Migrant workers in Thailand face widespread and severe human rights abuses faced including killings, torture in detention, extortion, and sexual abuse, and labor rights abuses such as trafficking, forced labor, and restrictions on organizing. "Migrant workers make huge contributions to Thailand's economy, but receive little protection from abuse and exploitation," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
In 2007, Uzbek photographer and videographer Umida Ahmedova published a compilation of over 100 photographs entitled “Women and Men: From Dawn till Dusk.” Ahmedova is currently facing slander and insult charges brought against her, in part, for publication of these photographs, eleven of which are featured in this slideshow.
Nineveh, Iraq's second most populous province, has a unique concentration of historic minority groups. It is also a main battlefront of a conflict over disputed territories between the Arab-dominated central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government. Samer Muscati, researcher in the Middle East and North Africa division, traveled to the region to interview and photograph victims of the violence directed at the Yazidi, Shabak, and Chaldean and Assyrian Christian communities.
Every year, landmines and explosive remnants of war continue to kill or injure thousands of people. Spanish photographer Gervasio Sánchez's images explore the impact of landmines on the lives of individuals across the globe. The countries profiled have joined the 1997 mine ban treaty, but have ongoing obligations to clear landmines and assist survivors of the weapon.
In a large-scale crackdown between June and August 2009, the Greek
authorities arrested hundreds of migrants across the country.
Photographs by Moises Saman.
Photographer Susan Meiselas and reporter Dumeetha Luthra traveled to India for Human Rights Watch to retrace the steps of one woman who died after giving birth to a son.
On September 10 and 11, the riots in Uganda's capital, Kampala, began when police blocked a delegation, including the cultural king of Buganda, known as the kabaka, from visiting Kayunga district. The visit was opposed by leaders of the Banyala ethnic group who reject the kabaka’s authority. The kabaka's supporters took to the streets to protest, and violence broke out soon afterwards. The government admits that at least 27 people were killed. Human Rights Watch research indicates that at least 13 of those died in situations where soldiers used lethal force when the circumstances did not warrant it.
After the Burmese military government’s brutal crackdown on Buddhist monks and other peaceful protestors in September 2007, the constant refrain was, “What happened to the monks?”. Many monks were arrested, threatened, beaten, and imprisoned. It is a sad and disturbing story, but one that exemplifies the harsh rule of Burma’s military government as it clings to power through
violence, fear, and repression. Photographs by Pat Brown.
Since November 2008, rocket attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups have killed three Israeli civilians and seriously injured dozens of others, damaged property and forced residents to leave their homes.
