Human Rights Watch | Defending Human Rights Worldwide

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

Donate Now

Schoolboys in a classroom

December 5, 2023

Afghanistan: Taliban Schools Also Failing Boys

The Taliban’s abusive educational policies in Afghanistan are harming boys as well as girls and women. Changes have led to increased fears about attending school, falling attendance, and a loss of hope for the future.

"Schools are Failing Boys Too": The Taliban’s Impact on Boys’ Education in Afghanistan

Middle East/North Africa

December 6, 2023
Dispatches
UAE’s COP28 Promises on Climate, Health Ignored at Home

Michael Page

Deputy Director, Middle East and North Africa Division
Middle East/North Africa

December 6, 2023
News Release
Libya: Derna Flood Response Costs Lives
Middle East/North Africa

December 5, 2023
Commentary
Does Israel’s Treatment of Palestinians Rise to the Level of Apartheid?

Lama Fakih

Director, Middle East and North Africa Division

Omar Shakir

Israel and Palestine Director, Middle East and North Africa Division

Published in: The Los Angeles Times

Latest News

December 6, 2023 Dispatches

Pakistan’s Air Pollution Shortens Lives
December 6, 2023 News Release

Bahrain: 13 People Convicted in Unfair Mass Trial
December 5, 2023 Dispatches

Even More Journalists Arrested in Azerbaijan
December 5, 2023 Dispatches

EU Commission Highlights Disability Rights in Ukraine
December 5, 2023 News Release

Uzbekistan: Blogger Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison
December 4, 2023 Report

Jordan: Security Forces Target LGBT Activists
December 4, 2023 News Release

Ghana: Invest More in Mental Health Services
December 4, 2023 Dispatches

Celebrating Dick Marty, a Human Rights Champion
December 4, 2023 News Release

EU: Take Strong Rights Stance at Summit With China
December 4, 2023 News Release

Burkina Faso: Prominent Rights Activist Abducted
December 4, 2023 News Release

ICC: Combat Double Standards for Justice
December 4, 2023 News Release

Australia: Increase Support for Women’s Rights Globally
December 4, 2023 News Release

UAE: Fossil Fuels Poison Air

Donate now to support human rights around the world

Make a One-time Gift

Videos

Reports

December 6, 2023 Report

“Schools are Failing Boys Too”

The Taliban’s Impact on Boys’ Education in Afghanistan
December 4, 2023 Report

Jordan: Security Forces Target LGBT Activists

Systematic Crackdown on Organizing; Official Intimidation, Interrogations
December 4, 2023 Report

“You Can Smell Petrol in the Air”

UAE Fossil Fuels Feed Toxic Pollution
November 14, 2023 Report

Gaza: Unlawful Israeli Hospital Strikes Worsen Health Crisis

Israel’s Blockade, Bombardment Decimate Healthcare System; Investigate as War Crimes

Most Viewed

November 26, 2023 Report

Gaza: Findings on October 17 al-Ahli Hospital Explosion
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

December 4, 2023
News Release
Ghana: Invest More in Mental Health Services

December 4, 2023 News Release

Burkina Faso: Prominent Rights Activist Abducted

December 4, 2023 News Release

DR Congo: Mob Lynches Soldier in Apparent Hate Crime
Americas

Americas

December 4, 2023
News Release
Colombian Disability Rights Activist Honored

November 28, 2023 Letter

People with Mental Health Conditions Can Also Be Elected: Letter to Jorge Volpi

November 25, 2023 Dispatches

Protect Women with Disabilities from Violence in Mexico
Asia

Asia

December 6, 2023
Dispatches
Pakistan’s Air Pollution Shortens Lives

Saroop Ijaz

Senior Counsel, Asia Division

December 4, 2023 News Release

EU: Take Strong Rights Stance at Summit With China

December 4, 2023 Letter

Letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel on Human Rights Concerns in China
Europe/Central Asia

Europe/Central Asia

December 5, 2023
Dispatches
Even More Journalists Arrested in Azerbaijan

Arzu Geybulla

Research Assistant, Europe and Central Asia

December 5, 2023 Dispatches

EU Commission Highlights Disability Rights in Ukraine

December 4, 2023 Dispatches

Celebrating Dick Marty, a Human Rights Champion
Middle East/North Africa

Middle East/North Africa

December 6, 2023
News Release
Bahrain: 13 People Convicted in Unfair Mass Trial

December 6, 2023 Letter

Letter to the EU on Human Rights Conditions for Strategic Partnership and Enhanced Cooperation with Egypt

December 6, 2023 News Release

Libya: Derna Flood Response Costs Lives
United States

United States

November 27, 2023
News Release
US: Texas Troopers’ Deadly Vehicle Pursuits

November 21, 2023 Commentary

The Trans Community Demands that US Lawmakers End the Onslaught of Attacks

Published In Los Angeles Blade

November 15, 2023 Commentary

When Biden Meets Xi

Published In Foreign Policy in Focus

Arms

Africa

November 26, 2023
Report
Sudan: New Mass Ethnic Killings, Pillage in Darfur

November 26, 2023 Report

Gaza: Findings on October 17 al-Ahli Hospital Explosion

November 14, 2023 News Release

Landmines: New Use Despite Global Ban
Children's Rights

Afghanistan

December 5, 2023
News Release
Afghanistan: Taliban Schools Also Failing Boys

December 1, 2023 Dispatches

Birth and Death Intertwined in Gaza Strip

November 29, 2023 Commentary

Why Does Israel Have So Many Palestinians in Detention and Available to Swap?

Published In Los Angeles Times
Crisis and Conflict

Africa

November 26, 2023
Report
Sudan: New Mass Ethnic Killings, Pillage in Darfur

November 26, 2023 Report

Gaza: Findings on October 17 al-Ahli Hospital Explosion

November 22, 2023 Dispatches

While a Fire Rages in Gaza, the West Bank Smolders
Disability Rights

Europe/Central Asia

December 5, 2023
Dispatches
EU Commission Highlights Disability Rights in Ukraine

Karolina Kozik

Assistant Researcher, Disability Rights Division

December 4, 2023 News Release

Ghana: Invest More in Mental Health Services

December 4, 2023 News Release

Colombian Disability Rights Activist Honored
Economic Justice and Rights

Africa

November 23, 2023
Dispatches
Ugandan Authorities Should Drop Charges Against Environmental Protesters

Myrto Tilianaki

Senior Advocate, Environment and Human Rights

November 23, 2023 Dispatches

Ahead of Black Friday, Support Zoya and Other Bangladesh Garment Workers

November 21, 2023 News Release

EU: Reports Show Need to Fix GSP Trade Regulation
Environment and Human Rights

Asia

December 6, 2023
Dispatches
Pakistan’s Air Pollution Shortens Lives

Saroop Ijaz

Senior Counsel, Asia Division

December 6, 2023 Dispatches

UAE’s COP28 Promises on Climate, Health Ignored at Home

December 6, 2023 News Release

Libya: Derna Flood Response Costs Lives
Free Speech

Europe/Central Asia

November 28, 2023
Dispatches
Draft Security Law Targets Civil Society and Journalists in Hungary

Lydia Gall

Senior Researcher, Eastern Europe and Western Balkans

November 22, 2023 News Release

Azerbaijan: Crackdown on Independent Media

November 19, 2023 News Release

China: Allow Commemorations of ‘White Paper’ Protests
Health

Israel/Palestine

November 26, 2023
Report
Gaza: Findings on October 17 al-Ahli Hospital Explosion

November 21, 2023 News Release

UAE: Migrant Worker Abuses Linked to Broader Climate Harms

November 16, 2023 Dispatches

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

Jordan

December 4, 2023
Report
Jordan: Security Forces Target LGBT Activists

November 30, 2023 Dispatches

Nepal Registers Same-Sex Marriage – A First

November 30, 2023 News Release

Russia: Supreme Court Bans “LGBT Movement” as “Extremist”
Refugees and Migrants

Middle East/North Africa

December 6, 2023
Dispatches
UAE’s COP28 Promises on Climate, Health Ignored at Home

Michael Page

Deputy Director, Middle East and North Africa Division

December 3, 2023 Q & A

Questions and Answers: Migrant Worker Abuses in the UAE and COP28

December 3, 2023 News Release

COP28: Migrant Rights Essential to Climate Action
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

October 4, 2023 Commentary

Demand What You Believe In

July 11, 2023 Interview

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

December 4, 2023
News Release
ICC: Combat Double Standards for Justice

November 29, 2023 Dispatches

Elect the Best in Upcoming ICC Judicial Elections

November 28, 2023 Q & A

Questions and Answers on first German trial for serious crimes committed in The Gambia
Technology and Rights

United Arab Emirates

November 30, 2023
News Release
UAE: Mass Surveillance Threatens Rights, COP28 Outcome

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
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

Global

November 28, 2023
Dispatches
Landmark UN Report Calls for Sex Work Decriminalization

Erin Kilbride

Researcher, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights Program

November 22, 2023 Dispatches

Israel/Gaza Hostilities Take Horrific Toll on Children

November 16, 2023 News Release

Bangladesh: UN Rights Review Amid Violent Crackdown
Women's Rights

Afghanistan

December 5, 2023
News Release
Afghanistan: Taliban Schools Also Failing Boys

December 4, 2023 News Release

Australia: Increase Support for Women’s Rights Globally

December 1, 2023 Dispatches

Birth and Death Intertwined in Gaza Strip