Category: Human Rights

(Beirut) – Iranian authorities under the new president should halt their use of excessive and lethal force at the Iran-Iraq border against predominantly Kurdish kulbars (border couriers), who come from marginalized communities, Human Rights Watch and the Centre for Supporters of Human Rights (CSHR) said today.  Masoud Pezeshkian, the newly elected president of Iran, said during his presidential […]

(Nairobi) – The Kenyan government and International Monetary Fund should work together to ensure that the IMF program and its implementation align with human rights, Human Rights Watch said today. The focus should be on progressive revenue generation and accountability over public funds. Following the recent nationwide protests, President William Ruto declined to sign Finance […]

At the Manila City Jail in the Philippines capital, prisoners lie in neat rows as they demonstrate how they sleep every night. In male dormitory number 4 most do not have a mattress or even a bed; indeed it’s not even possible due to a lack of space to lie down on your back. Instead, […]

El Salvador’s state of emergency, declared in March 2022, has led to severe human rights violations against children of low-income communities. Many children have been doubly victimized by gang members who abused them and then by security forces who detained and mistreated them, with possible lifelong consequences. The government should end its abusive approach and […]

The celebration to mark Nelson Mandela International Day, observed annually on his birthday, 18 July, provides an opportunity for everyone to make a positive contribution by volunteering for 67 minutes – in honour of each year he fought for justice. The theme this year is: It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity. […]

This week, the United Nations Committee against Torture will review Türkiye’s record on preventing torture and ill-treatment. Human Rights Watch is among numerous civil society groups that have submitted evidence to the committee that Turkiye’s record on torture has deteriorated greatly since the committee’s last review in May 2016. In the aftermath of the 2016 military […]

In response to urgent requests for assistance in their fight against severe wildfires received from North Macedonia and Bulgaria, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated. North Macedonia is receiving 1 helicopter from Serbia, 2 helicopters from Slovenia, 2 aircrafts and 1 helicopter from Türkiye, and 1 aircraft from the rescEU firefighting fleet from […]

In a report based on 183 interviews with victims and witnesses of forced labour who managed to escape DPRK and now live abroad, OHCHR cited one person’s testimony that if a daily work quota was not met, workers would be beaten and have their food ration cut. “These people are forced to work in intolerable […]

The United States Supreme Court decision last month in Grants Pass v. Johnson gives local governments across the country the authority to ticket, arrest, and punish unhoused people for simply existing in public spaces. The ruling undermines the right to adequate housing in the US; it is also profoundly cruel and risks an increase in […]

Today, the EU commemorates the victims of the global climate crisis, at a ceremony held in Brussels attended by Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič and representatives of the Belgian government.   On this second annual EU Day for the Victims of the Global Climate Crisis, we honour those lost to and affected by the […]