On April 8, Israel conducted over 100 strikes across Lebanon, killing over 300 people.
The strikes also damaged the Qasmieh bridge, the only lifeline connecting southern Lebanon with the rest of the country.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4czFSjM
Belarus’s parliament has adopted a new law banning “propaganda” of same-sex relationships, of “gender reassignment,” and even of “childlessness.”
The new law creates a climate of fear and perpetuates the escalating state crackdown on LGBT rights.
Belarus is importing Russia’s “propaganda” playbook:
banning so-called promotion of same-sex relations, gender identity, and even “childlessness.”
This isn’t about protection. It’s about controlling public discourse and silencing dissent. www.hrw.org/news/2026/04...
EU ministers who “don’t want #Lebanon to become the second #Gaza” shouldn’t forget it’s their slogans and inaction that allowed the first one to happen.
It’s beyond time to move from words to action, suspend the 🇪🇺-🇮🇱Association Agreement
👉🏼 euobserver.com/210469/eu-sa...
@kajakallas.bsky.social
By designating as “extremist” Russia’s leading rights organization and Noble Peace laureate #Memorial the authority essentially outlaw human rights work. This is yet another move in the Kremlin’s assault on civil society.
A senior cabinet minister in Thailand has brought criminal defamation lawsuits against two prominent journalists who reported about a bribery case, raising serious concerns for media freedom.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has begun purchasing warehouses across the country to detain people in its custody.
One of the most alarming developments of this initiative is unfolding in Surprise, Arizona.
Learn more:
Australian police have arrested Ben Roberts-Smith, a decorated Australian soldier who stands accused of committing five counts of war crimes in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
This is a long-awaited but significant step toward accountability.
HRW's @dgavshon.bsky.social speaks more:
Israel launched its largest wave of strikes in Lebanon yet today, with more than 100 airstrikes in 10 minutes.
Dozens of people have reportedly been killed so far today, and more than 1500 people have been killed since March 2.
Civilians, who continue to pay the highest price, must be protected.
The number of out-of-school children has risen for 7 years in a row, reaching 273 million. A proposed free education treaty could push countries to act.
www.hrw.org/news/2026/04...
The sentencing of Judge Anas Hmedi to one year in prison on April 6 is clear retaliation for his defense of judicial independence amid repeated attacks by President Saied.
Tunisian authorities should immediately overturn his conviction and cease harassment of critical voices.
On April 2, the Cuban government announced the release of 2,010 prisoners, framing it as a “humanitarian gesture.”
The announcement raised hopes for many political prisoners’ families, but no political prisoners have been identified among those released.
Accounts by former detainees, their relatives, and lawyers paint a grim picture of arbitrary abuses emboldened by a climate of impunity.
NEW: Forces affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces have arbitrarily detained, tortured, and otherwise ill-treated civilians in areas under their control, and denied them due process rights.
“We are talking about extremely serious crimes here. We are talking about ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.”
@bolopion.bsky.social, HRW's executive director, on @france24.com to discuss the widespread atrocities committed against civilians in #BurkinaFaso.
⬇️
A threat to wipe out "a whole civilization" may amount to a threat of genocide.
All parties should respect international law, and those responsible for atrocities should be held accountable.
New statement from HRW and 200+ groups, experts:
Listen now ⤵️
Spotify: bit.ly/3OcLfvM
Apple: apple.co/4tw4sHN
When anti-Rohingya sentiment turned into gunshots in Myanmar in 2017, 16-year-old Maung Sawyeddollah was forced to flee. What happens when you’re forced to leave your home? Where do you go?
🎙️In EP2 of The Great Unrooting, we hear from people around the world who have faced these questions.
Kazakhstan’s authorities have filed criminal charges against Zhanar Sekerbayeva, a feminist activist.
The charges follow an investigation into Sekerbayeva, which appears to have been in retaliation for her LGBT activism.
April 4 marks International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
Landmines are among the most insidious weapons of modern conflicts. There's a global ban on antipersonnel landmines that saves civilian lives, but the treaty faces serious threats.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4vbGdjM
(3/3) Read HRW's report documenting the devastating impact on civilians of an armed conflict that has received scant global attention, including an analysis of those responsible for grave abuses: www.hrw.org/news/2026/04...
(2/3) The stories of ongoing crimes against humanity in Burkina Faso deserve to be heard, and immediate steps should be taken to bring perpetrators to justice.
(1/3) The Burkina Faso military with its allied militias and an Al Qaeda-linked armed group have killed more than 1,800 civilians and forcibly displaced tens of thousands since 2023.
In a new report, HRW documents serious human rights abuses against civilians across Burkina Faso by the Burkinabè military, allied militias, and an Islamist armed group since 2022.
Read our new Q&A addressing key issues explored in the report:
Thousands of detainees in Iran, including political prisoners and children, are at risk of injury and death from US and Israeli strikes, as well as atrocities by Iran’s authorities, including mass, secret, and arbitrary executions.
New from HRW: https://bit.ly/417Izmj
Belarus🇧🇾 is expanding repression through administrative law:
“Propaganda” of same-sex relations, "gender reassignment," & even childlessness can now lead to fines.
This state-sanctioned censorship & stigma should draw condemnation from int'l partners. belta.by/society/view...
Learn more and watch the full video here:
NEW: The Burkina Faso military with its allied militias and an Al Qaeda-linked armed group have killed more than 1,800 civilians and forcibly displaced tens of thousands since 2023.
These atrocities amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4vmZBuD
