• Governments Should Sign, Ratify Mercury Treaty
    Jun 20, 2013
    (New York)- Governments around the world should sign and ratify the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and take immediate steps to reduce mercury pollution, Human Rights Watch said today in letters to environment ministers around the globe. Human Rights Watch sent its letters to countries with artisanal gold mining and to all others, including donor countries, in advance of a diplomatic conference for countries to sign the international treaty, from October 7 to 11, 2013, in Japan. For the treaty to go into force, at least 50 countries must sign.
  • Ghana: Mine Accident Highlights Risk to Children
    Jun 13, 2013
    A recent mining accident that killed 16 people at an unlicensed artisanal gold mine in Ghana underscores the need for tougher measures to end child labor and protect the safety of adult artisanal miners. HRW visited the site of the mine collapse between May 31 and June 2, 2013.
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  • Governments Should Sign, Ratify Mercury Treaty
    Jun 20, 2013
    (New York)- Governments around the world should sign and ratify the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and take immediate steps to reduce mercury pollution, Human Rights Watch said today in letters to environment ministers around the globe. Human Rights Watch sent its letters to countries with artisanal gold mining and to all others, including donor countries, in advance of a diplomatic conference for countries to sign the international treaty, from October 7 to 11, 2013, in Japan. For the treaty to go into force, at least 50 countries must sign.
  • Letter from Human Rights Watch to Governments in Countries with Artisanal Gold Mining
    Jun 19, 2013
  • Letter from Human Rights Watch Urging Governments to Financially or Technically Assist Countries with Artisanal Gold Mining
    Jun 19, 2013
  • Ghana: Mine Accident Highlights Risk to Children
    Jun 13, 2013
    A recent mining accident that killed 16 people at an unlicensed artisanal gold mine in Ghana underscores the need for tougher measures to end child labor and protect the safety of adult artisanal miners. HRW visited the site of the mine collapse between May 31 and June 2, 2013.
  • World Environment Day: a day like any other for Abigail Chombo
    Jun 5, 2013
    When basic human rights, like the rights to life, health, food, information, justice, participation and assembly are not respected, the global environmental movement loses a critical ally -- citizens around the world for whom the protection of rights and the environment are one and the same. In violating their rights, the marginalization of many of these people limits their ability to affect positive environmental change.
  • Bangladesh’s other workplace catastrophes
    May 20, 2013
  • Polluting Tanneries in Bangladesh Face Fines
    Apr 18, 2013
    For probably the first time, Bangladesh’s government has leveled pollution-related fines against two leather tanneries in Hazaribagh, a Dhaka neighborhood so polluted with waste from its roughly 150 tanneries that residents and workers are plagued by serious health problems.
  • Italy: Leather Buyers Beware
    Apr 2, 2013
    (Barcelona) – Leather buyers at an international leather fair in Italy should only purchase leather goods from tanneries that comply with laws that protect the right to health and labor rights, Human Rights Watch said today as the fair opens in Bologna. Such compliance should include respecting both national and international environmental standards. Tanneries in the Hazaribagh area of the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, do not meet these criteria, Human Rights Watch said.
  • Mercury Treaty Designed to Save Lives
    Mar 14, 2013
    Suzanne, an 11-year-old who lives in Mali, eagerly explained how she handles deadly mercury to mine gold to help support her family.
  • Nigeria: Funds Released for Lead Cleanup
    Jan 29, 2013

    Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to immediately release funds to clean up lead-contaminated villages in Nigeria will save untold lives. Releasing the funds clears the way for at least 1,500 children in urgent need of life-saving medical treatment in northern Nigeria to receive care.

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