A global human rights watchlist comprises countries where significant human rights violations are reported. Various organizations and indices monitor and document such violations to inform international responses and advocacy efforts. Notable among these are:
1. Human Rights Watch (HRW):
HRW publishes an annual World Report assessing human rights practices worldwide. The 2025 report highlighted several concerns:
- United States: HRW expressed alarm over President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, citing potential threats to freedoms both domestically and internationally. The report criticized the administration’s commitment to human rights, particularly regarding immigration policies and actions in conflict zones like Gaza.
- Global Challenges: The report noted that 2024 posed significant challenges for human rights, with numerous elections influenced by populism and hate speech, and conflicts intensifying in regions such as Sudan and Gaza. HRW emphasized the need for renewed leadership in defending human rights.
2. Global Rights Index:
Compiled by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the Global Rights Index evaluates countries based on trade union and human rights violations. The 2023 index identified the following countries as having the most severe violations:
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Eswatini
- Guatemala
- Myanmar
- Philippines
- Tunisia
- Turkey
3. EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime:
The European Union maintains a sanctions mechanism targeting individuals and entities responsible for severe human rights violations outside the EU. This regime allows the EU to impose measures such as visa bans and asset freezes on violators, aiming to promote accountability and deter future violations.
4. United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC):
The UNHRC addresses human rights violations globally through investigations and resolutions. In recent years, it has:
- Established commissions to investigate alleged violations in countries like Eritrea, Myanmar, and Yemen.
- Suspended member states, such as Russia, in response to significant human rights concerns.
These organizations and mechanisms play crucial roles in identifying, documenting, and responding to human rights violations worldwide, striving to uphold international human rights standards and promote accountability