Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is a prominent international non-governmental organization that investigates and reports on human rights abuses worldwide. It advocates for policy changes to promote respect for human rights and international justice. HRW is newsworthy due to its recent reports on critical human rights issues in various regions. Specifically, HRW has documented the killing of over 1,800 civilians in Burkina Faso since the 2022 coup, implicating both government forces and jihadist groups in war crimes and crimes against humanity. It has also reported on Israel's use of white phosphorus in southern Lebanon and the mass displacement of Lebanese civilians, raising concerns about potential war crimes. Furthermore, HRW's annual World Report 2026 warns that the global system of human rights is under threat due to pressure from major powers like the US, China, and Russia. These reports highlight HRW's ongoing role in monitoring and exposing human rights violations and advocating for accountability.