In 1978, under the name Helsinki Watch, the organisation monitored Soviet compliance with the Helsinki Accords. In the 1980s, in addition, America Watch was established to investigate non-compliance with human rights laws in Central America. The various ‘Watch’ organisations were merged into Human Rights Watch in 1988. Human Rights Watch is a non-profit organisation. This means they make no profit and work with a social purpose. Its headquarters are in New York, in the United States. It also has offices in several (mostly Western) countries.

Human Rights Watch's articles attract a lot of attention in local and international media. The organisation draws attention to many issues in its reports. Social and gender discrimination, torture, military use of children and political corruption often feature. Through their work and articles, Human Rights Watch supports all people who are oppressed and abused. These people still have to fight for their basic freedoms.