Australian police have arrested Ben Roberts-Smith, a decorated Australian soldier who stands accused of committing five counts of war crimes in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. This is a long-awaited but significant step toward accountability. HRW's @DGavshon speaks more abou…Mostrar mais

The number of out-of-school children has risen for 7 years in a row, reaching 273 million. A proposed free education treaty could push countries to act. My new dispatch: www.hrw.org/news/2026/04/08/273-million-ch...

The sentencing of Judge Anas Hmedi to one year in prison on April 6 is clear retaliation for his defense of judicial independence amid repeated attacks by President Saied. Tunisian authorities should immediately overturn his conviction and cease harassment of critical voices.

On April 2, the Cuban government announced the release of 2,010 prisoners, framing it as a “humanitarian gesture.” The announcement raised hopes for many political prisoners’ families, but no political prisoners have been identified among those released. www.hrw.org/news/2026/04/08/cubas-prisoner...Mostrar mais

Cuba announced a big release of prisoners last week. How many political prisoners has it freed? ZERO. Read our @hrw piece: www.hrw.org/news/2026/04/08/cubas-prisoner...

“We are talking about extremely serious crimes here. We are talking about ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.” HRW executive director, Philippe @Bolopion, on @FRANCE24 to discuss the widespread atrocities committed against civilians in #BurkinaFaso. Lea…Mostrar mais

A threat to wipe out "a whole civilization" may amount to a threat of genocide. All parties should respect international law, and those responsible for atrocities should be held accountable. New statement from HRW and 200+ groups, experts: www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/200-orga...Mostrar mais

🚨@hrw @amnestyusa @ACLU and 200+ other groups & experts call for an end to #Trump’s threats of war crimes and call for accountability. They say: "A threat to wipe out 'a whole civilization' may amount to a threat of genocide." Full statement 👉 www.amnestyusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026...Mostrar mais

The sentencing of Judge Anas Hmedi to one year in prison on April 6 is clear retaliation for his defense of judicial independence amid repeated attacks by President Saied. Tunisian authorities should immediately overturn his conviction and cease harassment of critical voices

Despite renewed threats of attacks on civilian infrastructures in #Iran - would be war crimes & possible crimes against humanity - #EU leaders still fail to name USA & Israel in their statements. Int'l law is eroded by those who flout it as much as by those who fail to s…Mostrar mais

When anti-Rohingya sentiment turned into gunshots in Myanmar in 2017, 16-year-old Maung Sawyeddollah was forced to flee. What happens when you’re forced to leave your home? Where do you go? 🎙️In the second episode of The Great Unrooting, we hear from people around the world who…Mostrar mais

Kazakhstan’s authorities have filed criminal charges against Zhanar Sekerbayeva, a feminist activist. The charges follow an investigation into Sekerbayeva, which appears to have been in retaliation for her LGBT activism. www.hrw.org/news/2026/04/05/kazakhstan-fem...Mostrar mais

April 4 marks International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Landmines are among the most insidious weapons of modern conflicts. There's a global ban on antipersonnel landmines that saves civilian lives, but the landmark treaty faces serious threats. Learn…Mostrar mais

The recent deadly attack in Jos reflects persistent violence & insecurity in northern Nigeria, where killings, kidnappings & limited state protection leave communities vulnerable as everyday people continue to pay the price. www.hrw.org/news/2026/04/03/deadly-attack-...Mostrar mais

In a new report, HRW documents serious human rights abuses against civilians across Burkina Faso by the Burkinabè military, allied militias, and an Islamist armed group since 2022. Read our new Q&A addressing key issues explored in the report: www.hrw.org/news/2026/04/02/qa-war-crimes-...Mostrar mais

Thousands of detainees in Iran, including political prisoners and children, are at risk of injury and death from US and Israeli strikes, as well as atrocities by Iran’s authorities, including mass, secret, and arbitrary executions. New from HRW: www.hrw.org/news/2026/04/01/iran-thousands...Mostrar mais

On @FRANCE24, HRW's executive director Philippe @Bolopion describes a "new phenomenon" of "dangerous rhetoric" being used by world leaders, indicating an open disregard for international law. 🔊Watch now:

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s unwillingness to condemn forced labor in China risks reducing pressure on the Chinese government to end its repression of Uyghurs. Latest with @jwormington, @hrw on Ottawa’s failure to tackle #UyghurForcedLabor. www.hrw.org/news/2026/04/01/canada-should-...Mostrar mais

Ben Jamal and Chris Nineham, two heads of civil society organizations in the United Kingdom, have been convicted of criminal offenses for peacefully protesting in the UK. This is a travesty of justice and a huge blow to the right to protest. 🔊 Learn more:

Israel’s parliament has passed a discriminatory death penalty bill that targets Palestinians. This bill aims to execute Palestinian detainees quickly and with limited scrutiny. The Israeli parliament should immediately repeal this discriminatory bill.

NEW: The Iranian government has repeatedly used inherently indiscriminate cluster munitions delivered by ballistic missiles in attacks on Israel since February 28, 2026. At least four civilians have been killed in the strikes, which violate the laws of war and may amount to war…Mostrar mais

The SAVE America Act risks disenfranchising millions of eligible voters — with the heaviest impact on women, trans people, and communities of color. The Senate should reject the bill! More from @hrw here: www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/30/save-americas-...Mostrar mais

Gao Zhen’s trial shows Beijing’s growing intolerance of dissent + contempt for the rule of law. He's punished for works done over a decade ago, when he was able to show them publicly in China. Secret trial + exit ban for family would've been rare back then www.nytimes.com/2026/03/29/world/asia/chin...Mostrar mais

1) Syria's Pres al-Sharaa is in Berlin today. Reconstruction, SWIFT access, refugee returns on the agenda. This week, @UNCOISyria found govt forces may have committed crimes against humanity in Sweida, yet accountability is not on the table. 🧵sana.sy/en/syria/2306363/

Hungary’s decision to order an investigation into Szabolcs Panyi, a prominent Hungarian journalist, on dubious accusations of espionage, marks a dangerous escalation in the state’s crackdown on independent media. Learn more: www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/27/hungary-orders...Mostrar mais

One month into the current Middle East conflict, we are seeing leaders threaten the rules-based legal order. As the conflict has spread and intensified, so too has the dangerous rhetoric by leaders on all sides, including open threats to commit war crimes. Read more: t.co/23bXuXChS7Mostrar mais

"Every child in Iran, in Lebanon and beyond has the right to live free from fear, their rights and lives protected." At @UN_HRC, HRW's @Hilary_Power_ spoke at an urgent debate on protection of children and educational institutions in armed conflict. 🔊⤵️

A Pakistani airstrike on a drug treatment center in Afghanistan on March 16 was an unlawful attack and a possible war crime. Pakistani authorities should investigate the incident and hold all those responsible for wrongdoing to account. www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/27/pakistan-airst...Mostrar mais

India’s parliament passed a bill this week that changes how transgender people are legally recognized and removes their right to self-identification. If the bill becomes law, it will be a major reversal of the rights of transgender people in India. www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/26/indias-transge...Mostrar mais

The decision by Hungary’s minister of justice to order an investigation into @panyiszabolcs, a prominent Hungarian journalist, on dubious accusations of espionage, marks a dangerous escalation in the state’s crackdown on independent media. Comment @hrw⤵️ www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/27/hungary-orders...Mostrar mais

It’s been four years since El Salvador President Nayib Bukele declared a state of emergency. Since then, authorities have detained more than 91,000 people, including children. Authorities should end the state of emergency and ensure prompt judicial review and fair trials.

A Pakistani airstrike on a drug treatment center in Afghanistan on March 16, 2026, was an unlawful attack and a possible war crime, Human Rights Watch said today. www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/27/pakistan-airst...

Good news. In a landmark class action lawsuit in Thailand, a court held a multinational corporation accountable for contamination from a gold mine and recognized the right of villagers in affected areas to effective remedies. www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/26/landmark-rulin...Mostrar mais

Deadly bombings in northeastern Nigeria have heightened concerns about the resurgence of violent attacks by Boko Haram. In the aftermath of this apparent war crime, Nigerian authorities should urgently strengthen protection for civilians. www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/26/nigeria-maidug...Mostrar mais

#Nigeria- Recent bombings of civilian-populated areas in Maiduguri are apparent war crimes & have heightened fears of a renewed onslaught by the #BokoHaram JAS faction. Authorities should urgently strengthen civilian protection. New from @hrw www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/26/nigeria-maidug...Mostrar mais

Meanwhile in #Gaza, the #Israeli military consolidates an apparent new border line - building outposts, entrenching control and taking half of Gaza's land. @hrw found that Israel's forced displacement of civilians in Gaza amounts to a crime against humanity.

Europe's focus on China's subsidies & industrial policy is missing a deeper point: that its political economy is built on "a scaffolding of abuses that enable authorities to reshape economic sectors and to strong-arm communities with minimal resistance." www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2026/03/23/le...Mostrar mais

#WesternSahara: #Morocco's autonomy proposal at odds with right to self-determination: ❌Independence not an option ❌Reparations, right of return not mentioned ❌Right-holders not identified ❌🇲🇦's repression impedes "free & genuine will" @hrw analysis: www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/25/un-western-sah...Mostrar mais

Rather than acquiescing to China’s authoritarian development model, EU states and other democracies should integrate human rights into their economic policies with Beijing. Not only as a matter of principle and credibility, but also for their own security www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/24/europes-econom...Mostrar mais

NEW: UN Security Council resolution on new framework to deal with impasse around Morocco’s claims to Western Sahara does not ensure that the right to self-determination for the territory’s peoples is upheld and is consistent with international law @hrw www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/25/un-western-sah...Mostrar mais

Hong Kong has become increasinly dystopian. Police reportedly arrested the owner & 3 shopkeepers of independent bookstore Book Punch on Tuesday for allegedly selling “seditious” publications, including a biography of Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai. Who’s next?

Hong Kong has become increasingly dystopian. First the authorities jailed the newspaper publisher, then they arrested the person selling books about him. The government’s insatiable drive for political security will only create more insecurity for itself. - @hrw @PearsonElaine

Israel’s attacks in Lebanon — and the threat of more to come — have caused more than a million people to flee their homes. Without meaningful international pressure and credible prosecutions for war crimes and crimes against humanity, the Israeli authorities and their military…Mostrar mais

A court in China has sentenced prominent human rights lawyer Xie Yang to five years in prison on politically motivated charges of “inciting subversion of state power.” The Chinese government should immediately quash the conviction and free Xie. www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/23/china-prominen...Mostrar mais

“Prison does not only take away an individual’s life away: it tears entire families apart.” Jehad Khaled, a young Egyptian activist, said she felt utter panic when her mother—Hoda Abdel Moneim, 67, a prominent lawyer and human rights defender—was arrested by Egyptian authorities…Mostrar mais

#Iran appears to have deliberately targeted at least two civilian ships in/around the Strait of #Hormuz-- apparent war crimes. The attacks may also contribute to significant global cost increases in critical sectors, to the detriment of people’s rights. www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/23/iran-deliberat...Mostrar mais

NEW: Iranian forces appear to have deliberately targeted at least two civilian commercial ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, 2026, which would amount to war crimes. The attacks, and threat of attack, may also contribute to significant global cost increases in…Mostrar mais

The Japan Sports Agency recently released guidelines on safety measures in sport. #Japan’s efforts to end abuse in sport are a positive step. Effective implementation is now crucial. Japan Authorities Take Steps to Address Athlete Abuse www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/23/japan-authorit...…Mostrar mais

#Lebanon: 1M displaced, 1000+ killed, widespread destruction. Gaza is the blueprint, Israeli govt said so: www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/23/israeli-offici... The EU can sit and watch; or it can finally halt arms, sanction 🇮🇱 officials…Mostrar mais

🚨New from @HRW Statements by Israelis officials signal intent to: - Wantonly destroy homes in Lebanon’s border villages - Forcibly displace & prevent residents’ return - Conduct strikes that could target civilians All would be war crimes. www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/23/israeli-offici...Mostrar mais