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The China Challenge for Olaf Scholz

China presents one of the most difficult foreign policy challenges for Germany’s relatively new chancellor, Olaf Scholz. Yet judging by his comments at this year’s Munich Security Conference, which took place in February, he has yet to…
A Uighur woman picking up school children rides past a picture showing China's President Xi Jinping joining hands with a group of Uighur elders at the Unity New Village in Hotan, in western China's Xinjiang region.
News

UN: Rights Chief’s Credibility at Stake in China Visit

High Commissioner Should Address Crimes Against Humanity as Top Priority

(Geneva) – The upcoming visit to China by the United Nations high commissioner for human rights should highlight the need for justice for victims of violations and accountability for those responsible, Human Rights Watch said today. High Commissioner…
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet addresses a news conference in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
News

Iran: Arrests Amid Economic Protests

Attempt to Suppress Growing Social Movements

(Beirut) – Iranian authorities have arrested several prominent activists on baseless accusations amid labor union strikes and ongoing protests against rising prices, since May 6, 2022, in dozens of small towns, Human Rights Watch said today. Those…
People shopping in the Basir Thursday Bazaar (Market) in the city of Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh in Gilan province on March 24, 2022.
News

Quad Leaders: Spotlight Rights, Democracy in Asia

US, Japan, India, Australia Should Address Crises Across Region

(Tokyo) – Leaders of the United States, Japan, India, and Australia should reach agreements on new measures to address human rights crises and democratic backsliding in Asia, Human Rights Watch said today. The Quad, a security alliance of the leaders…
Collage of US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
News

Hong Kong: Prominent Democracy Advocates Arrested

Ominous Action Days After Beijing Appoints City’s New Chief

(New York) – The Hong Kong police should drop their baseless criminal investigations against five prominent pro-democracy advocates, Human Rights Watch said today. The cases highlight the Hong Kong government's broadening crackdown on human rights.…
From left, retired Archbishop of Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen, barrister Margaret Ng, Professor Hui Po-Keung, and singer Denise Ho attend a press conference to announce the closure of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund
News

US-ASEAN: Promote Rights, Democracy at Summit

President Biden Should Raise Key Issues with Regional Leaders

(Washington, DC) – The United States-ASEAN Special Summit on May 12, 2022 will embolden autocratic leaders unless it directly confronts the region’s worsening environment for human rights and democracy, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to the…
United States President Joe Biden speaks in the virtual ASEAN summit meeting
News

Beijing's Hand-Picked Leader in Hong Kong Has An Abusive Past

Hong Kong's one-man election drives home Beijing's broken promises to the territory

After weeks of speculation, on April 8 the Chinese government unveiled its pick of Hong Kong’s next leader—John Lee, a former senior police official. Hong Kong used to be the only territory under Chinese sovereignty with semi-democratic elections.…
John Lee announces his manifesto during the 2022 chief executive electoral campaign in Hong Kong.
News

Iran: Release Detained Teacher Activists

More Than 20 Teachers detained

(Beirut) – Iranian authorities have increased their crackdown against teachers organizing for their rights, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities should immediately and unconditionally release teachers detained for engaging in peaceful…
Thousands of Iranian teachers took to the streets in 28 cities across the country.
News

Concerns Remain as Egypt Frees Activists and Critics

Piecemeal Releases Do Not Mean Fundamental Policy Shift

During the last days of Ramadan, on April 24, Egyptian authorities freed around 40 unjustly detained prisoners, among them journalists, activists, and human rights defenders, many of whose families have tirelessly pushed for their release for years…
202205mena_egypt_toraprison
News

Iran: Labor Protests Surge

Unpaid Wages, Unsafe Work Conditions, Arbitrary Arrests, Prosecutions

(Beirut) – Iranian workers are facing mounting economic and political challenges to realizing their labor rights, Human Rights Watch and Human Rights Activists (HRA), an Iranian human rights documentation group, said today, ahead of International…
Thousands of Iranian teachers took to the streets in 28 cities across the country.
News

Malaysia’s Death Penalty Hypocrisy

Swiftly Abolish All Executions

When Nagaenthran Dharmalingam, a Malaysian national, was facing the death penalty in Singapore on drug charges, Malaysia’s prime minister and foreign minister twice wrote to the Singapore government asking for clemency. According to a statement from…
Activists holds posters against the impending execution of Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam
News

Egypt: End Restrictions on Religious Rituals

Allow Evening Prayers, Eid Celebrations

(Beirut) – Egypt’s Ministry of Religious Endowments should end all arbitrary restrictions on religious gatherings, prayers, and practices during the final days of Ramadan and the upcoming Eid celebrations, Human Rights Watch said today. On April 20,…
People gathering at Al Azhar mosque to break their fast, Cairo, Egypt, April 8, 2022.
News

Egypt: Two Singers Convicted on ‘Morality’ Charges

Prison Terms, Fines Violate Freedom of Expression

(Beirut) – An Egyptian court sentenced two singers to a year in prison and fines on March 28, 2022, on charges that violate their right to freedom of expression, Human Rights Watch said today. The government should announce that it will not enforce…
Youth dance to Mahraganat music at a wedding in Salam City, a suburb of Cairo, March 5, 2015.
News

Malaysia: End Secrecy on Major Land Deal in Sabah

Uphold Rights of Affected Forest Communities

(Bangkok) – The Sabah state government in Malaysia should immediately make public the terms and status of a land deal that would hand management of 4.9 million acres of tropical forest to a foreign company for up to 200 years, Human Rights Watch said…
Danum Valley Conservation Area, State of Sabah, Borneo Island, Malaysia, August 5, 2019.
News

Myanmar: ASEAN’s Failed ‘5-Point Consensus’ a Year On

Key Countries Should Overhaul Approach to Junta’s Atrocities

(Bangkok) – Southeast Asian governments should urgently revamp their response to Myanmar’s abusive junta by coordinating action with the broader international community, Human Rights Watch said today. Despite adopting a “five-point consensus” on the…
Activists protest the Myanmar military coup during an ASEAN summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, April 24, 2021. 
News

How Does Inviting Autocrats to the White House Make Asia More Free?

The upcoming U.S.-ASEAN special summit stands in jarring juxtaposition to last year’s “Summit for Democracy” — to which most ASEAN states didn’t merit an invitation.

The Biden administration on April 16 announced that the White House will host a special summit with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on May 12. Invitees include Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, an unrepentant and…
Flags of member countries fly at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, April 22, 2021.
News

Why China's 'diplomatic assurances' are not to be trusted

Chinese authorities executed Akhmal Shaikh​, a United Kingdom citizen, without giving him access to UK diplomats or doctors, in December 2009. The following year, Chinese officials indicated to the Philippines that, if its diplomats stayed away…
The Supreme Court of New Zealand in downtown Wellington, November 28, 2017.
News

Egypt: Release Autopsy Report, Investigate Suspicious Death

Economist Died in Custody After Enforced Disappearance

(Beirut) – Egyptian authorities should urgently release the autopsy report and investigate the suspicious death of economist Ayman Hadhoud, Human Rights Watch said today. Hadhoud was forcibly disappeared on February 5 or 6, 2022, and died in the…
Ayman Hadhoud

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