Category: Human Rights

The event blended reflection, celebration and urgency, highlighting both the progress made in advancing women’s rights and the growing challenges many women and girls face worldwide. The gathering in the General Assembly Hall brought together diplomats, advocates and activists, with speakers reminding the audience that progress on women’s rights has never come automatically – it […]

Taking place from 9 to 19 March, the Commission’s 70th session (CSW70) focuses on the priority theme ‘ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls,’ including by promoting inclusive legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws and addressing structural barriers that prevent women from claiming their rights. A question of power Speaking at the […]

“There is a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of these crimes,” Ms. Singhateh said. “We are also witnessing stronger international cooperation, more victim-centred approaches and deeper involvement from the private sector. However, despite these achievements, the scale and severity of abuses against children remain alarming and worrying.” Far too many children around the world are […]

Suzuka Nakamura from the southern Japanese city of Nagasaki, which along with Hiroshima, was targeted by an atomic bomb at the end of the Second World War, is determined to create the museum to bring the stories of hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) to communities far beyond those two cities.  Ms. Nakamura, whose grandmother was a […]

(Berlin, April 10, 2026) – Georgian authorities forcibly returned an exiled Azerbaijani journalist, Afgan Sadigov, to Azerbaijan, exposing him to a credible risk of politically motivated prosecution and ill-treatment, Human Rights Watch said today.  The authorities deported him without a meaningful assessment of these risks in proceedings that raise serious due process concerns. Their actions call into […]

The warning came against the backdrop of reports of fresh airstrikes by the military on a trading junction in the central Magway region. According to media reports, more than 25 individuals were killed and 20 others wounded. “The humanitarian situation continues to worsen with each passing year due to ongoing conflict, recurrent disasters, and steady […]

Belarus’s parliament adopted a new law on April 2 banning “propaganda” of same-sex relationships, of “gender reassignment,” and even of “childlessness.” This furthers the legal and political alignment between Belarus and Russia,which both seek to stigmatize minority groups, control public discourse, and suppress dissent. “Propaganda” is vaguely defined in the law as the dissemination of “appealing” […]

HIGHLIGHTS Watch: International Women’s Day 2026 commemorations at the UN HQs, in New York. Production team (IWD and events): Vibhu Mishra and Ana Carmo UN marks International Women’s Day: Leaders, advocates and youth voices gathered at UN Headquarters in New York to commemorate the International Day ahead of the opening of the 70th session of […]

(Bangkok) – Thai authorities should urgently, thoroughly, and impartially investigate the assassination attempt on Kamonsak Leewamoh, a Muslim member of parliament and prominent human rights lawyer, Human Rights Watch said today.  On March 20, 2026, at about 1 a.m., gunmen in a pickup truck opened fire with M-16 assault rifles at Kamonsak’s minivan as he was […]

The European Union has announced €63 million in humanitarian funding to support the most vulnerable communities across Somalia impacted by ongoing conflict and displacement in the country, as well as worsening drought and soaring food prices. This announcement comes as drought related food insecurity and malnutrition rates are surging nationwide in Somalia, with 6.5 million […]