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


Human Rights Watch's 'apartheid' claims outrageous - editorial

Forget Turkey and the Kurds, forget Belarus and the refugees, forget the massacres in Ethiopia or the abuses in Mali. For HRW, it’s all about Israel.

Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth speaks during a interview with Reuters in Geneva, Switzerland, April 9, 2018

‘Israeli apartheid’ top human rights issue of 2021 - HRW

The NGO's report on Israel’s conduct ranked higher than those on topics including sexual violence in India, extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, digital sex crimes in South Korea and more

Pro-Palestine protesters hold a banner, as they demonstrate outside Downing Street in London, Britain, June 12, 2021.

HRW: Facebook censors Palestinian posts on Israeli human rights abuses

Human Rights Watch also claimed Facebook designating Hamas and PFLP as "dangerous organizations" is a threat to free expression.

 A Facebook logo is displayed on a smartphone in this illustration taken January 6, 2020

HRW: Gaza rockets killed Palestinians, Israelis in 'flagrant' war crimes

Human Rights Watch recommended that the ICC and UNHRC examine unlawful attacks committed by Palestinian armed groups.

Rockets are launched by Palestinian militants into Israel amid Jerusalem's tension, in Gaza May 10, 2021.

HRW concludes some officials saw risk of Beirut blast, failed to act

The 700-page report by the international rights watchdog on the August 4th Beirut explosion concluded that multiple Lebanese authorities were criminally negligent under Lebanese law.

Damaged Beirut Port area, August 17

HRW director accused of justifying antisemitism on Twitter

Ken Roth, the executive director of Human Rights Watch, shared a report on the spike in antisemitism in the UK.

Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth speaks during a interview with Reuters in Geneva, Switzerland, April 9, 2018

HRW demands Iran release California resident from prison

"My mother has not had a single night of sleep since her partner and love of her life was forcefully taken after 40 years of marriage."

Jamshid Sharmahd and his daughter, Gazelle.

Why Human Rights Watch's apartheid accusation is incorrect - opinion

The very essence of apartheid was the physical separation of people based on a legislated racial hierarchy.

Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth speaks during a interview with Reuters in Geneva, Switzerland, April 9, 2018

HRW exploits human tragedy to further its political agenda - opinion

HRW’s report is part of a concerted NGO campaign, as documented by NGO Monitor, to use the term “apartheid” in order to lobby the International Criminal Court to open an investigation against Israel.

Omar Shakir, a US citizen representing New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) in Israel and the Palestinian territories, speaks to Reuters TV in Amman, Jordan.

Human Rights Watch did a one-sided takedown of Israel - opinion

The report comes as Palestinian leaders in the West Bank and Gaza erect more barriers to peace with Israel, and as they themselves degrade the human rights of the Palestinian people.

PA PRESIDENT Mahmoud Abbas gestures during a meeting in Ramallah last August.