Author: Human Rights Watch

Luisinho, a 26-year-old man with albinism whom I interviewed in Mozambique, faced a heartbreaking choice: either continue working outdoors under life-threatening sun exposure or quit his job selling second-hand clothes, thereby pushing himself and his family deeper into poverty. He needed to make this choice because he could not afford adequate sun protection. Luisinho’s experience […]

Last week, the authorities in Tanzania arrested opposition presidential candidate Tundu Lissu on fabricated charges, then used his party’s calls for electoral reform to disqualify it from participating in upcoming elections. The government of President Samia Suluhu Hassan has previously repressed the political opposition and critical voices.  The authorities charged Lissu with treason and “publishing false […]

(Brussels, April 14, 2025) – Frontex, the European Union’s Border and Coast Guard agency, should ensure that its aerial surveillance capacity is used to save lives at sea, Human Rights Watch said today. The organization met with Frontex Executive Director Hans Leijtens on April 2, 2025, to deliver an EU-wide petition calling on the agency to […]

Global leaders need to respond to reports of fresh attacks by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the Zamzam displacement camp near North Darfur’s capital of El Fasher. The camp hosts at least half a million people who have fled past and present violence and abuse in Darfur.  In recent days, hundreds of desperate civilians […]

In his proclamation for National Child Abuse Prevention Month, rather than addressing real threats to children like the federal government should do, United States President Donald J. Trump focused almost exclusively on attacking supporters of transgender youth. He declared broadly defined “gender ideology” as “one of the most prevalent forms of child abuse” and labeled gender-affirming care […]

Over 600 people, including children, have been killed or injured by landmines and explosive remnants of war across Syria since December 2024. Extensive contamination from landmines and explosive remnants of war across Syria poses fatal risks to civilians returning home to urban and rural areas. Syria’s transitional government should work with international donors to establish […]

On Tuesday, the Trump administration froze federal funding for several organizations across the United States that provide lifesaving cervical cancer screenings, contraception, family planning, and other health care services to low-income people. Since 1970, the Title X Family Planning program, or Title X, has provided organizations with federal funding for comprehensive family planning and related […]

Retired Brig. Gen. Frank Rusagara died last week in Rwanda. He had spent 11 years behind bars, without being allowed to speak to his wife, who died in the United Kingdom in 2016. His family last heard his voice in 2014, in the days before he was arrested. After he died, Rusagara’s family was told he had been […]

(Washington, DC) – Argentine authorities should investigate security forces’ use of force to confront a protest led by pensioners and review an “anti-protest” protocol that opens the door to abuse, Human Rights Watch said today.  On March 12, 2025, hundreds of pensioners gathered outside Argentina’s National Congress in Buenos Aires calling for improvements to their pensions and […]

(Bangkok) – Myanmar’s military junta should allow immediate unfettered access to humanitarian aid for earthquake survivors and lift restrictions that impede the emergency response, Human Rights Watch said today. Since the earthquake struck at 12:50 p.m. on March 28, 2025, the military has carried out airstrikes and limited internet access in severely affected areas, further complicating the […]