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

  • September 10, 2024

    Statement: Mauritius Extends Universal Child Benefits

    20 civil society organizations, which jointly advocate for the right to social security, commend the Government of Mauritius for its decision to extend the universal child benefit, called the Contribution Sociale Généralisée (CSG) Child Allowance, for another year.
  • June 1, 2024

    A Proud Record Tackling the Scourge of Landmines

    This year marks 25 years since an international ban on antipersonnel landmines came into force, an achievement for which Human Rights Watch shared the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize as a founding member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL).
    The winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Jody Williams bows in front of Cambodian Tun Channereth, who holds the International Campaign to Ban Landmines diploma and medal, on her way to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo City Hall, December 10, 1997.
  • May 8, 2024

    Indonesian Government Acts to Protect Student Media

    As student journalists in Indonesia face increasing intimidation, censorship, and newsroom closures, the Ministry of Education has agreed to have the national Press Council mediate all defamation disputes involving student journalists and publications. It’s an important step toward better protecting student media in the country.
    Participants at a student-journalist organized conference on the “legal umbrella” (payung hukum) of laws and regulations that protect media outlets, in Solo, Central Java, May 2023.
  • May 2, 2024

    Nepal's Opportunity to Protect Children in New Budget

    When Nepal’s Finance Minister Barshaman Pun presents the budget on May 28, he has an opportunity to extend the country’s Child Grant program. Doing so would advance the economic and social rights of Nepali children, helping families across the country.
    A woman and two young girls sit at a bus station
  • November 27, 2023

    A Tale of Forest and People´s Survival

    As representatives of the world’s governments arrive in the air-conditioned conference rooms of the UN’s crucial COP28 climate summit in the United Arab Emirates, the future of the Amazon is being forged in remote places where local residents face ruthless forces of destruction. Rainforests are immense carbon sinks and preserving them is key to mitigating climate change.
    Terra Nossa settlement, where illegal logging takes place, September 30, 2019.
  • October 4, 2023

    Australians with Disabilities Face Pervasive Abuse

    After a four-and-a-half-year national investigation involving over 9,000 accounts and 32 public hearings, an Australian commission issued a comprehensive and incriminating 4,872-page report on abuses against people with disabilities.
    A prisoner with an assistive chair in Wolston Correctional Centre, Queensland.
  • September 6, 2023

    A Victory for Labor Rights and Transparency in Georgia

    In a positive step for workers’ rights, Georgia’s Labor Inspectorate has reversed its decision to conceal employers’ names from its inspection reports, which had effectively protected rights-abusing companies from public scrutiny.
    Workers dig up the side of a road in Tbilisi, Georgia, March 23, 2018.