Latest Human Rights Watch News
Rights group says Sri Lanka harassed, intimidated protesters
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — An international human rights group says Sri Lanka's government is using emergency laws to harass and arbitrarily detain protesters who are seeking political reform and accountability amid the island country's economic crisis. New York-based Human Rights...
Groups ask UN to investigate Beirut's massive 2020 blast
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese and international organizations Wednesday called on the U.N. Human Rights Council to send a fact-finding mission to investigate the Beirut port blast two years ago, as a domestic probe continues to stall. The call by groups including Human Rights Watch and...
People protest growing insecurity in Congo's east
GOMA, Congo (AP) — Demonstrators set fires and forced entry into the U.N. mission facilities in Congo’s eastern city of Goma, demanding that the peacekeeping forces leave the country amid rising insecurity in the region. Police shot tear gas, injuring some demonstrators, while...
Rights groups urge Sri Lanka not to use force on protesters
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — International human rights groups on Saturday urged Sri Lanka’s new president to immediately order security forces to cease use of force against protesters after troops and police cleared their main camp following months of demonstrations over the country’s economic...
After years of delay 6 rights groups get UN accreditation
After years of delays, six human rights organizations — including the foundation that runs the online encyclopedia Wikipedia — have finally received permission to raise concerns and participate in discussions at the U.N. body overseeing economic development and social issues. The...
'The mouth of a bear': Ukrainian refugees sent to Russia
NARVA, Estonia (AP) — For weeks Natalya Zadoyanova had lost contact with her younger brother Dmitriy, who was trapped in the besieged Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. Russian forces had bombed the orphanage where he worked, and he was huddling with dozens of others in the freezing...
Rights groups: Egypt should open civic space ahead of COP27
CAIRO (AP) — Several dozen organizations Tuesday called on Egypt to end its crackdown on civil society and allow people to exercise freedom of expression ahead of the Egypt-hosted U.N. summit on climate change. In a joint statement signed by 36 groups, including Amnesty...
Angolans mourn ex-leader; family seeks to keep body in Spain
LUANDA, Angola (AP) — Relatively low-key commemorations are taking place in Angola to mark the death of former longtime President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who died last week in Spain where his family is taking steps to prevent his body from being returned to the southern African country. ...
UN to monitor Ukraine war for violations against children
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations announced Monday it will start monitoring the war in Ukraine and conflicts in Ethiopia, Mozambique and Africa’s central Sahel region for violations against children, including killings, injuries, recruitment, rape and other forms of sexual violence. ...
Former Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos dies at 79
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — José Eduardo dos Santos, once one of Africa’s longest-serving rulers who during almost four decades as president of Angola fought the continent’s longest civil war and turned his country into a major oil producer as well as one of the world’s poorest and most...
