Members of the Syrian Electronic Army recently breached and defaced the official Web site of Human Rights Watch, along with the organization’s official Twitter account, the Human Rights Watch Indonesia Twitter account, and the Twitter account of Human Rights Watch researcher Hanan Salah.
Following the attack, Salah tweeted, “my twitter account has been compromised please DO NOT click on any links you may have received from me, apologies for any inconvenience.”
In a statement on its Web site, the Syrian Electronic Army claimed the attack was launched in response to a Human Rights Watch report, dated March 16, which details Syrian forces’ use of cluster bombs against the Syrian people.
The report quotes Steve Goose, director of the Arms division at Human Rights Watch, saying, “Syria is expanding its relentless use of cluster munitions, a banned weapon, and civilians are paying the price with their lives and limbs. The initial toll is only the beginning because cluster munitions often leave unexploded bomblets that kill and maim long afterward.”
Other recent targets of the Syrian Electronic Army include Agence France-Presse and the Qatar Foundation.
