Category: Human Rights

(New York, August 26, 2024) – Governments should heed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ call to open negotiations on a new international treaty on lethal autonomous weapons systems Human Rights Watch said today. These “killer robots” select and attack targets based on sensor processing rather than human inputs, a dangerous development for humanity. In a report released on August […]

Around one million Rohingya are sheltering in Bangladesh and over 130,000 more have sought safe haven across the region without immediate prospects for return, said António Guterres in a statement issued by his Spokesperson on Friday – just ahead of Sunday’s grim anniversary.  “The dire security and humanitarian situation with ongoing access challenges has exacerbated […]

On August 14, following the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s (Africa CDC) declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of continental security, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized it as a public health emergency of international concern. Mpox, a highly contagious disease transmitted primarily through close contact with infected individuals, has seen […]

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racism (CERD) voiced concern over persistent hate crimes, hate speech and xenophobic incidents on various platforms, including by politicians and public figures. It was particularly concerned about recurring racist acts and violence by extremist far-right and white supremacist individuals and groups targeting ethnic and ethno-religious minorities, migrants, refugees […]

Release of HRP’s 2023-2024 Annual Report We are pleased to present HRP’s 2023-2024 Annual Report. The report showcases the global reach and impact of the Human Rights Program in the year of its 40th anniversary, featuring work on African perspectives on climate change law, a new UN draft declaration on the rights of people of […]

(Bangkok) – Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar are facing the gravest threats since 2017, when the Myanmar military carried out a sweeping campaign of massacres, rape, and arson in northern Rakhine State, Human Rights Watch said today. August 25, 2024, marks the seventh anniversary since the start of the military’s crimes against humanity and acts of genocide […]

The EU has released an additional allocation of €35 million for humanitarian assistance to West Africa, as the region continues to face a dire humanitarian situation. Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, the Gulf of Guinea coastal countries and Nigeria are affected by food insecurity and displacement, caused by growing political instability, persisting and intensifying conflicts […]

“Eighteen years since the end of the decade-long conflict, and after several previous attempts to finalise such legislation, victims of human rights violations are now closer to knowing the truth, accessing justice, and obtaining reparations,” Mr. Türk said. The amendment bill, entitled the Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons, Truth, and Reconciliation Commission Act, aims to ensure […]

(Geneva) – The renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei has partnered with Human Rights Watch and the Swiss art publisher JRP|Editions on three series of limited edition lithographs that will be available in September 2024, and can be previewed on jrp-editions.com. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Human Rights Watch. The artworks consist of three series […]

The European Commission is mobilising support for Portugal as it battles a wildfire near Ribeira Brava, Madeira. Following Portugal’s activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism yesterday evening, the Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) has immediately coordinated the deployment of two rescEU firefighting Canadair planes which will arrive today from Spain to Madeira. These […]