Human rights

UN Watch demands democracies explain election of human rights abusers to UN positions

In UN Watch's press release, the NGO cited the UN's Economic and Social Council's (ECOSOC) recent nomination of Iran to the UN’s Committee for Program and Coordination.

UN HIGH COMMISSIONER for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet makes a speech at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, in February.
MK Gilad Kariv pictured in the Knesset, January 26, 2026.

MK Kariv, Zulat Institute, Rabbis for Human Rights ask High Court to strike down death penalty law

A view of a residential building damaged by a strike in Tehran, Iran, March 23, 2026.

US strikes on Iran may constitute war crimes, international law experts announce

An image from a Women, Life, Freedom protest in Washington, DC in 2023.

Iran executes man allegedly tied to attack on military site during mass protests


Eliya Cohen calls for hostages to 'press button' on Hamas terrorists as death penalty bill advances

"Raping, murdering, smashing heads, desecrating bodies, burning babies, kidnapping civilians, and torturing them 24/7, is that not a violation of the international convention?" said Cohen.

Eliya Cohen, a hostage held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, is escorted by Hamas militants as he is released as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025.

Maduro ally Saab arrested in Venezuela, US official says

Venezuelan official Alex Saab was reportedly arrested in a joint US-Venezuelan operation, though his lawyer and government aligned figures denied the claim as conflicting accounts emerged.

Nicolas Maduro and Colombian businessman Alex Saab attend an event, in Caracas, Venezuela January 23, 2024; illustrative.

Human Rights researchers resign over ‘pulled’ report accusing Israel of 'crimes against humanity'

HRW said they concluded “aspects of the research and the factual basis for our legal conclusions needed to be strengthened to meet Human Rights Watch’s high standards.”

 A Human Rights Watch flag is pictured on the Mont-Blanc bridge in Geneva, Switzerland, November 7, 2024.

When war reporting turns into doxing, it risks lives and erodes trust in journalism - editorial

Publishing names tied to war crimes allegations without airtight verification is becoming a fast way to endanger people and erode trust in journalism.

Disproportionate coverage of Israel in global media

Iran regime using hospitals as traps to harm protesters, doctors that provide aid - report

Rights groups say wounded Iranians avoid clinics as security forces detain patients and punish medics, while a surgeon now faces a capital charge for aiding protesters.

A woman holds a placard during a demonstration in solidarity with protestors living in Iran, in Israel's central city of Holon on January 24, 2026.

Iran’s rial hits historic low: Over 1.5 million rials to a dollar

Essentials such as food, medicine, and clothing have become increasingly unaffordable, while the minimum monthly wage has fallen to roughly $100.

People walk past a sign at a currency exchange as the value of the Iranian Rial drops, in Tehran, Iran, February 9, 2025

'Jews are hated because of Abraham's God': Bishop Schirrmacher against antisemitism - interview

For Schirrmacher, the connection to Israel was not merely theological.

Exclusive Interview with Bishop Thomas Paul Schirrmacher at  the Conference of European Rabbis.

Leaks from Iranian officials to Western media indicate growing levels of dissent in regime - report

The leaked information threatens the regime’s narrative of violent foreign-backed terrorist organizations killing civilians and protesters and causing unrest.

People attend the funeral of the security forces who were killed in the protests that erupted over the collapse of the currency's value in Tehran, Iran, January 14, 2026.

Venezuela frees at least 104 political prisoners as interim government continues releases

They were released from prisons across the country, and more releases were likely taking place, said Alfredo Romero, the director of Venezuelan human rights group Foro Penal.

A person holds a Venezuelan flag as Venezuelans living in Costa Rica demonstrate for a democratic transition, after the US launched strikes on Venezuela, capturing its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, in San Jose, Costa Rica January 4, 2026

Iran security forces shoved wounded protesters into body bags, executed live patients in hospitals

In a shocking revelation, the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center has reported the case of a young, wounded protester who survived by pretending to be dead inside a body bag.

 People gather during protest on January 8, 2026 in Tehran, Iran.