“Human Rights and Non-State Actors”

The October ARB offers another article, i feel deserves some attention. Eric Goldstein writes about non-state actors’ violations of human rights and how HR organizations in the Arab world need to be dealt with. The main issue seems to be with Hizbullah and Hamas. Specifically, the firing of rockets onto civilians in Israel.

While i would generally agree that human rights principles should be applied across the board, regardless of statehood, or lack thereof, this seems like just another example of HRW falling prey to bias [look here for more]. Maybe it’s just easier to bash the non-Israelis.

Sure, “the credibility of human rights organizations hinges on their confronting armed movements as well as governments.” But are you really going to take similar issue with low-tech rockets as with cluster bombs? Maybe HRW should lobby the international community to better-equip Hizbullah for their next confrontation with Israel. Give them smart bombs, I say.