Category: Human Rights

(Bishkek, August 30, 2023) – Kyrgyz authorities have filed a lawsuit to close down Kloop Media Public Foundation, a nonprofit body that runs an independent online news outlet in Kyrgyzstan, Human Rights Watch said today. The move continues a repressive trend against freedom of expression in Kyrgyzstan.  The lawsuit, for which Kloop was officially served […]

(Bangkok) – Bangladesh authorities should accept the offer from the United Nations to support an independent commission of inquiry into enforced disappearances by the country’s security forces, Human Rights Watch said today on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The authorities repeatedly deny that Bangladesh security forces have committed enforced disappearances, instead […]

OHCHR said that at least 120,000 people across Myanmar and another 100,000 in Cambodia may be held in situations where they are forced to execute lucrative online scams – from illegal gambling to crypto fraud. Other States including Lao PDR, the Philippines and Thailand have also been identified as main countries of destination or transit. […]

(Beirut) – A Saudi court has sentenced a man to death based solely on his X, formally known as Twitter, and YouTube activity, Human Rights Watch said today. Saudi authorities should quash the verdict, which is an escalation of the Saudi government’s crackdown on freedom of expression and peaceful political dissent in the country. On […]

The Israeli military and border police forces are killing Palestinian children with virtually no recourse for accountability. Israeli forces should end the routine unlawful use of lethal force against Palestinians, including children. Israel’s allies should increase pressure to end the practice. The UN Secretary-General should list Israel’s armed forces in his annual report on grave […]

The United States government has imposed financial and property sanctions on six individuals, including senior Rwanda military commander Brig. Gen. Andrew Nyamvumba, for their roles in backing abusive armed groups in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The US government sanctioned Col. Salomon Tokolonga, a regiment commander of the Armed Forces of the […]

The law was adopted shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Special Rapporteurs said they had already raised serious concerns over the law with the Russian Government and through public statements. “The decision to deny constitutional protection of the right to freedom of expression constitutes a new low in Russia’s clampdown on the freedom of expression […]

(Bangkok) – The Vietnamese authorities should quash recent verdicts in the politically motivated cases against the dissidents Tran Van Bang and Bui Tuan Lam and immediately release them, Human Rights Watch said today. Higher courts are scheduled to hear the appeals of Tran Van Bang on August 29 and Bui Tuan Lam on August 30, […]

Together with her grandson, Ike Howard, the 109-year-old Ms. Fletcher came to UN Headquarters this week to commemorate the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) International Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. Standing in front of the Ark of Return monument, Ms. Fletcher and Mr. Howard spoke with UN News to discuss […]

At a gathering of 7,000 people of faith last week in Chicago, an important discussion took place on Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians. The panel “Human Rights and the Crime of Apartheid in Israel/Palestine,” hosted by the Global Ministries Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ and Human Rights Watch, occurred at […]