Every country in the world is now party to at least one human rights treaty that addresses health-related rights. Yet, harmful laws, policies and practices routinely interfere with access to health care and increase vulnerability to ill health, particularly for poor, marginalized or criminalized populations. Our work examines the right to health and a healthy environment, the right to be free from discrimination and arbitrary detention, and the right to information, free speech, expression and assembly as critical means of achieving health. We work on infectious diseases, pollution and environmental health, sexual and reproductive health, and non-communicable disease, including access to palliative care for patients suffering with terminal illness. 

Read a text description of this video

Voice Over:

Following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan many people including interpreters, human rights activists and journalists were evacuated.

Many had suffered past trauma and what they experienced at Kabul Airport was terrifying.

“Rafi” , Voiced of Actor:

It was absolutely horrible. There you saw the soldiers, the Afghan [government] soldiers, how they were treating people and guns firing. I saw a lot of things there which was truly sad. The small children, the babies, the women, they were under the feet of everybody and nobody cared.

Voice Over:

The relief some evacuees felt after arriving in France was short-lived as traumatic memories resurfaced. While some received psychosocial support, others continue to struggle on their own.

“Roya” , Voiced of Actor:

I have a hole in my heart about my people and my country but I can’t do anything from here. 

We feel we are safe, but we worry about our family. I talked about my emotions when we went to art therapy. They showed me some way so that I don’t stay in shock mode. I’m gonna be better.

Voice Over:

There is no health without mental health. France should expand the provision of psychosocial services to evacuees. Evacuees and those assisting them, should be informed about accessible mental health services.

News

Our people

A line of people in face masks

Birgit Schwarz talks to Human Rights Watch senior counsel for business and human rights, Aruna Kashyap, and senior researcher on children’s rights, Margaret Wurth, about the need for more transparency and the equitable allocation of vaccines on the basis of health needs, not money.

READ THE INTERVIEW