News | Human Rights Watch

February 16, 2026 Commentary

The Human Cost of Unregulated AI Tools

AI companies have a responsibility to respect human rights.

February 16, 2026 News Release

Kazakhstan: Draft Constitution Raises Rights Concerns

Intimidation, Arrests Chill Public Debate

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokaev speaks during his televised address to the nation in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, January 7, 2022.

February 13, 2026 News Release

Indonesia: Police Disperse Papuans Protesting ‘Food Estate’ Project

Ensure Right to Peaceful Assembly, Indigenous Rights, Accountability for Abuses

Members of the Voice of Catholic People of Papua gathered at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cathedral in Merauke, Indonesia, call on church officials to protect Indigenous people from government policies, January 25, 2026.

February 13, 2026 Dispatches

Italy’s Harsh Immigration Bill Puts Lives at Risk

Legislation Would Fast-Track Deportations, Endanger Humanitarian Work

The Italian Navy ship Libra in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Albania, April 11, 2025.

February 13, 2026 Commentary

UN Financial Crisis Threatens to Halt Human Rights Work

Member States Should Move Beyond Handwringing and Fund UN Human Rights

Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2025.

February 13, 2026 Dispatches

Global Leaders Should Speak Out on Ethiopia Crisis

African Union Summit Crucial Opportunity to Address Protection of Civilians

People line up outside banks in Mekele as concerns grow over possible renewed fighting between federal and regional forces in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, January 31, 2026.

February 12, 2026 News Release

Niger: Islamist Armed Group Massacres Villagers in West

Strengthen Civilian Protection, Accountability for Atrocities

February 12, 2026 News Release

Nepal: Publish Reports on Violent Crackdowns on Protests

Political Parties Should Commit to Accountability; Completing Transitional Justice

“Gen Z” activists hold a demonstration in Kathmandu, Nepal, in September 2025 under the slogan ''Don't Forget the Blood of Martyrs,'' demanding justice and accountability for those killed during past protest movements.

February 12, 2026 Dispatches

US Greenhouse Gas Deregulation Hurts Reproductive Rights

Climate Injustices Endanger Pregnancy, Newborn Health

Midwife Celena Brown of Commonsense Childbirth in Florida, examines a patient during a pregnancy checkup in Winter Garden, Florida, US, June 25, 2024.

February 12, 2026 News Release

Hungary: Blocking Lawsuits Undermines Rule of Law

Government Uses Emergency Powers to Target Opposition-Led Cities

Participants hold a placard reading "The independence of the judges is your security - Stand by them!" as Hungarian judges and court employees demonstrate in Budapest, Hungary, on February 22, 2025, for independence of the judiciary, rule of law, and freedom of expression of judges.

February 11, 2026 Q & A

State Violence and Community Resistance in Minnesota

An Account by Human Rights Watch Researchers

US Border Patrol agents detain a person near Roosevelt High School during dismissal time as federal immigration enforcement actions sparked protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 7, 2026.

February 11, 2026 News Release

Hong Kong: Conviction of Activist’s Father a Grim Milestone

Beijing Targets US-Based Democracy Advocate Anna Kwok

Anna Kwok, a Hong Kong activist exiled in the US, in Washington, DC, July 10, 2023. (

February 11, 2026 Dispatches

Next UN Secretary-General Should Champion Rights

United Nations Faces Crisis Amid Global Retreat on Rights and Democracy

The United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York City, January 15, 2026.

February 11, 2026 Dispatches

US-Nigeria Security Cooperation Should Prioritize Rights

New Working Group Should Center Oversight and Accountability

Lieutenant General Dagvin R.M. A, USAF, General and Commander, United States Africa Command, at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, July 22, 2025.

February 11, 2026 Dispatches

Acquittal of Palestine Action Protesters Spotlights UK’s Protest Crackdown

Current Review of Protest Laws Should Include Misuse of Terrorism Legislation

Claire Rogers, mother of Zoe Rogers (C-R), speaks outside Woolwich Crown Court, London, following the acquittal of six Palestine Action activists, February 4, 2026.

Keyword

Country

Topic

Africa
-African Union
-Angola
-Benin
-Botswana
-Burkina Faso
-Burundi
-Cameroon
-Cape Verde
-Central African Republic
-Chad
-Comoros
-Congo (Brazzaville)
-Côte d'Ivoire
-Democratic Republic of Congo
-Djibouti
-Equatorial Guinea
-Eritrea
-Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)
-Ethiopia
-Gabon
-Gambia
-Ghana
-Guinea
-Guinea-Bissau
-Kenya
-Lesotho
-Liberia
-Madagascar
-Malawi
-Mali
-Mauritius
-Mozambique
-Namibia
-Niger
-Nigeria
-Rwanda
-Senegal
-Seychelles
-Sierra Leone
-Somalia
-South Africa
-South Sudan
-Sudan
-Tanzania
-Togo
-Uganda
-Zambia
-Zimbabwe
Americas
-Antigua and Barbuda
-Argentina
-Bahamas
-Barbados
-Belize
-Bolivia
-Brazil
-Canada
-Chile
-Colombia
-Costa Rica
-Cuba
-Dominican Republic
-Ecuador
-El Salvador
-Falklands/Malvinas
-Grenada
-Guatemala
-Guyana
-Haiti
-Honduras
-Jamaica
-Mexico
-Nicaragua
-Panama
-Paraguay
-Peru
-Saint Kitts and Nevis
-Saint Lucia
-Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
-Suriname
-Trinidad and Tobago
-Uruguay
-Venezuela
Asia
-Afghanistan
-Australia
-Bangladesh
-Bhutan
-Brunei
-Cambodia
-China and Tibet
-Cook Islands
-Federated States of Micronesia
-Fiji
-India
-Indonesia
-Japan
-Kiribati
-Laos
-Malaysia
-Maldives
-Marshall Islands
-Mongolia
-Myanmar (Burma)
-Nauru
-Nepal
-New Zealand
-Niue
-North Korea
-Pakistan
-Palau
-Papua New Guinea
-Philippines
-Samoa
-Singapore
-Solomon Islands
-South Korea
-Sri Lanka
-Taiwan
-Thailand
-Timor-Leste
-Tonga
-Tuvalu
-Vanuatu
-Vietnam
Europe/Central Asia
-Albania
-Andorra
-Armenia
-Austria
-Azerbaijan
-Belarus
-Belgium
-Bosnia and Herzegovina
-Bulgaria
-Croatia
-Cyprus
-Czech Republic
-Denmark
-Estonia
-European Union
-Finland
-France
-Georgia
-Germany
-Greece
-Holy See
-Hungary
-Iceland
-Ireland
-Italy
-Kazakhstan
-Kyrgyzstan
-Latvia
-Liechtenstein
-Lithuania
-Macedonia
-Malta
-Moldova
-Monaco
-Montenegro
-Netherlands
-Norway
-Poland
-Portugal
-Romania
-Russia
-San Marino
-Serbia/Kosovo
-Slovak Republic
-Slovenia
-Spain
-Sweden
-Switzerland
-Tajikistan
-Türkiye
-Turkmenistan
-Ukraine
-United Kingdom
-Uzbekistan
Global
Middle East/North Africa
-Algeria
-Bahrain
-Egypt
-Iran
-Iraq
-Israel/Palestine
-Jordan
-Kuwait
-Lebanon
-Libya
-Mauritania
-Morocco/Western Sahara
-Oman
-Qatar
-Saudi Arabia
-Syria
-Tunisia
-United Arab Emirates
-Yemen
United States
-Criminal Justice
-Immigrants’ Rights and Border Policy
-National Security
-US Foreign Policy
-Democracy
-Economic Justice
-Racial Justice

Arms
-Cluster Munitions
-Killer Robots
-Landmines
-Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas
-Incendiary Weapons
Children's Rights
-Education
-Attacks on Education
-Children Separated from Families
-Children and Armed Conflict
-Child Labor
-Youth Justice
-Migrant and Refugee Children
-Intersex Children
Crisis and Conflict
Disability Rights
-Shackling
Economic Justice and Rights
-Corporate Accountability
-Oil, Mining, and Natural Resources
-Poverty and Inequality
-World Bank, IMF
Environment and Human Rights
-Climate Change
-Deforestation
-Fossil Fuels
Free Speech
-Press Freedom
-Religious Freedom
Health
-Sexual and Reproductive Health
-Detention Centers
-Disasters and Displaced Populations
-Environment and Health
-Health Care Access
-HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis
-Palliative Care
-Attacks on Health
LGBT Rights
Refugees and Migrants
-Asylum Seekers
-Internally Displaced People
-Exploitation, Forced Labor & Trafficking
-Migrants
Rights of Older People
International Justice
-Charles Taylor
-International Criminal Court
-Joseph Kony - Lord's Resistance Army
-Peace and Justice
-Bosco Ntaganda
-Universal Jurisdiction
Technology and Rights
-Digital Investigations Lab
Terrorism / Counterterrorism
-CIA Activities
-Detention without Trial
-Edward Snowden
-Guantanamo
-Guantanamo - Military Commissions
-Targeted Killings and Drones
Torture
United Nations
-Human Rights Council
Women's Rights
-Forced Marriage
-Gender Based Violence
-Domestic Workers
-Gender Equality
-Reproductive Rights
-Sexual Violence
-Labor Rights
-Sex Work
-Women and Armed Conflict
-Women’s Health

#MeToo
'Remain in Mexico'
Azerbaijan Natural Resources and Human Rights
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Boko Haram
Brexit
Chechnya
China's Global Influence
Climate Talks 2017
COP27 - Climate Change Conference
COP28 - Climate Change Conference
COP29 - Climate Change Conference
COP30 - Climate Change Conference
Coronavirus
Crimes Against Humanity Treaty
Daily Brief
Disappearances in Yemen
Drugs and Human Rights
Duterte
Education for Syrian Refugee Children
Egypt Crackdown on Civil Society
Encryption
Ethiopian Protests
Europe: Refugees & Migrants’ Rights
Ferguson
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Free Education for all Children
Gender-based Violence at Work
German Election
Global Supply Chains
Guinea's 2009 Stadium Massacre Trial
Hissène Habré
Hong Kong
Honor Killings
Iraq War 20 Years Later
ISIS
kafala system
Kashmir
Land Rights
Liu Xiaobo
Los Angeles Film Club
Mass Surveillance in China
Mediterranean Crisis
Mexico: Lessons from a Human Rights Catastrophe
Middle East Uprising
Nagorno-Karabakh
Philippines’ ‘War on Drugs’
Rabaa Massacre
Refugee Summits
Reparations in the United States
Right to Social Security
Rights of Persons with Albinism
Rohingya
Russia-Ukraine War
The Trial of Hissène Habré
The Trump Administration and Human Rights
Tigray Conflict
Uganda Elections 2016
US: Trump Presidential Transition
Uyghurs
World Cup 2018
World Humanitarian Summit
World Report 2024 News Releases
World Report 2025 News Releases
World Report 2026 News Releases
Xenophobia
Yahya Jammeh

Protecting Rights, Saving Lives