https://voiceandwitness.com/2026-08-22https://voiceandwitness.com/share-home.svg https://voiceandwitness.com/news/japan-first-execution-under/2026-08-22https://voiceandwitness.com/share-japan-first-execution-under.svgPeace, quiet, conversations, peace talks, talk, country.Japan's First Execution Under Prime Minister Takaichi Condemned (Source: FIDH) https://voiceandwitness.com/news/hong-kong-convictions-underline/2026-08-21https://voiceandwitness.com/share-hong-kong-convictions-underline.svgA large group of people are gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial, holding signs that read...Amnesty 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.svgThree hands holding up handwritten signs with messages about Gaza, set against a blurred...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.svgA crowd of people holding signs, with one sign prominently displaying the message "FROM THE...Amnesty 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.svgA man holding a microphone with a red and white logo, surrounded by a crowd of people, some of...Azerbaijani 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.svgA woman holding a sign with a red and blue design featuring a woman's face and the words "A...The 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.svgA crowd of people is gathered in front of a statue, holding signs with messages such as "Respect...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 woman stands in the foreground, wearing a green shirt and holding a sign with Spanish text...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.svgA lit tealight candle with a metal peace sign on top, placed on a dark surface.Amnesty 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.svgA person in a business suit holding a pen over a document on a wooden desk.The 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 crowd of people gathered in a city street, with many holding Palestinian flags.The 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.svgA group of people are gathered in a grassy area, with some holding signs and flags, while others...Human 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.svgA crowd of people is walking down a tree-lined street, carrying signs that read "Freedom...Escalating 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.svgA close-up of a human eye, with the iris, pupil, and eyelashes visible.The 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.svgA large white building with a row of flags in front of it, and three cars driving on the road in...Amnesty 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.svgA crowd of people is gathered outdoors, with one person holding a sign that reads "FIGHT FOR...Amnesty 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.svgA woman holding a sign that reads "WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS" in front of a white wall.Amnesty 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.svgA construction worker in a hard hat and safety vest crouching on a metal grid, with another...The 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.svgAn elderly person's hands holding a black smartphone, with the person wearing a gray sweater and...Authorities 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.svgAn open book with a page featuring a title and text in a foreign language.The 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.svgA person wearing gloves and holding a large metal object, with sparks flying from the object.The 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.Ethiopian 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.svgTwo individuals are holding signs with messages advocating for human rights and against hate...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.svgA crowd of people is gathered around a police van, with some individuals holding signs and...A 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.svgA young girl with long blonde hair and bangs, wearing a fur coat, looking directly at the camera.US 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 man holding a sign that reads "PEACEFULLY" and "Justice" in front of a white brick wall.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 man holding a sign that reads "HUMAN RIGHTS!" in black letters on a brown background.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.svgIn this black-and-white photograph, a crowd of people is gathered, holding signs with various...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 raised fist with a yellow wristband featuring the word "UKRAINE" in black letters.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.svgThe image displays a simple, handwritten-style message on a dark brown background, with the text...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 woman stands in front of a tree, holding a megaphone and surrounded by two men on either side...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 person wearing a white t-shirt with black text, a wooden object, and a round pin with the...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.svgA crowd of people holding a sign that reads "STOP PUTIN END WAR" and waving Ukrainian flags in...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.svgTwo handwritten signs, one white and one brown, with the words "HUMAN RIGHTS" and "EQUALITY"...Human 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.svgA crowd of people is gathered, with some individuals holding signs that read "HUMAN RIGHTS =...Human 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.svgTwo women standing in front of a white brick wall, with one woman holding a sign that reads...Taliban 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.svgA faded green paper with the text "Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights" and...Human 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.svgA vintage typewriter with a piece of paper inserted, featuring the typed text "FREEDOM OF...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.svgA woman holding a sign that reads "WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS" in front of a white wall and...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.svgA crowd of people is gathered, holding signs and umbrellas, with some individuals wearing hats...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/2026-08-22 https://voiceandwitness.com/themes/2026-08-20 https://voiceandwitness.com/topics/sec-themes/2026-08-20 https://voiceandwitness.com/about/ https://voiceandwitness.com/sources-and-methods/ https://voiceandwitness.com/corrections/