With President Xi Jinping at the helm, the Chinese government doubled down on repression inside and outside the country in 2021. Its “zero-tolerance” policy towards Covid-19 strengthened the authorities’ hand, as they imposed harsh policies in the name of public health. Some also called on their governments to limit

The conviction of a former Syrian intelligence officer for crimes against humanity by a German court is a ground-breaking step toward justice for serious crimes in Syria. The judgment is a meaningful moment for civilians who survived torture and sexual abuse in Syria’s prisons. HRW's Balkees Jarrah, Whitney-Martina

Germany: Syrian Official Sentenced to Life in Prison for Crimes against Humanity

In country after country, large numbers of people took to the streets in 2021, even at the risk of being arrested or shot, which shows the appeal of democracy remains strong. But elected leaders need to do a better job of addressing major challenges to show that democratic government delivers on its promised dividends. The

(Geneva) – Autocratic leaders faced significant backlash in 2021, but democracy will flourish in the contest with autocracy only if democratic leaders do a better job of addressing global problems, Kenneth Roth, executive director at Human Rights Watch, said today in releasing the Human Rights Watch World Report 2022. From Cuba to Hong Kong, people took to the streets demanding democracy when unaccountable rulers, as they so often do, prioritized their own interests over those of their citizens, Roth said. However, many democratic leaders have been too mired in short-term preoccupations and scoring political points to address serious problems such as climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, poverty and inequality, racial injustice, or the threats from modern technology.

(Manila, January 17, 2022) -- The Philippine government should end the “red-tagging” of activists as rebels or supporters of the communist insurgency, Human Rights Watch said today, releasing a video about the threatening practice and its impact. The video features a human rights activist, a workers’ rights advocate, and a journalist whom the authorities have red-tagged. Red-tagging, also known as red-baiting, has been used for decades in the Philippines in the government’s campaign against the communist New People’s Army (NPA) , which began in 1969. The government’s counterinsurgency efforts include publicly accusing activists, journalists, politicians and others and their organizations of being directly involved in the fighting or supporting the NPA. The Philippine military has long been responsible for large numbers of extrajudicial killings and torture of alleged communists.

Kyle Knight at New York City's LGBTI Pride Parade in 2019.

The Sudanese people should be able to demonstrate safely and authorities should listen to their voices.

Address Shocking Toll on Students, Teachers, Schools