Search Results

Sort by
News

Russia: Harsh Verdicts in Controversial Terrorism Cases

Allegations of Torture, Unfair Trials, Misuse of Terrorism Law

(Berlin) – Russian military courts handed down guilty verdicts on February 5 and 10, 2020 in three separate, deeply flawed terrorism cases in which the defendants alleged incommunicado detention, torture, and other ill-treatment to…
Pictured (L) members of a left-wing group Set (Network) in court in Penza, Russia on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, when the court convicted seven members on terrorism charges, sentencing them to prison terms ranging from six to 18 years. (R) Eduard Nizamov.
News

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.
News

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.
News

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
News

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.
News

Syria: Civilians Stranded in ISIS Area

Provide Safe Passage from Deir al-Zor

(Beirut) – A group of civilians is stranded in the last remaining pocket under Islamic State (also known as ISIS) control in the city of Deir al-Zor, Human Rights Watch said today. All parties to the conflict, including the Syrian-…
A road sign welcomes people to the town of Deir al-Zor in Syria, September 20, 2017. © 2017 Reuters
News

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.
News

Russia: Children With Disabilities Face Discrimination

Ensure Quality Education for All

(Moscow) – Children with disabilities in Russia face serious obstacles to accessing quality education, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The Russian government should build on progress to date to make sure that children with disabilities…
A boy sits in his room at a state boarding school
News

Russia, Others Should Treat Snowden’s Asylum Claim Fairly

Statement on Meeting in Moscow

(Moscow) – After meeting with Edward Snowden on July 12, 2013, Human Rights Watch reiterated its call for his asylum claims to receive fair treatment. Tanya Lokshina, Russia program director at Human Rights Watch, met with the former United States…
News

Russia: Heinous Attack on Civilians

Dagestan Bombing Repudiates Human Rights

(Moscow) – The fatal bombing that occurred in Makhachkala, the capital of Russia’s southern republic of Dagestan, on May 3, 2012, is an abominable crime for which there is no justification, Human Rights Watch said today. On the evening of May 3, two cars…
News

Russia: Airport Bombing an Affront to Civilian Life

(New York) - Russia should ensure that the bombing at one of Moscow's international airports on the afternoon of January 24, 2011, is investigated in full accordance with international human rights standards and that those responsible are brought to…
News

Russia: Nothing Can Justify Moscow Metro Bombings

(Moscow) - The attacks on the Moscow metro this morning represent an assault on the fundamental principle of respect for civilian life, and those responsible for this crime need to be found and held accountable, Human Rights Watch said today. Two…
News

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…
News

US: At Least One ‘Recidivist’ Tortured to Confess to Terrorism

Russian Authorities Severely Beat an Ex-Guantanamo Detainee

(New York) - The US Defense Department's claim that a former Guantanamo detainee is a "recidivist" to terrorism appears to be based on a confession obtained by Russian authorities through torture, Human Rights Watch said today.  According to media…
News

Spain: Halt Extradition to Russia

Chechen Suspect at Risk of Torture, Despite Assurances

(New York, December 16, 2008) - Spain should immediately halt plans to extradite an ethnic Chechen to Russia, where he will be at risk of torture, Human Rights Watch said today. To secure the extradition of the man, Murat Ajmedovich Gasayev, Russian…
News

Russia: Ex-Guantanamo Detainee Seriously Ill in Jail

Health Deteriorates During Lengthy Russian Detention

(Moscow, December 2, 2008) - The health of a former Guantanamo detainee has declined alarmingly in a Russian detention facility, and he should be given immediate access to an independent medical examination and appropriate treatment, Human Rights Watch…
News

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…
News

Uganda: LRA Regional Atrocities Demand Action

International Response Needed to Stop New Abuses and Ensure Justice

(New York) - International action is needed to end the Lord’s Resistance Army’s reported new spree of abductions and sexual violence and to help execute arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for the group’s leaders. Human Rights…
News

South Africa: Lead UN to Action on Somalia, Darfur and Burma

Use Security Council Presidency to Save Lives

(New York) - South Africa should use its Security Council presidency in April 2008 to make significant progress on human rights crises in Somalia, Darfur and Burma, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to South Africa’s minister of foreign affairs,…
News

2008 Report: Democracy Charade Undermines Rights

Human Rights Watch Highlights Abuses in Pakistan, Kenya, China, Somalia

The established democracies are accepting flawed and unfair elections for political expediency, Human Rights Watch said today in releasing its World Report 2008. By allowing autocrats to pose as democrats, without demanding they uphold the civil and…

Refine Search

Filter by Country
Filter by Topic
Filter by Type
Filter by News Category