https://voiceandwitness.com/2026-08-21https://voiceandwitness.com/share-home.svg https://voiceandwitness.com/news/hong-kong-convictions-underline/2026-08-21https://voiceandwitness.com/share-hong-kong-convictions-underline.svgCamera man, hong kong, people, pride, parade, colorful. Human RightsAmnesty International condemns convictions of Tiananmen vigil organizers under Hong Kong's National Security Law (Source: Amnesty International) https://voiceandwitness.com/news/hamas-must-end-extrajudicial/2026-08-21https://voiceandwitness.com/share-hamas-must-end-extrajudicial.svgAn emergency worker in an orange vest prays on a street in Gaza, depicting a moment of faith...Amnesty International calls on Hamas to stop extrajudicial executions and ensure justice for victims in the occupied Gaza Strip (Source: Amnesty International) https://voiceandwitness.com/news/israel-opt-siege-palestinian/2026-08-21https://voiceandwitness.com/share-israel-opt-siege-palestinian.svgPeople at a rally holding signs advocating for Palestinian freedom. Human Rights close upAmnesty International condemns the siege of Palestinian homes in Qusra by Israeli settlers, highlighting the relentless escalation of state-backed settler violence in the occupied West Bank. https://voiceandwitness.com/news/azerbaijan-jails-journalist-denies/2026-08-21https://voiceandwitness.com/share-azerbaijan-jails-journalist-denies.svgJournalist, reportage, media, news, camera, reporter. Human Rights equipmentAzerbaijani authorities are refusing medical care to a jailed journalist with a serious breathing disorder (Source: Human Rights Watch) https://voiceandwitness.com/news/americas-regional-conference-urged/2026-08-20https://voiceandwitness.com/share-americas-regional-conference-urged.svgWomen's march, political, rally, human, rights, women. Human RightsThe Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean must prioritize gender equality and uphold international commitments (Source: Amnesty International) https://voiceandwitness.com/news/young-activists-leading-charge/2026-08-20https://voiceandwitness.com/share-young-activists-leading-charge.svgProtestors march with handmade signs in Erlangen, Germany, advocating environmental change...Three young activists, Pablo, Dina, and Christopher, are making a difference in their communities through Amnesty International's Digital Disruptors project, addressing issues such as LGBTIQ+... https://voiceandwitness.com/news/ecuador-sanctions-against-yasun/2026-08-20https://voiceandwitness.com/share-ecuador-sanctions-against-yasun.svgA dynamic political protest in Manila, Philippines with colorful banners and peaceful...Three years after a referendum to protect Yasuní National Park, Ecuadorian authorities have yet to implement the results, while defenders face sanctions and harassment. https://voiceandwitness.com/news/italy-offshore-detention-agreement/2026-08-20https://voiceandwitness.com/share-italy-offshore-detention-agreement.svgPeace, love, still life, closeup, symbol, sign. Human RightsAmnesty International has criticized Italy's offshore detention agreement with Albania, citing human rights violations and unnecessary cruelty towards migrants and asylum seekers. https://voiceandwitness.com/news/us-sanctions-icc-president/2026-08-20https://voiceandwitness.com/share-us-sanctions-icc-president.svgMan, lawyer, office, desk, computer, advocacy. Human Rights professional photographyThe US government has designated two additional International Criminal Court officials for sanctions, including the ICC president, Tomoko Akane, from Japan. (Source: Human Rights Watch) https://voiceandwitness.com/news/israel-opens-tender-illegal/2026-08-20https://voiceandwitness.com/share-israel-opens-tender-illegal.svgA peaceful protest in Berlin featuring Palestinian flags and diverse participants. Human RightsThe Israeli government has opened a new tender for the construction of 1,234 housing units in the E1 settlement project, a move that has been condemned by human rights groups and other countries. https://voiceandwitness.com/news/mali-russia-africa-corps/2026-08-20https://voiceandwitness.com/share-mali-russia-africa-corps.svgPeople, ladies, girls, colors, flags, advocacy. Human Rights professional photographyHuman Rights Watch reports that Russian government-controlled Africa Corps forces have summarily killed nine civilians, including four children, and beaten dozens of others in central Mali. https://voiceandwitness.com/news/west-bank-israel-backed/2026-08-20https://voiceandwitness.com/share-west-bank-israel-backed.svgWoman holding a sign advocating for women's fundamental rights indoors. Human RightsEscalating settler attacks in the West Bank have led to the displacement of 107 communities, with many more at risk of erasure, according to Human Rights Watch. (Source: Human Rights Watch) https://voiceandwitness.com/news/us-sanctions-international-criminal/2026-08-19https://voiceandwitness.com/share-us-sanctions-international-criminal.svgEye, close up, vision, macro. Human RightsThe US government has designated two additional International Criminal Court officials for sanctions, drawing criticism from Human Rights Watch. (Source: Human Rights Watch) https://voiceandwitness.com/news/argentina-surveillance-state-expands/2026-08-19https://voiceandwitness.com/share-argentina-surveillance-state-expands.svgOld parliament house, canberra, australia, capital, government, landmark. Human Rights PoliticsAmnesty International reports that Argentina's government has expanded its surveillance capabilities, creating a chilling effect on rights to privacy and freedom of expression. https://voiceandwitness.com/news/russia-sentences-anti-war/2026-08-19https://voiceandwitness.com/share-russia-sentences-anti-war.svgHuman, indonesia, motorcycle, people, ride, road. Human Rights people workingAmnesty International condemns the sentencing of Lev Shlosberg, deputy chair of the Yabloko party, to 11 years and one month in prison for participating in an anti-war debate and sharing a social... https://voiceandwitness.com/news/iraq-government-must-deliver/2026-08-19https://voiceandwitness.com/share-iraq-government-must-deliver.svgDivorce, justice, dictionary, right, legal, separation. Human Rights PoliticsAmnesty International has called on Iraq's government to end impunity for human rights violations, uphold women's and girls' rights, and guarantee fundamental freedoms. https://voiceandwitness.com/news/bangladesh-war-crimes-tribunal/2026-08-18https://voiceandwitness.com/share-bangladesh-war-crimes-tribunal.svgExpression, man, safety, helmet, industry, builder. Human Rights equipmentThe International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh has issued fresh warrants for three journalists, Shyamal Dutta, Mozammel Babu, and Farzana Rupa, over their questions at a press conference. https://voiceandwitness.com/news/drc-internet-mobile-shutdown/2026-08-18https://voiceandwitness.com/share-drc-internet-mobile-shutdown.svgMobile, smartphone, old human, seniors, communication, phone. Human Rights technologyAuthorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have maintained a month-long shutdown of mobile and internet services in Fizi Territory, South Kivu, restricting communication and press... https://voiceandwitness.com/news/brazilian-journalism-coalition-calls/2026-08-18https://voiceandwitness.com/share-brazilian-journalism-coalition-calls.svgAttorney, law, text of the law, lawyer, paragraph, jus. Human RightsThe Committee to Protect Journalists and nine other organizations condemn the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court's decision to violate a journalist's constitutional right to source confidentiality. https://voiceandwitness.com/news/us-ice-deploy-electric/2026-08-18https://voiceandwitness.com/share-us-ice-deploy-electric.svgProtesters in a rally holding signs for equal rights and freedom. Human RightsThe US Department of Homeland Security plans to purchase electric shock gloves for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, sparking concerns over the potential health risks and abuse of... https://voiceandwitness.com/news/ethiopia-assault-independent-media/2026-08-18https://voiceandwitness.com/share-ethiopia-assault-independent-media.svgIndustry, source, employee, work, metal, welder. Human Rights industryEthiopian authorities are intensifying their crackdown on independent media, detaining and harassing journalists and media outlets. (Source: Human Rights Watch) https://voiceandwitness.com/news/thai-authorities-face-criticism/2026-08-18https://voiceandwitness.com/share-thai-authorities-face-criticism.svgA photojournalist capturing a pivotal moment at a Black Lives Matter protest. Human Rights...Human Rights Watch has called on Thai authorities to halt the deportation of 26 ethnic Karen villagers from Phetchaburi province to Myanmar, citing concerns over their safety and potential human... https://voiceandwitness.com/news/iraq-man-dies-police/2026-08-18https://voiceandwitness.com/share-iraq-man-dies-police.svgSilhouette teamwork, trust, mountain, climbing, togetherness, people. Human Rights people workingA 22-year-old man detained for drug use died in police custody in Najaf, Iraq, after being removed from a hospital while receiving treatment for severe abdominal pain. (Source: Human Rights Watch) https://voiceandwitness.com/news/technology-expands-ice-capacity/2026-08-18https://voiceandwitness.com/share-technology-expands-ice-capacity.svgPerson, human, female, face, hair, tangled hair. Human Rights professional photographyUS Congress members express concern over ICE's use of surveillance technology and access to personal data, raising fears of increased abuse and human rights violations. (Source: Human Rights Watch) https://voiceandwitness.com/news/indigenous-farmer-indonesia-acquitted/2026-08-17https://voiceandwitness.com/share-indigenous-farmer-indonesia-acquitted.svgA close-up of a worn, wooden Supreme Court bench in Indonesia, with a single, empty chair at its...A Supreme Court in Indonesia has upheld the acquittal of an Indigenous Dayak farmer who was charged with stabbing other protesters in a coal mining protest. (Source: Human Rights Watch) https://voiceandwitness.com/news/australia-should-press-vietnam/2026-08-17https://voiceandwitness.com/share-australia-should-press-vietnam.svgA close-up of a worn, leather-bound document with a golden seal in the center, partially...Human Rights Watch calls on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to raise concerns about Vietnam's poor human rights record during a meeting with the country's leader. https://voiceandwitness.com/news/us-military-faces-criticism/2026-08-17https://voiceandwitness.com/share-us-military-faces-criticism.svgA dimly lit, empty courtroom bench in the foreground, with a single, flickering fluorescent...The US Department of Defense has submitted a report to Congress highlighting its record of compliance with the law of war, but human rights groups argue that the report masks the reality of... https://voiceandwitness.com/news/liberia-ends-primary-school/2026-08-17https://voiceandwitness.com/share-liberia-ends-primary-school.svgA worn, wooden school desk stands alone in the center of a dimly lit, empty classroom, with a...Liberia's government has announced the elimination of school registration fees for kindergarten through grade 6, aiming to make primary education more accessible and equitable for all. https://voiceandwitness.com/news/rkiye-seeks-transfer-us-a47d9c/2026-08-17https://voiceandwitness.com/share-rkiye-seeks-transfer-us-a47d9c.svgA close-up of a cluster munition rocket, partially disassembled on a plain, grey workbench, with...Human Rights Watch has expressed concern over Türkiye's proposal to transfer tens of thousands of cluster munition rockets, missiles, and artillery projectiles to Ukraine, citing the humanitarian... https://voiceandwitness.com/news/vietnam-urged-reject-repressive-924b14/2026-08-17https://voiceandwitness.com/share-vietnam-urged-reject-repressive-924b14.svgA dimly lit, empty chamber of the Vietnamese National Assembly, with a single spotlight casting...Human Rights Watch calls on Vietnamese authorities to reject proposed revisions to the penal code that violate basic rights and instead amend the law to comply with international human rights... https://voiceandwitness.com/news/us-activates-long-unused-1f0a7a/2026-08-17https://voiceandwitness.com/share-us-activates-long-unused-1f0a7a.svgA dimly lit, empty bench in the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, with a worn wooden plaque on the...The US government has filed its first application with the Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC), a specialized federal court created in 1996 to hear deportation proceedings against noncitizens... https://voiceandwitness.com/news/rights-groups-sue-trump-a9592b/2026-08-17https://voiceandwitness.com/share-rights-groups-sue-trump-a9592b.svgA close-up photograph of a federal courthouse entrance, with a shallow depth of field and...Four human rights groups have filed a lawsuit in US federal court challenging the Trump administration's sanctions against ICC prosecutors and judges, a UN human rights expert, and three... https://voiceandwitness.com/news/russia-cluster-munition-attack-c20224/2026-08-16https://voiceandwitness.com/share-russia-cluster-munition-attack-c20224.svgProtesters gathered outdoors holding signs demanding economic justice and workers' rights. Human...Human Rights Watch has accused Russia of using cluster munitions in an attack on Kyiv, potentially committing a war crime. The attack killed three people and endangered civilians in the... https://voiceandwitness.com/news/pakistan-urged-probe-deaths-baa1f4/2026-08-16https://voiceandwitness.com/share-pakistan-urged-probe-deaths-baa1f4.svgRed Cross worker assisting a homeless man outdoors with kindness. Human Rights close upHuman Rights Watch calls for an independent investigation into the deaths of a woman and a 17-year-old girl in police custody in Lahore, highlighting concerns over torture and accountability... https://voiceandwitness.com/news/us-federal-agencies-abandon-fd055d/2026-08-16https://voiceandwitness.com/share-us-federal-agencies-abandon-fd055d.svgPeople, portrait, face, human, photography, eyes. Human Rights professional photographyHuman Rights Watch reports that the Trump administration has gutted federal civil rights enforcement in the US, leaving people without adequate remedies. (Source: Human Rights Watch) https://voiceandwitness.com/news/taliban-forcibly-disappears-six-1e2176/2026-08-16https://voiceandwitness.com/share-taliban-forcibly-disappears-six-1e2176.svgLady justice, jurisdiction, straight, scale, right, court of law. Human RightsTaliban authorities in Afghanistan have forcibly disappeared six staff members of the Women and Children Legal Research Foundation (WCLRF) since July 18, 2026. The detained individuals have not... https://voiceandwitness.com/news/un-urged-keep-international-877f26/2026-08-16https://voiceandwitness.com/share-un-urged-keep-international-877f26.svgPerson, human, girl, face, eyes, wood. Human Rights close upHuman Rights Watch has called on the United Nations Security Council to extend the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) beyond its planned withdrawal at the end of 2026, citing... https://voiceandwitness.com/news/russia-supreme-court-bars-343816/2026-08-16https://voiceandwitness.com/share-russia-supreme-court-bars-343816.svgProtest for labor rights featuring diverse participants holding placards and an umbrella for...Russia's Supreme Court has canceled the registration of the opposition party Yabloko for the upcoming State Duma elections, citing intellectual property rights violations and foreign funding. https://voiceandwitness.com/news/south-africa-urged-champion-74a9e6/2026-08-16https://voiceandwitness.com/share-south-africa-urged-champion-74a9e6.svgSmiling woman holding a colorful sign advocating for women's rights in a bright indoor setting...South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the Taliban's systematic oppression of women and girls in Afghanistan as gender apartheid. Human Rights Watch and Afghan activists call for... https://voiceandwitness.com/news/chinese-interrogations-uyghur-australians-23d86d/2026-08-16https://voiceandwitness.com/share-chinese-interrogations-uyghur-australians-23d86d.svgCrowd gathering with colorful signs demanding human rights and freedom in a peaceful protest...Human Rights Watch reports that Chinese authorities are questioning Uyghur Australians during trips to Xinjiang and demanding information on community members back in Australia, prompting calls... https://voiceandwitness.com/rights/2026-08-21 https://voiceandwitness.com/themes/2026-08-21 https://voiceandwitness.com/topics/sec-themes/2026-08-21 https://voiceandwitness.com/about/ https://voiceandwitness.com/sources-and-methods/ https://voiceandwitness.com/corrections/