Vietnam’s international trade partners (including EU, member states) and donors should press the Vietnamese government to immediately release Can Thi Theu, Tran Duc Thach, Nguyen Nang Tinh, and Phan Van Bach, and allow them to seek adequate medical care at home or abroad. New from @hrw.org ⤵️

Vietnam Should Release Ailing Political Prisoners

Can Thi Theu, 64, is serving an eight-year prison sentence at Prison No. 5 in Vietnam’s Thanh Hoa province because she joined protests against land confiscation and environmental degradation in 2016 a...

hrw.org

Where are Alisher Sakhatov and Abdulla Orusov? One year ago they were disappeared in Türkiye. Their families are still searching for answers about their whereabouts and fate.

A Year Since Two Turkmen Activists Disappeared

July 24 marks one year since Alisher Sakhatov and Abdulla Orusov disappeared in Türkiye. Their families are still searching for answers about their whereabouts and fate.

hrw.org

Three years ago today, the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding was signed. Since then, the EU has allocated millions of euros to migration control in Tunisia despite mounting evidence of serious human rights violations associated with EU support. 1/2

📢It's been 3 years since the EU and Tunisia signed a Memorandum of Understanding, largely motivated by seeking Tunisia’s cooperation in migration control. This partnership has fueled and normalized serious human rights violations. Read more: www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...

“The EU cannot pretend to champion human rights while deepening cooperation with Tunisian authorities responsible for crushing dissent and abusing migrants.” - Friederike Mager, HRW's Senior Coordinator EU Advocacy

EU: Tunisia Migration Deal Worsening Human Rights Violations

The European Union (EU) and its member states should publicly denounce human rights violations in Tunisia and stop funding abusive migration control activities.

hrw.org

"Having an anti-racism action plan is not enough. France should stop treating racism as a problem of individual prejudice and instead recognize that racism is systemic and thus requires systemic responses." - @almazteffera.bsky.social

France’s New Anti-Racism Plan Falls Short

The French government announced a new national plan last week aimed at combating racism, antisemitism, and discrimination. Unfortunately, the plan fails to tackle the systemic and institutional nature...

hrw.org

Today @freedomhouse.bsky.social's @ygorokho.bsky.social & I are briefing @europarl.europa.eu on needs of strong EU response to #TransnationalRepression challenges on #HumanRights globally. ⏲️ 5pm CET 📺 multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstream... @hrw.org TNR report 👇 www.hrw.org/report/2024/...

“We Will Find You”

The 46-page report, “‘We Will Find You’: A Global Look at How Governments Repress Nationals Abroad,” is a rights-centered analysis of how governments are targeting dissidents, activists, political opp...

hrw.org

"Civilians trapped in parts of the occupied Khersonska region are surviving in hellish conditions. Many have managed to escape, but among those who remain are more who want to flee, if evacuation were not such a life-threatening gamble.”

Ukraine: Civilians Trapped in Occupied Khersonska Region

Civilians trapped in front-line areas of the Russian-occupied Khersonska region in southern Ukraine face dire humanitarian conditions and have no safe way to leave.

hrw.org

Israeli authorities should comply with international obligations and stop ongoing attacks on UNRWA and other humanitarian organizations. States should continue to fund and support UNRWA and protect its mandate.

UNRWA is Irreplaceable in Gaza

Governments should disregard the statement from the US President Donald Trump-chaired Board of Peace that “UNRWA has no place in the new Gaza,” the latest salvo in the US and Israeli government’s long...

hrw.org

🔴 @kajakallas.bsky.social: banning trade with Israeli settlements "most supported option" during EU foreign ministers meeting. But qualified majority not there yet. Shamelessly, IT #Tajani & DE @aussenminister.diplo.de claim unanimity needed, despite clear obligations: www.hrw.org/news/2026/06...

🔴 #BREAKING: @europarl.europa.eu just adopted its urgency resolution on #RSF attacks on #ElObeid. For 1st time, it included explicit condemnation of #UnitedArabEmirates support to #RSF & called on @eudiplomacy.bsky.social to sanction UAE-based company #GSSG. www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pres...

As NATO leaders meet in Ankara on 7-8 July, they will be greeted by a president who is using the courts to quash the main opposition party in ways that threaten democracy & human rights. That should matter to the alliance, my @hrw.org colleague Emma Sinclair-Webb explains www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...

NATO Convenes in Ankara as Erdogan Crushes Opposition

Turkey is preparing to host the July NATO summit with the Western alliance firmly focused on keeping its most eastern member on side. The increased geopolitical capital that Turkey has enjoyed since R...

hrw.org

Withdrawal of Int'l Crim Court of #BurkinaFao #Mali #Niger is betrayal to victims. @eudiplomacy.bsky.social should publicly denounce it & urge them to reverse decision. Not doing so undermines justice in the #Sahel & globally. @tamara-aburamadan.bsky.social's take 👇 www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...

Sahel Countries’ Withdrawal From ICC Betrays Victims

Niger on June 18 and Burkina Faso and Mali on June 24 notified the United Nations secretary-general of their respective decisions to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court ...

hrw.org

The EU has spent decades sharing “concerns” over Israel’s illegal settlements and related abuses. It should at least stop bankrolling them. And that’s not an “option”, @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu; it's an obligation: hrw.org/news/2026/06...

Ukrainians who fled occupied areas, face discriminatory barriers to keep their homes. Russian authorities declare the home ‘ownerless’ if it's not registered, which requires the owner to obtain a Russian passport. Read Kseniya Kvitka’s op-ed in @euobserver.com:

Russia is bombing Ukrainians out of their homes — then using sham courts to steal them

Russian authorities in occupied areas of Ukraine label homes “ownerless.” That allows authorities to transfer them into municipal ownership by Russia-installed courts and redistribute them, including ...

euobserver.com

Time to talk about Turkmenistan, one of the world’s most repressive and closed countries. Independent journalists, bloggers, lawyers, and civic activists who speak truth to power are routinely imprisoned, silenced, harassed, or forced into exile in retaliation for their activism. New feature⤵️

Lives Destroyed for Speaking Out: Turkmen Activists at Home and in Exile

Turkmenistan is one of the world’s most repressive and closed countries. Independent journalists, bloggers, lawyers, and civic activists who speak truth to power are routinely imprisoned, silenced, ha...

hrw.org

🧵 As the #EU Commission prepares a "list of options" to restrict EU trade with #Israel 's illegal settlements, 12 NGOs sent a joint letter making two things clear: 1. The only "option" is a ban 2. It must be adopted by qualified majority (Art. 207 TFEU) Here is why 👇🏽 1/8

The @ec.europa.eu invited Taliban authorities to Brussels to discuss accelerated deportations to #Afghanistan although the EU is well aware of the dire human rights situation. Any engagement with the Taliban needs to prioritize human rights & accountability. Afghans should not be deported to danger.

#EU keeps pretending it's pushing #UnitedArabEmirates to stop support to #RSF in #Sudan. But @hrw.org confirmed UAE companies' role in transfer of mercenaries to battlefield. Time for @eudiplomacy.bsky.social to get serious, sanction companies & individuals involved. euobserver.com/222393/eu-sh...

Why isn’t the EU calling out the UAE for its role in the Sudan crisis?

There is overwhelming evidence of UAE support to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces. But the EU is unwilling to jeopardise its close economic and security relations with Abu Dhabi - instead, the bloc contin...

euobserver.com

Yes, Hungary's new government reversed its withdrawal from the ICC. However, ICC references are hard to find in recent @EUCouncil conclusions. At this week’s @EUCouncil, leaders should express their unwavering support for international justice and ICC.

EU Should Build on Hungary’s Recommitment to ICC

With Hungary's reversal of its decision to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC), the European Union has an opportunity to extend the significance of this moment for international justice well ...

hrw.org

Attacks on education increased alarmingly, says the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack. In 2024-2025, over 10,600 were impacted in 83 countries, including EU. EU states should strengthen legal protections for children & education systems.

Global Surge in Attacks on Education Continues, Rising More Than 40 Percent Worldwide

At least 8,500 attacks on education took place globally in 2024-2025, a more than 40 percent increase from the previous two-year period, according to Education Under Attack 2026, released today by the...

hrw.org

Barriers for people with disabilities in asylum procedures are likely to increase due to the EU Migration & Asylum Pact. EU states should incorporate disability-inclusive screening procedures & reasonable accommodation in national implementation plans.

EU Asylum Pact Threatens Rights of People with Disabilities

The European Union’s Pact on Migration and Asylum, a sweeping overhaul of the EU’s migration rules that entering into force on June 12, risks weakening protection for migrants and asylum seekers with ...

hrw.org

1000s detained, 100s dead. Mass forced recruitment & detention by #M23 w/ #Rwanda support in eastern #DRCongo is war crime, possible crime against humanity @eudiplomacy.bsky.social should speak up, sanction commanders involved & review cooperation w/ Rwanda Our report 👇 www.hrw.org/news/2026/06...

DR Congo: Rwanda, M23 Forcibly Recruit, Detain Thousands

Rwandan military forces and the M23 armed group carried out a campaign of forced recruitment and abusive detention of thousands of captured combatants and civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of C...

hrw.org

EU migration reforms constrain the right to asylum and a fair hearing. The EU Migration and Asylum Pact finally becomes effective on Friday. EU states should limit the most severe restrictions within scope of a Pact that is harmful for multiple reasons.

EU: Harmful Migration, Asylum Pact in Full Effect

The new EU Migration and Asylum Pact ushers in sweeping changes that undermine the right to asylum, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch released a question-and-answer document that expla...

hrw.org

In this Pride month, LGBT rights regain respect in Hungary. The Budapest mayor and an activist from Pécs no longer face charges over Pride marches, prosecutors announced. Hungarian government should now repeal the 2021 anti-LGBT law.

Hungarian Prosecutors Drop Pride-Related Charges

Hungarian prosecutors announced on June 4 that they had dropped charges against a mayor and a civic activist for their roles in organizing 2025 Pride events in Budapest and Pécs.

hrw.org

Armenia votes next week & has progressed on some but not all rights commitments while reinforcing 🇪🇺-🇦🇲 ties With a poor record of accountability for police misconduct, authorities should investigate reports of police abuse & protect peaceful assemblies

What Rights Observers Are Watching in Armenia’s Elections

Armenia will hold parliamentary elections on June 7 that will determine the country’s next government. What happens after the vote may prove whether Armenia has built foundations strong enough to prot...

hrw.org

EU's China policy hasn't been effective in countering the decline in labor rights & rights of minorities. Beyond the forced labor regulation & CSDDD, human rights should also be strongly tied to economic & foreign policy. Read @hderengerve.bsky.social’s take:

The EU’s China Policy Should Center Human Rights

As European Union commissioners prepare for their May 29 security college meeting on China’s influence on EU security, they should place human rights concerns at the center of those discussions.

hrw.org

Colombian private mil contractors deployed to support abusive #RSF in #Sudan with apparent role of #UnitedArabEmirates companies & via #UAE military bases, new @hrw.org report finds @eudiplomacy.bsky.social: speak up & sanction #UAE companies & individuals involved 👇 www.hrw.org/news/2026/05...

Sudan: Colombians Linked to Atrocities Trained in UAE Bases

Colombian private military contractors apparently hired by a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based company transited through UAE military bases before being deployed to Sudan to support the abusive Rapid S...

hrw.org

New @hrw.org report: European Union countries exports surveillance tech to governments around the world with well-documented histories of using similar tech to spy on activists, journos and other critical voices. And we've got the receipts.

🚨New HRW report🚨 ➡️EU states are exporting intrusion software and telecom interception systems to countries where they can be used for internal repression.