QUESTIONS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Dear Marc Garlasco, Senior Military Analyst
C/C Dear Kenneth Roth, Executive Director

In the New York Times' article "Rights Group Lists 26 It Says U.S. Is Holding in Secret Abroad" by Ian Fisher, I read:

"One thing I want to make clear is we are talking about some really bad guys," Mr. Garlasco said. "These are criminals who need to be brought to justice. One of our main problems with the U.S. is that justice is not being served by having these people held incognito."

I would like to ask you:

1) did the New York Times quote you correctly?
2) if not, will you ask for a formal correction to the NYT?
3) if yes, don’t you think your words are quite bizarre for a HRW’s representative? Did we get to the point that even Human Rights Watch doesn’t care for the presumption of innocence?

In the article, I also read:

Mr. Garlasco said, "Our concern is that if illegal methods such as torture are being used against them," trials may "either be impossible or questionable under international standards of jurisprudence."

Again, I would like to ask you:

1) did the New York Times quote you correctly?
2) if not, will you ask for a formal correction to the NYT?
3) if yes, don’t you think your words are quite bizarre for a HRW’s representative? Is that really HRW’s concern about torture?

I had the opportunity to interview HRW’s Reed Brody and Hanny Megally just a few years ago. Also because of those interviews I have great esteem and respect for the work of your organization. I fear that your words – as reported by the New York Times’ article – will damage HRW’s image and the trust many people have for its work.

Thank you for your attention.

Kind regards,
Gabriele Zamparini