Economic Justice and Rights
The Economic Justice and Rights Division works to build just economies based on respect for human rights. We investigate how the global economic system both drives inequality that undermines human rights and enables private actors to harm communities, workers, and the environment. Our work is driven by rigorous, thorough, and objective investigations. The Poverty and Inequality program exposes policies and practices that concentrate wealth in private hands at the expense of public well-being, challenging corruption, deregulation, privatization, and the dismantling and underfunding of tax-funded systems of social protection. Our Corporate Accountability program works to ensure that products and services are free from abuse or exploitation by holding businesses accountable for the human rights impacts of their operations, investments, and supply chains. Our work illuminates opaque and diffuse global supply chains and investment flows that obscure involvement in human rights abuses—from forced labor to environmental destruction—and advocates for stronger regulation of industries at home and abroad.
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Asia
March 14, 2024
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Africa
March 13, 2024
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Asia
Videos
Videos-
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November 16, 2023
Yemen: Aden Electricity, Water Cuts Threaten Rights
Government, Southern Transitional Council Failures Leading to Multiple Violations
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September 14, 2023
Bangladesh: Social Audits Shortchange Workers
Shahidul Islam’s Killing Underscores Heightened Risks for Independent Unions
News
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March 12, 2024
European Union Should Adopt Forced Labor Law
Import Ban Would Prevent Products Linked to Forced Labor from Entering EU
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March 12, 2024
Interview: The Car Industry’s Blind Spot in Xinjiang
Uncovering Forced Labor in Aluminum Supply Chains
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March 8, 2024
Statement Before the Human Rights Council Panel on the Right to Social Security
Human Rights Watch Delivers Oral Statement at the Council's 55th Session on Behalf of 12 Civil Society Organizations and the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors
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March 4, 2024
Proposed EU Forced Labor Regulation Should Focus on Workers
Regulation Should Include Remediation for Victims
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February 29, 2024
Xinjiang Abuses Show Need for Robust EU Forced Labor Law
Challenge of Uncovering Products, Materials Linked to State-Sponsored Forced Labor
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February 26, 2024
Egypt’s Al-Sisi Has Caged Himself In
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February 15, 2024
Confronting the Climate Crisis Can Also Advance Socio-Economic Rights
Just Transition Work Programme Should Align Climate Policies and Human Rights
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February 1, 2024
China: Carmakers Implicated in Uyghur Forced Labor
BYD, GM, Tesla, Toyota, VW Risk Using Tainted Aluminum