NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (HRNW) — Human Rights Watch is calling on world leaders gathering for the 81st United Nations General Assembly to reaffirm commitments to human rights, international law and accountability for grave international crimes.
The UN General Assembly’s annual high-level debate is scheduled to take place in New York from September 22 to 28, 2026, bringing together leaders and senior officials from the UN’s 193 member states.
Human Rights Watch said governments should use the gathering to defend international institutions responsible for protecting human rights and pursuing accountability for serious violations.
The organization is urging states to support international justice mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court, and to oppose measures that could weaken their ability to investigate and prosecute grave crimes.
Human Rights Watch also called for stronger international attention to human-rights situations in countries including Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Haiti and Afghanistan.
The organization said governments should also defend protections for refugees and migrants, women and girls, and LGBT people, while maintaining international standards on equality and nondiscrimination.
Another concern raised by Human Rights Watch is the financial condition of the United Nations. The organization said governments should ensure that the UN’s human-rights work has adequate resources and staffing.
Human Rights Watch also highlighted negotiations toward a new international treaty addressing crimes against humanity and called on UN member states to support efforts to prevent and punish such crimes.
The organization said the General Assembly provides an important opportunity for governments to publicly reaffirm international cooperation on accountability and human rights.
The appeal comes as the annual UN meeting prepares to address conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, international justice and the future of multilateral institutions.
Human Rights Watch is urging governments to make human rights and accountability central elements of their commitments during the 2026 General Assembly.
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Disclaimer
This article is based on a September 21, 2026 statement by Human Rights Watch concerning the UN General Assembly. The recommendations and assessments concerning international institutions and individual countries are attributed to Human Rights Watch and are not presented as independent HRNW findings.
