Human Rights Watch
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Exposing human rights abuses around the world.
Exposing human rights abuses around the world.
The US Senate has advanced a resolution to block future military force against Venezuela without congressional approval.
This comes after the US military conducted strikes on Venezuela, and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Learn more ⤵️
This comes after the US military conducted strikes on Venezuela, and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Learn more ⤵️
January 9, 2026 at 9:21 PM
The US Senate has advanced a resolution to block future military force against Venezuela without congressional approval.
This comes after the US military conducted strikes on Venezuela, and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Learn more ⤵️
This comes after the US military conducted strikes on Venezuela, and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Learn more ⤵️
Niger’s military junta recently adopted a sweeping “general mobilization” decree, granting authorities far-reaching powers to confront security threats.
The broad decree risks becoming an instrument of repression.
Learn more:
The broad decree risks becoming an instrument of repression.
Learn more:
Niger's New Emergency Law Threatens Rights
Niger's military junta adopted a sweeping “general mobilization” decree on December 26. The new law grants authorities far-reaching powers to confront security threats, but at the expense of human rights.
www.hrw.org
January 9, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Niger’s military junta recently adopted a sweeping “general mobilization” decree, granting authorities far-reaching powers to confront security threats.
The broad decree risks becoming an instrument of repression.
Learn more:
The broad decree risks becoming an instrument of repression.
Learn more:
An internet shutdown has plunged Iran into a communications blackout as authorities continue to unleash their deadly repression against protesters.
UN member states should press Iran to stop the bloodshed and pursue accountability.
UN member states should press Iran to stop the bloodshed and pursue accountability.
January 9, 2026 at 7:28 PM
An internet shutdown has plunged Iran into a communications blackout as authorities continue to unleash their deadly repression against protesters.
UN member states should press Iran to stop the bloodshed and pursue accountability.
UN member states should press Iran to stop the bloodshed and pursue accountability.
Iranian authorities have unleashed a deadly crackdown on protesters across the country since December 28, 2025, marked by security forces’ unlawful use of force and firearms and mass arbitrary arrests.
New from HRW and @amnesty.org:
New from HRW and @amnesty.org:
Iran: Authorities’ Renewed Cycle of Protest Bloodshed
Iranian authorities have unleashed a deadly crackdown on protesters across the country since December 28, 2025, marked by security forces’ unlawful use of force and firearms and mass arbitrary arrests...
www.hrw.org
January 9, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Iranian authorities have unleashed a deadly crackdown on protesters across the country since December 28, 2025, marked by security forces’ unlawful use of force and firearms and mass arbitrary arrests.
New from HRW and @amnesty.org:
New from HRW and @amnesty.org:
Reposted by Human Rights Watch
By retreating from international climate cooperation, the US undermines global efforts to safeguard rights and weakens its own capacity to protect people —especially those already most vulnerable — from the worsening impacts of climate change, including within its own borders.
Trump withdraws US from key climate treaty and dozens of other groups
The White House says the decision was taken because those entities "no longer serve American interests".
www.bbc.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:03 AM
By retreating from international climate cooperation, the US undermines global efforts to safeguard rights and weakens its own capacity to protect people —especially those already most vulnerable — from the worsening impacts of climate change, including within its own borders.
The International Court of Justice will soon enter hearings on the merits of a landmark genocide case against Myanmar.
Amid ongoing violations against the Rohingya, the world must stand firm in pursuing justice and a path toward ending impunity.
Amid ongoing violations against the Rohingya, the world must stand firm in pursuing justice and a path toward ending impunity.
Myanmar: Critical Hearings in Rohingya Genocide Case
International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings in the Myanmar genocide case highlight the need for justice for the ethnic Rohingya.
www.hrw.org
January 8, 2026 at 8:03 PM
The International Court of Justice will soon enter hearings on the merits of a landmark genocide case against Myanmar.
Amid ongoing violations against the Rohingya, the world must stand firm in pursuing justice and a path toward ending impunity.
Amid ongoing violations against the Rohingya, the world must stand firm in pursuing justice and a path toward ending impunity.
Reposted by Human Rights Watch
On January 12 the ICJ will hear the merits in the landmark genocide case by Gambia against Myanmar.
Read reflections from @hrw.org, @womenspeacenetwork.org, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, Refugee Women for Peace and Justice, & and @globaljusticec.bsky.social
🧵👇
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Read reflections from @hrw.org, @womenspeacenetwork.org, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, Refugee Women for Peace and Justice, & and @globaljusticec.bsky.social
🧵👇
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Myanmar: Critical Hearings in Rohingya Genocide Case
International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings in the Myanmar genocide case highlight the need for justice for the ethnic Rohingya.
www.hrw.org
January 8, 2026 at 6:03 PM
On January 12 the ICJ will hear the merits in the landmark genocide case by Gambia against Myanmar.
Read reflections from @hrw.org, @womenspeacenetwork.org, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, Refugee Women for Peace and Justice, & and @globaljusticec.bsky.social
🧵👇
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Read reflections from @hrw.org, @womenspeacenetwork.org, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, Refugee Women for Peace and Justice, & and @globaljusticec.bsky.social
🧵👇
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
The killing of a woman in Minneapolis by an ICE agent is yet another brutal and senseless death due to the Trump administration’s violent militarization of US immigration enforcement.
Involving the military in civilian law enforcement is dangerous and unwarranted.
Involving the military in civilian law enforcement is dangerous and unwarranted.
January 8, 2026 at 6:20 PM
The killing of a woman in Minneapolis by an ICE agent is yet another brutal and senseless death due to the Trump administration’s violent militarization of US immigration enforcement.
Involving the military in civilian law enforcement is dangerous and unwarranted.
Involving the military in civilian law enforcement is dangerous and unwarranted.
Reposted by Human Rights Watch
New @hrw.org report: UK authorities have severely restricted the right to protest.
A stark illustration of the escalating crackdown is the case of 5 Just Stop Oil activists who, in July 2024, were sentenced to between 2 and 5 years in prison for merely joining a Zoom call to plan a protest.
A stark illustration of the escalating crackdown is the case of 5 Just Stop Oil activists who, in July 2024, were sentenced to between 2 and 5 years in prison for merely joining a Zoom call to plan a protest.
UK: Protest Crackdowns Undermine Democracy
UK authorities have severely restricted the right to protest, in contravention of their international human rights obligations, creating an environment in which peaceful dissent is increasingly treate...
www.hrw.org
January 8, 2026 at 4:08 PM
New @hrw.org report: UK authorities have severely restricted the right to protest.
A stark illustration of the escalating crackdown is the case of 5 Just Stop Oil activists who, in July 2024, were sentenced to between 2 and 5 years in prison for merely joining a Zoom call to plan a protest.
A stark illustration of the escalating crackdown is the case of 5 Just Stop Oil activists who, in July 2024, were sentenced to between 2 and 5 years in prison for merely joining a Zoom call to plan a protest.
Reposted by Human Rights Watch
#EU leaders should publicly press for rights-respecting transition during first-ever visit to #Syria:
🤝recovery free from abuses
🪖genuine security sector reform
⚖️justice for past & ongoing violation
Our take👇
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01... @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
🤝recovery free from abuses
🪖genuine security sector reform
⚖️justice for past & ongoing violation
Our take👇
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01... @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
EU Leaders’ Syria Visit an Opportunity to Bolster Rights
On January 9, the European Union’s highest-level leaders, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Antonio Costa, are set to meet with Syrian leaders in Damascus for their...
www.hrw.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:40 AM
#EU leaders should publicly press for rights-respecting transition during first-ever visit to #Syria:
🤝recovery free from abuses
🪖genuine security sector reform
⚖️justice for past & ongoing violation
Our take👇
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01... @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
🤝recovery free from abuses
🪖genuine security sector reform
⚖️justice for past & ongoing violation
Our take👇
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01... @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
Houthi authorities have arbitrarily detained at least 69 UN staff and dozens of civil society staff over the last 18 months, failing to provide them with due process.
These detentions risk increasing the already critical humanitarian aid crisis in Yemen.
These detentions risk increasing the already critical humanitarian aid crisis in Yemen.
Houthi Detentions Halting Aid in Crisis-Hit Yemen
The Houthis’ stepped-up detentions of civil society and UN agency members has contributed to increasing the humanitarian aid crisis in Yemen, already one of the worst situations in the world.
www.hrw.org
January 8, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Houthi authorities have arbitrarily detained at least 69 UN staff and dozens of civil society staff over the last 18 months, failing to provide them with due process.
These detentions risk increasing the already critical humanitarian aid crisis in Yemen.
These detentions risk increasing the already critical humanitarian aid crisis in Yemen.
The right to protest is under attack in the United Kingdom.
In a new report, HRW documents that the UK’s Labour government has failed to reverse sweeping anti-protest laws introduced by the previous Conservative government.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4qerKB0
In a new report, HRW documents that the UK’s Labour government has failed to reverse sweeping anti-protest laws introduced by the previous Conservative government.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4qerKB0
January 8, 2026 at 9:00 AM
The right to protest is under attack in the United Kingdom.
In a new report, HRW documents that the UK’s Labour government has failed to reverse sweeping anti-protest laws introduced by the previous Conservative government.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4qerKB0
In a new report, HRW documents that the UK’s Labour government has failed to reverse sweeping anti-protest laws introduced by the previous Conservative government.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4qerKB0
The Trump administration’s brazen military assault risks causing a new human rights disaster for Venezuelans.
The US appears poised to actively encourage Venezuela to maintain Nicolás Maduro’s repressive apparatus as long as it furthers US interests.
The US appears poised to actively encourage Venezuela to maintain Nicolás Maduro’s repressive apparatus as long as it furthers US interests.
January 7, 2026 at 7:21 PM
The Trump administration’s brazen military assault risks causing a new human rights disaster for Venezuelans.
The US appears poised to actively encourage Venezuela to maintain Nicolás Maduro’s repressive apparatus as long as it furthers US interests.
The US appears poised to actively encourage Venezuela to maintain Nicolás Maduro’s repressive apparatus as long as it furthers US interests.
The Egyptian government has severely undermined the rights to education and health care, with spending declining to unprecedented levels.
This years-long failure shows that the government’s talk of social and economic rights is essentially lip service.
This years-long failure shows that the government’s talk of social and economic rights is essentially lip service.
Egypt: Declining Funding Undermines Education, Health Care
The Egyptian government has severely undermined the rights to education and healthcare by failing to allocate sufficient spending, falling short of constitutional obligations and international benchmarks.
www.hrw.org
January 7, 2026 at 5:45 PM
The Egyptian government has severely undermined the rights to education and health care, with spending declining to unprecedented levels.
This years-long failure shows that the government’s talk of social and economic rights is essentially lip service.
This years-long failure shows that the government’s talk of social and economic rights is essentially lip service.
Reposted by Human Rights Watch
new @hrw.org on how spending on education & health care in #Egypt declined to unprecedented levels, while Sisi keeps justifying jailing tens of thousands by inferring that social & economic rights take precedence over political rights. www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Egypt: Declining Funding Undermines Education, Health Care
The Egyptian government has severely undermined the rights to education and healthcare by failing to allocate sufficient spending, falling short of constitutional obligations and international benchma...
www.hrw.org
January 7, 2026 at 4:47 PM
new @hrw.org on how spending on education & health care in #Egypt declined to unprecedented levels, while Sisi keeps justifying jailing tens of thousands by inferring that social & economic rights take precedence over political rights. www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Human Rights Watch
" #Israel is violating international law requiring States to prohibit and eradicate racial segregation and #Apartheid " - UN #HumanRights Office report concludes on situation in #WestBank.
Full report 👇
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel... @kajakallas.bsky.social @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
Full report 👇
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel... @kajakallas.bsky.social @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
January 7, 2026 at 10:17 AM
" #Israel is violating international law requiring States to prohibit and eradicate racial segregation and #Apartheid " - UN #HumanRights Office report concludes on situation in #WestBank.
Full report 👇
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel... @kajakallas.bsky.social @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
Full report 👇
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel... @kajakallas.bsky.social @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
Iranian authorities are brutally cracking down on nationwide protests. At least 27 protesters and bystanders, including children, have been killed in just over a week.
Iranian authorities should cease the use of unlawful force and release those arrested for exercising their human rights.
Iranian authorities should cease the use of unlawful force and release those arrested for exercising their human rights.
January 7, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Iranian authorities are brutally cracking down on nationwide protests. At least 27 protesters and bystanders, including children, have been killed in just over a week.
Iranian authorities should cease the use of unlawful force and release those arrested for exercising their human rights.
Iranian authorities should cease the use of unlawful force and release those arrested for exercising their human rights.
NEW: South Sudan’s security forces, since late June 2025, have conducted sweeping arbitrary arrests of boys, young men, and women under the guise of a crackdown on criminals.
Read more: www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Read more: www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
January 7, 2026 at 2:37 PM
NEW: South Sudan’s security forces, since late June 2025, have conducted sweeping arbitrary arrests of boys, young men, and women under the guise of a crackdown on criminals.
Read more: www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Read more: www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Iranian authorities are brutally cracking down on nationwide protests with lethal force, killing at least 27 protesters and bystanders and injuring many more.
Authorities should halt the unlawful use of force and release those arbitrarily detained.
Authorities should halt the unlawful use of force and release those arbitrarily detained.
Iranian Authorities Brutally Repressing Protests
www.hrw.org
January 6, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Iranian authorities are brutally cracking down on nationwide protests with lethal force, killing at least 27 protesters and bystanders and injuring many more.
Authorities should halt the unlawful use of force and release those arbitrarily detained.
Authorities should halt the unlawful use of force and release those arbitrarily detained.
Reposted by Human Rights Watch
On January 5 India’s Supreme Court denied bail to prominent student activists Umar Khalid & Sharjeel Imam, who have been detained without trial for over 5 years. The prosecution has presented no evidence, such as calls for violence, that would warrant pretrial detention www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
India’s Top Court Rejects Bail for Long-Held Student Activists
India’s Supreme Court on January 5 denied bail to prominent student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who have been detained without trial for over five years.
www.hrw.org
January 6, 2026 at 1:13 AM
On January 5 India’s Supreme Court denied bail to prominent student activists Umar Khalid & Sharjeel Imam, who have been detained without trial for over 5 years. The prosecution has presented no evidence, such as calls for violence, that would warrant pretrial detention www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
India’s Supreme Court has denied bail to prominent student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who have been detained without trial for over five years.
The Supreme Court’s decision undercuts its repeated emphasis on bail as a fundamental right.
The Supreme Court’s decision undercuts its repeated emphasis on bail as a fundamental right.
India’s Top Court Rejects Bail for Long-Held Student Activists
India’s Supreme Court on January 5 denied bail to prominent student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who have been detained without trial for over five years.
www.hrw.org
January 5, 2026 at 5:22 PM
India’s Supreme Court has denied bail to prominent student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who have been detained without trial for over five years.
The Supreme Court’s decision undercuts its repeated emphasis on bail as a fundamental right.
The Supreme Court’s decision undercuts its repeated emphasis on bail as a fundamental right.
After decades of repression, Venezuelans deserve a prompt transition to a rights-respecting democracy, led by Venezuelans, where their freedoms and right to participate in free and fair elections are respected.
Read HRW’s statement on US strikes on Venezuela:
Read HRW’s statement on US strikes on Venezuela:
US Strikes Venezuela, Says it Will ‘Run’ Country
On the night of January 2, the US military conducted strikes on Venezuela, and took into custody the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores.
www.hrw.org
January 4, 2026 at 12:34 AM
After decades of repression, Venezuelans deserve a prompt transition to a rights-respecting democracy, led by Venezuelans, where their freedoms and right to participate in free and fair elections are respected.
Read HRW’s statement on US strikes on Venezuela:
Read HRW’s statement on US strikes on Venezuela:
Throughout the year, HRW covered human rights topics and crises around the world.
From major developments in international justice to rollbacks on rights in the United States, these were among the most-read stories on our site in 2025.
From major developments in international justice to rollbacks on rights in the United States, these were among the most-read stories on our site in 2025.
Top Human Rights News from 2025
These were among the most-read stories on our site in 2025.
www.hrw.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Throughout the year, HRW covered human rights topics and crises around the world.
From major developments in international justice to rollbacks on rights in the United States, these were among the most-read stories on our site in 2025.
From major developments in international justice to rollbacks on rights in the United States, these were among the most-read stories on our site in 2025.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán provides a useful case study for those hoping to better understand the authoritarian playbook.
Listen to HRW's Rights & Wrongs podcast (from June 2025) ⤵️
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4p6St0K
Apple: https://apple.co/4p3INnJ
Listen to HRW's Rights & Wrongs podcast (from June 2025) ⤵️
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4p6St0K
Apple: https://apple.co/4p3INnJ
December 29, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán provides a useful case study for those hoping to better understand the authoritarian playbook.
Listen to HRW's Rights & Wrongs podcast (from June 2025) ⤵️
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4p6St0K
Apple: https://apple.co/4p3INnJ
Listen to HRW's Rights & Wrongs podcast (from June 2025) ⤵️
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4p6St0K
Apple: https://apple.co/4p3INnJ
In 2025, Human Rights Watch’s videos were viewed several million times.
From advocating at the European Parliament to celebrating International Women’s Day, revisit some of our most viewed videos of the year.
From advocating at the European Parliament to celebrating International Women’s Day, revisit some of our most viewed videos of the year.
Top Human Rights Videos of 2025
What did you learn from Human Rights Watch’s videos this year? Whether you watched HRW advocates address the European Parliament or saw one of our reels on International Women’s Day, we hope you learn...
www.hrw.org
December 28, 2025 at 4:09 PM
In 2025, Human Rights Watch’s videos were viewed several million times.
From advocating at the European Parliament to celebrating International Women’s Day, revisit some of our most viewed videos of the year.
From advocating at the European Parliament to celebrating International Women’s Day, revisit some of our most viewed videos of the year.