Human Rights Watch Reports Mixed Developments in Asia for 2024
Human Rights Watch (HRW) released its World Report 2025, noting a year of significant yet uneven progress for democracy and human rights in the Asia-Pacific region. The report highlights encouraging signs, including citizen activism in India, Bangladesh, and South Korea, while acknowledging the continued repression in Myanmar, Afghanistan, and China.
In India, voters pushed back against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s populist and often anti-Muslim rhetoric, denying him an electoral majority. This shift demonstrates that democracy can still check power amidst systemic challenges. In Bangladesh, student-led protests resulted in the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after 15 years of increasingly repressive governance. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has since released thousands of detained protesters and is working towards restoring democratic processes.
South Korea experienced a significant public backlash against President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law, which was swiftly overturned by mass protests. These examples of democratic resistance reflect a growing demand for accountability and governance that serves the people.
Conversely, the report highlights severe human rights violations in Myanmar, where the military junta continues to jail opponents and bomb civilian areas. In Afghanistan, the Taliban has rolled back women’s rights, imposing strict laws that restrict their education and movement. China, under President Xi Jinping, has intensified repression, particularly in Hong Kong, where dissent is met with severe penalties. It is also accused of widespread repression of Uyghur Muslims.
HRW also pointed out ongoing issues in Singapore, which continues to impose the death penalty for drug offenses, and noted the limitations of Thailand’s democracy following the dissolution of the Move Forward Party.
Overall, the HRW report illustrates a complex landscape of human rights in Asia, showcasing both the resilience of civil society and the persistent challenges posed by authoritarian regimes.
