News | Human Rights Watch

April 9, 2026 News Release

Thailand: Journalists Sued for Reporting Minister’s Bribery Case

Criminal Libel Suits Undermine Free Expression, Media Freedom

Hathairat Phaholtap, editor-in-chief of the Isaan Record.

March 27, 2026 Dispatches

Hungary Orders Investigation of Journalist on Espionage Accusation

Authorities Should Drop Politically Motivated Case; EU Should Act to Defend Press Freedom

A man holds a banner showing the eyes of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during a protest

March 25, 2026 Dispatches

Japan’s Flag Desecration Law Poses a Threat to Freedom of Expression

Reject Any Bill that Infringes on Civil and Political Rights

People wave Japanese flag in Tokyo, January 27, 2026.

March 24, 2026 News Release

Indonesia: Acid Attack Against Rights Activist

Civilian Investigation of the Assault Crucial to Determine Responsibility

March 12, 2026 News Release

Vietnam: Free Political Prisoners Needing Medical Care

Le Huu Minh Tuan, Can Thi Theu, Others Facing Urgent Health Risk

Can Thi Theu (left) and Le Huu Minh Tuan.

March 4, 2026 Commentary

Palestine Action: When the UK Brands Protest as Terror

British Government is Treating Dissent as a Security Threat

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.

March 2, 2026 News Release

Laos: Investigate Prominent Dissident’s Death

Bao Mor Khaen’s Body Found 6 Days after His Enforced Disappearance

March 2, 2026 Dispatches

EU Court Rebukes Hungary Over Radio License Cancellation

Efforts to Force Klubrádió Off Air Highlight Wider Media Freedom Crackdown

Employees of the Hungarian radio station Klubrádió work at its headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, February 6, 2025.

February 26, 2026 Dispatches

Greece Under Fire for Law Targeting Aid Groups

UN Experts Warn of Chilling Effect for Humanitarian Work

Protesters hold placards in solidarity with humanitarians who were still detained in Greece, November 18, 2021.

February 25, 2026 Dispatches

Ethiopia Shutters Key News Outlet

Addis Standard Among Country’s Last Independent Media

People read newspapers and magazines on a street in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, November 7, 2020.

February 23, 2026 News Release

Thailand: Free Speech Activists Get 32-Month Sentences

Pimsiri Petchnamrob, Three Others Convicted on Insulting the Monarchy Charges

Free speech activist Pimsiri Petchnamrob in Bangkok, Thailand.

February 10, 2026 Dispatches

Mali’s Military Junta Escalates Assault on Free Expression

Appeals Court Upholds Former Prime Minister’s Prison Sentence

Former Mali Prime Minister Moussa Mara in Bamako, on February 21, 2025.

February 10, 2026 Dispatches

Azerbaijan Expands Crackdown on Activists in Exile

Growing Pattern of Transnational Repression

Baku City Court Complex, Baku, Azerbaijan, January 2025.

February 9, 2026 Dispatches

Press Freedom Under Fire in Mali

Journalist Jailed After Criticizing Niger’s Junta Leader