Human Rights Watch: Global Violations Report 2024

Introduction

The 2024 Global Violations Report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) presents a detailed examination of human rights abuses across various countries. This comprehensive report elucidates the ongoing challenges and outlines the significant events of 2023 that have shaped the human rights landscape. The primary focus areas include Mexico, Israel and Palestine, and a broader global perspective on the state of human rights institutions. This report aims to provide insights into the deteriorating conditions and the intricate dynamics that influence human rights practices worldwide.

Mexico: Persistent Challenges Under López Obrador

Overview

Under the presidency of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who assumed office in 2018, Mexico continues to grapple with severe human rights issues. Despite some socio-economic improvements, such as a significant increase in the minimum wage and a substantial rise in remittances, the country faces persistent challenges in addressing violence and abuses.

Key Issues

Extreme Criminal Violence: The “war” on organized crime, initiated in 2006, has led to soaring rates of violent crime. This environment undermines the safety and security of civilians.
Abuses Against Migrants: Migrants in Mexico are frequently subjected to various forms of abuse, including physical violence and exploitation.
Gender-Based Violence: Women in Mexico face significant threats, including domestic violence and femicide, which remain critical issues.
Attacks on Journalists and Human Rights Defenders: Independent journalists and human rights defenders often face harassment, threats, and attacks, impeding their crucial work.
Torture and Disappearances: Reports of torture and forced disappearances continue to surface, highlighting the need for systemic reforms in law enforcement and justice.
Extrajudicial Killings: Extrajudicial killings by security forces remain a grave concern, underscoring the lack of accountability within the system.

Discrimination Against People with Disabilities

People with disabilities in Mexico frequently lack the necessary support to live independently, violating their rights as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Security and Access to Justice

The pervasive violent crime and inadequate justice mechanisms severely hinder Mexico’s ability to protect its citizens and uphold human rights.

Israel and Palestine: Intensified Conflict and Human Rights Violations

Overview

The year 2023 witnessed unprecedented levels of violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Civilian casualties and large-scale operations in the West Bank have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis.

Key Events

Operation in the West Bank: On July 3-4, 2023, an operation led to the deaths of 12 Palestinians, including 4 children, and temporarily displaced 3,500 people. The operation also damaged 460 housing units, highlighting the severe impact on civilian infrastructure (Human Rights Watch).
Civilian Casualties: Throughout 2023, Israeli forces killed 464 Palestinians in the West Bank, including 109 children. This marks the highest number of fatalities since systematic recording began in 2005 (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs).
Torture Allegations: Since 2001, more than 1,400 complaints of torture, including painful shackling, sleep deprivation, and exposure to extreme temperatures, have been filed against the Shabak (Israel Security Agency). However, these complaints have resulted in only three criminal investigations and no indictments, indicating a significant lack of accountability (Public Committee Against Torture in Israel).

Global Perspective: Challenges to Human Rights Institutions

Overview

HRW’s 2024 report underscores the weakening of global human rights frameworks due to “transactional diplomacy” and selective government outrage. This approach undermines the universality of human rights and facilitates autocratic regimes to perpetuate violations.

Key Concerns

Transactional Diplomacy: Governments prioritize short-term gains over robust human rights commitments, weakening the global human rights system.
Selective Outrage: Inconsistent responses to human rights abuses, such as condemning Israeli actions while ignoring Chinese atrocities in Xinjiang, erode the legitimacy of human rights laws.
Transnational Repression: Autocratic leaders increasingly use transnational repression to stifle dissent and consolidate power.
Failures in International Institutions: The UN’s closure of its political mission in Sudan due to pressure from the Sudanese government exemplifies the challenges international institutions face in protecting human rights.
Democratic Backsliding: Countries like Poland have seen systematic erosion of the rule of law, with previous governments undermining judicial independence and silencing civil society.

Regional Dynamics

In regions like Asia-Pacific, democratic governments often deprioritize human rights to secure military alliances and economic deals, further illustrating the pervasive impact of transactional diplomacy.

Conclusion

The 2024 Global Violations Report by Human Rights Watch provides a sobering overview of the state of human rights globally. From the violence in Mexico and the Israel-Palestine conflict to the broader challenges facing international human rights institutions, this report underscores the urgent need for renewed commitment and accountability. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort by governments, international organizations, and civil society to uphold and protect human rights universally.