Human Rights Watch

Tunisia faces increasing repression as highlighted by UN experts and civil society. The crackdown has drawn attention from Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other stakeholders.

An Egyptian prisoner with an apparent brain tumor has been denied medical care. The case involves allegations of forced disappearance, an unfair trial, and torture, as reported by Human Rights Watch.

Egypt is arresting and deporting refugees and asylum seekers. Human Rights Watch (HRW) urges the government to amend its new asylum law to align with international standards.

Burkina Faso has placed study abroad programs under junta control. A new authorization requirement, as reported by Human Rights Watch, is hindering the rights to movement and education.

Japan is considering resuming frozen development aid to Myanmar amid pressure from rights advocates concerned about legitimizing the junta accused of abuses, while balancing against China's growing influence. Human Rights Watch has urged Japan to resist resuming aid to maintain pressure on the regime.

Turkey arrested hundreds of journalists, lawyers, and activists ahead of a NATO summit, with Western allies largely silent due to Turkey's military significance. The crackdown includes targeting opposition figures and suppressing protests under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government.

Ethiopia's Tigray authorities are forcibly recruiting civilians, according to a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) which highlights an unlawful and abusive campaign creating a climate of fear.

Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri of the underground Zion Church in China was released weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump raised his case during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Jin and 17 other church leaders were detained in October during a government crackdown, but his family and advocates attribute his release to direct intervention by Xi. At least eight other Zion Church members remain detained.

Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, an underground church leader in China, was released after U.S. President Donald Trump raised his case with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Jin was detained in October as part of a crackdown on the Zion Church, and his family thanked Trump and Xi for his release, though at least 8 church members remain detained.

Sahel countries Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have withdrawn from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Human Rights Watch (HRW) urges governments to pressure these nations to reverse their decision, citing betrayal of victims.

Ethiopian nationals on death row in Saudi Arabia's Khamis Mushait detention center face execution for drug-related offenses, including possession of khat. Three Tigrayans were executed in April 2026 after being arrested for carrying khat, which is illegal in Saudi Arabia. Prisoners reported forced confessions, signing Arabic documents without understanding them, and witnessing executions.

Libyan authorities have used incendiary rhetoric and implemented mass detention and expulsions of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees, leading to anti-migrant protests, according to Human Rights Watch.

Mali's Junta has suspended the popular radio show Allô Klédu. Human Rights Watch (HRW) calls for the ban to be lifted and for the protection of media freedom.

Human Rights Watch reports that Mali's army, allied militias, and Islamist armed groups have committed abuses against civilians without facing consequences since the April attacks in northern Mali. The situation has worsened as alliances shift in the region.

Families of five Venezuelan men filed a U.S. lawsuit against former President Nicolás Maduro, accusing him of directing the FAES police unit in extrajudicial killings and torture between 2017 and 2021. The complaint cites staged crime scenes, looting, and denial of justice, seeking damages under the Torture Victim Protection Act. Maduro is already facing federal drug trafficking and weapons charges in the U.S.

A generational shift is transforming the US-Israel relationship, with tensions escalating due to Israel’s actions in Gaza and Netanyahu’s role in pushing Trump toward a counterproductive Iran war. Ending unconditional US support for Israel is framed as necessary to address war crimes, curb military escalation, and improve prospects for Palestinian rights.

War crime convictions in DR Congo for the murders of UN experts were reported, with Human Rights Watch urging further investigation of the chain of command and calling for the abolition of the death penalty.

Human Rights Watch reported that Islamic militants, Malian armed forces, and their allies committed serious rights abuses against civilians in Mali earlier this year. The abuses occurred during attacks across the West African country.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and CNN's Jake Tapper debated deportations to Haiti following a Supreme Court ruling allowing the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian and Syrian immigrants. Tapper highlighted safety concerns in Haiti, citing violence and displacement, while Mullin argued TPS was not intended to be permanent and stated deportation flights could operate despite travel restrictions.

Mali is experiencing grave abuses due to renewed fighting involving the army, allied militias, and Islamist armed groups. Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports these groups commit violations with impunity.

A human rights group reports Vietnam is increasing arrests of activists and dissidents using broadly written laws to suppress dissent, with 56 documented arrests in 2025. The report links this trend to fears of 'color revolutions' and highlights the use of Article 331 of Vietnam's penal code to criminalize criticism of the Communist Party.

A human rights group reports Vietnam increased arrests of activists and dissidents in 2025 under broad laws, with 56 documented cases. The report cites Article 331 of Vietnam's penal code as a tool to suppress dissent, and notes fears of 'color revolutions' similar to those in Ukraine and the Philippines.

A human rights group reports Vietnam is increasing arrests of activists and dissidents using broadly written laws to suppress dissent. The 88 Project documented 56 such arrests in 2025, double the 2022 count, with authorities relying on Article 331 of the penal code to punish perceived threats to the Communist Party's rule.

The editor-in-chief of a Turkish LGBTQ journal and 42 environmental volunteers were among 103 people jailed on terror charges ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara. The arrests, part of anti-terror police raids, included journalists and academics, with prosecutors alleging suspects aimed to portray Turkey as a terrorism hotspot. Human rights groups criticized the use of terrorism laws to silence critics.

The U.S. and U.K. are avoiding direct action against the UAE's support for Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), despite evidence of UAE-backed military assistance. Unlike past sanctions against Rwanda for similar proxy support, the Trump administration has opted for symbolic measures, such as sanctioning UAE-based companies linked to RSF leaders, while refraining from addressing Emirati government ties to the conflict.

Ukrainian officials and humanitarian organizations report severe shortages of food, water, and medical care in Oleshky, alongside civilian casualties. International bodies like the UN and Human Rights Watch have called for humanitarian corridors, but limited access leaves residents trapped.

Human Rights Watch urges the EU to reassess its approach toward Tunisia amid a decline in human rights. A joint civil society organization letter highlights concerns over deteriorating conditions.

A joint letter from Human Rights Watch and civil society urges the United Nations Human Rights Council to urgently address the situation in and around El Obeid, Sudan, emphasizing the need for atrocity prevention and accountability.

Several independent Turkish media outlets, including Halk TV and Cumhuriyet newspaper, were denied accreditation to cover a NATO summit in Ankara, with journalism groups criticizing the decision as a violation of media freedoms. NATO relies on the host country for accreditation decisions, while Turkish authorities detained over 200 people ahead of the summit, drawing criticism from Human Rights Watch and opposition groups.

Several independent Turkish media outlets were denied accreditation to cover a NATO summit in Ankara, with journalism groups criticizing the decision as a violation of media freedoms. NATO stated it relies on the host country for accreditation decisions, while Human Rights Watch condemned mass detentions ahead of the summit as misuse of terrorism laws.

Independent Turkish media outlets were denied accreditation to cover a NATO summit in Ankara, with journalism groups criticizing the decision as a violation of media freedoms. NATO stated the host country handles accreditation, while Turkey's security measures ahead of the summit included detaining over 200 people, some of whom are linked to extremist groups.

Cambodia’s Supreme Court is set to rule on the treason appeal of two journalists, Phorn Sopheap and Pheap Pheara, who were sentenced to 14 years in prison for posting border clash photos. The case has drawn international criticism over judicial independence and freedom of speech.

Cameroon has failed to reduce gender-based violence due to discriminatory laws and underinvestment in public services, enabling abuse. The Human Rights Watch (HRW) highlights these systemic issues as key factors perpetuating the problem.

Kenya police violence victims criticize government compensation promises as a 'smokescreen,' citing lack of justice and ongoing impunity. Protests in 2024 and 2025 resulted in 127 deaths, with only four cases reaching court and no convictions. President William Ruto announced 2 billion shillings for 1,100 affected individuals but avoided apologizing for the violence.

A prominent journalist in Burkina Faso, Atiana Serge Oulon, was forcibly disappeared two years ago. Human Rights Watch (HRW) calls on authorities to immediately release him.

The Taliban's strict restrictions on Afghan women since 2021 have erased their presence from public spaces, banned work in essential professions, and limited education to primary levels. Recent protests in Herat against morality police raids resulted in arrests, violence, and at least two deaths, including a child, as women and men demanded education, work, and freedom.

Cambodia’s Supreme Court upheld the incitement conviction of opposition politician Rong Chhun, suspending his prison sentence but barring him from politics. The ruling drew criticism from supporters and rights groups, who accused the court of government influence, while the government defended judicial independence.

Over 60 rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have urged the UK Home Office to abandon plans to use AI-powered facial age estimation to determine the age of asylum-seeking children, citing concerns about bias, inaccuracy, and legal issues. The technology, set for a 2027 rollout, faces criticism for unreliable performance, particularly affecting people of color and trauma-affected individuals, with error margins of up to 2.5 years at the 16-to-18-year-old threshold.

A Human Rights Watch report alleges racial profiling and rights violations during an ICE surge, which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security disputes. St. Paul’s mayor addresses budget challenges, and faith/labor groups criticize the indictment of anti-ICE protesters. The Minnesota Aurora soccer team remains undefeated in their season.

A Vietnamese national deported to South Sudan under the Trump administration's third-country deportation program was repatriated to Vietnam after over a year in detention. The individual, part of a group of eight men with U.S. criminal convictions, was held in South Sudan alongside others from Cuba, Myanmar, and Laos, with concerns raised about detention conditions and human rights compliance.