campaign pledge to end such violence.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14196401
20 July
Serbia: Final Hague war crimes suspect arrested
Goran Hadzic, the only remaining suspect wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia, was arrested today in Serbia on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes in eastern Slavonia, Croatia.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/serbia-final-hague-war-crimes-suspect-arrested-2011-07-20
UN declares famine in Somalia
The UN has officially declared two parts of Somalia to be in famine amid the worst drought in east Africa for 60 years.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/jul/20/un-declares-famine-somalia
21 July
Ecuador: A Blow to Free Speech
According to Human Rights Watch, the conviction of President Rafael Correa's critics for criminal defamation violates Ecuador's international human rights obligations and should be overturned on appeal.
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/07/21/ecuador-blow-free-speech
22 July
Canada to extradite Chinese fugitive
China accuses Lai Changxing of running huge smuggling operation but rights activists say he will not receive fair trial.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/22/canada-extradite-chinese-fugitive-lai
