About: Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of ‘apartheid’ crimes against Palestinians
An international rights watchdog accused Israel on Tuesday (27 April) of pursuing policies of apartheid and persecution against Palestinians - and against its own Arab minority - that amount to crimes against humanity.
EU should stop ‘subsidising undermining democracy,’ warns NGO boss
The EU should "stop subsidizing undermining democracy within the EU," Kenneth Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch told EURACTIV in an interview, arguing that the negotiations over the next 7-year budget will not just be about money but about fundamental rights.
Migrants: Independent inquiry finds ‘likely’ use of excessive force by French police
The French police "likely" used excessive force against migrants after dismantling the camp in Calais a year ago, an independent inquiry has found. But the ministry of interior insists that the “most serious allegations” were rejected. EURACTIV’s partner Ouest-France reports.
Hungary starts construction of second border fence
Hungary has begun building a second line of fence along its southern border with Serbia, a government spokesman said on Monday (27 February), a move likely to exacerbate criticism from some of the country's European Union partners.
Olympics dissident: Ethiopia could ‘become another Libya’
EXCLUSIVE/ Ethiopia – one of the EU’s largest recipients of development aid and a key partner in the new Emergency Trust Fund for Africa for halting the flow of migrants – garnered unwelcome headlines last summer, when Olympic athlete Feyisa Lilesa raised his arms in protest at the treatment of the Oromia and Amhara peoples.
Hungarian growth in peril in face of anti-migrant campaign
At peak harvest time, Hungarian winemaker Sandor Font has enough work for 30 people at his vineyard south of Budapest - if only he could find enough grape-pickers.
Ethiopia blames ‘outside forces’ for protest death toll
The Ethiopian government has hit back after the international outcry over the rising death toll from protests in the country, blaming “outside forces” for fomenting the trouble.
Hungarian MEP: Pigs’ heads would deter migrants at border fence
A Hungarian member of the European Parliament has sparred with a human rights campaigner and caused an outcry on Twitter after writing that pigs' heads along the border fence erected by Hungary to keep out migrants would make an effective deterrent.
Chad’s ex-leader Habre gets life sentence for atrocities
Former Chad president Hissène Habré, an ally of the West during the Cold War, was convicted yesterday (30 May) of war crimes and crimes against humanity for ordering the killing and torture of thousands of political opponents during his eight-year rule.
Citizen reporters: Trying to tell world about the conflict in Burundi
12 months on from the beginning of a violent political crisis in Burundi, a group of local activists have expanded their project to monitor and respond to conflict, writes Kevin McCann.
Thailand’s human rights record under UN spotlight ahead of EU visit
Thailand’s human rights record under the military junta was in the dock Wednesday (11 May) at the United Nations Human Rights Council – ahead of a visit next week by EU parliamentarians to the country.
Mogherini demands investigation into fate of Gambia opposition activist
The EU foreign affairs chief, Federica Mogherini, has demanded an urgent investigation from the Gambian authorities after a leading opposition activist was arrested – with Amnesty International reporting he has already died in police custody.
Thailand: The ‘police state’ behind the tourist paradise
The European Union is watching closely as the military junta currently in power in Bangkok comes under accusation of a multitude of human rights violations.
EU turning blind eye to violence against women migrants
The crisis in Syria has drastically increased the proportion of female migrants making the journey to Europe. The UN High Commission for Refugees, NGOs and researchers are increasingly concerned about the violence these women face. EURACTIV France reports.
Baluchistan: A reality we cannot ignore
Europe shouldn't remain silent about the atrocities taking place in Pakistan's Baluchistan province, writes MEP Charles Tannock.
Rights abuses revealed in EU free-trade candidate Malaysia
A leading candidate for a free trade agreement with the EU has been accused of a major crackdown on human rights, in what could be a test case for Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström’s new focus on an ethical dimension to FTAs.
EU lifts Myanmar sanctions, except arms embargo
The European Union has agreed to lift all sanctions on Myanmar, except for an arms embargo, despite a Human Rights Watch report which accused authorities of complicity in the mass killing of Muslims in the west of the country last year.