Author: Human Rights Watch

A resolution adopted by the German Bundestag last week on curbing antisemitism and protecting Jewish life could negatively impact civil society and free expression in the country. Germany’s concern about antisemitism is justified and, given its history, understandable. It is a pressing issue emanating from both the far right and the left and needs to be taken seriously. […]

During a November 6 press conference in Tripoli, the Government of National Unity’s acting interior minister, Emad Trabelsi, vowed to impose wide-ranging “morality” measures targeting women and girls in western Libya. The restrictions on clothing, social interactions, and travel would flagrantly violate the rights of Libyan women and girls, yet the prime minister and other government […]

(New York) – The United Nations Security Council’s November 8, 2024 sanctions designations for two commanders of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are a positive first step in ensuring consequences for abuses by the force, Human Rights Watch said today. The Security Council imposed an international travel ban and asset freeze on the Rapid Support […]

A federal jury in the US state of Virginia found defense contractor CACI Premier Technology, Inc. legally responsible for conspiring to torture and otherwise ill-treat three Iraqi men during their detention at Abu Ghraib prison two decades ago. The case, Al Shimari et al. v. CACI, was the first time a US jury heard claims brought […]

(Beirut) – The Iraqi authorities have finally dispersed a first round of compensation payments to people from Sinjar district in northern Iraq for damages to their property both by the Islamic State (ISIS) and the Iraqi and US-led coalition military battles against them, Human Rights Watch said today. The payments were made after years of delay […]

(Geneva) – The North Korean government should urgently act on the recommendations from United Nations member states during the fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of North Korea’s human rights record at the UN Human Rights Council on November 7, 2024, Human Rights Watch and Transitional Justice Working Group said today. In the UPR draft report circulated on […]

(Beirut) – The Houthi authorities in Yemen have since mid-October submitted at least 12 individuals’ cases, including former United States embassy and United Nations staff, to their Specialized Criminal Prosecution, accusing some of them with crimes that carry the death penalty while denying them due process, Human Rights Watch said today. Houthi authorities have arbitrarily detained and […]

The civilian death toll from Israel’s ongoing strikes across Lebanon continues to mount as the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah enters its 14th month. Yet, there has been no sign of accountability for Israel’s unlawful attacks or violations of the laws of war. If there is no pressure for warring parties to answer for their […]

Turkmenistan’s authorities refuse to renew the passports of Turkmen citizens abroad via diplomatic missions, pressuring them to return to Turkmenistan. This policy is one of several ways Turkmenistan’s government interferes with their citizens’ freedom of movement and seeks to assert control over their citizens extraterritorially. Without a valid passport, Turkmen migrants are undocumented and face […]

(Brussels) – The European Parliament should reject proposed amendments to the European Union’s Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR), Human Rights Watch said today. The regulation requires companies in EU countries to ensure that the wood, oil palm, soy, coffee, cocoa, rubber, and cattle they export or import have been produced in conditions that respect human rights and local […]