• UN/Western Sahara: Give Peacekeepers a Human Rights Mandate
    Apr 17, 2013
    United Nations Security Council members should task the United Nations with monitoring human rights violations in Western Sahara and in the refugee camps around Tindouf, in Algeria, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to all 15 Security Council member countries.
    Press release
  • UN Rights Body Forms Landmark Investigation Into North Korea
    Mar 21, 2013
    The United Nations Human Rights Council took a landmark step by establishing a commission of inquiry for North Korea.
    Press release
  • Syria: Authorize Cross-Border Humanitarian Aid
    Feb 11, 2013
    Syria should urgently agree that humanitarian aid may be brought into the country across all of its borders, including from Turkey.Syria’s allies, including Russia, should press Syria to consent to such transfers. Donors should not wait for Syria’s go-ahead, but instead should immediately expand support to non-governmental organizations already able to deliver aid from Turkey into opposition-held areas of Syria.
    Press release
  • North Korea: Activists Welcome Japan’s Support for Inquiry
    Feb 5, 2013

    The International Coalition to Stop Crimes against Humanity in North Korea (ICNK), consisting of over 40 leading human rights organizations and activists, today welcomes Japan’s strong position in favor of the establishment of a new United Nations commission of inquiry on serious human rights violations committed by the North Korean Government at home and abroad.

    Press release
  • North Korea: Japan’s Backing of UN Inquiry Gives Hope
    Jan 25, 2013
    Japan’s official decision to support the establishment of a new United Nations inquiry mechanism on human rights violations in North Korea is an important step toward the establishment of an in-depth investigation into human rights violations committed by the North Korean Government at home and abroad.
    Press release
  • North Korea: Launch a UN Commission of Inquiry
    Jan 21, 2013
    Members of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) should vote to establish a commission of inquiry into human rights abuses in North Korea when the matter comes up before the February-March session of the council, said Human Rights Watch today. A detailed memo released by Human Rights Watch, Q&A on a United Nations Commission of Inquiry on North Korea, explains why a commission is urgently needed, how it could be established, what it should examine, and how it will support the efforts of the UNHRC to press for Pyongyang’s compliance with international human rights standards.
    Press release
  • UN Security Council: Heed Call for Justice in Syria
    Jan 14, 2013

    A letter sent to the United Nations Security Council on behalf of 57 states calling for a referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC) gives momentum to international efforts to stop grave abuses committed there. More countries should join the call and impress on reluctant Council members the urgency of taking up the issue of accountability.

     

    Press release
  • South Sudan: Heed Global Call to End Death Penalty
    Dec 20, 2012
    South Sudan should carry out its commitment for a moratorium on the death penalty. On December 20, 2012, South Sudan, along with 110 other nations, voted in favor of a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling on countries that use capital punishment to place a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty.
    Press release
  • UAE: Make Good on Human Rights Commitments
    Nov 16, 2012
    The United Arab Emirates should swiftly end the arbitrary detention and harassment of its critics in line with its obligations as a recently elected member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
    Press release
  • UN: Act on Failings in Sri Lanka
    Nov 14, 2012

    The United Nations secretary-general’s internal review on UN action in Sri Lanka should lead to specific and concrete measures to ensure the UN takes all needed measures to prevent mass atrocities in future conflicts, Human Rights Watch said today.

    Press release