“James went to Syria because of his commitment to exposing the horrors civilians faced since the uprising against the government there,” said Peter Bouckaert, emergencies director at Human Rights Watch. “The Islamic State’s apparent killing of Foley to make political points is the height of cowardice, in stark contrast to Foley’s bravery and humanity,” Bouckaert said.
– Before disappearing in Syria in 2012, American journalist James Foley wrapped filming on a documentary called E-Team, which earned rave reviews at this year's Sundance Film Festival, reports the Daily Beast. The film focuses on Human Rights Watch's Emergencies Team, which documents war crimes firsthand. Rolling after the credits is a statement that Foley, one of three camera operators on the film, disappeared in Syria after filming was completed. The documentary premieres on Netflix Oct. 24. Human Rights Watch, meanwhile, is now calling Foley's execution a war crime in itself. "James went to Syria because of his commitment to exposing the horrors civilians faced since the uprising against the government there," said the organization's emergencies director, adding that his killing by the Islamic State is "the height of cowardice, in stark contrast to Foley's bravery and humility." (Foley's captors had demanded ransom money before the execution.)