What happens when your island disappears? Academy Award–nominated actor and human rights advocate @MarkRuffalo has joined forces with Human Rights Watch, NowHere Media, and Agog to narrate "Solwata," a new immersive documentary spotlighting the human consequences of climate change in the Pacific nation of Solomon Islands. Drawing on Human Rights Watch research and the lived experiences of coastal communities confronting rising seas, displacement, and planned relocation, the 25-minute immersive experience invites audiences to walk alongside the communities of Solomon Islands as they grapple with the effects of devastating tides and rising sea levels. "Solwata," or "saltwater," in Solomon Islands Pidgin, was created by NowHere Media and co-produced by Agog and Human Rights Watch. The film will premiere at Venice Immersive, the immersive section of the Venice International Film Festival (September 2–12). Learn more: solwata.com/

Today, October 22nd, is Ahmed Mansoor’s birthday. Since 2017, Ahmed has spent his birthday behind bars, where he’s been arbitrarily imprisoned in an isolation cell in the United Arab Emirates. All charges on which he was convicted were based solely on his human rights advocacy. Emirati authorities should #FreeAhmed. #BirthdayWishes4Ahmed

Burkina Faso’s unelected parliament has unanimously adopted a new penal code that restores the death penalty for some crimes. Reinstating capital punishment sends a chilling message to critics of the military junta and risks becoming another tool to suppress dissent. hrw.org/news/2026/10/21/burk…

NEW: The Vietnamese government is systematically suppressing the rights of workers to organize independent unions despite trade agreements that require it to support labor rights. By enabling artificially low labor costs, Vietnamese companies are allowed unfair trade advantages. To Lam, President of Vietnam and Communist Party General Secretary, visits the EU this week. Trading partners need to make one thing clear: broken pledges will carry consequences. Learn more: bit.ly/4jCKZUt

Saudi authorities have executed Hassan Zaki al-Faraj for crimes allegedly committed when he was just 14 years old. His unconscionable death highlights the imminent risk of execution others face in Saudi Arabia for childhood offenses: hrw.org/news/2026/10/19/saud…

In a nationwide September poll, 40 percent of respondents said they expect some kind of ICE presence at polls in the US, with even higher percentages among non-white respondents expecting to see ICE agents in places people vote. The US government should order federal ICE officers not to operate in the vicinity of any voting locations during the midterm electoral period. hrw.org/news/2026/10/20/us-o…

Syria’s authorities are rebuilding the army and the security forces without women. Authorities have imposed admissions rules that bar women from most programs at two new state universities focused on defense and security. hrw.org/news/2026/10/16/syri…

"The pursuit of justice is precisely what is at stake today." HRW's Executive Director Philippe Bolopion (@Bolopion) discusses the importance of the International Criminal Court and shares how Human Rights Watch is fighting back to defend it.

Civilians in Mali are paying the price as fighting continues across the country. More than 400 civilians were killed between April and August 2026. The Malian military, armed groups, and insurgent forces are committing grave laws-of-war violations. Learn more: bit.ly/4k4sSqv