Human Rights Watch | Defending Human Rights Worldwide

Human rights abuses are happening right now – start a monthly gift today.

Donate Now

Palestinians stand in line to get water in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip amid ongoing hostilities between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups, November 13, 2023.

November 16, 2023

Israeli Authorities’ Cutting of Water Leading to Public Health Crisis in Gaza

After more than a month of the Israeli government’s unlawful blockade of Gaza, which has included catastrophic cuts to water, fuel, and electricity, the lack of clean water is resulting in “grave concerns.”

Syria

November 16, 2023
News Release
World Court Rules Against Syria in Torture Case
Middle East/North Africa

November 16, 2023
Report
Yemen: Aden Electricity, Water Cuts Threaten Rights
Rwanda

November 15, 2023
Dispatches
UK Supreme Court Finds UK-Rwanda Asylum Scheme Unlawful

Emilie McDonnell

Officer, UK Advocacy and Communications

Latest News

November 16, 2023 News Release

Maldives: New Government Should Prioritize Rights
November 16, 2023 Commentary

Is Your Brand Paying Its Share to Reduce Bangladesh Workers’ Wage Despair?

Published In Sourcing Journal
November 16, 2023 News Release

Bangladesh: UN Rights Review Amid Violent Crackdown
November 16, 2023 Dispatches

Belgium Overcomes EU Struggles to Send Strong Message on Gaza
November 15, 2023 News Release

Gaza: Communications Blackout Imminent Due to Fuel Shortage
November 15, 2023 Dispatches

Keep Rights at Center of Turkey/Germany Meeting
November 15, 2023 Commentary

When Biden Meets Xi

Published In Foreign Policy in Focus
November 15, 2023 Commentary

In the Israel-Palestine Crisis, Preventing Mass Atrocities is Key

Published In The Hill Times
November 15, 2023 News Release

Mental Health Crisis Support Rooted in Community
November 15, 2023 Feature

Desperate Choices in Guatemala
November 15, 2023 Dispatches

EU Corporate Sustainability Law Should Safeguard Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
November 15, 2023 News Release

Uzbekistan: Take Action on Rights Abuses Raised at UN Review
November 14, 2023 News Release

US National Climate Report Highlights Climate Harms to Pregnancy, Newborns

Donate now to support human rights around the world

Make a One-time Gift

Videos

Reports

November 14, 2023 Report

Gaza: Unlawful Israeli Hospital Strikes Worsen Health Crisis

Israel’s Blockade, Bombardment Decimate Healthcare System; Investigate as War Crimes
November 16, 2023 Report

Yemen: Aden Electricity, Water Cuts Threaten Rights

Government, Southern Transitional Council Failures Leading to Multiple Violations
November 15, 2023 Report

Mental Health Crisis Support Rooted in Community and Human Rights

A Case Study
November 14, 2023 Report

“They Don’t Treat Us like Human Beings”

Abuse of Imprisoned Women in Japan

Most Viewed

November 16, 2023 Dispatches

Belgium Overcomes EU Struggles to Send Strong Message on Gaza
October 18, 2023 News Release

Israel/Palestine: Videos of Hamas-Led Attacks Verified
April 27, 2021 Report

A Threshold Crossed
March 7, 2013 Report

"This Old Man Can Feed Us, You Will Marry Him"
October 12, 2023 News Release

Israel: White Phosphorus Used in Gaza, Lebanon

Africa

Africa

November 14, 2023
News Release
Uganda: Rights Concerns Over License Plate Tracking

November 13, 2023 Commentary

Darfur Civilians in Jeopardy

Published In

November 9, 2023 News Release

DR Congo: System Vulnerability of The Kivu Security Tracker
Americas

Americas

November 9, 2023
News Release
Americas: Migrants Pushed to Cross Darién Gap, Abused

November 10, 2023 Commentary

As Gaza Burns, Other Countries Are Quietly, Illegally Dumping Refugees

Published In The Hill

November 7, 2023 News Release

Brazil: Inquiry in Police Killings Falls Short
Asia

Asia

November 16, 2023
News Release
Maldives: New Government Should Prioritize Rights

November 16, 2023 Commentary

Is Your Brand Paying Its Share to Reduce Bangladesh Workers’ Wage Despair?

Published In Sourcing Journal

November 16, 2023 News Release

Bangladesh: UN Rights Review Amid Violent Crackdown
Europe/Central Asia

Europe/Central Asia

November 16, 2023
Dispatches
Belgium Overcomes EU Struggles to Send Strong Message on Gaza

Claudio Francavilla

Senior EU Advocate

November 15, 2023 Dispatches

UK Supreme Court Finds UK-Rwanda Asylum Scheme Unlawful

November 15, 2023 Dispatches

Keep Rights at Center of Turkey/Germany Meeting
Middle East/North Africa

Middle East/North Africa

November 16, 2023
Dispatches
Israeli Authorities’ Cutting of Water Leading to Public Health Crisis in Gaza

A. Kayum Ahmed

Special Advisor, Right to Health

November 16, 2023 Report

Yemen: Aden Electricity, Water Cuts Threaten Rights

November 16, 2023 Dispatches

Belgium Overcomes EU Struggles to Send Strong Message on Gaza
United States

Asia

November 15, 2023
Commentary
When Biden Meets Xi

Elaine Pearson

Asia Director

Published in: Foreign Policy in Focus

November 15, 2023 News Release

Mental Health Crisis Support Rooted in Community

November 14, 2023 News Release

US National Climate Report Highlights Climate Harms to Pregnancy, Newborns

Arms

Global

November 14, 2023
News Release
Landmines: New Use Despite Global Ban

November 6, 2023 News Release

Suspend Arms to Israel, Palestinian Armed Groups

November 5, 2023 Report

Northwest Syria: Government Uses Cluster Munitions
Children's Rights

Europe/Central Asia

November 9, 2023
News Release
Ukraine: War’s Toll on Schools, Children’s Future

October 29, 2023 Dispatches

Students, Schools Under Attack Despite Landmark UN Resolution

October 23, 2023 Dispatches

Indigenous Teen Dies in Australian Adult Prison
Crisis and Conflict

Canada

November 15, 2023
Commentary
In the Israel-Palestine Crisis, Preventing Mass Atrocities is Key

Farida Deif

Canada Director

Published in: The Hill Times

November 14, 2023 News Release

Lebanon: Israeli Strike an Apparent War Crime

November 14, 2023 Report

Gaza: Unlawful Israeli Hospital Strikes Worsen Health Crisis
Disability Rights

Canada

November 15, 2023
News Release
Mental Health Crisis Support Rooted in Community

November 10, 2023 Dispatches

Older People Not Spared in Hostilities in Israel/Palestine

November 1, 2023 Report

Gaza: Israeli Attacks, Blockade Devastating for People with Disabilities
Economic Justice and Rights

Asia

November 16, 2023
Commentary
Is Your Brand Paying Its Share to Reduce Bangladesh Workers’ Wage Despair?

Aruna Kashyap

Associate Director on Corporate Accountability

Published in: Sourcing Journal

November 16, 2023 Report

Yemen: Aden Electricity, Water Cuts Threaten Rights

November 15, 2023 Dispatches

EU Corporate Sustainability Law Should Safeguard Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
Environment and Human Rights

European Union

November 10, 2023
Dispatches
EU Foreign Ministers Should Urge UAE Rights Progress Ahead of COP28

Richard Pearshouse

Director, Environment and Human Rights

November 9, 2023 Dispatches

Latest Findings on Extreme Heat and Pregnancy in Pakistan

November 8, 2023 News Release

APEC: Press China’s Xi on Human Rights
Free Speech

Asia

November 16, 2023
News Release
Bangladesh: UN Rights Review Amid Violent Crackdown

November 15, 2023 News Release

Uzbekistan: Take Action on Rights Abuses Raised at UN Review

November 8, 2023 News Release

Kazakhstan: Government Critic on Trial for ’Extremism’
Health

Middle East/North Africa

November 16, 2023
Dispatches
Israeli Authorities’ Cutting of Water Leading to Public Health Crisis in Gaza

A. Kayum Ahmed

Special Advisor, Right to Health

November 7, 2023 News Release

Gaza: Israeli Ambulance Strike Apparently Unlawful

November 7, 2023 News Release

Draft “Pandemic Treaty” Fails to Protect Rights
LGBT Rights

Europe/Central Asia

November 15, 2023
News Release
Uzbekistan: Take Action on Rights Abuses Raised at UN Review

November 8, 2023 Dispatches

UN Committee Criticizes US Record on LGBT Rights

October 31, 2023 Dispatches

Brazil’s Congress Holds Public Hearing on Teacher Harassment
Refugees and Migrants

Rwanda

November 15, 2023
Dispatches
UK Supreme Court Finds UK-Rwanda Asylum Scheme Unlawful

Emilie McDonnell

Officer, UK Advocacy and Communications

November 10, 2023 Commentary

As Gaza Burns, Other Countries Are Quietly, Illegally Dumping Refugees

Published In The Hill

November 9, 2023 Dispatches

Landmark Australian Ruling Rejects Indefinite Immigration Detention
Rights of Older People

Middle East/North Africa

November 10, 2023
Dispatches
Older People Not Spared in Hostilities in Israel/Palestine

Bridget Sleap

Senior Researcher, Rights of Older People

July 11, 2023 Interview

Interview: Victory for People with Disabilities and Older Persons in Mexico

June 30, 2023 Dispatches

Extreme Heat Signals Need for Inclusive Climate Action
International Justice

Syria

November 16, 2023
News Release
World Court Rules Against Syria in Torture Case

October 26, 2023 Dispatches

Mokom Case Falls Flat in Central African Republic

October 25, 2023 Dispatches

Countries Should Back ICC Investigation on Israel-Palestine
Technology and Rights

Middle East/North Africa

November 15, 2023
News Release
Gaza: Communications Blackout Imminent Due to Fuel Shortage

November 14, 2023 News Release

Uganda: Rights Concerns Over License Plate Tracking

November 13, 2023 Dispatches

Will the EU Give Companies Selling Spyware and Stalkerware a Free Pass?
Terrorism / Counterterrorism

Africa

November 1, 2023
Report
Mali: Islamist Armed Groups, Army Target Civilians

September 25, 2023 Report

Iraq: Torture Survivors Await US Redress, Accountability

July 24, 2023 Report

Mali: New Atrocities by Malian Army, Apparent Wagner Fighters
Torture

Middle East/North Africa

September 25, 2023
Report
Iraq: Torture Survivors Await US Redress, Accountability

September 20, 2023 Commentary

How Brute Violence Became Egypt’s Answer to Virtually Everything

Published In Foreign Policy in Focus

September 1, 2023 News Release

Bahrain: Address Hunger Strike Grievances
United Nations

Asia

November 16, 2023
News Release
Bangladesh: UN Rights Review Amid Violent Crackdown

November 15, 2023 News Release

Uzbekistan: Take Action on Rights Abuses Raised at UN Review

November 8, 2023 Dispatches

UN Committee Criticizes US Record on LGBT Rights
Women's Rights

United States

November 14, 2023
News Release
US National Climate Report Highlights Climate Harms to Pregnancy, Newborns

November 14, 2023 News Release

Japan: Women Seriously Abused in Prisons

November 9, 2023 Dispatches

Latest Findings on Extreme Heat and Pregnancy in Pakistan