Human Rights Watch (HRW)

HRW slams ban on AL activities

Recent legislative initiatives by Bangladesh’s interim government risk undermining fundamental freedoms, said Human Rights Watch yesterday.

HRW urges interim govt to support UN-backed probe into recent grave abuses

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Bangladesh's interim government to seek a resolution at the upcoming session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to establish an independent mechanism to investigate and pursue accountability for recent grave abuses in Bangladesh

Bangladesh arrested thousands in 'violent crackdown': HRW

Bangladesh has launched a sweeping and violent crackdown on opposition parties to "eliminate competition" ahead of general elections, including arresting almost 10,000 activists, Human Rights Watch said Monday

Safe repatriation must be the goal

We need a sustainable, not one-off, solution

Cutting Extrajudicial Killings: US satisfied with Rab’s progress

Visiting US Assistant Secretary Donald Lu yesterday expressed satisfaction that Rab reduced extrajudicial killings since late 2021, when the US imposed sanctions on the force.

HRW concerned about opposition members’ mass arrests; home minister rejects claims

Mass arrests and police raids of opposition party members’ homes raise serious concerns about violence and intimidation ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Bangladesh due next year, Human Rights Watch said today (October 10, 2022).

Before Rohingya relocation, allow UN visit to Bhashan Char: HRW to govt

Human Rights Watch has called for Bangladesh government to allow a visit by the UN to Bhashan Char before any Rohingya relocation.

Arrest of migrant worker in Malaysia violates freedom of speech: HRW

The Malaysian authorities’ arrest of a Bangladeshi migrant worker who was featured in an Al Jazeera documentary was clear retaliation for his criticism of government policies towards migrants, Human Rights Watch says.

‘Find missing journalist accused under Digital Security Act’

Human Rights Watch said Bangladesh authorities should immediately locate journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol, who has been missing from Dhaka since Tuesday.

September 7, 2019
September 7, 2019

Bangladesh should end restrictions on movement, internet access of Rohingyas: HRW

Human Rights Watch (HRW) suggests that the Bangladesh government should end restrictions on Rohingyas' freedom of movement and access to the internet and online communications.

May 17, 2019
May 17, 2019

HRW concerned over arrests for social media posts in Bangladesh

Human Rights Watch (HRW) expresses concern over the recent arrests made by Bangladesh authorities over social media posts.

March 6, 2019
March 6, 2019

Iraq children tortured for alleged IS ties: HRW

Iraqi authorities are prosecuting children suspected of ties to the Islamic State group in a "deeply flawed" process, using flimsy accusations or confessions obtained through torture, Human Rights Watch says.

February 9, 2019
February 9, 2019

Rape of Rohingya Women: Myanmar sees no evidence

Myanmar has denied that its armed forces raped Rohingya women and girls in a campaign of ethnic cleansing that forced some 750,000 Rohingyas of Rakhine to flee to Bangladesh since August 2017.

January 4, 2019
January 4, 2019

Polls Violence: HRW calls for neutral probe body

The Human Rights Watch has called for an independent and impartial commission to investigate the serious allegations of abuses, including attacks on opposition party men, voter intimidation, vote rigging, and partisan behaviour of the election officials before and during the just-held national elections of Bangladesh.

December 22, 2018
December 22, 2018

Protect candidates to ensure a credible election: HRW

A repressive political environment in Bangladesh ahead of the December 30, 2018 national elections is undermining the credibility of the process, Human Rights Watch says in a report.

December 20, 2018
December 20, 2018

Disband 'biased' panel on crimes against Rohingya: HRW

Human Rights Watch says Myanmar should disband its commission of inquiry into abuses in Rakhine state because it is clearly unwilling to seriously investigate alleged grave crimes against ethnic Rohingya.

November 27, 2018
November 27, 2018

HRW asks Argentina to probe Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi

Human Rights Watch has asked Argentina to use a war crimes clause in its constitution to investigate the role of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in possible crimes against humanity in Yemen and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

November 15, 2018
November 15, 2018

Halt Rohingya repatriation plan: HRW

The Bangladesh government should follow the recommendations of senior United Nations refugee and human rights officials and immediately halt the proposed repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, Human Rights Watch says.

September 26, 2018
September 26, 2018

Tool ripe for abuse: HRW

The Digital Security Act, which replaces the much-criticised Information and Communication Technology Act, retains the most problematic provisions of the ICT law and adds more provisions criminalising peaceful speech, Human Rights Watch said yesterday.