Human Rights

EU Approves Law for ‘Deforestation-Free’ Trade

the European Union adopted an important new law requiring EU-based companies to ensure their imports and exports are “deforestation-free” and not driving human rights abuses on May 16, 2023.

Chemical Weapons: Protect Integrity of Global Ban

Governments should protect the integrity of the international treaty banning chemical weapons by fully carrying out its provisions and by ensuring accountability for any violations, Human Rights Watch said on May 15, 2023. A Review Conference of the...

Afghanistan: Women tell UN rights experts ‘we’re alive, but not living’

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Women and children wait to be seen by members of a UNICEF-supported mobile health...

Bhutan: King Should Free Political Prisoners

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck should use his authority to release political prisoners held in poor conditions for decades following unfair trials in Bhutan, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said on May 5, 2023. King Jigme will visit...

Israel: UN experts demand accountability over death of Palestinian hunger striker

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Palestinian women walk by Israel's barrier near Ramallah in the West Bank.

Fragile gains on reducing child marriage, under threat from ‘polycrisis’: UNICEF

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This 14-year-old Ugandan girl was forced into marriage by her parents at 8 years...

Laos: Activist Gunned Down in Vientiane

The Lao government should immediately and impartially investigate the killing of the prominent political activist Anousa “Jack” Luangsuphom in the capital, Vientiane, Human Rights Watch said on May 3, 2023.

Bangladesh: End Crackdown Against Journalists and Critics

The increasing attacks in Bangladesh on journalists and others exercising their right to freely criticize government policies and practices, is alarming, eight independent organizations said on World Press Freedom Day. The widespread restrictions on...

DR Congo: Reject Discriminatory Nationality Bill

The Democratic Republic of Congo's parliament should reject a draft law that authorities could use to discriminate against Congolese citizens on the basis of their parents’ national origin, Human Rights Watch said on May 2, 2023.

Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan: Apparent War Crimes in Border Conflict

Forces from both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan committed apparent war crimes in attacks on civilians during their brief but intense armed border conflict in September 2022, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on May 2, 2023.