Author: Human Rights Watch

On February 3, a devastating collision between a Greek Coast Guard vessel and a migrant boat occurred off the Greek island of Chios. The collision, which resulted in 15 deaths and 24 people injured, including 11 children, raises serious questions about the actions of the Greek Coast Guard at sea. Although officials were quick to blame the migrant boat […]

(Bangkok) – Nepal was rocked by disorder and arson after police killed 19 protesters during the September demonstrations that toppled the government, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2026. An interim government mandated to conduct fresh elections in March was sworn in under the leadership of former chief justice Sushila Karki, who has pledged […]

(Beirut) – The Syrian transitional government took initial steps in 2025 to advance justice and accountability for crimes and abuses committed by the former government, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2026. The Syrian authorities created new government bodies on transitional justice and to account for thousands of missing persons in Syria. But […]

The Washington Accords, signed in December 2025 between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda under US mediation, promised an end to the devastating armed conflict in eastern Congo through troop withdrawals, ceasefires, and economic cooperation on critical minerals. Months later, the deal has delivered little more than paper promises, with fighting continuing and civilians bearing the brunt. Support […]

(Berlin) – Georgian authorities are using newly adopted restrictions on public assemblies to arbitrarily detain and harass peaceful demonstrators, effectively making the right to protest in Georgia increasingly difficult and dangerous, Human Rights Watch said today. Amendments adopted on December 12, 2025, to the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations grant police sweeping discretion to restrict protests […]

Prolonged heavy rains have caused deadly flooding across Southern Africa. Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed, most of them in Mozambique, where more than half a million have already been displaced. Gender inequality already leads to women being disproportionately affected by climate disasters.  This week, I visited some of the school buildings that are being used as accommodation […]

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s scheduled January 25-28 visit to China, accompanied by over 20 Finnish business leaders, is the latest in a wave of trips by democratic governments seeking closer trade relations with Beijing. Recent visits by leaders from Ireland, Sweden, France, Germany, and Canada follow a familiar script: trade and investment dominate the agenda while human rights concerns […]

(Beirut) – Both sides in the conflict between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in Northeast Syria need to protect civilians and respect human rights in their operations, Human Rights Watch said today.  The parties should not arbitrarily block aid delivery or destroy or block access to critical infrastructure. They should fully support […]

On January 19, International Criminal Court (ICC) Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan briefed the United Nations Security Council on her office’s ongoing investigation in Darfur, Sudan. Deputy Prosecutor Khan had to attend the briefing remotely after not being granted a visa to brief the Council in person in New York City. That decision came in the wake of […]

In a January 26 ruling, a Japanese district court held the North Korean government liable for grave human rights violations against Koreans and Japanese citizens lured to North Korea through its “Paradise on Earth” campaign, ordering it to pay 22 million yen (US$142,000) to each plaintiff. Eiko Kawasaki, now 83, and three others filed the lawsuit […]