Impact

By investigating and exposing human rights abuses, we work to create a world where everyone is treated fairly and equitably, no matter their race, religion, or beliefs. We call for action so that people who disagree with their government can speak their opinions freely, so that children are protected, and refugees cared for. All of us, regardless of who we are, who we love, or the color of our skin, should be able to enjoy fully our human rights.

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Change is sometimes immediate, sometimes incremental. We work on issues for years and know from experience how to transform deep-rooted problems. Here are examples of some of the recent impact we have made, together with our partners, in advancing human rights around the world.

How do we bring about change?

Investigate
Our researchers investigate human rights abuses, first by speaking with victims or witnesses. We corroborate their stories using a variety of sources, including government records, weapons’ fragments, satellite imagery, and the statements of accused perpetrators – be they members of governments, armed groups, or companies. We often do this work together with partner activists.

Expose
We share this information widely, in multiple languages, to help shape public debate. Our reports, videos, and social media posts show up hundreds of times daily in news media around the world, bringing both global and local attention to our rigorously fact-checked findings.

Change
Often in coalition with local groups, we bring our findings to officials who have the power to change things. For every issue we work on, we make specific, concrete policy recommendations that will bring people justice, prevent future abuses, and protect human rights.

Our work has been instrumental in some foundational victories for human rights, including our work on banning landmines worldwide, for which we and our partners received the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize. Below are some examples of our historic impact.

All impact

  • October 4, 2019

    Nigeria: Army Frees 25 Child Suspects After Abuse Reports

    (Abuja) -- The Nigerian army’s release on October 3, 2019 of 25 detained children is an important step towards rights-respecting treatment of children affected by the Boko Haram conflict in northeast Nigeria, Human Rights Watch said today. The 23 boys and 2 girls had been detained at Giwa barracks, the main military detention facility in Maiduguri, Borno State, for suspected involvement with the armed Islamist group Boko Haram.
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  • September 27, 2019

    Venezuela: UN Creates Independent Investigative Body

    The United Nations Human Rights Council has taken a crucial step to ensure that Venezuelan victims have access to justice and that those responsible for serious abuses are held accountable for their crimes.
    Voting record of the resolution adopted by the UN Human Rights Council on Venezuela, Geneva, September 27, 2019.
  • August 22, 2019

    European Court Slams Russia Over Domestic Violence Case

    In a landmark ruling – its first on a domestic violence case in Russia – the European Court of Human Rights found that Russia’s lack of legislation to combat domestic violence, as well as the absence of protection orders, indicated a systemic failure to address this critical problem.
    In February 2017, parliament decriminalized first instances of battery among family members.
  • August 22, 2019

    Saudi Arabia: Travel Restrictions on Saudi Women Lifted

    (Beirut) – Saudi authorities announced further changes to regulations that now allow women over 21 to travel abroad freely and obtain passports without permission from their male guardian, Human Rights Watch said today. However, the new regulations do not positively affirm the right to travel abroad, leaving open the possibility that male guardians could seek a court order to restrict female relatives’ travel.
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  • August 5, 2019

    Iraq Authorities Acknowledge Horrific Prison Overcrowding

    Several members of Iraq’s parliament and the province’s deputy governor visited prisons near Mosul, Iraq, calling what they found a “humanitarian catastroph,.” two days after Human Rights Watch released research detailing the horrible conditions of the prisons.
    Women’s cell at Tal Kayf prison, taken in April 2019 and shared confidentially with Human Rights Watch, shows extreme overcrowding at the prison.
  • August 2, 2019

    US Moved Some Children from Abusive Texas Border Facility

    In response to an outcry about the horrific conditions of a US Border Patrol holding station in Clint, Texas, the US Department of Homeland Security announced in June that nearly 250 children would be moved into facilities for children operated by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
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  • August 1, 2019

    Interview: Protecting All Workers, Everywhere

    In a massive leap forward for workers everywhere, the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted a new treaty protecting people from violence and harassment at work.
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