Impact

By investigating and exposing human rights abuses, we work to create a world where everyone is treated fairly and equitably, no matter their race, religion, or beliefs. We call for action so that people who disagree with their government can speak their opinions freely, so that children are protected, and refugees cared for. All of us, regardless of who we are, who we love, or the color of our skin, should be able to enjoy fully our human rights.

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Change is sometimes immediate, sometimes incremental. We work on issues for years and know from experience how to transform deep-rooted problems. Here are examples of some of the recent impact we have made, together with our partners, in advancing human rights around the world.

How do we bring about change?

Investigate
Our researchers investigate human rights abuses, first by speaking with victims or witnesses. We corroborate their stories using a variety of sources, including government records, weapons’ fragments, satellite imagery, and the statements of accused perpetrators – be they members of governments, armed groups, or companies. We often do this work together with partner activists.

Expose
We share this information widely, in multiple languages, to help shape public debate. Our reports, videos, and social media posts show up hundreds of times daily in news media around the world, bringing both global and local attention to our rigorously fact-checked findings.

Change
Often in coalition with local groups, we bring our findings to officials who have the power to change things. For every issue we work on, we make specific, concrete policy recommendations that will bring people justice, prevent future abuses, and protect human rights.

Our work has been instrumental in some foundational victories for human rights, including our work on banning landmines worldwide, for which we and our partners received the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize. Below are some examples of our historic impact.

All impact

  • March 2, 2023

    New York Taxpayers Foot Bill for Abusive Police

    In an agreement made public yesterday, New York City will pay up to $4-6 million to partially settle a legal case brought by hundreds of people trapped, beaten, and wrongfully arrested by the New York Police Department (NYPD) in the summer of 2020.
    Police push a woman in a green hat against a car and handcuff her
  • February 28, 2023

    Indian Government Moves to Remedy Its Violation of Children’s Privacy

    This week, the Indian government announced a third-party security audit of Diksha, the educational app it owns and uses to provide online education to students in grades 1 to 12. The government also committed to better protect the data privacy of children and teachers using its app.
    Children studies online using borrowed mobile phones in Mumbai, India.
  • February 14, 2023

    China and Russia Fail to Defund UN Human Rights Work

    United Nations member states agreed to fully fund UN human rights mechanisms that China, Russia, and their allies had sought to defund in the 2023 budget. This should set a precedent for UN human rights funding in the future.
    Dai Bing (on screen), China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks during the opening of the main session of the Fifth Committee of the 77th UN General Assembly.
  • February 14, 2023

    Some Governments, Companies Take Steps to Protect Children

    Several governments and companies have taken steps, or announced future steps, to protect millions of children in their online classrooms. These moves come after Human Rights Watch uncovered children’s rights violations worldwide by governments that authorized unsafe online learning products during the Covid-19 pandemic.
    A girl studies online at home during Covid-19 school closures in Berlin.
  • January 18, 2023

    Major Victory for Immigrant Workers in the US

    In a major victory for workers, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced new guidance last week that allows migrant and immigrant workers who experience or witness workplace labor or civil rights violations to receive temporary protection against deportation and access to work authorization.
    Farm workers in an okra field in California.
  • December 13, 2022

    Barbados High Court Decriminalizes Gay Sex

    In a landmark judgement, yesterday the Barbados High Court issued an oral ruling that decriminalized consensual same-sex relations. The written judgement will be handed down at a later date.
    Jason (pseudonym), a 40-year-old gay man from Barbados.
  • November 21, 2022

    Landmark Global Declaration on Explosive Weapons

    After three years of negotiations, 82 countries have adopted a political declaration that seeks to better protect civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. The international pledge is the first to formally address the long-standing practice of using aircraft bombs, artillery, rockets, and missiles in villages, towns, and cities.
    Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney speaking at the Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas Conference.
  • November 1, 2022

    India’s Top Court Bans Degrading ‘Two-Finger’ Rape Test

    On October 31, India’s Supreme Court ruled that anyone who conducts the “regressive and invasive” two-finger test on survivors of sexual assault or rape will be guilty of misconduct. The judgment brings hope that the justice system will finally stop using this unscientific process.
    Activists protest against gender-based violence, in Delhi, India.
  • October 21, 2022

    Germany Introduces New Gender Recognition Procedure

    This summer, Germany introduced the parameters of a bill that would make it easier for transgender people to change their name and gender, upending the expensive and time-consuming procedure that has been on the books for the last four decades.