Author: Human Rights Watch

For decades, Rwandan authorities have subjected detainees, in both official and unofficial detention facilities, to ill-treatment and torture with no accountability. A landmark trial of prison officials for murder, torture, and assault, concluded in April, demonstrated that it is possible to begin to break through the entrenched practice of torture. The government should conduct a […]

This World Mental Health Day we need to confront a troubling reality: the mental health landscape is shifting in harmful ways in parts of Canada and the United States with the prospect of more coercive measures such as involuntary treatment and the elimination of vital support services. In Canada, some provinces such as British Columbia and Alberta […]

In a case that is disappointing but not surprising, the agreement between the government of Azerbaijan and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for hosting the climate conference COP29, is replete with significant shortcomings and ambiguities on the protections for participants’ rights. Human Rights Watch has obtained a copy of this host […]

On October 10, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Burundi. The Council expressed concerns about the country’s rights record, which, nearly 10 years after a political and human rights crisis began, remains dire. The report presented by the UN Special Rapporteur to […]

Despite 17 months of brutal conflict in Sudan, the country rarely made it to the top of the European Union’s agenda. But next week offers opportunities for European leaders to up their game. Since April 2023, Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Rapid Response Forces (RSF), and allied militias have shown utter disregard for civilian lives. Since […]

A new report by a group of UN experts shows the dramatic impact of systemic racism in law enforcement in Brazil and lays out recommendations for public security policies that abide by the law, uphold rights, and protect all. The International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement (EMLER)—created in […]

(Beirut) – The Israeli military has carried out repeated attacks harming United Nations peacekeeping operations in southwestern Lebanon in apparent violation of the laws of war, Human Rights Watch said today. Israeli forces should cease unlawful attacks and allow the UN mission to fulfill its civilian protection and humanitarian duties as mandated by the UN […]

This week, member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) from all regions overwhelmingly voted to renew the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) for the Sudan, established in 2023. The move was widely backed by Sudanese activists. The fact-finding mission is mandated to investigate crimes committed by Sudan’s warring parties and advance accountability […]

(Geneva) –The United Nations Human Rights Council, in extending its Venezuela probe, has sent a clear message to those responsible for ongoing abuses, including in the context of post-electoral repression, that they will be held to account, Human Rights Watch said today. On October 11, 2024, the council adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the Independent International […]

(New York) – Chinese authorities should immediately release the man who unfurled banners critical of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the draconian “Zero-Covid” policy on Beijing’s Sitong Bridge two years ago, Human Rights Watch said today.  The authorities have not released information about the protester’s identity, though many in China believe that his name is Peng Lifa (彭立发, also known as […]