Human Rights Watch | Defending Human Rights Worldwide

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

Donate Now

Umbrellas in open air market.

October 3, 2023

Global Demand for Universal Social Security

Governments and international financial institutions should make a commitment to create social security systems that enable everyone to realize their rights.

Asia

October 3, 2023
News Release
Vietnam: Rights Reforms Urgently Needed
Middle East/North Africa

October 2, 2023
Statement
Four Years On, Peaceful Iraqi Protesters Remain Missing
Europe/Central Asia

September 29, 2023
Dispatches
European Court Hears Climate Crisis Case Brought by Children

Katharina Rall

Senior Researcher, Environment and Human Rights

Latest News

September 29, 2023 Dispatches

Clashes in Lebanon Risk Disrupting Education for Thousands of Children
September 29, 2023 Dispatches

No, Syria Is Still Not Safe for Refugee Returns
September 29, 2023 Commentary

Israel Just Eased Restrictions on US Citizens, the EU Should Demand No Less for Europeans

Published In Middle East Monitor
September 29, 2023 Dispatches

Time to Ban Facial Recognition from Public Spaces and Borders
September 29, 2023 Dispatches

Beijing’s Increasingly Desperate Attempts to Squelch UN Criticism
September 29, 2023 Commentary

France Needs International Scrutiny of Its Police Racism

Published In Le Temps
September 28, 2023 Dispatches

Prominent Journalist Denied Bail in Congo
September 28, 2023 Dispatches

UN Rights Body Should Extend Ethiopia Investigations
September 28, 2023 Dispatches

EU Commission Should Stop Ignoring Tunisia’s Abuses Against Migrants
September 28, 2023 Dispatches

Xenophobia Rears its Ugly Head in South Africa
September 28, 2023 Dispatches

Germany Should Keep Focus on Rights in Central Asia Talks
September 27, 2023 News Release

Bangladesh: Shipping Firms Profit from Labor Abuse
September 27, 2023 News Release

US/Haiti: Suspend Deportation Flights to Haiti

Donate now to support human rights around the world

Make a One-time Gift

Videos

Reports

September 28, 2023 Report

Trading Lives for Profit

How the Shipping Industry Circumvents Regulations to Scrap Toxic Ships on Bangladesh’s Beaches
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

Most Viewed

September 28, 2023 Report

Trading Lives for Profit
November 12, 2018 News Release

Pakistan: Girls Deprived of Education
March 15, 2022 News Release

Saudi Arabia: Mass Execution of 81 Men
August 29, 2023 News Release

Saudi Arabia: Man Sentenced to Death for Tweets
June 24, 2022 Q & A

Q&A: Access to Abortion is a Human Right

Africa

Africa

September 28, 2023
Dispatches
Prominent Journalist Denied Bail in Congo

Thomas Fessy

Senior Researcher, Democratic Republic of Congo

September 28, 2023 Dispatches

UN Rights Body Should Extend Ethiopia Investigations

September 28, 2023 Dispatches

Xenophobia Rears its Ugly Head in South Africa
Americas

Americas

September 27, 2023
News Release
US/Haiti: Suspend Deportation Flights to Haiti

September 26, 2023 Commentary

Ayotzinapa, Mexico’s Army, and López Obrador’s Silence

Published In El País

September 25, 2023 Dispatches

Indigenous Peoples Secure Decisive Victory in Brazil
Asia

Asia

October 3, 2023
News Release
Vietnam: Rights Reforms Urgently Needed

September 29, 2023 Dispatches

Beijing’s Increasingly Desperate Attempts to Squelch UN Criticism

September 27, 2023 News Release

Bangladesh: Shipping Firms Profit from Labor Abuse
Europe/Central Asia

Europe/Central Asia

September 29, 2023
Dispatches
No, Syria Is Still Not Safe for Refugee Returns

Bill Frelick

Director, Refugee and Migrant Rights Division

September 29, 2023 Dispatches

European Court Hears Climate Crisis Case Brought by Children

September 29, 2023 Commentary

France Needs International Scrutiny of Its Police Racism

Published In Le Temps
Middle East/North Africa

Middle East/North Africa

September 29, 2023
Dispatches
Clashes in Lebanon Risk Disrupting Education for Thousands of Children

Ramzi Kaiss

Lebanon Researcher, Middle East and North Africa

Bill Van Esveld

Associate Director, MENA, Children's Rights Division

September 29, 2023 Dispatches

No, Syria Is Still Not Safe for Refugee Returns

September 29, 2023 Commentary

Israel Just Eased Restrictions on US Citizens, the EU Should Demand No Less for Europeans

Published In Middle East Monitor
United States

European Union

September 29, 2023
Commentary
Israel Just Eased Restrictions on US Citizens, the EU Should Demand No Less for Europeans

Eric Goldstein

Deputy Director, Middle East and North Africa Division

Published in: Middle East Monitor

September 27, 2023 News Release

US/Haiti: Suspend Deportation Flights to Haiti

September 26, 2023 Letter

Rights Groups Urge Congress to Support the TEST Act

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

Middle East/North Africa

September 29, 2023
Dispatches
Clashes in Lebanon Risk Disrupting Education for Thousands of Children

Ramzi Kaiss

Lebanon Researcher, Middle East and North Africa

Bill Van Esveld

Associate Director, MENA, Children's Rights Division

September 18, 2023 Dispatches

New UN Guidance on Children’s Rights and the Environment

September 15, 2023 Commentary

The US Is Not Protecting Its Children

Published In Newsweek
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

Global

October 3, 2023
News Release
Global Demand for Universal Social Security

September 27, 2023 News Release

Bangladesh: Shipping Firms Profit from Labor Abuse

September 26, 2023 Commentary

How IMF Policies Undermine Rights

Published In The News
Environment

Europe/Central Asia

September 29, 2023
Dispatches
European Court Hears Climate Crisis Case Brought by Children

Katharina Rall

Senior Researcher, Environment and Human Rights

September 25, 2023 Dispatches

Indigenous Peoples Secure Decisive Victory in Brazil

September 25, 2023 Dispatches

Rising Seas, Broken Promises in Panama
Free Speech

Asia

September 27, 2023
News Release
Vietnam: Drop Charges Against Climate Activist

September 22, 2023 Dispatches

Saudi Crown Prince Confirms Death Sentence for Tweets

September 18, 2023 News Release

Algeria: Freedom of Association, Assembly Under Attack
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

Middle East/North Africa

September 29, 2023
Dispatches
Clashes in Lebanon Risk Disrupting Education for Thousands of Children

Ramzi Kaiss

Lebanon Researcher, Middle East and North Africa

Bill Van Esveld

Associate Director, MENA, Children's Rights Division

September 29, 2023 Dispatches

No, Syria Is Still Not Safe for Refugee Returns

September 28, 2023 Dispatches

EU Commission Should Stop Ignoring Tunisia’s Abuses Against Migrants
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

European Union

September 29, 2023
Dispatches
Time to Ban Facial Recognition from Public Spaces and Borders

Anna Bacciarelli

Program Manager, Technology and Human Rights

September 6, 2023 Commentary

India’s Digital Governance ‘Model’ Fails on Rights

Published In Just Security

September 6, 2023 Dispatches

No Consensus on Proposed Global Cybercrime Treaty
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

Asia

October 3, 2023
News Release
Vietnam: Rights Reforms Urgently Needed

September 22, 2023 Dispatches

UN Human Rights Council Should Move to Investigate Beirut Blast

September 18, 2023 News Release

Central Asia/US: Put Rights At Heart of Talks
Women's Rights

Asia

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

Susanné Seong-Eun 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