Sarah Leah Whitson
Director of Middle East and North Africa division at Human Rights Watch
📰 Recent Mentions
View Timeline →Human Rights Watch Criticizes 'Widespread' Arrests in Iran during Winter 2017
Human Rights Watch's annual report criticizes Iran for widespread arrests during the 2017 protests and the repression of various activists, highlighting systemic human rights violations.…
Human Rights Watch: Argentina Should Investigate Bin Salman’s Role in Khashoggi’s Murder
Human Rights Watch has called on Argentina to investigate Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his alleged role in war crimes in Yemen and…
Human Rights Watch Criticizes 'Beating' of Imprisoned Dervishes in Fashafouyeh
Human Rights Watch has reported that at least 208 imprisoned dervishes in Iran are facing severe human rights violations, including beatings and unjust trials. The…
Two International Human Rights Organizations Call for the Release of Nasrin Sotoudeh
Nasrin Sotoudeh, a prominent Iranian human rights lawyer, was arrested at her home in Tehran and transferred to Evin Prosecutor's Office, reportedly due to the…
Saudi Arabia Detains Several Women's Rights Activists
Saudi Arabia has detained several women's rights activists, including prominent figures, amid promises to allow women to drive starting in July. This crackdown raises concerns…
Human Rights Watch Calls for the Release of Golrokh Iraee
Human Rights Watch has called for the immediate release of Golrokh Iraee, a political prisoner in Iran who is hospitalized due to a hunger strike.…
Police Threaten Long-Term Imprisonment for Protesters Against Mandatory Hijab
The Iranian police have threatened long prison sentences for women protesting against mandatory hijab, prompting Human Rights Watch to call for an end to the…
Human Rights Watch: Independent Investigations into Suspicious Deaths of Prisoners in Iran are Essential
Human Rights Watch has called for immediate independent investigations into suspicious deaths of prisoners in Iran, particularly following the death of environmental activist Kavous Seyed-Emami.…
Execution of Three Teenagers in Iran; Human Rights Watch Calls for Halt to Executions of Juvenile Offenders
Human Rights Watch has condemned Iran for executing three individuals who were under 18 at the time of their crimes, calling for an immediate halt…
Human Rights Watch Criticizes Repression and Violation of Freedom of Expression in Iran
Human Rights Watch's annual report criticizes the Iranian government for severe human rights violations in 2017, including repression of free expression and discrimination against women…
Human Rights Watch Calls for Investigation into the Deaths of Protesters in Iran
Human Rights Watch has called for an investigation into the deaths of protesters in Iran, urging officials to ensure the rights of detainees and allow…
Criticism on Social Media Following Release of Video Sending Children to Syria
A 13-year-old Iranian boy was featured in a state news video as the youngest 'Defender of the Shrine' in Syria, sparking widespread criticism on social…
‘Esrafil’: A Woman Caught Between Tradition and a Film Constrained by Censorship
The film 'Esrafil' explores the struggles of women in a patriarchal society through the story of Mahi, who faces emotional challenges after losing her son.…
Human Rights Watch: Iran Deploys Afghan Children to Fight in Syria
Human Rights Watch has reported that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is sending Afghan children, some as young as 14, to fight in Syria. This…
Human Rights Watch: The Guardian Council Should Take the First Step to Reduce Executions
Human Rights Watch is urging the Guardian Council of Iran to approve a new anti-drug law that could significantly reduce the number of executions for…
Human Rights Watch Expresses Concern for the Health of Mousavi, Karroubi, and Rahnavard
Human Rights Watch has raised alarms about the health of three prominent Iranian political figures under house arrest since 2011: Mehdi Karroubi, Mir Hossein Mousavi,…
11 Human Rights Organizations Demand Removal of PourMohammadi from Cabinet
Eleven human rights organizations have called on President Hassan Rouhani to not appoint Mustafa PourMohammadi as Minister of Justice due to his involvement in the…
Human Rights Watch Calls for Immediate Release of Shahnaz Karim Beigi
Human Rights Watch has called for the immediate release of Shahnaz Karim Beigi, whose son was killed during the 2009 Ashura protests. She has been…
Human Rights Watch: Judiciary and Security Forces are the Main Obstacles to Justice in Iran
Human Rights Watch's 2016 report highlights ongoing human rights abuses in Iran, particularly by security forces and the judiciary, which are seen as major obstacles…
Human Rights Watch Criticizes the Suppression of Civil Activists in Arab Countries
Human Rights Watch criticized Arab Gulf states for suppressing civil activists and called for reforms instead of imprisonment. The statement highlighted the systematic crackdown on…