Human Rights Watch
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🔎 🌎 ✊ Exposing human rights abuses around the world.
Israeli road closures in the West Bank on July 27 badly delayed an ambulance transporting a pregnant Palestinian woman in critical condition, with dire consequences. Israel, as the occupying power, is obliged to ensure Palestinians’ access to emergency health care. Read more: https://bit.ly/4yU0FI9
Palestine Action, the direct-action protest group, was granted permission on July 30 to appeal its terrorist designation at the United Kingdom Supreme Court. Since the group was designated as terrorist, more than 3,000 peaceful protesters have been arrested for showing support for it.
New UK Prime Minister Should End the Assault on Protest Rights
Palestine Action, the direct-action protest group, was granted permission on July 30 to appeal its terrorist designation at the United Kingdom Supreme Court.
hrw.org
The Ugandan authorities have brought abusive criminal charges against an opposition politician, Muwanga Kivumbi, apparently based on his criticism of the president’s son. Authorities are weaponizing the justice system to harass and target its critics and opposition.
Uganda: Opposition Politician Tortured, Faces Abusive Charges
The Ugandan authorities have brought abusive criminal charges against an opposition politician, Muwanga Kivumbi, apparently based on his criticism of the president’s son, who is head of the armed forc...
hrw.org
Eight years on, justice is still elusive for the families of 6 people killed and the 35 injured by Zimbabwe state security forces during the August 1, 2018, protests. Accountability is needed.
Still No Accountability for Zimbabwe's 2018 Abuses
Eight years on, justice is still elusive for the families of 6 people killed and the 35 injured by Zimbabwe state security forces during the August 1, 2018, protests.
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New dispatch from @hrw.org: Rapid returns follow crossings of thousands of migrants & some asylum seekers to #Ceuta; Spain & Morocco should ensure rights-focused responses & independent investigations. Summary expulsions are wrong, regardless of how people arrive. www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
Rapid Returns Follow Migrant Crossings to Ceuta
The arrival of an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 people in Ceuta, Spain’s enclave in North Africa, on July 30-31 was not only unprecedented but also tragic. At least 72 people died, including many who dro...
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Malaysia has for many years hosted refugees from Myanmar who have fled oppression and atrocities by the Myanmar military. But the Malaysian government recently announced the planned return of 5,000 Rohingya to Myanmar, where they face persecution and violence. New from HRW: https://bit.ly/3TAwpBR
In August 2020, police committed dreadful abuses during a weeks-long operation in Brazil's Amazon. This was not the work of a few “bad apples.” A community leader said that a military police commander watched as officers tortured him. No one has been held accountable. www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
Terror in the Amazon
A nightmare for Indigenous people and other communities on the Abacaxis riverbanks in the Brazilian Amazon began on August 3, 2020. That day, three private boats arrived in the town of Nova Olinda do ...
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Taliban have entrenched one of the worst human rights crises and systematically dismantled the rights of women and girls since taking power five years ago. Afghanistan is also facing a humanitarian crisis with 40% of the population in need of assistance. www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
Afghanistan: Taliban Assault on Rights Deepens 5 Years on
Afghanistan’s Taliban have entrenched one of the world’s worst human rights crises and systematically dismantled the rights of women and girls since taking power five years ago.
hrw.org
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the military to take control of another West Bank refugee camp, saying the operation should follow the “Tulkarem, Nur Shams and Jenin model.” These words indicate more expulsion of Palestinians and more potential ethnic cleansing and war crimes.
Israeli Defense Ministry Plan Suggests Potential War Crimes
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the Israeli military on July 28 to take control of another Palestinian refugee camp in the West Bank without identifying which one. He has said the oper...
hrw.org
🚨#Israel plans for more potential war crimes and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank as Defense Minister Israel Katz instructs the military to take control of another West Bank refugee camp. New from @hrw.org 👇 www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
Tens of thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s Ceuta territory on Thursday and Friday. At least 57 migrants reportedly died on the journey. A humane and rights-respecting response is needed. Hear from HRW's Judith Sunderland on CNN ⤵️
On #Ceuta: Spain "should have systems in place to handle" the arrivals of migrants & asylum seekers "in a way that is rational/ humane & respects the rights of those arriving, & responds to concerns of the local population" -Judith Sunderland @hrw.org www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home...
How arrival of migrants into Ceuta could affect mainland Europe and UK
Spain and the EU are working with Morocco to agree a response to sudden influx of some 60,000 migrants into north African enclave of Ceuta
the-independent.com
The Russian government-controlled Africa Corps carried out airstrikes in central Mali on June 15, 2026, that killed eight civilians, including three children, in an apparently unlawful attack. New from HRW:
Mali: Russia’s ‘Africa Corps’ Airstrikes Kill Civilians
The Russian government-controlled Africa Corps carried out airstrikes in central Mali on June 15, 2026, that killed eight civilians, including three children, in an apparently unlawful attack, Human R...
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Saudi authorities have executed five Ethiopian migrants for nonlethal drug-related offenses this week without due process. At least 79 more remain at imminent risk of execution on similar charges.
An Azerbaijani court has sentenced nine journalists, media workers, and civil society activists to between 12 and 15 years in prison. It's the harshest verdict since the government began its ongoing crackdown on independent journalism.
Azerbaijan Jails Prominent TV Journalists, Media Workers
An Azerbaijani court on July 27 sentenced nine journalists, media workers, and civil society activists to between 12 and 15 years in prison.
hrw.org
On July 28, Iran’s authorities publicly hanged two young men in connection with recent protests following a grossly unfair and summary trial. Over the past four months, Iranian authorities have arbitrarily executed at least 52 people on vague national security charges, including 26 protesters.
NEW: Indonesian authorities are wrongfully prosecuting environmental defenders who protest deforestation and pollution as well as Indigenous leaders who defend their land rights. Read more:
Indonesia: Environmentalists, Indigenous Leaders Unjustly Prosecuted
Indonesian authorities are pursuing wrongful prosecutions of environmentalists and Indigenous community leaders who protest deforestation and pollution, or defend land rights.
hrw.org
🚩NEW: On Monday, Saudi authorities executed 5 Ethiopian migrants for nonlethal drug-related offenses without due process. Urgent action is needed to prevent the unjust executions of dozens more vulnerable migrants who were sentenced to death after grossly unfair trials. www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
Saudi Arabia: New Executions of Ethiopian Migrants
Saudi authorities executed five Ethiopian migrants for nonlethal drug-related offenses on July 27, 2026 without due process.
hrw.org
Saudi authorities executed five Ethiopian migrants for nonlethal drug-related offenses on July 27, 2026, without due process. Saudi authorities have executed at least 17 Ethiopian nationals since the beginning of 2026 on drug-related charges.
Saudi Arabia: New Executions of Ethiopian Migrants
Saudi authorities executed five Ethiopian migrants for nonlethal drug-related offenses on July 27, 2026 without due process.
hrw.org
South Sudan’s army, opposition forces, and their respective allied militias abused residents and caused much of the population to flee during fighting in 2025 in Nagero County, Western Equatoria. Civilians have returned to Nagero town and nearby but continue to live in fear. https://bit.ly/44U3Qlk
Pollution linked to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s only oil producer is putting people’s health at risk. Oil company Perenco's use of gas flaring and waste burning near villages has contributed to poor air quality that residents blame for respiratory illnesses. Read more: https://bit.ly/4x5UrD2
Two Israeli settler attacks on Tal village near Nablus in the West Bank on July 24, 2026, resulted in the killing of four Palestinians and two Israelis.
NEW: Pollution linked to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s only oil producer poses serious health risks to communities near its operations. Residents of nearby communities have a right to know the extent of pollution in their environment and the risks to their health. Learn more:
DR Congo: Oil Company Operations Pose Grave Pollution Threat
Pollution linked to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s only oil producer poses serious health risks to communities near its operations.
hrw.org
Human Rights Watch advocates for a society in which no one has to fear because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Berlin's Christopher Street Day is an expression of protest that celebrates the many identities in society that continue to be rendered invisible.
Three years after the coup, Niger’s junta has broadened its assault on human rights. The junta has entrenched authoritarian rule, dismantled democratic institutions, and intensified repression. Read more: https://bit.ly/4fuQWie
Rather than investing millions in proposals that amount to little more than performative cruelty, the Israeli government should launch independent, transparent investigations into the documented allegations of torture and ill-treatment and prosecute those responsible, including at senior levels.
The Japanese Diet has adopted a flag desecration law that criminalizes damaging Japan’s national flag. The law poses a direct threat to the right to freedom of expression. By chipping away at this fundamental right, the law sends a message that puts everyone’s basic liberties at risk.
Japan: Flag Desecration Law Violates Free Speech
The Japanese Diet on July 17, 2026, adopted a flag desecration law that criminalizes damaging Japan’s national flag, a violation of the right to freedom of expression.
hrw.org
Nicaragua's president Daniel Ortega has declared there will be no more elections in the country. Ortega has been in power since 2007, and the country has not had fair elections for years. Learn more:
US Officials Sound Alarm on Haiti While Preparing to Deport Haitians There www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
US Officials Sound Alarm on Haiti While Preparing to Deport Haitians There
Fresh from a trip to Haiti, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz offered the UN Security Council on July 20 a harrowing account of the “kill zone” he said Port-au-Prince has become.
hrw.org
📍India Police in New Delhi used tear gas, batons, and internet shutdowns against largely peaceful student-led protests on July 20 🧵⤵️
India: Excessive Force Used Against Student Protesters
Indian security forces used tear gas and batons to suppress largely peaceful student and youth protests in New Delhi on July 20, 2026.
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