The #BurkinaFaso government's decision to block Human Rights Watch after our findings of possible #CrimesAgainstHumanity + other independent media shows exactly why international assistance to investigate abuses is so critical.

#BurkinaFaso : Army Massacres 223 Villagers
“The failure of the Burkinabè authorities to investigate such atrocities underlines why int'l assistance is critical to support a credible investigation into possible crimes against humanity”, Tirana Hassan Human Rights Watch
hrw.org/news/2024/04/2…

'Rene Saguisag was an inspiration to a generation of Filipinos and human rights defenders. As the Philippines continues to grapple with serious rights issues, his presence, wit, wisdom, and commitment will be greatly missed.'

Carlos H. Conde 🇵🇭
hrw.org/news/2024/04/2…

“Instead of heeding warnings from the UN and the Australian Human Rights Commission, the government is seeking authority that would put the lives and safety of refugees and asylum seekers at greater risk.'

hrw.org/news/2024/04/2…

11 years ago today, the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed, killing 1,138 garment workers and injured over 2,000 others.

Today's legislation is a somber reminder of that tragedy, but also why documenting human rights violations is so critical: to push for change.

Paris hosts its third The Olympic Games in 100 years—in less than 100 days.

@HRW’s Elvire Fondacci reviews 3 key #HumanRights concerns around the games:
🏅 Migrants evicted by French authorities
🏅 Algorithmic surveillance escalates
🏅 Hijabi women athletes banned from sport by France🇫🇷

11 yrs ago today I was in Bangladesh. I recall looking the TV and seeing images of what I thought was a bombing. It was the Rana Plaza collapse. 1100+ garment workers died and 200+ were injured that day. Supply chain laws are key in preventing such loss of life and other abuses.

The UK cannot rewrite Rwanda's atrocious rights record - including security forces' 2018 killing of 12 Congolese refugees, its involvement in large-scale displacement the DRC, and its transnational repression.

The truth is there for all to see.

hrw.org/news/2024/04/2…

While repressing widespread protests in 2022 and 2023, Iranian security forces raped, tortured, and sexually assaulted detainees to coerce them into false confessions. This adds to previous research by HRW,
Amnesty Iran & the UN FFM.

hrw.org/news/2024/04/2…

Pakistan paid ~ 7x more/person to service its external public debts than it did on health care in 2021. The IMF & credit ratings agencies est. that interest payments on its debt will consume between 50-60% of the government's revenues in 2024.
Saroop Ijaz
thenews.com.pk/print/1180849-…

New Human Rights Watch Report: Iran's security forces raped, tortured, and sexually assaulted detainees while repressing widespread protests in 2022 and 2023. This documentation of horrific abuses in Iran adds to previous research by HRW, Amnesty Iran, & UN FFM hrw.org/news/2024/04/2…

Amid calls from Israel to close the agency, 'the report [...] said UNRWA remained 'pivotal in providing life-saving humanitarian aid and essential social services,' [and is] 'irreplaceable and indispensable to Palestinians’ human and economic development.'
nytimes.com/2024/04/22/wor…

#EarthDay2024 is an opportunity to celebrate the work of the courageous people who put themselves at risk fighting for a planet in which people can thrive. Today we at Human Rights Watch honor and thank Osvalinda Pereira for never giving up protecting the rainforest.
hrw.org/news/2024/04/2…

Double standards have a human cost. 'The state department believes us on everything else–they cite us in their annual human rights reports. But when we submit evidence on Israel, they say we haven’t seen any violations of international law.' Sarah H Yager
theguardian.com/us-news/2024/a…

Gambia's National Assembly is on the worrying cusp of reversing its 2015 ban on female genital mutilation (FGM); if it passes, Gambia would be the 1st country to overturn a FGM ban.

That it's even being considered is deeply worrying for women's rights.

hrw.org/news/2024/04/1…

So much is lost when historic buildings, houses of worship, museums and archives are destroyed in war.

New Human Rights Watch & Armed Conflict and Civilian Protection @ Harvard report on the devastating effects of the bombing & shelling of cities & towns:

hrw.org/node/387811 #ProtectCulturalHeritage #Oslo2024

My former colleague Devon Lum and I authored an article for @GIJN, detailing how at @HRW we employed open-source research methods to verify hundreds of photographs and videos, documenting the devastation of Mariupol by Russia.

gijn.org/stories/remote…

Study links #fossilfuel and #petrochemical plants to poor birth outcomes.
New PBS: PBS NewsHour William Brangham highlights @HRW report, critical new study from Dr. Kimberly Terrell Dr. Kimberly Terrell, and #CancerAlley residents Ashley Gaignard and Teesha.
pbs.org/video/toxic-ai…

Our research has found that Israel Defense Forces units have been directly involved in settler attacks (torture, death threats, beatings) in the West Bank. Gov'ts shld ban trade with settlements, suspend military aid to Israel, and support justice & individual sanctions.

This interview with ⁦⁦⁦MSF International⁩ ‘s ⁦Nimrat Kaur is the best I’ve seen for info about the ongoing human & humanitarian drama in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state. Due to road blocks and internet shutdowns information is scarce. msf.org/myanmar-five-t…