Articles by Human Rights Watch
Yemen: Houthis impose harsh restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights
UN experts report on increased violations of women’s rights to freedom of movement, expression, health, and work in Yemen.
Russia designates Andrei Sakharov Foundation as “undesirable”
“By labelling the foundation ‘undesirable,’ the Kremlin is also ostracizing Sakharov’s legacy and, essentially, all the human rights defenders, independent journalists, activists, pro-democracy scientists, and cultural figures associated with it in Russia” – HRW
Rwanda must investigate the mysterious death of investigative journalist
Investigative journalist John Williams Ntwali, who was a fearless voice of victims of human rights violations in Rwanda and a government critic, died in a mysterious car crash according to police.
Egypt: A year of whitewashing despite dire crisis
In 2022, key civil society figures faced arbitrary travel bans, asset freezes, and criminal investigations in retaliation for their peaceful activism or criticism, says a new HRW report.
HRW launches ‘World Report 2023’
“The past year has demonstrated that all governments bear the responsibility of protecting human rights around the world. Against a backdrop of shifting power, there is more space, not less, for states to stand up for human rights as new coalitions and new voices of leadership emerge.”
Maldives: Backsliding on law reform, free speech
The government did not carry out promised reforms to the Freedom of Assembly Act; police harassed and threatened journalists covering protests.
Civil society groups under threat across Europe
“The threat these days doesn’t come just from repressive governments like those in Russia or Turkey. Nor it is even confined to democratic states on the road to authoritarianism like Hungary and Poland. It now also comes from elected governments in states whose democracies appear in better health, such as France, Greece, Italy, and the UK.”
HRW: Violence on Brazil’s democratic institutions is an attempt to “deny the right of Brazilians to elect the leaders of their choice”
“This attack is the culmination of a years-long campaign by former president Jair Bolsonaro and his allies to undermine democratic principles and spread baseless claims of electoral fraud. The authorities have a responsibility to provide security to Congress, the Supreme Court, and the presidential palace, as well as protect the media and others” – HRW