Human Rights Watch
@hrw.org
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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 ⤵️
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.
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.
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.
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.
The authorities should end arbitrary arrests and forced recruitment and investigate allegations of abuse including rape.
South Sudan’s partners should ensure that any support they provide to the security forces is conditioned on respect for human rights.
South Sudan’s partners should ensure that any support they provide to the security forces is conditioned on respect for human rights.
January 7, 2026 at 2:37 PM
The authorities should end arbitrary arrests and forced recruitment and investigate allegations of abuse including rape.
South Sudan’s partners should ensure that any support they provide to the security forces is conditioned on respect for human rights.
South Sudan’s partners should ensure that any support they provide to the security forces is conditioned on respect for human rights.
In the course of these sweeps, security forces have subjected detained boys and young men to torture and ill-treatment, extortion, and forced conscription, and in at least one raid, police officers beat and raped women.
January 7, 2026 at 2:37 PM
In the course of these sweeps, security forces have subjected detained boys and young men to torture and ill-treatment, extortion, and forced conscription, and in at least one raid, police officers beat and raped women.
Human Rights Watch found that the crackdown has resulted in arbitrary arrests and detentions, followed by beatings and other abuses in police and military facilities, as well as the forced conscription of dozens of boys and men.
January 7, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Human Rights Watch found that the crackdown has resulted in arbitrary arrests and detentions, followed by beatings and other abuses in police and military facilities, as well as the forced conscription of dozens of boys and men.
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...
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
Chained to trees. Locked in sheds. Confined and forgotten — because they have a mental health condition.
From May 2025, revisit HRW's Rights & Wrongs podcast on shackling.
🔊⤵️
Spotify: https://bit.ly/48Oimhc
Apple: https://apple.co/4qoAEvn
From May 2025, revisit HRW's Rights & Wrongs podcast on shackling.
🔊⤵️
Spotify: https://bit.ly/48Oimhc
Apple: https://apple.co/4qoAEvn
December 27, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Chained to trees. Locked in sheds. Confined and forgotten — because they have a mental health condition.
From May 2025, revisit HRW's Rights & Wrongs podcast on shackling.
🔊⤵️
Spotify: https://bit.ly/48Oimhc
Apple: https://apple.co/4qoAEvn
From May 2025, revisit HRW's Rights & Wrongs podcast on shackling.
🔊⤵️
Spotify: https://bit.ly/48Oimhc
Apple: https://apple.co/4qoAEvn
Africa’s best football teams are competing in the much-awaited Africa Cup of Nations, known as AFCON, in Morocco.
But while AFCON is underway, hundreds of young Moroccans are in jail — many for taking part in peaceful protests. Learn more ⤵️
But while AFCON is underway, hundreds of young Moroccans are in jail — many for taking part in peaceful protests. Learn more ⤵️
December 23, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Africa’s best football teams are competing in the much-awaited Africa Cup of Nations, known as AFCON, in Morocco.
But while AFCON is underway, hundreds of young Moroccans are in jail — many for taking part in peaceful protests. Learn more ⤵️
But while AFCON is underway, hundreds of young Moroccans are in jail — many for taking part in peaceful protests. Learn more ⤵️
The deportees sent by the Trump administration suffered torture, inhumane conditions and, in some cases, sexual violence.
Here’s what they told us:
Here’s what they told us:
December 22, 2025 at 2:22 PM
The deportees sent by the Trump administration suffered torture, inhumane conditions and, in some cases, sexual violence.
Here’s what they told us:
Here’s what they told us:
The US has reached a grim milestone — over 100 killings from strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific.
These are extrajudicial killings, plain and simple.
These are extrajudicial killings, plain and simple.
December 19, 2025 at 5:10 PM
The US has reached a grim milestone — over 100 killings from strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific.
These are extrajudicial killings, plain and simple.
These are extrajudicial killings, plain and simple.
The US government has imposed sanctions on two additional ICC judges in order to shield Israeli officials from charges of grave international crimes.
These sanctions are the latest attempt by the Trump administration to blatantly interfere with independent justice.
These sanctions are the latest attempt by the Trump administration to blatantly interfere with independent justice.
December 18, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The US government has imposed sanctions on two additional ICC judges in order to shield Israeli officials from charges of grave international crimes.
These sanctions are the latest attempt by the Trump administration to blatantly interfere with independent justice.
These sanctions are the latest attempt by the Trump administration to blatantly interfere with independent justice.
"The level of violence and killing [in Sudan] demonstrates for us that basic humanity is under attack."
HRW’s Nicole Widdersheim testified last week at the hearing "Stopping the Bloodshed: U.S. Response to Crimes Against Humanity in Sudan."
Learn more:
HRW’s Nicole Widdersheim testified last week at the hearing "Stopping the Bloodshed: U.S. Response to Crimes Against Humanity in Sudan."
Learn more:
December 16, 2025 at 9:28 PM
"The level of violence and killing [in Sudan] demonstrates for us that basic humanity is under attack."
HRW’s Nicole Widdersheim testified last week at the hearing "Stopping the Bloodshed: U.S. Response to Crimes Against Humanity in Sudan."
Learn more:
HRW’s Nicole Widdersheim testified last week at the hearing "Stopping the Bloodshed: U.S. Response to Crimes Against Humanity in Sudan."
Learn more:
After reducing many of Lebanon’s southern border towns to rubble, Israeli attacks are now making it more difficult for thousands of residents to rebuild their homes.
These attacks violate the laws of war and are apparent war crimes.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/44vbq5Z
These attacks violate the laws of war and are apparent war crimes.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/44vbq5Z
December 15, 2025 at 10:10 PM
After reducing many of Lebanon’s southern border towns to rubble, Israeli attacks are now making it more difficult for thousands of residents to rebuild their homes.
These attacks violate the laws of war and are apparent war crimes.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/44vbq5Z
These attacks violate the laws of war and are apparent war crimes.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/44vbq5Z
Hong Kong’s High Court has convicted Jimmy Lai on bogus charges of “foreign collusion” and “sedition."
His conviction after five years of solitary confinement is both cruel and a travesty of justice.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/48Z78W5
His conviction after five years of solitary confinement is both cruel and a travesty of justice.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/48Z78W5
December 15, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Hong Kong’s High Court has convicted Jimmy Lai on bogus charges of “foreign collusion” and “sedition."
His conviction after five years of solitary confinement is both cruel and a travesty of justice.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/48Z78W5
His conviction after five years of solitary confinement is both cruel and a travesty of justice.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/48Z78W5
It’s now been a year since Cyclone Chido devastated Mayotte, a French territory in the western Indian ocean.
Mayotte’s schools face chronic overcrowding and shortages, worsened by Cyclone Chido. All children in Mayotte should be able to experience their right to education.
Mayotte’s schools face chronic overcrowding and shortages, worsened by Cyclone Chido. All children in Mayotte should be able to experience their right to education.
December 14, 2025 at 11:11 AM
It’s now been a year since Cyclone Chido devastated Mayotte, a French territory in the western Indian ocean.
Mayotte’s schools face chronic overcrowding and shortages, worsened by Cyclone Chido. All children in Mayotte should be able to experience their right to education.
Mayotte’s schools face chronic overcrowding and shortages, worsened by Cyclone Chido. All children in Mayotte should be able to experience their right to education.
Human Rights Watch is deeply alarmed by the arrest of several human rights defenders in Iran, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi.
Authorities must immediately release all individuals arrested in connection with exercising their human rights.
Authorities must immediately release all individuals arrested in connection with exercising their human rights.
December 12, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Human Rights Watch is deeply alarmed by the arrest of several human rights defenders in Iran, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi.
Authorities must immediately release all individuals arrested in connection with exercising their human rights.
Authorities must immediately release all individuals arrested in connection with exercising their human rights.
Tunisian authorities recently arrested three prominent activists convicted on unjust charges of conspiracy and terrorism.
The arrests are the latest step in President Kais Saied’s scheme to eliminate any alternative to his one-man rule.
The arrests are the latest step in President Kais Saied’s scheme to eliminate any alternative to his one-man rule.
December 11, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Tunisian authorities recently arrested three prominent activists convicted on unjust charges of conspiracy and terrorism.
The arrests are the latest step in President Kais Saied’s scheme to eliminate any alternative to his one-man rule.
The arrests are the latest step in President Kais Saied’s scheme to eliminate any alternative to his one-man rule.
Russian authorities should end torture and the ill-treatment of Ukrainian detainees, and immediately and unconditionally release civilians unlawfully detained.
Read more: www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Read more: www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
December 11, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Russian authorities should end torture and the ill-treatment of Ukrainian detainees, and immediately and unconditionally release civilians unlawfully detained.
Read more: www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Read more: www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Former POWs reported abuse in multiple detention sites in Russia and Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. They said they experienced torture from the moment of their capture throughout their time in detention.
December 11, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Former POWs reported abuse in multiple detention sites in Russia and Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. They said they experienced torture from the moment of their capture throughout their time in detention.
NEW: Russian authorities and military forces have systematically tortured and ill-treated Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Such abuses constitute grave violations of the Geneva Conventions and are war crimes.
Such abuses constitute grave violations of the Geneva Conventions and are war crimes.
December 11, 2025 at 2:25 PM
NEW: Russian authorities and military forces have systematically tortured and ill-treated Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Such abuses constitute grave violations of the Geneva Conventions and are war crimes.
Such abuses constitute grave violations of the Geneva Conventions and are war crimes.