Human Rights Watch

In a significant step this week, the UK, France, and Canada announced a trade ban with Israel’s illegal settlements in the West Bank. Other countries and the European Union should follow suit, banning trade that supports Israel’s unlawful occupation, ethnic cleansing and apartheid.

Finding safety and refuge is a "human instinct," says HRW Africa Director Mausi Segun. "If we block all of the legal channels, it’s like water, it will find a way." Mausi Segun speaks to SABC News on migration:

Day after day, Iranian authorities are sending protesters, including teenagers, to the gallows. Our new report details the months-long brutal execution campaign. This and more in The Week in Rights.

Iranian authorities are unlawfully executing protesters and political dissidents on a weekly basis, a relentless attack on the right to life. Between March 18 and the end of August 2026, Iran’s authorities announced the executions of 29 people in connection with recent protests. Read more at the link in the comments.

From the red carpet to the roundtable, we’re seeing the power of immersive storytelling up close at Fondazione La Biennale di Venezia. Over the last week, Human Rights Watch and partners NowHere Media and Agog have been at #VeniceImmersive for the premiere of “Solwata,” an immersive documentary exploring the human rights consequences of climate change. “Solwata” transports people virtually into the stories of the Solomon Islanders who are confronting rising seas. By combining physical touch, virtual and real environments, spatial audio, and documentary storytelling, the film creates a deeply personal encounter. We are honored to share this experience with partners and attendees at the Venice International Film Festival. To learn more about “Solwata,” visit the link in the comments.

The United Kingdom, France, and Canada have announced a trade ban with Israel’s illegal settlements, joining Norway, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Belgium, who already adopted such measures.  Other governments and institutions, including the European Union as Israel’s main trading partner, should follow suit.

Recent use of white phosphorus munitions by Israeli forces in Lebanon underscores the need for regulations. Just how harmful are these weapons? Watch to learn more ⤵️

NEW: Women in South Korea face systemic gender discrimination at every stage of their working lives. These adverse impacts accumulate as women get older. In a new report, HRW found that the older women get, the fewer work opportunities they have, and the worse their working conditions become. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4xowIhq

As schools in Ukraine opened for the new academic year on September 1, repeated air raid alerts in Kyiv and elsewhere have disrupted classes and sent children into shelters, sometimes for hours. In Kyiv alone since February 2022, 314 educational facilities have been damaged, according to city authorities, including at least 107 so far in 2026.

Five years after the Taliban's takeover, women and girls in Afghanistan are being systematically denied their fundamental rights, while journalists, activists, and others face persecution for speaking out. The world cannot normalize relations with the Taliban while these abuses continue. Renew the UN expert's mandate. Fund and operationalize the new accountability mechanism. Stop forced returns to Afghanistan. Afghan victims and survivors have waited long enough for truth, justice, and reparation. Accountability cannot wait. Learn more⤵️