Category: Human Rights

(Bangkok) – The Cambodian authorities are trying 10 environmental activists on politically motivated charges to muzzle criticism of governmental policies, Human Rights Watch said today. The trial in Phnom Penh of the members of Mother Nature, an award-winning, youth-led Cambodian environmental group, is expected to conclude on June 17, 2024, after nearly three weeks. On June […]

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard R. Verma and President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan opened the U.S.-Armenia Local Democracy Forum on June 17 in Yerevan, Armenia. The Forum, which is the first of its kind, brings together U.S. and Armenian mayors and regional, state, and provincial leaders for a two-day exchange about […]

(Abuja) – African governments should accelerate plans to guarantee free quality education from preschool through secondary education before 2030, Human Rights Watch said today on the African Union (AU)’s Day of the African Child, June 16, 2024. Africa is the region with the world’s highest out-of-school population. In 2021, 98 million children and older adolescents of primary […]

This call follows an update from OHCHR which analysed the human rights situation in Ethiopia between January 2023 and January 2024. Mr. Türk urged parties involved in the conflict to “halt” their actions and resolve their differences peacefully.  A bloody civil war between Government forces and northern rebels erupted in late 2020 leading to major […]

Alice Nderitu, Special Adviser of the Secretary on the Prevention of Genocide, emphasized that in addition to violence, hate speech also reinforces discrimination, stigma, dehumanization, and marginalization. “Violence does not start when physical attacks are launched. Violence often starts with words. Words of hatred spread intolerance, divide societies, promote and endorse discrimination and incite violence,” […]

Angola has officially become the first African Union member state to ratify the statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights, known as the Malabo Protocol. Fourteen other AU countries still need to ratify the statute before it enters into force. The Malabo Protocol aims to add criminal jurisdiction over certain international crimes […]

On Thursday, UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) spokesperson Liz Throssell revealed that in its latest act of disempowerment, de facto authorities have told women civil servants prohibited from working that despite qualifications or experience, their salaries will now be cut to the lowest level. The Taliban overtook Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, in August 2021, […]

Niger’s highest court on June 14 may decide to lift the immunity from prosecution of former President Mohamed Bazoum following proceedings that failed to meet basic due process standards. The Nigerien authorities should drop this problematic case and respect Bazoum’s fair trial rights. Bazoum has been arbitrarily detained in the presidential residence since last July, […]

(Bangkok) – The Thai government should immediately release Y Quynh Bdap, a Montagnard religious freedom activist and refugee, and ensure that he is not sent back to Vietnam, Human Rights Watch said today. If returned, he faces a real risk of an unfair trial and ill-treatment by Vietnamese authorities. On June 11, 2024, Thai Immigration […]

On June 14, 2023, an overcrowded, unseaworthy boat capsized off the coast of Pylos, Greece. Only 104 of the estimated 750 passengers survived. A year later, despite many independent reports and investigations revealing the failings of Greek authorities, the nightmare for survivors continues. I recently spoke to Hamza, a 25-year-old survivor from Pakistan who first […]