Environment and Human Rights
People around the world increasingly experience the devastating effects of environmental crises – from extreme weather, food insecurity, and health issues linked to water and air pollution, to the loss of land, biodiversity, and livelihoods. Inadequate regulation and enforcement of environmentally destructive sectors of the economy – including agricultural commodities, mining, and heavily polluting fossil-fuel industries – drives human rights violations. Governments still fall short of urgent and ambitious actions to keep global warming below 1.5 degree Celsius and prevent further devastation to the global environment. The primary victims of environmental harm are often impoverished and marginalized communities with limited opportunity to meaningfully participate in decision-making and public debate on environmental issues, and have little access to independent courts to achieve accountability and redress. Activists and ordinary citizens defending their rights to land and the environment face intimidation, legal harassment, and deadly violence. Human Rights Watch champions human rights law to force governments to protect people and prevent corporations from continuing to cause extreme environmental degradation.
Videos
Videos-
May 4, 2025
Facing the Bulldozers
Iban Indigenous Resistance to the Timber Industry in Sarawak, Malaysia
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March 17, 2025
“There’s Just No More Land”
Community-led Planned Relocation as Last-resort Adaptation to Sea Level Rise in Solomon Islands
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March 5, 2025
Poisonous Profit
Lead Waste Mining and Children’s Right to a Healthy Environment in Kabwe, Zambia
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February 6, 2025
“The Land of Our People, Forever”
United States Human Rights Violations against the Numu/Nuwu and Newe in the Rush for Lithium
News
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May 4, 2025
Malaysia: Wood Products Tainted by Abuse, Deforestation
Government, Importers Should Protect Indigenous Rights in Sarawak
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April 23, 2025
COP30 Should Deliver Bold Action on Climate and Rights
Brazil’s Leadership Needed on Fossil Fuel Phaseout, Forest Protection, and Civic Space
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April 22, 2025
Human Rights Watch Submission to the Public Consultation of Panama’s Ministry of the Environment
Law 125 of February 4, 2020. Law 6 of 22 January 2002. Executive Decree 57 of 16 March 2000.
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April 21, 2025
This Earth Day, Let’s Talk Phasing Out Fossil Fuels
Governments Need to Enforce Environmental Impact Assessments, Mitigate Harms
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April 14, 2025
Plastics Reform, Regulation Urged by Los Angeles Reproductive Justice Group
Affected Communities Seek Better Information on Plastics’ Health Harms
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April 11, 2025
Human Rights Watch Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment
Environmental Impact Assessments, Strategic Environmental Impact Assessments and the Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment
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March 25, 2025
Regulate timber plantations to protect land rights
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March 24, 2025
Global Cooperation Needed to Tackle Air Pollution
Phase Out Fossil Fuels to Improve Global Air Quality
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March 17, 2025
Malaysia: New Business Plan Should Be Enforceable
Ensure Rights Protections for Indigenous Peoples
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March 17, 2025
Solomon Islands: Rising Seas Force Relocation
Support Community-Led Planned Relocation; Protect Walande Residents from Climate Impacts
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