US: Newly Released Files Show Fast-Track to Deportation
Reveal How Asylum Seekers at Border Were Short-Changed on Rights
(Washington) – Two years after the implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the "Remain in Mexico" program, newly released government records reveal US immigration agencies' efforts in 2019 to rapidly deport thousands of…
California: New Law Protects Children in Police Custody
Requires Attorney Consultation on Rights
(Sacramento) – A new California law will protect children in police custody, Human Rights Watch said today. The measure, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 30, 2020, will make sure youth talk with an attorney while deciding whether to waive…
Covid-19 Prisoner Releases Too Few, Too Slow
Known releases approximately 5% of global prison population
(New York) – Governments are releasing from jails and prisons far too few people whose continued detention in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic is not justified, Human Rights Watch said today, based on a global media survey. Available…
Afghanistan: CIA-Backed Forces Commit Atrocities
Disband All Irregular Paramilitary Forces, Cooperate With Independent Investigations
(New York) – United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)-backed Afghan forces have committed summary executions and other grave abuses without accountability, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. These strike forces…
California: Resolution Affirms Intersex Rights
First State to Condemn Unnecessary Surgery on Intersex Children
(Los Angeles) – California's legislature passed a resolution on August 28, 2018 that supports the autonomy of intersex people and their right to decide about cosmetic surgical alteration. Senate Concurrent Resolution 110 (…
US Senate: Reject Haspel for CIA Director
Trump Nominee Oversaw Torture of Detainees, Destruction of Evidence
(Washington, DC) – The US Senate should oppose the nomination of Gina Haspel to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to the Senate leadership and Select Committee on Intelligence. She was closely…
Trump Nominees' Troubling History on Torture
(Washington, DC) – In response to President Donald Trump's nomination of Mike Pompeo to be Secretary of State and Gina Haspel as CIA Director please find the following response from Sarah Margon, Washington Director at Human Rights…
US: Grant ISIS Suspect Access to Lawyer
Unnamed US Detainee Held 2 Months in Iraq
(Washington, DC) – The US government has been holding a US citizen suspected of fighting with the Islamic State (also known as ISIS) for two months in an undisclosed military prison in Iraq without access to legal counsel, Human Rights…
Pediatrics Bodies Support Intersex Child Autonomy
Medical Associations Advise Delay on Non-Emergency Surgery
(New York, November 8, 2017) – A new position statement by the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology represents a significant step toward ending medically unnecessary surgery on intersex children who are too young to…
US: Doctors Need Intersex Care Standards
Professional Groups Should Stand Against Unnecessary Surgery
(New York) – Medical professional associations should enact standards of care for intersex children that rule out medically unnecessary surgery before patients are old enough to consent, Human Rights Watch and interACT said in a report released…
California: New Laws Protect Children, Youth
State Will Limit Prison Terms, Offer Second Chances
(Sacramento) – California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law three bills that recognize young people's vulnerability to abuse and their capacity to grow and mature, Human Rights Watch said today. The bills,…
September 7, 2017 News
Refocus Intersex Care Standards
Medical Associations Should Back Moratorium on Unnecessary Surgery
(New York, September 7, 2017) – Two key medical associations should publicly affirm their support to end medically unnecessary surgery on intersex children, Human Rights Watch and interACT said today. The groups sent letters to the medical…
US: Harmful Surgery on Intersex Children
Medically Unnecessary Operations Risk Lifelong Suffering
(Chicago, July 25, 2017) – Doctors in the United States continue to perform medically unnecessary surgeries that can inflict permanent harm on intersex children, Human Rights Watch and interACT said in a report released today. Despite decades of…
Statement on President Obama's MacDill Air Force Base Speech
On December 6, 2016, US President Barack Obama delivered a speech on US counterterrorism policy at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. Below is the reaction from Laura Pitter, US national security counsel at Human Rights Watch: President…
US: Counterterrorism Report Sets Standards
Trump Should Continue Disclosures, Uphold Legal Obligations
(Washington) – The Obama administration's comprehensive report on standards applicable to US counterterrorism policy will help the public understand and assess United States government actions, Human Rights Watch said today. The report will…
US: Trump's National Security Choice Won't Rule Out Torture
Michael Flynn Unwilling to Reject Trump's Call for Waterboarding
(Washington, November 18, 2016) – President-elect Donald Trump's choice for National Security Advisor, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, has refused to rule out proposals by Trump that would constitute torture despite his having spoken out against the use…
US: California Bill to Protect Youth Miranda Rights
Update: On August 23rd, the California state assembly passed this important bill, approving it with a vote of 50 to 28. The bill will next be heard by the state senate, where 21 votes are needed to pass. The senate is expected take up the matter this week…
US: CIA Torture Revelations
Newly Released Documents Show Need for Accountability
The recent release of documents related to the US Central Intelligence Agency's detention and interrogation program provide excruciating new details about CIA torture, Human Rights Watch said today. On June 16, 2016, Human Rights Watch…
April 4, 2016 News
US: Releases Signal Progress on Guantanamo
Senegal Shows Leadership, Compassion in Accepting Libyan Detainees
(New York) – The United States government's release of two Libyan detainees from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility to Senegal on April 4, 2016, shows meaningful progress on closing the prison, Human…
Child Labor
Exploitation, Forced Labor & Trafficking
Joseph Kony - Lord's Resistance Army
Targeted Killings and Drones
Toxics
Women and Armed Conflict
Women's Health and FGM
World Bank, IMF