On April 4, 2010, the Sunday Times published a correction to Jonathan Foreman’s article (“Explosive Territory,” March 28) stating that “Marc Garlasco, the former senior military analyst for HRW, was not the only person in the organisation who had military experience; a number of the HRW staff have military expertise.” (Garlasco’s work experience at the Pentagon has not been independently confirmed.)

NGO Monitor sent an email to HRW attempting to clarify the nature of this “military expertise.” In response to NGO Monitor’s query, HRW’s Director of Communications Emma Daly wrote: “We don’t disclose information about our staff beyond the details in the experts’ bios posted online.”

1. NGO Monitor letter to HRW, re: questions on HRW military expertise and experience (April 8, 2010)
2. HRW’s reply to NGO Monitor (April 23, 2010)

1. NGO Monitor letter to HRW, re: questions on HRW military expertise and experience

April 8, 2010

Ms. Emma Daly
Director, Communications
Human Rights Watch

Re: questions on HRW military expertise and experience

Dear Ms. Daly,

On April 4, 2010 the Sunday Times published a correction to Jonathan Foreman’s article (“Explosive Territory,” March 28) stating that “Marc Garlasco, the former senior military analyst for HRW, was not the only person in the organisation who had military experience; a number of the HRW staff have military expertise.”

We are preparing a report on these issues, and in order to accurately depict the military experience and expertise in HRW, we have the following questions:

Which individuals on HRW’s staff have prior military experience? 
What is the nature of this experience (highest rank achieved, capacity of service, general responsibilities that are relevant to HRW’s work)?
What is encompassed by “military expertise,” and which staff members possess such expertise?

Thank you for your attention to these matters.

Sincerely,

Prof Gerald Steinberg
President
NGO Monitor
 

2. HRW’s reply to NGO Monitor

April 23, 2010

Dear Professor Steinberg,

Thanks for your query.

We don’t disclose information about our staff beyond the details in the experts’ bios posted online,
with best wishes,

Emma Daly