News | Human Rights Watch

February 4, 2026 News Release

Australia: Abusive Refugee, Migration Policies Expand

Faltering Protections for Non-Citizens, the Environment, Children

Refugee Action Campaign protest outside Australia’s Parliament House marking the 12-year anniversary of the Australian government reestablishing offshore detention and processing

February 4, 2026 News Release

Southern Africa: Grave Rights Abuses, Impunity Persist

Regional Bodies Should Press Governments to Respect Rights, Promote Accountability

Angola's Rapid Intervention Force faces demonstrators during a protest

February 4, 2026 News Release

EU: Rights Failings Undermine Democracy, Rule of Law

Faltering Support for Rights Weakens European Union, at Home and Abroad

A protester holds up an EU flag with "help" written on it, during a demonstration in Budapest on May 18, 2025 against a bill empowering the government to sanction civil society organizations and media it deems threats to the country's sovereignty.

February 4, 2026 News Release

Ukraine: Civilians Perennial Targets of Russian Attacks

Prioritize Accountability for War Crimes, Strengthen Rule of Law

A girl on a swing looks at an apartment building in the Industrialnyi district of Kharkiv, Ukraine, damaged by a Russian drone attack that killed 7 people (including children) and injured 23, on August 18, 2025.

February 4, 2026 News Release

Central Africa: Civilians at Risk in Eastern Congo

Crackdown on Freedoms in Burundi, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Rwanda

An M23 fighter in front of a truck with detained Congolese soldiers.

February 4, 2026 News Release

Türkiye: Government Targets Main Opposition

Moves to End Kurdish Conflict at the Same Time as Democratic Backsliding

People gather outside the Istanbul municipality building in Istanbul, Türkiye, to protest the arrest of mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, March 22, 2025.

February 4, 2026 News Release

Pakistan: Suppression of Free Speech, Civil Society

Protect Religious Minorities, Uphold Fundamental Freedoms

February 4, 2026 News Release

Syria: Renewed Hope for Justice, Accountability

Undertake Security Sector Reform; Protect Human Rights in Legislation, Institutions

Syria's security forces pose for a picture on a roundabout in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on July 15, 2025, following clashes between Bedouin communities and Druze fighters. Syrian government forces entered the majority Druze city of Sweida on July 15, 2025, the interior ministry said, aiming to end clashes with Bedouin communities that have killed nearly 100 people.

February 4, 2026 News Release

Meeting Trump’s Challenge to Human Rights

Rights-Respecting Democracies Should Unite to Preserve Fundamental Freedoms

February 4, 2026 News Release

Lebanon: Deliver on Reform Promises

Justice for Victims of Beirut Blast and War Crimes Still Out of Reach

A woman walks in front of charred agricultural equipment, at the site of an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese village of Msayleh, on October 11, 2025.

February 4, 2026 News Release

Yemen: Arbitrary Detention; Forced Disappearance

Warring Parties Crack Down on Rights Amid Humanitarian Crisis

A Houthi rebel next to a destroyed plane at the Sanaa International Airport on May 7, 2025, a day after Israel's military warplanes struck Yemen's rebel-held capital Sanaa.

February 4, 2026 News Release

Israel’s Extermination, Ethnic Cleansing Escalate

Atrocities Against Palestinians with Impunity Challenge Rules-Based International Order

Palestinians flock to the area where a charitable organization distributes hot food as food crisis persists in Beit Lahia, Gaza on October 28, 2025.

February 4, 2026 News Release

Egypt: Muzzling Dissidents, Narrowing Civic Space

Authorities Restricting Basic Freedoms, Eroding Economic Rights

An electoral banner showing the candidates running for Egypt's National Front Party in Senate elections in Giza, in July 2025.

February 4, 2026 News Release

Iran: Human Rights Situation Spirals Deeper into Crisis

Execution Spree; Lethal Protest Crackdown Leading to Countrywide Massacres

Family members of people on death row gather outside the judiciary building in Tehran, Iran, May 24, 2023, holding signs that read “no to executions.”

February 3, 2026 News Release

India: Religious Minorities, Critics Unlawfully Targeted

Domestic Repression Undercuts Global Leadership Efforts

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
Sport and Human Rights
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'
2026 FIFA Men's World Cup
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
Crisis in the Middle East
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 (Visa Sponsorship) 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
Tigray Conflict
Trump Administration and Human Rights
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