Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organisation devoted to researching and advocating for the protection of human rights around the world. Headquartered in New York City, it documents serious abuses including war crimes, crimes against humanity, human trafficking, torture, child labour and discrimination, while also promoting the rights of women, LGBTQ communities, refugees, migrants and political prisoners. Through detailed reporting and public advocacy, the organisation exerts pressure on governments, corporations and influential individuals to uphold internationally recognised human rights norms.

Historical Development

Human Rights Watch originated in 1978 as Helsinki Watch, founded by Robert L. Bernstein, Jeri Laber and Aryeh Neier. Its initial aim was to monitor the Soviet Union’s compliance with the human rights provisions of the 1975 Helsinki Accords. Helsinki Watch quickly developed a strategy of “naming and shaming”, using public exposure to influence governments that violated human rights obligations.
Inspired by its success, additional regional committees formed throughout the 1980s, including Americas Watch (1981), Asia Watch (1985), Africa Watch (1988) and Middle East Watch (1989). Americas Watch played a significant role during the civil conflicts in Central America, documenting abuses by state and non-state actors and scrutinising foreign involvement, particularly that of the United States.
In 1988 these committees united under the umbrella name Human Rights Watch. Over the following decades, the organisation expanded its thematic reach and global presence. It became a founding member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which led to the Ottawa Treaty, and shared the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for its contribution. It also played a key role in advocating for the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Recent activities reflect engagement with major geopolitical issues. In 2021, Human Rights Watch released a report characterising certain Israeli policies as amounting to apartheid, calling for investigation by the International Criminal Court. During the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests, China sanctioned HRW’s then–executive director, Kenneth Roth, leading the organisation to relocate its monitoring operations for Hong Kong. In 2023, Bahrain denied HRW staff entry to observe the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly despite the organisation’s observer status.

Mission and Principles

Human Rights Watch bases its work on the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It opposes violations such as capital punishment, discriminatory legislation and restrictions on freedoms of expression, religion and the press. The organisation seeks to influence abusive governments by mobilising global pressure, persuading powerful allies to intervene diplomatically and publicising abuses through detailed documentation.
HRW’s researchers carry out field investigations, meet with victims, review evidence and maintain regular contact with local actors. They produce public reports on issues such as corruption, discrimination, torture, unlawful detention, the use of child soldiers and abuses within criminal justice systems. HRW has also reported extensively on violations of international humanitarian law in conflict zones including Yemen.
Beyond documentation, HRW provides support to individuals persecuted for their work. The Hellman–Hammett grants, funded from the estates of Lillian Hellman and Dashiell Hammett, offer financial assistance to writers targeted for defending human rights. The organisation also awards the annual Human Rights Defenders Award to frontline activists who demonstrate exceptional courage.

Activities and Global Presence

Human Rights Watch participates in international coalitions that promote the abolition of harmful practices. It was a founding member of the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers and co-chairs the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. It co-founded the Cluster Munition Coalition, which achieved an international ban on cluster munitions. HRW is also a founding member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, a global network monitoring censorship and threats to free expression.
The organisation employs more than 275 staff, including country specialists, lawyers, academics and journalists, and works in more than ninety countries. It maintains offices in major global cities such as Amsterdam, Beirut, Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Nairobi, Paris, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Washington, D.C. and Zürich.
Despite broad access, HRW staff are not permitted entry into a number of countries, including Cuba, North Korea, Sudan, Iran, Egypt, Israel, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. These restrictions reflect the political sensitivity surrounding independent monitoring of human rights practices.
Leadership has also shaped the organisation’s evolution. Kenneth Roth served as executive director from 1993 until 2022, known for his extensive investigative work and personal commitment shaped by family history linked to the Nazi era. His successor, Tirana Hassan, served from 2023 to early 2025, bringing extensive experience from global humanitarian organisations such as Médecins Sans Frontières, UNICEF and Amnesty International.

Issues and Campaigns

Human Rights Watch regularly addresses a wide array of issues, including:

• violations of international humanitarian law
• mistreatment of prisoners and detainees
• child soldier recruitment
• corruption and abuses of power
• discrimination in social and legal systems
• attacks on press freedom and free expression
• reproductive rights and criminalisation of abortion

The organisation’s reports provide evidence-based analysis and often serve as catalysts for legislative reform, diplomatic intervention or sanctions. HRW also monitors the conduct of warring parties in active conflicts, documenting unlawful attacks, indiscriminate weapons use and impediments to humanitarian access.

Comparison with Amnesty International

Although both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International operate globally and publish reports on human rights violations, their methods and structures differ significantly. Amnesty International functions as a mass-membership organisation, relying heavily on grassroots mobilisation and public campaigns. Human Rights Watch focuses primarily on producing research-intensive reports that are used to influence policymakers directly. HRW’s approach is therefore more specialised and elite-driven, whereas Amnesty’s is broader and more participatory.