• US: House Vote a Step Backward for Women’s Rights
    Press release
    May 17, 2012
    The US Congress should move forward with a Senate bill to renew the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and reject the dangerous alternative passed by the House of Representatives.
  • India: Hold Police to Account for Sexual and Other Assaults
    Press release
    May 14, 2012
    Indian officials need to immediately open transparent and impartial criminal investigations into recent cases where police have assaulted women. Human Rights Watch called on the government of India to overhaul its policies and response to women, children, and transgender people who experience violence. The Indian authorities should protect victims from police intimidation and discrimination, and prevent police interference in investigations and post-assault medical treatment.
  • India: Joint Letter to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh
    Letter
    May 14, 2012
    We the undersigned organizations would like to urgently bring to your notice and reiterate our concerns about the treatment and care given to women and children who experience sexual assault in light of a series of disturbing news reports on this issue.
  • US: House Bill Puts Immigrant Women at Risk
    Press release
    May 9, 2012
    The full US House of Representatives should reject a dangerous version of a bill to renew the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Human Rights Watch said today. The bill would undermine the law and expose immigrant women and families to abuse, Human Rights Watch said. The House Judiciary Committee on May 8, 2012 approved a version that makes multiple changes to VAWA’s existing provisions addressing immigrant victims of domestic and sexual violence.
  • Egypt: Military Impunity for Violence Against Women
    Press release
    Apr 7, 2012
    The March 11 acquittal of the only military officer charged in the “virginity tests” trial is a blow for any hopes of accountability for the abuses women have experienced at the hands of the Egyptian military over the past year. The military has failed to investigate and punish credible claims of other instances of violence by its members against women, including the beating and torture of women demonstrators by military officers on March 9 and December 16, 2011.
  • US: Statement to the House of Representatives on the Department of Homeland Security’s New Immigration Detention Standards
    Written statement
    Mar 28, 2012
    Immigration detention is no holiday. 129 detainees have died in ICE custody since 2003, and there is credible evidence that poor medical care in detention contributed to a number of those deaths. The 2011 Performance Based National Detention Standards published by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) represent an important step toward ensuring the safety of immigrants in detention.
  • US Senate: Renew the Violence Against Women Act
    Press release
    Mar 19, 2012
    The US Senate should renew the Violence against Women Act (VAWA) when it votes on the measure later in March 2012. The act is the primary federal law providing legal protection and services to counter domestic and sexual violence and stalking. Approval will maintain critical programs and improve legal protection against violence.
  • A sick system abuses its refugees
    Commentary
    Mar 18, 2012

    South Africa's tourism website describes the country as the "land of good times and friendly people". Sadly, Araya Y, a pregnant Somali refugee living in Port Elizabeth, did not experience this side of the country. Instead, when she went to a government district hospital in July 2010 to give birth, she was abused by medical staff and denied care. 

  • India: Investigate Sexual Assault in Police Custody
    Press release
    Mar 7, 2012
    The Indian government should investigate the case of a tribal woman accused of supporting the Maoist “Naxalites” who says she was tortured in custody. The government should ensure her immediate access to healthcare without police interference.
  • Libya: Transitional Government Should Support Victims
    Press release
    Sep 19, 2011
    The National Transitional Council (NTC), the de facto authority that controls most of Libya, should investigate allegations of sexual violence perpetrated during the Libyan armed conflict and provide medical services, treatment, and support for survivors. Heads of state from the group of countries who have pledged to support Libya as it moves toward democratization – the so-called Friends of Libya – are gathering this week at the United Nations to discuss the future of the country.