Author: Human Rights Watch

(Beirut) – Iranian authorities should immediately end the ongoing internet shutdown and communications restrictions, which place civilians at risk of further harm, Human Rights Watch said today. The international community should also support internet access for the civilian population. On February 28, 2026, internet traffic dropped significantly, indicating a nationwide blackout following strikes across the country by the United […]

State restrictions on abortion, since the Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that the US constitution does not confer a right to abortion, are creating risks to pregnant people nationwide. Women are dying preventable deaths because abortion care is denied or delayed due to state restrictions. Thirteen states enforce complete abortion bans, while others impose harsh limits on when […]

(Bishkek, March 6, 2026) – Women with disabilities in Kyrgyzstan face alarming rates of harassment, physical and sexual abuse, and economic discrimination, despite legal reforms, Human Rights Watch said today, ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2026. The Kyrgyz government has taken positive steps in the last year to address violence against women […]

(Amsterdam) – Human Rights Watch will conduct research for the next three years into working conditions in the supply chains in Asia for European countries, thanks to the generous support of the players of the Postcode Lottery Netherlands.  Many of the products sold in Europe begin their journey in Asia. Yet too many of the […]

In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, the Vietnam Women’s Union launched a nationwide campaign called “long-dress week” (tuan le ao dai) to “promote the beauty of Vietnam’s women.” Between March 1 and 8, women have been urged to wear “traditional” long dresses at workplaces and public events to spotlight “the image” of Vietnamese […]

On February 16, 2026, a car chase by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ended in a deadly crash in Georgia, killing beloved teacher, Dr. Linda Davis. ICE officers were pursuing Oscar Vasquez Lopez after he fled an initial stop made with the intention of arresting and deporting him. In security footage, Vasquez Lopez’s truck speeds by with […]

This week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting Australia to meet with his counterpart, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. With escalating hostilities in the Middle East, the meeting is an opportunity for the leaders of the two “middle power” countries to dispense with muddled messaging and take the lead upholding human rights protections. Carney’s visit […]

Angolan President João Lourenço has signed into law new legislation that regulates the operation of nongovernmental organizations and other groups in the country. Civil society organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have warned about the serious risks the law poses to civic space in Angola. Published on March 2, the law grants the government broad powers to authorize, monitor, […]

(Berlin, March 5, 2026) – The German government’s legislative proposal to replace the existing basic income program for job seekers with a more punitive program would harm human rights and risks breaching the German constitutional guarantee of a dignified standard of living, Human Rights Watch said today. The legislation is due for its second reading in the lower […]

In times of conflict, such as in the escalating hostilities in the Middle East, governments committed to international law need to be prepared to defend it and in particular protect humanitarian and human rights norms. However, instead of rising to this challenge some European leaders have chosen to belittle the role of international law. For […]