Category: Human Rights

Every October, Japan celebrates Sports Day, a public holiday established to commemorate the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games and Japan’s longstanding commitment to sport as a national priority. There has been much to celebrate in recent years. For more than six decades, Japan has had dedicated legislation – now known as the Basic Act on Sports […]

(New York) – Indian authorities are using abusive methods to crack down on thousands of peaceful protesters in New Delhi and other Indian cities, Human Rights Watch said today. The protests, led by the Gen Z Cockroach Janta Party, opposition parties, student organizations, and civil society groups, have demanded the resignation of the country’s top election official […]

(Istanbul, October 13, 2026) – The authorities in Türkiye, the host of the upcoming 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), are arbitrarily arresting and prosecuting activists and others involved in environmental protests even as the summit nears, Human Rights Watch said today. “With Türkiye about to host the annual UN climate change summit, its environmental […]

(Manila) – Philippine authorities disregarded the rights of residents who were removed from a small island in Pampanga province for a flood control project and relocated to a site with chronic flooding and few livelihood opportunities, Human Rights Watch said today.  In 2022, the Macabebe, Pampanga government relocated 90 families without adequate consultation and information from […]

Protection at risk UNHCR was created after the Second World War with the pledge that people fleeing persecution should be protected and not sent back to places where they might be in danger. Today, that pledge is under strain as deep funding cuts take effect. In his first keynote address to UNHCR’s Executive Committee meeting […]

Fighting in the region has escalated in the last few months as clashes have intensified between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Government. Border battle  They are fighting over strategic towns and bases near the Ethiopian border, as part of the broader battle for control of Sudan that has been ongoing since […]

(Istanbul, October 12, 2026) – The Turkish authorities over the last month have substantially escalated internet censorship, Human Rights Watch said today, along with ARTICLE 19, the Freedom of Expression Association, and 18 other organizations. Social media platforms should take meaningful steps immediately to uphold their human rights responsibilities and avoid contributing to suppressing independent […]

The statement came after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to publicly execute Nidal Malik Hasan, who was sentenced to death by a military jury after being convicted of killing 13 people and injuring 32 in a 2009 shooting at the Fort Hood military base in Texas.  OHCHR’s Shabia Mantoo was responding to a question […]

Senegal’s intensifying crackdown on LGBT people is violating their rights and causing increasing fear and stigma.  Fear of arrest and stigma are causing people to go into hiding, to avoid HIV testing and treatment, and deterring lawyers from representing them.  The crackdown on LGBT people calls into question Senegal’s compliance with its own laws and […]

The demonstration was called by a youth-led movement that is seeking electoral reforms ahead of state elections, with its chief demand being the resignation of the official heading India’s election commission. Protesters have criticised the body’s revision of the national voter roll, which has reportedly removed tens of millions of names in a bid to […]