Human Rights Watch

US non-partisan pressure group that watches over and publicizes human-rights abuses by governments, especially attacks on those who defend human rights in their own countries. It comprises Africa Watch, Americas Watch, Asia Watch, Middle East Watch, and Helsinki Watch; the last-named oversees compliance with the 1975 Helsinki accords by the 35 countries who signed them.

The first Watch committee was established in 1978. By 1990 the organization was sending more than 100 investigative missions to some 60 countries around the world. Human Rights Watch does not accept financial support from governments or government-funded organizations.