Human Rights Watch | Defending Human Rights Worldwide

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

Donate Now

Taleb Al Majli, an Iraqi who described being tortured by US forces after his detention at Abu Ghraib prison in November 2003, at his home in Baghdad in 2023. The US released him without charge in March 2005.

September 25, 2023

Iraq: Torture Survivors Await US Redress, Accountability

The United States government has apparently failed to provide compensation or other redress to Iraqis who suffered torture and other abuse two decades after evidence emerged of US forces mistreating detainees at Abu Ghraib and other US-run prisons in Iraq.

Video: Iraq Torture Survivors Await US Justice

Americas

September 26, 2023
Commentary
Ayotzinapa, Mexico’s Army, and López Obrador’s Silence

Juanita Goebertus Estrada

Director, Americas Division

Santiago Aguirre

Director of Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Human Rights Center

Published in: El País
Americas

September 25, 2023
Dispatches
Indigenous Peoples Secure Decisive Victory in Brazil

Andrea Carvalho

Senior Research Assistant
Guinea

September 25, 2023
News Release
Guinea: Significant Progress in 2009 Massacre Trial

Latest News

September 26, 2023 Commentary

How IMF policies undermine rights

Published In The News
September 26, 2023 Dispatches

US Rebukes Egypt for Using Child Soldiers
September 26, 2023 Dispatches

Uzbekistan Authorities Keep Wrongfully Imprisoned Lawyer Isolated
September 25, 2023 Dispatches

Polish Volunteer Detained for Aiding Migrants
September 25, 2023 Commentary

Palestinian Americans are Now Tourists in their Own Land

Published In The Hill
September 25, 2023 News Release

Brazil: Disability Plan Should End Warehousing
September 25, 2023 Dispatches

Rising Seas, Broken Promises in Panama
September 25, 2023 Q & A

Guinea’s 2009 Stadium Massacre Trial
September 25, 2023 News Release

IMF: Austerity Loan Conditions Risk Undermining Rights
September 24, 2023 Dispatches

South Korea’s ‘Anonymous Birthing’ Bill Fails Women, Children
September 23, 2023 News Release

Azerbaijan: Ensure Civilians’ Rights in Nagorno Karabakh
September 22, 2023 Commentary

Human Rights Watch Mourns Loss of James Hoge
September 22, 2023 Dispatches

Chinese Court Imposes Life Sentence on Uyghur Scholar

Donate now to support human rights around the world

Make a One-time Gift

Videos

Reports

September 25, 2023 Report

Bandage on a Bullet Wound

IMF Social Spending Floors and the Covid-19 Pandemic
September 25, 2023 Report

Iraq: Torture Survivors Await US Redress, Accountability

No Clear Path to Compensation for Iraqis Abused in Detention by US Forces
September 18, 2023 Report

“If We Raise Our Voice They Arrest Us”

Sri Lanka’s Proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission
September 14, 2023 Report

“I Felt So Stuck”

Inadequate Housing and Social Support for Families Seeking Asylum in the United Kingdom

Most Viewed

August 21, 2023 Report

“They Fired on Us Like Rain”
November 12, 2018 News Release

Pakistan: Girls Deprived of Education
June 9, 2015 News Release

Bangladesh: Girls Damaged by Child Marriage
September 22, 2023 Dispatches

Saudi Crown Prince Confirms Death Sentence for Tweets
June 24, 2022 Q & A

Q&A: Access to Abortion is a Human Right

Africa

Africa

September 18, 2023
News Release
Uganda: Carry Out Treaty to Protect Everyone at Work

September 17, 2023 Commentary

Access to Justice Remains Elusive for Mqhekezweni Women

Published In The Mail & Guardian

September 13, 2023 News Release

Kenya: Ban Use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides
Americas

Americas

September 26, 2023
Commentary
Ayotzinapa, Mexico’s Army, and López Obrador’s Silence

Juanita Goebertus Estrada

Director, Americas Division

Santiago Aguirre

Director of Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Human Rights Center

Published in: El País

September 25, 2023 Dispatches

Indigenous Peoples Secure Decisive Victory in Brazil

September 25, 2023 News Release

Brazil: Disability Plan Should End Warehousing
Asia

Asia

September 26, 2023
Commentary
How IMF policies undermine rights

Saroop Ijaz

Senior Counsel, Asia Division

Sarah Saadoun

Senior Researcher and Advocate, Poverty and Inequality

Published in: The News

September 24, 2023 Dispatches

South Korea’s ‘Anonymous Birthing’ Bill Fails Women, Children

September 22, 2023 Dispatches

Chinese Court Imposes Life Sentence on Uyghur Scholar
Europe/Central Asia

Europe/Central Asia

September 26, 2023
Dispatches
Uzbekistan Authorities Keep Wrongfully Imprisoned Lawyer Isolated

Mihra Rittmann

Senior Researcher, Central Asia

September 25, 2023 Dispatches

Polish Volunteer Detained for Aiding Migrants

September 23, 2023 News Release

Azerbaijan: Ensure Civilians’ Rights in Nagorno Karabakh
Middle East/North Africa

Middle East/North Africa

September 25, 2023
Commentary
Palestinian Americans are Now Tourists in their Own Land

Sari Bashi

Program Director

Published in: The Hill

September 25, 2023 Report

Iraq: Torture Survivors Await US Redress, Accountability

September 22, 2023 Dispatches

UN Human Rights Council Should Move to Investigate Beirut Blast
United States

United States

September 26, 2023
Letter
Rights Groups Urge Congress to Support the TEST Act

September 26, 2023 Letter

Letter from Over 70 Organizations Calling for Suspension of Deportation Flights to Haiti

September 25, 2023 Report

Iraq: Torture Survivors Await US Redress, Accountability

Arms

Global

September 14, 2023
News Release
Cluster Munitions: Gains in Stockpile Destruction, Clearance

September 6, 2023 Dispatches

Russia Denies Its Widespread Use of Cluster Munitions

September 5, 2023 News Release

Cluster Munitions: New Use, Transfers Challenge Total Ban
Children's Rights

Global

September 18, 2023
Dispatches
New UN Guidance on Children’s Rights and the Environment

Bede Sheppard

Deputy Director, Children's Rights Division

September 15, 2023 Commentary

The US Is Not Protecting Its Children

Published In Newsweek

September 14, 2023 News Release

UK: Children and Families Seeking Asylum Face Dire Conditions
Crisis and Conflict

Africa

September 7, 2023
Letter
54th session of the UN Human Rights Council: Ethiopia – Renew the mandate of the ICHREE

September 4, 2023 Q & A

Q&A: Justice for Serious International Crimes Committed in Ethiopia

September 1, 2023 Letter

Sudan: Joint Letter Calling for Independent UN Mechanism To Advance Accountability For International Crimes
Disability Rights

Americas

September 25, 2023
News Release
Brazil: Disability Plan Should End Warehousing

September 11, 2023 Commentary

Picture-Postcard Broome is Home to Australia’s ‘Worst Prison’

Published In The West Australian

September 5, 2023 Dispatches

Breaking Educational Barriers for Children with Albinism
Economic Justice and Rights

Asia

September 26, 2023
Commentary
How IMF policies undermine rights

Saroop Ijaz

Senior Counsel, Asia Division

Sarah Saadoun

Senior Researcher and Advocate, Poverty and Inequality

Published in: The News

September 25, 2023 News Release

IMF: Austerity Loan Conditions Risk Undermining Rights

September 20, 2023 Dispatches

Governments Should Step Up on Public Health Care Spending
Environment

Americas

September 25, 2023
Dispatches
Indigenous Peoples Secure Decisive Victory in Brazil

Andrea Carvalho

Senior Research Assistant

September 25, 2023 Dispatches

Rising Seas, Broken Promises in Panama

September 22, 2023 Dispatches

Bold Action Needed Following UN Climate Ambition Summit
Free Speech

Middle East/North Africa

September 22, 2023
Dispatches
Saudi Crown Prince Confirms Death Sentence for Tweets

Joey Shea

Researcher, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates

September 18, 2023 News Release

Algeria: Freedom of Association, Assembly Under Attack

September 14, 2023 News Release

Algeria: Halt Assault on Fundamental Freedoms
Health

Global

September 20, 2023
Dispatches
Governments Should Step Up on Public Health Care Spending

Matt McConnell

Researcher, Economic Justice and Rights Division

September 14, 2023 News Release

UK: Children and Families Seeking Asylum Face Dire Conditions

September 13, 2023 News Release

Kenya: Ban Use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides
LGBT Rights

Europe/Central Asia

September 12, 2023
Dispatches
Setting the Record Straight on Chechnya’s Anti-Gay Purge

Tanya Lokshina

Associate Director, Europe and Central Asia Division

September 8, 2023 Dispatches

Court Rules Bulgaria Must Recognize Same-Sex Relationships

September 5, 2023 News Release

Lebanon: Attack on Freedoms Targets LGBTI People
Refugees and Migrants

Europe/Central Asia

September 25, 2023
Dispatches
Polish Volunteer Detained for Aiding Migrants

Lydia Gall

Senior Researcher, Eastern Europe and Western Balkans

September 26, 2023 Letter

Letter from Over 70 Organizations Calling for Suspension of Deportation Flights to Haiti

September 25, 2023 Commentary

Palestinian Americans are Now Tourists in their Own Land

Published In The Hill
Rights of Older People

Americas

July 11, 2023
Interview
Interview: Victory for People with Disabilities and Older Persons in Mexico

Carlos Ríos Espinosa

Associate Director, Disability Rights Division

June 30, 2023 Dispatches

Extreme Heat Signals Need for Inclusive Climate Action

June 27, 2023 Commentary

Imagination Needed to End Loneliness in Older Age

Published In Daily Maverick
International Justice

Guinea

September 25, 2023
News Release
Guinea: Significant Progress in 2009 Massacre Trial

September 25, 2023 Q & A

Guinea’s 2009 Stadium Massacre Trial

September 8, 2023 News Release

Afghanistan: Taliban’s Gender Crimes Against Humanity
Technology and Rights

Asia

September 6, 2023
Commentary
India’s Digital Governance ‘Model’ Fails on Rights

Jayshree Bajoria

Associate Director, Asia Division

Published in: Just Security

September 6, 2023 Dispatches

No Consensus on Proposed Global Cybercrime Treaty

August 4, 2023 Letter

Human Rights Watch and 5Rights Foundation: Submission to the US National Institute of Standards and Technology
Terrorism / Counterterrorism

Middle East/North Africa

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

July 24, 2023 Report

Mali: New Atrocities by Malian Army, Apparent Wagner Fighters

July 13, 2023 Report

Mali: Mounting Islamist Armed Group Killings, Rape
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

Middle East/North Africa

September 22, 2023
Dispatches
UN Human Rights Council Should Move to Investigate Beirut Blast

Ramzi Kaiss

Lebanon Researcher, Middle East and North Africa

September 18, 2023 News Release

Central Asia/US: Put Rights At Heart of Talks

September 18, 2023 Dispatches

New UN Guidance on Children’s Rights and the Environment
Women's Rights

Asia

September 24, 2023
Dispatches
South Korea’s ‘Anonymous Birthing’ Bill Fails Women, Children

Susanné Bergsten

Senior Coordinator, Women's Rights Division

September 21, 2023 Dispatches

Woman’s Brutal Assault Highlights Police Failures in Kyrgyzstan

September 21, 2023 Letter

Letter to the Minister of Health of Ukraine: Access to Emergency Contraception