Talk:Human Rights Watch

"Human Rights Watch is an independent, nongovernmental organization, supported by contributions from private individuals and foundations worldwide. It accepts no government funds, directly or indirectly."

-Human Rights Watch is supported by private indviduals, many who are in the top heirarchy of some of the world's largest and oppressive corporations. Human Rights Watch is not an independent organization because it is very deeply connected with corporate power. Along with exposing actual Human Rights abuses, it also fabricates Human Rights abuses where it would prefer regime change to create a better investment climate.


 * maybe; maybe not. Some evidence would be appropriate. --Maynard 18:53, 20 Sep 2004 (EDT)

Sources for claims in article
This article is sorely lacking sources for its allegations. Where does this come from? (I'll admit, I came here looking thinking that there's something fishy about HRW) 80.203.115.75 11:25, 17 Mar 2006 (EST)


 * I agree, I have relocated the unref'd section below. The page needs revamping but I donlt have the time right now.--Bob Burton 21:16, 17 Mar 2006 (EST)


 * == Background ==


 * HRW was set up by the United States government to monitor human rights in Eastern Europe following the signature of the Helsinki Accords. Initially, the group was called Helsinki Watch (NB: there is a British group with the same name – specializes in monitoring elections&hellip;).  The United States used Helsinki Watch for propaganda purposes, and to amplify the "human rights" contradictions in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.  In this it was singularly successful, and it led to the broadening of HRW to cover additional regions.  HRW-Americas, etc. and it also spun off the Index on Censorship, the latter to monitor abuses of "freedom of the press".  HRW may claim that it is independent and nongovernmental, but its origins inidicate that these properties were absent.

Relocated this once more pending more detailed source information. Bob

Background
HRW was set up by the United States government to monitor human rights in Eastern Europe following the signature of the Helsinki Accords. Initially, the group was called Helsinki Watch (NB: there is a British group with the same name – specializes in monitoring elections&hellip;). The United States used Helsinki Watch for propaganda purposes, and to amplify the "human rights" contradictions in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. In this it was singularly successful, and it led to the broadening of HRW to cover additional regions. HRW-Americas, etc. and it also spun off the Index on Censorship, the latter to monitor abuses of "freedom of the press". HRW may claim that it is independent and nongovernmental, but its origins inidicate that these properties were absent. (Source: Kirsten Sellars, The Rise and rise of Human Rights)