Environment and Human Rights
People around the world increasingly experience the devastating effects of environmental crises – from extreme weather, food insecurity, and health issues linked to water and air pollution, to the loss of land, biodiversity, and livelihoods. Inadequate regulation and enforcement of environmentally destructive sectors of the economy – including agricultural commodities, mining, and heavily polluting fossil-fuel industries – drives human rights violations. Governments still fall short of urgent and ambitious actions to keep global warming below 1.5 degree Celsius and prevent further devastation to the global environment. The primary victims of environmental harm are often impoverished and marginalized communities with limited opportunity to meaningfully participate in decision-making and public debate on environmental issues, and have little access to independent courts to achieve accountability and redress. Activists and ordinary citizens defending their rights to land and the environment face intimidation, legal harassment, and deadly violence. Human Rights Watch champions human rights law to force governments to protect people and prevent corporations from continuing to cause extreme environmental degradation.
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United States
January 25, 2024
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Americas
January 23, 2024
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Americas
January 11, 2024
Videos
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October 18, 2023
“We Still Haven’t Recovered”
Local Communities Harmed by Reclamation Projects in the Maldives
News
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January 25, 2024
US: Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’
Dire Health Crisis From Government Failure to Rein in Fossil Fuels
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January 23, 2024
Panama Moves Closer Towards First Climate-Related Relocation
Government Still Needs to Address Water, Sanitation, Health
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January 11, 2024
Brazil: Mixed Rights Record for Lula’s First Year
Administration Should Defend Human Rights Abroad Consistently
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January 11, 2024
UAE: Hosting COP28 Amid Longstanding Repression
‘Greenwashing’ Abuses; Fossil Fuel Expansion
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January 11, 2024
Yemen: Widespread Violations; No Access to Justice
Fulfill Right to Water, Electricity; End Abuse of Migrants; Provide Accountability
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December 18, 2023
Gulf States Treat Migrant Workforce as Disposable
Use International Migrants Day to End Mistreatment of Essential Workers
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December 14, 2023
Victory for Australia’s Climate Protesters
New South Wales Court Partially Overturns States’ Anti-Protest Laws
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December 14, 2023
The Missing Piece in Brazil’s Climate Pledges
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December 14, 2023
COP28: Fossil Fuel Commitment Lacks Urgency
Governments Should Take Urgent Climate Action, Protect Rights
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December 11, 2023
Brazil: Veto Dangerous Pesticide Bill
"Poison Package" Threatens Health, Environment
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December 11, 2023
Yemen: Warring Parties Deepen Water Crisis
Government, Houthi Abuses in Taizz Have Led to Severe Lack of Water
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December 7, 2023
Phasing Out Fossil Fuels at COP28
Governments Should Stand up for Human Rights to Ensure Ambitious Outcome