The main mission of our organization is to build a more peaceful, fairer, and secure world. Our action is focused on the promotion of human rights and justice as factors of sustainable peace and development. The prevention and management of conflict and post-conflict situations are at the heart of our work.
Human Rights Watch believes justice matters for peace, and ignoring atrocities reinforces a culture of impunity that encourages future abuses. Human Rights Watch’s research over the past 30 years in many different countries has demonstrated that the impact of justice is too often undervalued when weighing objectives in resolving a conflict and achieving lasting peace. Remaining firm on justice can yield short and long-term benefits, while a decision to forego accountability may prove costly in terms of lives and long-term stability.