Human Rights Watch

NEW: Colombian private military contractors, apparently hired by a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based company, transited through UAE military bases before being deployed to Sudan to support the abusive Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This is further evidence indicating that the UAE is assisting or otherwise substantially contributing to the Rapid Support Forces’ capacity to commit war crimes. Read HRW’s full investigation. ⤵️ hrw.org/news/2026/05/2…

Israeli authorities’ violations of international humanitarian and human rights law have continued and are enabled and fueled by impunity. An impunity granted also by Europe’s inaction, which comes at an unbearable human and economic cost for millions in the region and beyond. HRW’s @ClaFrancavilla calls for concrete actions before the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

A video shared by Israel’s National Security Minister Ben-Gvir shows Israeli security forces humiliating detained international activists. When a senior minister taunts detainees on camera, it is a signal that abuse is not just tolerated but celebrated.

The #Maldives’ escalating crackdown on journalists is a serious threat to press freedom. 2 journalists are now facing criminal charges—the first such case since 2008. Authorities should immediately drop the charges & stop targeting independent media. @hrw hrw.org/news/2026/05/2…

Je, una picha au video ya mtu akiuawa au aliyefariki wakati wa uchaguzi Tanzania uliofanyika tarehe 29 Oktoba? Weka picha/video hiyo hapa na jibu maswali yatakayofuata. Wasaidie Human Rights Watch kurekodi kilichotokea. …a-evidence-uploader.portal.massive.io

Do you have a video or photo of someone being killed or who died during the October 29 Tanzanian election? Upload it to this secure platform and answer the questions, and help Human Rights Watch document what happened: …a-evidence-uploader.portal.massive.io

Health care should never be a target of war. UN member states and civil society met in NYC on Tuesday to recognize the urgent need to stop attacks on health in conflict and “close the gaps” between rhetoric and action. New @hrw dispatch: hrw.org/news/2026/05/1…

Prominent Uyghur scholar Rahile Dawut celebrates her 60th birthday behind bars, where she is serving a blatant life sentence. The Chinese government should free Rahile and all innocent Uyghurs & end its crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. #FreeRahileDawut x.com/i/status/17067…

The humanitarian infrastructure sustaining life in Gaza remains in peril over six months after the ceasefire agreement in October 2025. As the Board of Peace prepares to brief the United Nations Security Council on May 21 on its newly-issued six-month progress report, Israeli authorities are undermining humanitarian lifelines. Continuing Israeli attacks have killed at least 856 Palestinians and wounded 2,463 others, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Read more: bit.ly/4nBz9cS

In Liberia, only 17 percent of children complete grade 9, and 1 in 3 children never attend school at all. In a new report, HRW documents that mandatory fees—despite a legal guarantee of free and compulsory education for grades 1 to 9—place a heavy financial burden on families and violate children’s right to education. Read more from HRW: bit.ly/4nNJ0MX

This week at the International Criminal Court, Libyan suspect Khaled El Hishri is at a hearing that could take him to trial for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed at Mitiga Prison in Tripoli. This moment is 15 years in the making. HRW's @HananMSalah is in The Hague ⤵️

17 years ago, Sri Lanka’s civil war came to an end in Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka. During the final clash between Sri Lankan military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, tens of thousands of civilians were killed. 17 years on, there has been no accountability. HRW's @PearsonElaine is in Sri Lanka ⤵️

A Norwegian court has blocked the extradition of rights defender Tommy Olsen to Greece. The ruling is a major win & a direct rebuff to Greece’s attempts to export its crackdown on dissent. Greece should immediately revoke the warrant & drop all charges hrw.org/news/2026/05/1…

NEW: Two years after the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group, killed and wounded hundreds of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar’s Rakhine State and burned down their village, the survivors are still denied justice and cannot return to their homes. hrw.org/news/2026/05/1… 🧵⤵️

Why the EU should act on Israeli crimes, what tools it has at its disposal, and why it hasn't used them yet Speech before the UN Palestinian Rights Committee: youtube.com/watch?v=PbpFr-…

A court judgment ordering @SERAPNigeria to pay damages to security officials over alleged defamation tied to claims of an unlawful office invasion raises concerns about civic freedoms in #Nigeria. Defamation cases shouldn't be used to stifle critics. hrw.org/news/2026/05/1…

New @hrw report documents how the Arakan Army committed war crimes killing hundreds of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar’s Rakhine State & burning down their village, the survivors are still denied justice & cannot return to their homes. Read more here 👇 hrw.org/news/2026/05/1…

The Myanmar military and Arakan Army should end attacks on civilians, release everyone unlawfully detained, and provide redress to victims. Both parties should cooperate fully with UN and other independent investigations. Read the full report: hrw.org/report/2026/05…

A satellite image taken in early June 2024 shows fewer than a dozen structures remaining in Hoyyar Siri, including two of the village’s mosques in Bor Fara and several other scattered buildings.