Impact

By investigating and exposing human rights abuses, we work to create a world where everyone is treated fairly and equitably, no matter their race, religion, or beliefs. We call for action so that people who disagree with their government can speak their opinions freely, so that children are protected, and refugees cared for. All of us, regardless of who we are, who we love, or the color of our skin, should be able to enjoy fully our human rights.

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Change is sometimes immediate, sometimes incremental. We work on issues for years and know from experience how to transform deep-rooted problems. Here are examples of some of the recent impact we have made, together with our partners, in advancing human rights around the world.

How do we bring about change?

Investigate
Our researchers investigate human rights abuses, first by speaking with victims or witnesses. We corroborate their stories using a variety of sources, including government records, weapons’ fragments, satellite imagery, and the statements of accused perpetrators – be they members of governments, armed groups, or companies. We often do this work together with partner activists.

Expose
We share this information widely, in multiple languages, to help shape public debate. Our reports, videos, and social media posts show up hundreds of times daily in news media around the world, bringing both global and local attention to our rigorously fact-checked findings.

Change
Often in coalition with local groups, we bring our findings to officials who have the power to change things. For every issue we work on, we make specific, concrete policy recommendations that will bring people justice, prevent future abuses, and protect human rights.

Our work has been instrumental in some foundational victories for human rights, including our work on banning landmines worldwide, for which we and our partners received the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize. Below are some examples of our historic impact.

All impact

  • November 20, 2025

    Dominican Republic: Court Ends Security Forces Gay Sex Ban

    The Dominican Republic’s Constitutional Court has struck down provisions in the Codes of Justice of the National Police and the Armed Forces that criminalized consensual same-sex conduct by officers, Human Rights Watch said today. The ruling, made public on November 18, 2025, is a landmark victory for equality, ending a regime of state-sanctioned discrimination that violated the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) officers.
    Officers of the Dominican Republic's armed forces take part in a parade to celebrate the country's independence in Santo Domingo on February 27, 2012.
  • June 25, 2025

    New Global Coalition Urges Rights-Based Climate Relocation Policies

    Last week, Human Rights Watch hosted the launch of the “Coalition on Dignified Climate-related Planned Relocation,” a new global alliance working to ensure communities forced to plan relocations due to climate change can do so on their own terms and with dignity.
    The Coalition on Dignified Climate-related Planned Relocation, New York City, June 19, 2025.
  • June 13, 2025

    Japan Acts to Protect Athletes from Abuse

    This month, the Japanese National Diet passed a revision to the Basic Act on Sport (2011), requiring the national and local governments to adopt measures against any form of physical or sexual abuse, and against verbal and other abuse when committed by coaches and others in positions of power.
    Collage of sports photos
  • February 25, 2025

    Wins for People with Disabilities in Mexico, Costa Rica

    People with disabilities have seen two major policy wins in the Americas this fall, one in Mexico City and the other in Costa Rica. Both victories help guarantee equal legal recognition for all people.
    Marite Fernández and disability rights adovocates demonstrate before the Mexican Senate demanding the right to full legal capacity, Mexico City, Mexico, 2007.
  • January 21, 2025

    US Health Agency Calls for Intersex Informed Consent

    The United States Health and Human Services Department (HHS) published a landmark report on intersex health equity last week, calling for an end to medically unnecessary non-consensual surgeries on children born with intersex variations.
    People rally to end intersex surgeries in New York City, October 27, 2018. 
  • January 16, 2025

    US Commits to Protecting Education during Conflict

    Today the United States endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration, a political commitment to protect education during war. By signing, the US joins 120 countries working together to protect students, teachers, and schools from violent attacks.
    A school guard walks in the corridor of a school which was heavily damaged after a Russian airstrike in Mohrytsia, Ukraine, August 14, 2024.
  • January 8, 2025

    Jimmy Carter’s Post-Presidential Human Rights Legacy

    The late US President Jimmy Carter’s human rights legacy includes his role long after leaving office in 1981. His partnership with Human Rights Watch and many other nongovernmental organizations helped achieve important advances in international law, including treaties to hold war criminals to account, to prohibit landmines and cluster munitions, and to ban the use of children as soldiers.
    Former US President Jimmy Carter.