Azerbaijani authorities have intensified their long-running crackdown on the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, building on years of politically motivated prosecutions and intimidation. Read more:

Africa’s best football teams are competing in the much-awaited Africa Cup of Nations, known as AFCON, in Morocco. But while AFCON is underway, hundreds of young Moroccans are in jail — many for taking part in peaceful protests. Learn more ⤵️

On Sunday, @60minutes.bsky.social pulled a segment on torture against US deportees in CECOT, El Salvador's mega prison. Curious what the story said? Read HRW and @cristosal.bsky.social's report: www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...

Quote from me responding to the latest conviction of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan: "This latest conviction underscores Pakistan’s entrenched cycle of political victimization, where successive governments weaponize the legal system against rivals instead of upholding the rule of law."

The US has reached a grim milestone — over 100 killings from strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. These are extrajudicial killings, plain and simple.

The US government has imposed sanctions on two additional ICC judges in order to shield Israeli officials from charges of grave international crimes. These sanctions are the latest attempt by the Trump administration to blatantly interfere with independent justice.

Law enforcement officers must be identifiable to be accountable. US federal immigration enforcement agents now commonly operate masked and unidentified, compounding the abusive nature of the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign.

A new @hrw.org feature highlights why human rights matter — and the power we all have to resist violations. From the Philippines to Australia to Brazil, these stories show collective action in motion, often led by young people demanding change. Read more: www.hrw.org/feature/2025...

In Memory of Gyula Balog (1959-2025), an inspiring housing rights and anti-poverty activist Here is a brief reflection on behalf of @hrw.org to express our condolences, as Gyula’s friends and colleagues lay him to rest today in Budapest. Rest in power, Gyula bacsi! www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...

China’s government has long sought to silence dissent abroad, but recently there’s been a disturbing escalation: harassment through sexually explicit letters targeting activists outside the country.

Egypt: Quash Conviction of Prominent Economist www.hrw.org/news/2025/12... Dr. Farouk's 5-years sentence speaks volumes of how political/civic rights are inseparable from social/economic rights. Sisi's narrative he cares more about the latter is a hoax. Debating economic policies is a crime!

"The level of violence and killing [in Sudan] demonstrates for us that basic humanity is under attack." HRW’s Nicole Widdersheim testified last week at the hearing "Stopping the Bloodshed: U.S. Response to Crimes Against Humanity in Sudan." Learn more:

The US is carrying out a campaign of extrajudicial killings with deliberately lethal strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific ocean without any credible legal basis. In a new Q&A, HRW analyzes the strikes ⤵️

Militia fighters killed at least 22 civilians in an attack in November 2025 on a village in western Democratic Republic of Congo. The attack underscores the Congolese government’s failure to scale-up security in the area despite warnings of violence.

8 months of intense corporate lobbying, untransparent processes and foreign interference lead to the adoption of a gutted #CSDDD. ✊But a due diligence obligation remains and even if weaker, #Victims will still demand #Justice for #HumanRights abuses. www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...

US President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order that proposes to challenge and dismantle a range of “cumbersome” AI laws. This would promote a future in which many components of society are reliant on AI but with little accountability.

Hey @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @eudiplomacy.bsky.social - Do you notice #Tunisia 's fall in authoritarianism, with 0 reaction from your side? Is a more repressive country in #EU's interest? Speechless Europe has for sure no leverage. www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20... www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...

After reducing many of Lebanon’s southern border towns to rubble, Israeli attacks are now making it more difficult for thousands of residents to rebuild their homes. These attacks violate the laws of war and are apparent war crimes. Learn more: https://bit.ly/44vbq5Z

NEW: The Israeli military’s repeated attacks on reconstruction-related equipment and other civilian facilities in southern Lebanon throughout 2025 violate the laws of war and are apparent war crimes. Read more from HRW:

On December 13, Belarusian authorities released 123 prisoners following US-led negotiations. Their release brings relief, but more than 1,100 individuals remain behind bars for no more than peacefully exercising their rights.

Last week, the International Criminal Court sentenced Ali Kosheib, a former leader of Sudan’s “Janjaweed” militias, to 20 years in prison. Kosheib’s case should bring renewed global attention to the need for justice across Sudan.

Hong Kong’s High Court has convicted Jimmy Lai on bogus charges of “foreign collusion” and “sedition." His conviction after five years of solitary confinement is both cruel and a travesty of justice. Learn more: https://bit.ly/48Z78W5

Capture of #Uvira eastern #DRCongo by #M23 & #Rwanda forces forced 200,000 people to flee, puts civilians at risk. At #FAC today, @eudiplomacy.bsky.social should end wait-and-see attitude in the face of blatant collapse of US-brokered deal. @hrw.org 's first report 👇 www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...

The Bondi beach attack is the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in decades, after the 1996 Port Arthur Massacre. The shooting is a heinous attack on the Jewish community. Authorities should invest substantially in efforts to counter threats.

It’s now been a year since Cyclone Chido devastated Mayotte, a French territory in the western Indian ocean. Mayotte’s schools face chronic overcrowding and shortages, worsened by Cyclone Chido. All children in Mayotte should be able to experience their right to education.

Thousands of civilians displaced by Islamist armed group attacks in northeastern Mozambique have been sheltering in overcrowded and inadequate conditions. Mozambican authorities need to take immediate measures to provide support to civilians.

Human Rights Watch is deeply alarmed by the arrest of several human rights defenders in Iran, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi. Authorities must immediately release all individuals arrested in connection with exercising their human rights.

Tunisian authorities recently arrested three prominent activists convicted on unjust charges of conspiracy and terrorism. The arrests are the latest step in President Kais Saied’s scheme to eliminate any alternative to his one-man rule.

NEW: Russian authorities and military forces have systematically tortured and ill-treated Ukrainian prisoners of war. Such abuses constitute grave violations of the Geneva Conventions and are war crimes.

Georgia’s ruling party has introduced new legislation that would dramatically weaken protections for peaceful assembly, further shrinking democratic space and flouting basic human rights standards.

In the face of mounting repression, we stay steadfast—calling out abuses, celebrating advances, and pushing for change. This Human Rights Day, we’re highlighting moments from around the world that remind us progress is possible ⤵️🧵 #HumanRightsDay2025

Human Rights Day reminds us we all have a role to play. Protect what matters. Your actions make a difference. Thank you People's Postcode Lottery players for supporting our work defending human rights. 💙

New Zealand has one, Canada has one, the United Kingdom has one — so why doesn't Australia have a national human rights act or charter? The Australian government should seek to legislate a human rights act as soon as possible. Learn more ⤵️

Rwanda-backed M23 fighters have entered the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo city of Uvira, with reports of artillery fire in towns and villages, civilian casualties, and other abuses. These reports underscore the urgent need for civilian protection.

The Trump administration’s strikes against alleged drug smuggling boats are both unlawful and ineffective. Drug smuggling is a serious crime, but people accused of crimes should be prosecuted, not summarily killed. New from HRW: https://bit.ly/4ab34UV

The military junta in Burkina Faso has adopted a bill restoring the death penalty nearly a decade after abolishing the practice. Human Rights Watch opposes the death penalty in all circumstances because of its inherent cruelty.

Spoke to ABC's The World about the "patriots only" election in Hong Kong and why such a low voter turnout isn't really a surprise when there is not a single pro-democracy candidate and LegCo is now effectively a rubberstamp for Beijing. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXve...

#Tunisia 's arrest of prominent activists, following flawed conspiracy trial, should raise #EU's concerns, no? Instead, @eudiplomacy.bsky.social remain loudly silent, emboldening Kais Saied's repression. @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu: time to shift gear, speak up. www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...

Images of seven high-rise residential buildings engulfed in flames in Hong Kong in late November shocked the world. The deadly fire is a devastating reminder of what can happen when governments suppress fundamental rights.

Tanzanian authorities have wrongfully arrested alleged protest organizers and opposition supporters ahead of nationwide protests called for December 9. The government should end its crackdown and immediately release all those arbitrarily detained.

The December 2024 fall of the Bashar al-Assad government marked a historic turning point for Syria. One year later, what is needed to deliver justice for crimes committed in Syria?

It's been a year since former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was ousted, creating an opportunity for Syrians to break with decades of tyranny. But one year on, transitional authorities have failed to prevent continued violence and atrocities.

The end of Bashar al-Assad’s rule in Syria created an unprecedented opportunity for Syrians to break with decades of tyranny and build a rights-respecting country. One year on, there are growing signs that the window of opportunity may be closing.

Mineral extraction should not happen at the cost of people and planet. Governments meeting at the UN Environment Assembly this week should support Colombia’s initiative for a binding minerals treaty. #UNEA7

NEW: Bulgaria’s delayed decommissioning of coal-fired power plants contributes to dangerous air pollution, risks breaching new air quality standards, and is slowing down the country’s transition away from fossil fuels. www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...

Hong Kong’s "elections" yesterday were far from legitimate with not a pro-democracy candidate in sight. Five years into its sweeping crackdown, Beijing has seized full control of the LegCo. Read more from @hrw.org here 👇 www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...

LGBT rights are on the chopping block around the world. But the landscape for these rights has also shifted tremendously towards progress in recent decades. Listen to a new episode of HRW's Rights & Wrongs podcast ⤵️ Spotify: https://bit.ly/4pmItBK Apple: https://apple.co/4a0mR9w

US President Donald Trump was just awarded the newly created “FIFA Peace Prize.” But his administration’s appalling human rights record certainly does not display “exceptional actions for peace and unity.” Learn more: https://bit.ly/4qbQiu7

The Trump administration recently suspended immigration processing for nationals from 19 countries on its existing travel ban list. This sweeping change is not about safety. It is about scapegoating entire nationalities to justify discriminatory policies.

Georgian authorities have adopted a series of laws that unjustifiably interfere with the right to peaceful assembly and are being used to suppress dissent. People are being detained or slapped with ruinous fines for exercising their fundamental rights.