Human rights watch

Torture, sexual violence, forced confessions: Experts reveal mass human rights violations in Iran

As part of its campaign of suppression, Tehran has arrested people in mass, detaining individuals in unofficial facilities where they cannot communicate with the outside world.

A bus burned during protests, on a street in Tehran, Iran, January 16, 2026
 L to R: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump. (illustration)

Tehran must be confronted: Trump, Netanyahu should lead the West's moral stand - editorial

US President Donald Trump (C), Vice President JD Vance (L) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) pictured in the White House, November 6, 2025; illustrative.

Trump declines to take sides between Vance, Rubio in 2028 successor debate

US President Donald Trump sits at his desk, behind a hat that reads "America is back" at the White House in Washington, DC, US, February 3, 2026.

Trump has attacked pillars of democracy, Human Rights Watch alleges


UN should follow up on China 'crimes against humanity' - report

Previous bids for China to face a UN debate have failed.

 U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield bumps fists with Permanent Representative of China to the UN Zhang Jun

Harvard University has capitulated to antisemitism - opinion

Harvard has not only exposed its cowardice. It has also contributed to the growth of systemic antisemitism on its campus and campuses across the US.

 OVER HIS long career, Kenneth Roth has blamed the Jews for bringing antisemitic violence upon themselves, says the writer.

Ukraine: Russia sending civilians through landmine fields to find safe routes

Russian forces reportedly send civilians into Ukrainian minefields to find safe routes to Ukrainian positions. * This comes as Human Rights Watch condemned Ukraine's landmine use.

 Ukrainian serviceman examines anti tanks mines near a destroyed Russian Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, near the town of Izium, recently liberated by Ukrainian Armed Forces, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine September 24, 2022.

Human Rights Watch urges Ukraine to investigate landmine use accusations

Ukraine could be in violation of international humanitarian law if they are found to have been using rocket-fired antipersonnel landmines against Russia.

View of a mine-warning sign as a Ukrainian service member demonstrates clearing a minefield using a remote control for the Armtrac 400 demining machine, capable of clearing 2,400 square metres per hour, amid Russia's invasion, in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine October 27, 2022.

Harvard offers fellowship to Israel critic Ken Roth after controversy

Harvard initially vetoed the decision to offer Roth the fellowship, allegedly because of Roth’s 'anti-Israel bias.'

 Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, attends an interview with Reuters in Geneva, Switzerland, January 12, 2021.

Ex-HRW head Ken Roth denied Harvard fellowship due to 'anti-Israel bias' - report

During Roth's tenure as the head of HRW, the watchdog NGO was often criticized for its statements and publications against Israel, including accusing the Jewish state of apartheid.

Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, gestures during an interview with Reuters in Geneva, Switzerland, January 12, 2021. Picture taken January 12, 2021.

Apartheid slander is latest verbal weapon against Israel - opinion

Two reports, one by Amnesty International and the other by Human Rights Watch add to the slander accusing Israel of apartheid.

 COPIES OF Amnesty International’s report named ‘Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians’ are put on display at a news conference in Jerusalem last year.

Russian forces killed hundreds of civilians early in Ukraine war, UN report says

"The acts in question were committed by Russian armed forces in control of these areas and led to the deaths of 441 civilians (341 men, 72 women, 20 boys and 8 girls)," the report said.

 A firefighter works to extinguish fire at market stalls hit by shelling in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine, December 6, 2022.

Iran-backed hackers targeting activists, journalists, politicians - HRW

The hackers gained access to emails, cloud storage drives, calendars and contacts and exported data from victims' accounts.

Iranian flag and cyber code [Illustrative]

Russia approves ban on ‘foreign agents’

Several rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, called for the initiative to be dropped as it was being approved by lawmakers.

 (R-L) Russia's State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, President Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev, who was nominated as the candidate for the post of Prime Minister, walk before a session of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, in Moscow Russia May 8, 2018.