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China: Free Journalists, Activists

Arbitrary Detentions for Independent Reporting, Criticizing Government

(New York) – The Chinese authorities have stepped-up arbitrary detentions of journalists and activists reporting on the Covid-19 pandemic and other issues, or criticizing the government, Human Rights Watch said today. Since the beginning of…
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China: Repression Threatens Winter Olympics

Letter to International Olympic Committee Urges Human Rights Risk Assessment

(New York) –The Chinese government’s heightened repression from Xinjiang to Hong Kong threatens its hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach. The…
Photo of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games logo in Zhangjiakou City where the 2022 Winter Olympic Games will take place, September 17, 2020, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, China. © 2020 Imaginechina via AP Images
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Russia: Domestic Violence Bill Falls Short

Lacks Specificity, Full Range of Protections Urgently Needed

(Moscow) – A draft law made public on November 29, 2019 fails to address serious gaps in Russia’s response to domestic violence , Human Rights Watch said today. In a December 6 letter to the Federation Council, the upper…
At a Moscow rally in support of domestic violence legislation, a woman holds a banner that reads "We demand a law against domestic violence. We are not killed yet, but we're close", Monday, Nov. 25, 2019.
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Hong Kong: Scrap Proposed Extradition Changes

Transfers to China Would Risk Torture, Unfair Trials

(Hong Kong) – The Hong Kong government should withdraw proposed revisions to two laws concerning extradition, Human Rights Watch said today in a joint letter to Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam. The amended laws would allow the transfer of…
In this Oct. 10, 2018, photo, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam attends a question and answer session after delivering her policy speech at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong.
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Russia: Unaddressed Domestic Violence Puts Women at Risk

Legislative Changes, Stronger Police Action Needed

(Moscow) – Russian authorities often fail to protect women from domestic violence, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Serious gaps in Russia’s laws, the lack of protection orders, and inadequate police and judicial responses leave…
In February 2017, parliament decriminalized first instances of battery among family members.
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Russia, Turkey, and Iran Should Act on Syria Detainees

Use September 7 Meeting to Address Arbitrary Detentions, Disappearances, Abductions

(Beirut) – The Astana working group on detentions and abductions in the Syrian conflict should take immediate steps to address the Syrian government’s arbitrary detentions, torture of detainees, and enforced disappearances, 11 human…
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lock hands during a group photo in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, April 4, 2018. © 2018 Tolga Bozoglu/Pool Photo via AP
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Russia: Dark Year for Freedom

Repressive Laws, Charges Against Critics, Impunity for Abuse

(Moscow) – The Russian government escalated its crackdown on the political opposition and peaceful protesters during 2017, in advance of the 2018 elections, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2018. The government also took…
Riot police detain a man during an anti-corruption protest on Tverskaya Street in central Moscow, Russia, June 12, 2017.
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Russia: Bill to Decriminalize Domestic Violence

Parliament Should Reject Measure That Harms Families

Update: On February 7, 2017, President Putin signed the bill into law. On February 1, 2017, the upper chamber of the Russian parliament adopted the amendments. On January 27, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament adopted the…
Russian activist protesting decriminalization of domestic violence in front of Russia’s state parliament building.
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China: Allow Independent Investigations Into Xinjiang Violence

Deadly Counterterror Raid Increases Excess Force Concerns

(New York) – Independent observers and monitors should be allowed to investigate the latest raid by Chinese authorities in the Xinjiang region, which reportedly left 28 people dead, Human Rights Watch said today. Clarifying facts on the ground is…
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China: Commute Death Sentence in Domestic Violence Case

Case Illustrates Urgent Need for Anti-Domestic Violence Legislation

(New York) – The Chinese government should immediately commute the death sentence against Li Yan, a woman convicted of killing her husband following months of violent abuse. According to Chinese criminal procedure, Li could be executed in the coming days…
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Nobel Spotlights Need for Obama to Act on Rights

Stand up for Persecuted Human Rights Activists; Shut Guantanamo

(New York) - The award of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to US President Barack Obama should encourage him to apply his stated principles to both foreign and domestic human rights policy, Human Rights Watch said today. The Nobel committee awarded the prize…
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Sudan: End Sham Trials by Anti-Terror Courts

30 Men Sentenced to Death After Unfair Trials

(New York) – Sudan’s Anti-Terrorism Special Courts in late July sentenced 30 alleged rebels to death in trials that fell far short of international fair trial standards, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch urged the government to abolish the…
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Russia: Ex-Guantanamo Inmate Believed Dead in Police Raid

Unconfirmed reports by Russian and foreign media indicate that a former Guantanamo Bay inmate, Ruslan Odizhev, was killed in a police raid this morning in Nalchik, capital of the Russian Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. Odizhev was on a federal wanted list…
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'Diplomatic Assurances' Allowing Torture

Growing Trend Defies International Law

Governments in Europe and North America are increasingly sending suspects to abusive states on the basis of flimsy “diplomatic assurances” that expose the detainees to serious risk of torture and ill-treatment, Human Rights Watch said in a new report…
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U.N. Rights Body Must Fight to Restore Credibility

(Geneva) — With a membership that includes governments responsible for crimes against humanity, the U.N. Commission on Human Rights meeting in Geneva next week must take dramatic steps to restore its sinking credibility, Human Rights Watch said today.…
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U.N.: Counter-Terrorism Watchdog Needed

(Geneva) – The United Nations should appoint a high-level expert to monitor the impact of counter-terrorist measures on human rights, Human Rights Watch urged today. In a new report released at the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, Human Rights Watch…
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Fact Sheet: Past U.S. Criticism of Military Tribunals

(Washington, DC) - Under President Bush's November 13th Military Order on military commissions, any foreign national designated by the President as a suspected terrorist or as aiding terrorists could potentially be detained, tried, convicted and even…
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HRW Criticizes Sudan's Arrests Of Political Opponents

In a letter to President Omar El Bashir of Sudan released today, Human Rights Watch criticizes the arrests of political opposition figures. The timing of the arrests and statements by high government officials suggests that the bombings served as a…
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Human Rights Watch Condemns Summary Trials of Opponents

In a letter to the government of Sudan, Human Rights Watch condemns recent trials of both secular and religious government opponents, who have been punished for exercising their rights to free expression and free association. A copy of the letter is…

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