We found 425 results for "Hate Crimes"
Blog
Criticizing the Kremlin
October 18, 2022
Human Rights Sanctions Coming in the Case of Vladimir Kara-Murza By Ashley Collins Yesterday, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs announced that Canada would soon…
Blog
From Magnitsky to the Mothers of Mariupol
October 12, 2022
Congress Must Stand with Victims and Strengthen the Global Magnitsky Act By Mike Abramowitz In recent weeks, the world has once again been confronted with the…
Blog
In ICC Investigation of 2008 Russia-Georgia War Crimes: Don’t Let Justice Delayed Become Justice Denied
October 6, 2022
This article was first published on Just Security on September 23rd, 2022 By Adam Keith and Nika Jeiranashvili On June 30, the International Criminal Court (ICC)…
Letter
Letter on “United We Stand” event
September 20, 2022
Dear Ambassador Rice, We applaud the administration’s efforts to address hate through the upcoming summit, United We Stand: Countering Hate-Fueled Violence Together. We believe that…
Press
With New Hires, Human Rights First Builds Out Program on Extremism
September 19, 2022
WASHINGTON – Human Rights First today announced the hiring of Erin E. Wilson as the Senior Director for Extremism and Human Rights and Elizabeth Yates,…
Topics
XENOPHOBIA
September 19, 2022
Rising xenophobia against minorities, refugees, and Muslims is a pressing human rights challenge. In both Europe and the United States, xenophobic rhetoric and hate crimes…
Topics
HATE CRIMES
September 19, 2022
The U.S. government should treat hate crime as a grave and urgent threat to human rights. Hate crime violence not only alters, and sometimes ends,…
Topics
ISLAMOPHOBIA
September 19, 2022
American ideals are undermined when we discriminate against Muslims, or persons of any faith. Anti-Muslim rhetoric has entered the U.S. political and mainstream public discourse,…
Blog
How LGBT Groups in Kharkiv Help The City Fight Back
September 15, 2022
By Brian Dooley and Vasyl Malikov This week’s stunningly successful counteroffensive by Ukrainian soldiers against Russian forces in the northeast of the country led to…
Testimony
Domestic Extremism in America: Examining White Supremacist Violence in the Wake of Recent Attacks
June 9, 2022
Elizabeth Yates, Ph.D. Senior Researcher, Antisemitism Human Rights First Before the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs June 9, 2022 Chairman…
Press
With New Hires, Human Rights First Builds Out Program on Extremism
May 24, 2022
WASHINGTON – Human Rights First today announced the hiring of Erin E. Wilson as the Senior Director for Extremism and Human Rights and Elizabeth Yates,…
Blog
From Magnitsky to the Mothers of Mariupol
March 24, 2022
Congress Must Stand with Victims and Strengthen the Global Magnitsky Act By Mike Breen and Mike Abramowitz In recent weeks, the world has once again been confronted with…
Blog
The End the Shutdown and Secure the Border Act Would Ban Asylum for Central American Children
January 23, 2019
By Kennji Kizuka The Trump-McConnell bill—the “End the Shutdown and Secure the Border Act”—is nothing more than a hateful anti-immigration wish list, designed to hold the…
What’s In the Close Guantanamo Plan
October 9, 2018
In February 2016, the Department of Defense released its plan for closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. Currently, 40 detainees remain at the prison,…
Blog
Charlottesville One Year Reunion: Act Against Hate, Don’t Talk About It
August 11, 2018
One year ago, Americans looked on in horror as tiki torch-carrying white nationalists chanted “Jew will not replace us” (sic) as they marched through the…
Press
Human Rights First and ADL Release Scorecard on Hate Crime Reporting in 57 OSCE Nations
July 25, 2018
New York City—Against a backdrop of rising reports of hate crimes, Human Rights First and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today released their annual analysis of hate crime reporting by…
Blog
The Germany NSU Trial: Justice Does Not Go Deep (Part 5)
July 23, 2018
By Isaiah Affron In this five-part blog series, Human Rights First examines the crimes and trial of the National Socialist Underground (NSU), a neo-Nazi terrorist…
Report
Scorecard on Hate Crime Response in the OSCE Region: Gaps in Data Collection and Responses
July 9, 2018
Hate crimes undermine social cohesion, basic guarantees of security, and the democratic ideals of equality and non-discrimination. When a Muslim woman is attacked for…
Blog
120 Members of Bipartisan Taskforce Urge Pompeo to Fill Anti-Semitism Special Envoy Position
May 31, 2018
By Susan Corke and Mazarine Lestienne Over the past 16 months, members of Congress, civil society, former senior government officials, Jewish and other religious leaders,…
Blog
Last Day of Yom HaShoah: A Dangerous Rise in Antisemitic Hate Among Youth as we Remember the Holocaust
April 19, 2018
By Mazarine Lestienne On January 29, 2018, an eight-year-old schoolboy wearing a kippah and a prayer shawl was attacked by two teenagers in Sarcelles (Val-d’Oise,…
Blog
Yom HaShoah—”To Truly Honor the Past we Must Understand the Present and Preserve the Future”
April 12, 2018
On March 23, 2018—one week before Passover and three weeks before Yom HaShoah—Mireille Knoll, an 85-year-old French Holocaust survivor, was brutally stabbed to death and…
Blog
Congress Showed that Combating Antisemitism is a Priority. Will the Administration?
March 27, 2018
By Susan Corke and Zahava Moerdler Antisemitic incidents are increasing at home and abroad. In response, Human Rights First and our partners in the Jewish community…
Press
International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the Trump Administration
January 26, 2018
New York City—To commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Human Rights First urges the U.S. government to deepen its efforts to combat antisemitism and other forms of bigotry at home and…
Blog
The Story Behind the FBI’s Hate Crime Data
November 21, 2017
By Erika Asgeirsson Reported hate crimes increased in the United States for the second consecutive year, according to data released last week by the FBI. The FBI’s…
Blog
In Greece, the Golden Dawn Trial Resumes as Charlottesville Reverberates
September 15, 2017
By Teresa Eder Four years ago, the murder of Greek rapper Pavlos Fyssas prompted the government to prosecute the neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn. The trial…
Press
Joint Resolution Condemning Hate Groups Receives Unanimous Support in Senate
September 12, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First applauds yesterday’s unanimous passage of a joint resolution in the Senate condemning white nationalists, white supremacists, the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis, and similar hate…
Blog
Voices for Equality: Nvard Margaryan, Armenia
August 8, 2017
By Charlotte Parker Gliserman In early July, the Armenian Ministry of Justice announced that it would recognize same-sex marriages performed abroad, making Armenia the second formerly-Soviet…
Blog
The German Neo-Nazi Case Concludes: Four Years Later and Still No Justice for Victims
August 8, 2017
By Chelsea Wilson Miller After more than four years, the case against the Nationalist Socialist Underground—a German neo-Nazi group—will finally come to an end this year. Closing arguments began…
Blog
The House of Representatives Should Defeat the Anti-Asylum Bill
August 4, 2017
By Olga Byrne Last week, the House Judiciary Committee marked up the Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2017 (H.R. 391), a severely anti-asylum law that…
Blog
Canada Avoids Ethno-Populism, but not the Surge in Hate Crimes
July 19, 2017
By Chelsea Wilson Miller First, the good news: Canada has largely resisted the ethno-populism that’s swept through other Western democracies in recent years. The ethno-populists who’ve risen…
Blog
Masking Anti-Muslim Hatred: U.S. Hate Groups & their False Fight for Human Rights
June 21, 2017
By Emma Bernstein and Chelsea Wilson Miller On June 10, ACT for America organized marches “against Sharia law and for human rights” in 28 cities across the…
Blog
Pride in the Capital
June 20, 2017
By Charlotte Gliserman On June 10th, Human Rights First celebrated Pride Month by participating in Washington, D.C.’s Capital Pride Parade. Surrounded by tens of thousands of…
Press
Bipartisan Legislation would Elevate Status of U.S. Official to Combat Antisemitism Abroad
June 8, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today welcomed that the introduction of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act of 2017 bill in the Senate. The bipartisan…
Blog
When Hate Becomes Mainstream
May 19, 2017
By Erika Asgeirsson On Sunday May 21, Geert Wilders, the controversial Dutch far-right politician, is scheduled to speak in Los Angles at the annual dinner of the…
Press
Issue Brief Analyzes Challenges Facing Next French President
May 5, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Ahead of this Sunday’s French presidential election, Human Rights First today released a new brief addressing some of the most contentious issues that will face the…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: May 1, 2017
May 1, 2017
By Mary Elizabeth Margolis Top Items Sebastian Gorka Ousted from White House New reports indicate that Sebastian Gorka is likely to be removed from his current position…
Blog
Remember and Respect the Holocaust by Rejecting a Rewriting of History
April 25, 2017
This week, we observe the Days of Remembrance to commemorate the Holocaust, remember its victims, and honor the survivors. On Monday, we celebrated the anniversary of the Warsaw…
Prioritizing U.S. Leadership on Hate Crime Through Improved Data Collection and Reporting
March 31, 2017
In the wake of a divisive campaign season and the election of President Trump, bias-motivated rhetoric and violence is gaining a prominent place in the…
Blog
From El Salvador to Brazil, Members of the Trans Community Face Brutal Violence
March 16, 2017
A cellphone video showing the torture of a trans woman, who was later murdered, has caused international outrage and placed the spotlight on the dire…
Press
U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador Urged to Stand with Salvadoran LGBT Community in Time of Violence
March 7, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today called on the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of El Salvador Jean Elizabeth Manes to publicly express her concerns regarding…
Blog
Six Questions for State’s First Press Briefing Under Tillerson
March 7, 2017
Today the U.S. State Department promises to hold its first daily press briefing under the Trump administration. Roughly thirty working days into the tenure of…
Blog
Fighting Antisemitism at Home and Abroad
March 7, 2017
Last week the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism called on President Trump to develop a comprehensive response to antisemitic hate crime. The appeal…
Blog
Sebastian Gorka’s Xenophobic Equivocations on Islam
March 3, 2017
This blog is cross posted with The Huffington Post Controversial presidential adviser Sebastian Gorka was on NPR yesterday discussing President Trump’s address to Congress. He…
Blog
President Trump on Antisemitism: Some Talk, No Action
February 24, 2017
By Dora Illei The White House’s struggle to hit the mark on the issue of antisemitism continues, although members of the administration finally seem to…
Press
Administration Urged to Press El Salvador on Protection of Transgender Citizens
February 23, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Following an alarming string of murders of transgender women in El Salvador, Human Rights First today called on the State Department to urge the Salvadoran government to investigate and combat…
Press
President Trump Should Take Concrete Steps to Combat Antisemitic Hate Crime
February 21, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today urged President Trump to make stronger public statements condemning acts of antisemitism, and to take concrete steps to strengthen responses…
Press
President Trump’s Response on Antisemitism Widely Misses the Mark
February 15, 2017
New York City—Human Rights First today said that President Trump’s statement on antisemitism and hate crime in the United States was inappropriate and widely missed…
Blog
How Not to Honor Holocaust Remembrance Day
February 13, 2017
By Dora Illei On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, it is customary for the U.S. government to honor its victims, who were primarily Jewish. In last year’s…
Press
New Attorney General Jeff Sessions Should Honor his Pledges to Uphold the Law
February 8, 2017
New York City— Human Rights First today urged the newly confirmed Attorney General Jeff Sessions to enforce and uphold the law as he has pledged to…
Press
Human Rights First Releases New Report on Rise of Extremism, Far-Right in Germany
February 7, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today released a new report examining antisemitism, xenophobia, and extremism in Germany. The report, “Germany Conflicted: The Struggle Between Xenophobia and…
Report
Germany Conflicted: The Struggle Between Xenophobia and Tolerance
February 6, 2017
Germany is at a tipping point as it heads into important national elections in 2017. Hate crimes, particularly those associated with xenophobia, have increased…
Blog
Islam is Peace: Let’s Remember George W. Bush’s Words After 9/11
February 2, 2017
In the first week of its new administration, the Trump White House signed an executive order barring Syrian refugees indefinitely, slashing refugee resettlement, and effectively targeting immigrants…
Blog
German Constitutional Court Rejects Attempt to Ban NPD
January 18, 2017
By Erika Asgeirsson On Tuesday, the German Constitutional Court rejected an attempt to ban the far-right National Democratic Party (NPD). The NPD is a neo-Nazi political party…
Blog
Creating a More Inclusive El Salvador
January 18, 2017
By Nicole Santamaria, Guest Author Nearly two years ago, I was forced to leave my beloved country of El Salvador. I worked for the Colectivo…
Press
New Issue Brief Details Widespread Violence Against LGBT Salvadorans
January 18, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today released a new brief outlining bias-motivated violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in El Salvador. The brief, “Bias-Motivated Violence Against…
Press
Questions Remain Following Sessions Confirmation Hearing
January 11, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Following yesterday’s Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL), nominee for Attorney General, Human Rights First said that it will hold him…
Blog
Reflecting on the Year: Veterans for American Ideals
December 28, 2016
When I retired from the Marine Corps, like all of my friends who served, I reflected on my experience and wondered if I could find…
Press
Following Berlin Attack Germany Response Should Reflect Sustainable Counterterrorism Steps that Uphold Human Rights
December 20, 2016
New York City—Human Rights First today sends its deepest condolences to the victims of the terrorist attack that killed a dozen people at a Christmas market…
Blog
Merkel’s Burka Ban: How Far-Right Parties are Shifting Political Dialogue
December 12, 2016
By Erika Asgeirsson Last week Chancellor Angela Merkel accepted the nomination for her party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), in hopes of serving her fourth…
Press
Kerry Urged to Counter Extremism, Antisemitism at OSCE
December 7, 2016
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today urged Secretary of State John Kerry to uphold the values of the Organization for Society and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)…
Blog
The NSU Trial: The Golden Dawn and Beyond (Part 4)
December 6, 2016
By Dora Illei and Zahava Moerdler In this four-part blog series, Human Rights First is examining the crimes and trial of the National Socialist Underground…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: December 5, 2016
December 6, 2016
Top Items National Security Today the Obama Administration released a presidential report and memorandum, as well as supporting documents, detailing the administration’s policy and legal…
Press
As Hate Rhetoric Dominates Political Sphere, Report Shows Underreporting of Bias-Motivated Incidents Among OSCE States
November 30, 2016
Washington, D.C.— As xenophobic and hate-filled rhetoric dominates political discourse in Europe and the United States, Human Rights First and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today…
Report
Scorecard on Hate Crime Response in the OSCE Region
November 30, 2016
Against a backdrop of increasing hateful rhetoric in the public space, as well as acts of discrimination and hate crimes, the Organization for Security and…
Blog
The NSU Trial: Responding to Institutional Racism in Law Enforcement (Part 3)
November 17, 2016
By Erika Asgeirsson and Zahava Moerdler In this four-part blog series, Human Rights First is examining the crimes and trial of the National Socialist Underground…
Blog
OSCE Releases Hate Crimes Data
November 16, 2016
In both Europe and the United States, hate crimes are rising along with the public expressions of hatred fanned by extreme political forces. Immediately following…
Press
Bannon Appointment Undermines U.S. Global Leadership on Human Rights
November 14, 2016
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today expressed grave concern about the announcement by President-elect Donald Trump that Steve Bannon will serve as Mr. Trump’s chief strategist…
Blog
The NSU Trial: A Victim-Sensitive Approach to Hate Crime Investigations (Part 2)
November 8, 2016
By Erika Asgeirsson and Zahava Moerdler In this four-part blog series, Human Rights First is examining the crimes and trial of the National Socialist Underground…
Blog
Mansoor Shams: Muslim, Marine
November 3, 2016
Islamophobia—an unfounded fear or hostility toward Muslims or Islam—is on the rise in the United States and anti-Muslim rhetoric from political leaders and other public figures…
Blog
The NSU Trial: A Case Study in Structural Racism in Germany (Part 1)
November 1, 2016
By Dora Illei and Zahava Moerdler In this four-part blog series, Human Rights First will examine the crimes and trial of the National Socialist Underground…
Blog
Over a Year Later, Two Officers Convicted in Brutal Attack on Transgender Man in El Salvador
October 27, 2016
By John Michael Anzilotti Earlier this month, two National Police Force officers in El Salvador were convicted following the June 2015 attack on Aldo Alexander…
Blog
Over a Year Later, Two Officers Convicted in Brutal Attack on Transgender Man in El Salvador
October 27, 2016
By John Michael Anzilotti Earlier this month, two National Police Force officers in El Salvador were convicted following the June 2015 attack on Aldo Alexander…
Press
Bipartisan Legislation Addresses Growing Antisemitism in Europe
October 11, 2016
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today urged members of Congress to support the bipartisan bill H.R. 6208, the Combating European Anti-Semitism Act of 2016. The bill was…
Press
U.N. Security Council Elects Former High Commissioner on Refugees as Secretary-General
October 6, 2016
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today welcomed the U.N. Security Council vote to elect former prime minister of Portugal António Guterres as the next Secretary-General of…
Blog
Why Religion Matters: Fighting Intolerance with Broad Coalitions
September 30, 2016
By Erika Asgeirsson This week I attended #RadCon, a Religion and Diplomacy Conference hosted by the State Department’s Office of Religion and Global Affairs. The…
Blog
Anti-Immigrant Platform Leads German Far-Right Party to Berlin’s State Parliament
September 22, 2016
By Dora Illei German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), continued to lose voters in the September 18 German state election. It won…
Blog
Two Months Later: Brexit Unleashes Hate Crimes
August 23, 2016
By Zahava Moerdler Immediately following the U.K.’s vote to exit the European Union, there was a significant uptick in hate crimes in the U.K. and…
Press
Human Rights First Visits Belarus Following Developments on Human Rights of LGBT People
August 18, 2016
Minsk, Belarus—Following a fact-finding mission to Belarus, Human Rights First today said that the nation’s LGBT movement is at a critical juncture. The trip, in which…
Blog
Putting the International Religious Freedom Report into Action
August 16, 2016
By Zahava Moerdler The State Department published its International Religious Freedom Report on Wednesday August 10, analyzing the status of religious freedom around the world in 2015…
Blog
Reflections on Being Muslim in America
August 16, 2016
By Kate Horner Muslims in the United States and throughout the Western world increasingly find themselves defending their faith as they live in fear of…
Fact Sheet
Islamophobia in America
August 2, 2016
What is Islamophobia? Islamophobia is an unfounded fear and hostility toward Islam and Muslims that results in discrimination, bias, marginalization, and at times, violence. It…
Blog
Responding to Gingrich’s Dangerous Rhetoric on Muslims
July 29, 2016
By Joe Jenkins Vets for American Ideals leader Emir Hazdic wasn’t the only veteran to speak up against former Speaker of the House of Representatives…
Blog
The View from Munich
July 27, 2016
Last Friday I was wrapping up a research trip to Berlin and Munich, having met with government officials, NGOs, foundations, and grassroots organizers working to…
Blog
U.K. Chilcot Report Points to Persistent Weakness in U.S. Foreign Policy
July 13, 2016
The Chilcot Report on the U.K’s involvement in the war in Iraq, released last week in London, attributes plenty of blame to British policy makers…
Blog
Antisemitism Causes Rifts in Germany’s Far Right
July 12, 2016
By Zahava Moerdler On July 5, 13 of the 23 members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) parliamentary group in the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: July 11, 2016
July 11, 2016
TOP ITEMS Global Refugee Crisis This week, the House Committee on Appropriations will markup the Fiscal Year 2017 State and Foreign Operations Bill. In its…
Press
Obama Urged to Press Poland About Human Rights, Civil Rights Backslide
July 6, 2016
Washington, DC – Human Rights First today urged President Obama to use his upcoming participation in the Warsaw NATO summit as an opportunity to raise…
Blog
Racism in the Age of Brexit: A European Trend
June 28, 2016
By Zahava Moerdler While a variety of factors led to the victory for “leave,” there’s no denying that bigotry played a big role. The xenophobia…
Press
Ahead of San Salvador Pride, United States Urged to Support El Salvador’s LGBT Community
June 24, 2016
Washington, D.C. – In advance of tomorrow’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Pride march in El Salvador, Human Rights First today expressed its support for LGBT civil society…
Blog
Mobilizing Against Hate in Brussels as Hate Claims Another Victim in the UK
June 23, 2016
As I joined a consultative seminar in Brussels at the European Parliament on building coalitions to counter antisemitism, intolerance, and discrimination, we received word of…
Blog
Substantial Rise in Far-Right Violence in Germany Reported Since Refugee Crisis Began
May 26, 2016
By Timothy Meyers Far-right aggression in Germany is on a dramatic rise. Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière announced on Monday that 2015 has seen the most crippling…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: May 9, 2016
May 9, 2016
Top News Global Refugee Crisis Last week, the State Department released its official resettlement numbers for April, indicating that it resettled 451 Syrian refugees last…
Blog
Germany’s AfD Party Conference Endorses Islamophobic Manifesto
May 6, 2016
By Timothy Meyers Last weekend Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party held a conference in Stuttgart to outline the party’s political manifesto ahead of the national…
Blog
New French Report Shows Rise in Attacks on Muslims, Sustained Targeting of Jews
May 6, 2016
By Annie Glasser France’s National Human Rights Commission (CNCDH) recently released a report on the fight against racism in France. The CNCDH reported 429 anti-Muslim threats and…
Blog
Little to Show at One-Year Anniversary of Greece’s Golden Dawn Trial
April 28, 2016
By Annie Glasser Last Wednesday marked one year since the start of the Golden Dawn trial in Greece. The trial, originally a remarkable effort to…
Blog
Freedom of Expression and Religious Tolerance Under Fire in Germany
April 26, 2016
By Timothy Meyers As Human Rights First’s Susan Corke reported last week, Germany faces an array of daunting challenges, from the refugee crisis to the rise…
Blog
In Berlin, President Obama Calls for Tolerance and Strengthening Transatlantic Alliance
April 25, 2016
Today President Obama called for inclusion, tolerance, and the strengthening of the transatlantic alliance in a speech in Germany. He’s there to meet with Western European leaders…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: April 25, 2016
April 25, 2016
TOP NEWS Obama in Germany President Obama is in Berlin meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Francois Hollande…
Fact Sheet
Germany: Antisemitism, Xenophobia, and Far-Right Extremism
April 22, 2016
Germany is facing a tipping point. Germany is Europe’s economic and political lynchpin; as such, Germany is positioned to play a leadership role in a…
Press
In Germany, Obama Urged to Promote Refugee Protection and Support Efforts to Address Antisemitism and Extremism
April 22, 2016
New York City – In light of his upcoming meetings in Germany, Human Rights First today called on President Obama to promote the protection of refugees and…
Testimony
Statement at OSCE Session on Responses to Intolerance and Discrimination, Including Hate Crime and Hate Speech
April 15, 2016
Statement by Susan Corke at OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting, April 2016 – Session III: Responses to Intolerance and Discrimination, Including Hate Crimes, Hate Speech and Hate…
Blog
Amid a Crisis, an Opportunity for Support: On the ground in Germany
April 15, 2016
Germany is grappling with a lot: that’s a message I heard in different ways in different conversations this past week in Berlin. Having borne the…
Press
Report Shows Underreporting of Hate Crimes Among OSCE States
April 12, 2016
Washington, D.C.—A report jointly released today by Human Rights First and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found that hate crimes in the Organization for Security and…
Blog
Voices for Equality: Kyrgyzstan
March 31, 2016
By Shawn M. Gaylord For three years the world has watched as Russia’s infamous law banning propaganda of “nontraditional” relations among minors has drastically impacted the country’s LGBT…
Press
French Government Rejects Measures to Limit Human Rights
March 30, 2016
New York City—Human Rights First today praises French President Francois Hollande’s decision to abandon proposed constitutional amendments that would have undermined human rights, civil liberties,…
Press
French Senate Should Reject Constitutional Amendment
March 21, 2016
New York City—Human Rights First today calls on French lawmakers to reject proposals that would amend the French constitution to include terms for declaring a…
Blog
Russia’s Bad Example
March 21, 2016
This month Russia’s legislative body, the Duma, introduced a draft law that would further strangle the work of Russian NGOs. The Duma wants to broaden the…
Fact Sheet
Hate Crime Report Card
March 16, 2016
The Hate Crime Report Card is a unique online tool that examines hate crime laws in the 56 States that comprise the Organization for Security…
Blog
Following Elections, U.S. Government Should Focus on Rise of Far Right in Germany
March 16, 2016
By Susan Corke and Timothy Meyers The U.S. government should view the results of this weekend’s elections in Germany as a wakeup call. They show…
Press
German Elections Highlight Rise of Far Right as Kerry Travels to Europe
March 11, 2016
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today urged the U.S. government to see the expected results of tomorrow’s elections in Germany as a wake-up call to the…
Blog
ODIHR Director Testifies on Antisemitism and Hate Crimes Data Collection
February 18, 2016
The director of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Michael Georg Link, recently testified at a congressional hearing convened by the Helsinki Commission.…
Press
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, U.S. Should Continue to Prioritize Antisemitism
January 27, 2016
Washington, D.C.—To commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Human Rights First urges the U.S. government to continue working with its allies to make antisemitism and extremism…
Fact Sheet
LGBT Issues in the Dominican Republic
January 12, 2016
“Remember, all people have the right to equal treatment under the law. Be kind to your enemies and through your kindness and acceptance of them,…
Blog
U.S. Fails to Recognize Targeting of Jews on Anniversary of Paris Attacks
January 12, 2016
On January 7 the State Department released a press statement marking the one-year anniversary of the horrific attacks in Paris. Yet there was a troubling omission: the…
Blog
Eye on LGBT Human Rights in Tajikistan
January 12, 2016
By Shawn M. Gaylord At the end of 2015 I had a chance to meet with several LGBT activists from Tajikistan. Most Americans know little about this…
Press
New Major Report Outlines Strategies to Combat French Antisemitism and Extremism
January 7, 2016
Washington, D.C.—Today to mark the one-year anniversary of the tragic attacks on Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket in Paris, Human Rights First has released…
Blog
What Does Laïcité Mean to You? Identity and Antisemitism in France
December 23, 2015
The holiday season is here and families across the world are gathering in celebration, and we hope that it will be a season of peace.…
Blog
U.N. Security Council Holds First Session on Human Trafficking
December 22, 2015
Last Wednesday the United States hosted the first ever U.N. Security Council session on human trafficking in armed conflict. Nick Grono, head of the Freedom Fund—a…
Report
Hope will Prevail: Advancing the Human Rights of LGBT People in the Dominican Republic
December 17, 2015
Executive Summary Human Rights First traveled to the Dominican Republic in June and August of 2015 and spoke to activists, Dominican officials, and the U.S.…
Press
New Report Recommends U.S. Government Act to Address Violence and Discrimination Against the Dominican Republic’s LGBT Community
December 17, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today released a new report outlining the challenges to equality faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the…
Press
French Voters Reject Far-Right Party in Regional Elections
December 13, 2015
New York City—In response to today’s second round of French regional elections, which early results indicate as a poor showing for the far-right political party…
Press
Americans Want Stronger U.S. Leadership on Key Human Rights Issues
December 9, 2015
According to a Human Rights First Study conducted by Harris Poll Washington, D.C.—Today, Human Rights First released a new study conducted by Harris Poll showing broad bipartisan…
Press
Far-Right National Front Gains Seats in French Regional Elections
December 6, 2015
Washington, D.C.—Today Human Rights First called on the U.S. government to redouble its efforts to promote tolerance in France in the wake of today’s regional elections,…
Fact Sheet
Stemming the Tide of Extremism in Greece: Recommendations for the United States
December 2, 2015
The Obama Administration can take the following steps now to combat the rise of hate parties in Greece and the erosion of democratic norms and…
Fact Sheet
Stemming the Tide of Extremism: Recommendations for the Greek Government
December 2, 2015
Golden Dawn remains popular, even after revelations about its Nazi ideology, an active trial for members’ alleged roles in two murders and dozens of racist…
Blog
On Transgender Day of Remembrance, Advancing the Rights of Transgender Salvadorans
November 20, 2015
“The worst…has already happened to us,” said Nicole Santamaría in a recent meeting with Human Rights First. She referred to discrimination, threats, violence, and the…
Press
Antisemitic Attack in Marseilles Highlights Need for Action Against Extremism
November 19, 2015
New York City—Human Rights First is deeply alarmed by the latest violence yesterday in Marseilles, where three individuals reportedly attacked a Jewish man. A veiled Muslim woman was also attacked…
Blog
Far-Right Backlash in France after Paris Attacks
November 17, 2015
On the heels of the horrific attacks in Paris, far-right groups in France are already escalating their xenophobic rhetoric and mobilizing supporters to turn their…
Press
Following France Attacks, United States Should Take Concrete Steps to Curb Extremism
November 15, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First sends its deepest condolences to the government and people of France for the unspeakable acts of violence that killed…
Fact Sheet
Stemming the Tide of Extremism: Recommendations for the Greek Government
November 13, 2015
Golden Dawn remains popular, even after revelations about its Nazi ideology, an active trial for members’ alleged roles in two murders and dozens of racist…
Blog
Tragic death of Belarusian Gay Man Underscores Need for U.S. Pressure to Advance Human Rights
October 30, 2015
This week, Seventeen months after suffering a vicious attack outside of a popular nightclub in Minsk, Belarus, Mikhail Pishcheuski passed away. Pishcheuski, a prominent member of the lesbian, gay,…
Press
U.S. Embassy in Athens Urged to Send Observers to Golden Dawn Criminal Trial
October 1, 2015
New York City—Human Rights First today called on the U.S. Embassy in Athens to send trial observers to the important criminal trial against the leadership and members…
Blog
LGBT Voices for Equality: El Salvador
September 30, 2015
By Shawn M. Gaylord In Her Words “I came to the United States in 2013 through the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights to denounce…
Blog
Perspectives from Our Trip to the Dominican Republic
August 28, 2015
By Shawn M. Gaylord, In 2013, the arrival of openly gay U.S. Ambassador James Brewster in the Dominican Republic stirred passionate debate in the predominantly…
Fact Sheet
Stemming the Tide of Extremism: Recommendations for the European Commission and Hungarian Government
May 20, 2015
The government of Hungary can advance human rights and democracy, and improve relations with the U.S. and Europe, by bringing its 2011 Constitution and Fundamental…
Press
New Report Recommends U.S. Action to Address Challenges for Jamaica’s LGBT Community
May 19, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today released a new report outlining the issues of discrimination and violence for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)…
Press
U.S. Embassy Urged to Monitor Greek Trial of Antisemitic Party
May 6, 2015
Washington, D.C—Human Rights First today urged the U.S. Embassy in Greece to monitor the upcoming trial of Golden Dawn members in an effort to encourage…
Blog
House Committee Votes to Waste Taxpayer $$, Undermine U.S. National Security
April 30, 2015
It’s not that Congress doesn’t work hard enough. It’s that too many members work way too hard to undermine the goals of U.S. national security…
Fact Sheet
Greece’s Prosecution of Golden Dawn
April 17, 2015
Origins of Golden Dawn Golden Dawn exploded on the Greek political scene in 2012, amid the worst economic crisis in post-war history, stunning pollsters, politicians…
Press
U.S. Should Support Fair Trial of Golden Dawn Members as Trial Begins
April 16, 2015
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today called on the U.S. government to support a full and fair judicial proceeding in the Greek case against members of…
Blog
Potential Ally in Jamaica’s Public Defender
February 20, 2015
It looks like the Jamaican LGBT community has a new ally. Arlene Harrison-Henry, Jamaica’s first female public defender, was recently quoted as saying the country’s LGBT community…
Press
President Obama Makes Case for Putting Human Rights at the Heart of Countering Extremism
February 19, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First welcomed President Obama’s speech today at the White House Summit to Counter Violent Extremism (CVE), in which he affirmed that the fight against violent extremism requires…
Letter
U.S. Ambassador to Hungary Should Encourage Government to Protect Human Rights
February 18, 2015
February 15, 2015 The Honorable Colleen Bell, U.S. Ambassador to Hungary Embassy of the United States of America Szabadság tér 12 H-1054 Budapest Hungary Dear…
Press
U.S. Should Support Fair Trial of Golden Dawn Members Accused of Violent Attacks in Greece
February 5, 2015
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today called on the U.S. government to support a full and fair judicial proceeding in the Greek case against members of…
Blog
Another Bin Laden Associate on Trial in New York
January 23, 2015
This is a crosspost from The Huffington Post. It’s become almost routine — the prosecutions of alleged al Qaeda operatives and spokespeople, men picked up halfway…
Blueprint
How to Stop Russia from Exporting Homophobia
December 8, 2014
Overview Russia’s Brand of Legislative Homophobia In June 2013 Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law outlawing propaganda of “nontraditional sexual relations,” thus enacting a…
Press
OSCE Ministerial Council Adopts Decision on Combating Antisemitism and Hate Crime
December 5, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today praised the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Society and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for issuing a decision that…
Press
Human Rights First Releases Analysis of Hate Crime in OSCE Region
December 3, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today issued an analysis of hate crime data from 57 countries which includes recommendations for governments of the Organization for Society and…
Press
Human Rights First Marks Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 20, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today joins together with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activists and allies, and human rights organizations around the world…
Press
Ambassador Power Cautions that Antisemitism is Threat to Europe’s Future
November 13, 2014
Berlin – Human Rights First welcomes the strong statement in Berlin today by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power. Power called antisemitism a rising global problem…
Blog
To Succeed as a Democracy, Ukraine Must Protect LGBT Citizens
November 6, 2014
Last week, Kyiv’s oldest movie theater was burned to the ground during an LGBT movie screening as the arsonists shouted anti-gay slurs. Despite serious injury…
Press
Fair Trials Should Follow Greek Indictments of Golden Dawn
October 16, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today welcomed news that Greek prosecutors have recommended indicting 70 suspects in connection with years of violent attacks by alleged…
Fact Sheet
Five Reasons the United States Needs a State Department Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT People
October 9, 2014
The human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people have been a top priority of the Obama Administration. President Obama’s leadership has yielded…
Press
Community of Democracies Should Reexamine Hungary’s Membership
September 26, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today called on the Community of Democracies to review whether Hungary should be voted off the organization’s Governing Council in…
Transcript
Transcript: Media Telebriefing on “We’re not Nazis, but… The Rise of Hate Parties in Hungary and Greece and Why America Should Care”
August 15, 2014
Below is a shortened transcript of the August 14 media telebriefing featuring Human Rights First’s Tad Stahnke and Sonni Efron, co-authors of the new report…
Press
New Report Details Rise of Extremist Parties in Europe; Recommends Steps for U.S. Government to Confront Growth of Far-Right
August 14, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today released a new report on the rise of violent ultra-nationalist parties in Hungary and Greece, and their impact on…
Blog
Exhibit A of the Guantanamo Failure Resumes This Week
August 11, 2014
This is a cross-post from The Huffington Post. As the United States considers engaging in yet another war, with the start of air strikes Friday in…
Letter
Congress Should Examine Ways United States and OSCE Can Combat European Antisemitism
July 22, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Today, as the Helsinki Commission holds a hearing on “Anti-Semitism, Racism and Discrimination in the OSCE Region,” Human Rights First urges lawmakers…
Press
Obama Should Address Far-Right Gains During Europe Trip
June 2, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged President Obama to speak out against hatred and discrimination during his visit to Europe this week. The president’s…
Press
Members of Congress Urge Hungary to Abandon WWII Monument
May 23, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today praises members of Congress for sending a letter to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urging him to abandon plans…
Report
Compendium of Blasphemy Laws
May 20, 2014
Legislation that seeks to criminalize those who insult or defame religions, or commit blasphemy often leads to human rights abuses. These laws prohibit injuring religious…
Press
Neo-Nazi Showing in Greek Local Elections Underscores Need for Human Rights Reform
May 19, 2014
Athens, Greece – Human Rights First today called for the United States to renew efforts to combat antisemitism and defend the human rights of migrants and…
Fact Sheet
The Greek Elections and Human Rights
May 9, 2014
Golden Dawn, a Greek neo-Nazi party that is under criminal investigation, has vowed to run candidates in local and European Parliament elections later this month.…
Blog
LGBT Rights Update from Africa
April 28, 2014
Human Rights First monitors cases of homophobia throughout the world, whether they take the form of violent attacks, hateful speech, or discriminatory legislation. The latter…
Press
U.S. Should Prioritize Hungarian Relationship as Critical NATO Ally Courts Russia, Erodes Democratic Norms
April 7, 2014
Budapest, Hungary – Human Rights First today urged the Obama Administration to place a greater priority on the U.S.-Hungarian relationship after Sunday’s election that solidified the…
Blog
Ethiopian Parliament to Vote to Make Homosexuality an Unpardonable Offense
March 28, 2014
Next week the Ethiopian Parliament is scheduled to vote on a proposition that would include homosexuality as an unpardonable offense, grouping it together with human trafficking, smuggling,…
Fact Sheet
The 2014 Hungarian Elections and Human Rights
March 27, 2014
On April 6, Hungary will hold its parliamentary elections under a revamped electoral system, and starting May 18, it will also hold elections for the…
Fact Sheet
Supporters of Declassifying the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Report on the CIA Detention and Interrogation Program
March 25, 2014
Affiliations are for identification purposes only. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA): “We’re not going to stop. I intend to move to have the findings, conclusions and the…
Blog
Russia’s Newest Export: Anti-“Propaganda” Laws
March 18, 2014
by Trevor Allen Is the anti-gay “propaganda” law destined to be Russia’s number one export? The Russian LGBT community is anxiously watching as analogous laws banning…
Press
Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Law an Alarming Human Rights Setback
February 24, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today expressed deep disappointment in the news that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has signed into law the Anti-Homosexuality Bill that…
Press
Political Arrests in Sochi Reflect Russia’s Escalating Crackdown on Dissent
February 18, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today expressed concern over news reports that Russian authorities have arrested activists, journalists, and political dissenters – including Nadezhda Tolokonnikova…
Blog
Slayers of Gay Man Convicted Ahead of Sochi Olympics
February 4, 2014
By Simone Salvo On Monday, three Russian villagers, ages 18, 22 and 26, of the Far East Kamchatka region were convicted of a brutal murder committed last…
Blog
Russian Authorities Transfer Pussy Riot Rocker to Siberian Prison Camp
November 13, 2013
Human Rights First today is calling upon the Russian government to allow Pussy Riot’s Nadezhda Tolokonnikova to contact her family and lawyers following the announcement…
Press
Foreign Ministers Issue Declaration Designed to Protect LGBT Human Rights
September 26, 2013
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First welcomes today’s declaration on ending violence and discrimination against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity that was issued…
Blog
It’s Discrimination, Not Filtration: Russia’s Newest Antigay Bill Faces Uphill Battle
September 24, 2013
By Innokenty Grekov Fighting Discrimination Program This is a cross-post from The Huffington Post. Last week, the Russian Duma’s Family, Women, and Children Affairs Committee…
Blog
10 Key U.S. Allies with Antigay Laws Even Worse than Russia’s
September 24, 2013
By Sharon Kelly McBride This is a cross-post from The Huffington Post. When President Vladimir Putin signed the anti-gay “propaganda” bill on June 30th, he was…
Blog
Dr. King’s Legacy Inspires Defenders Beyond U.S. Borders
August 28, 2013
Fifty years ago today Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech. His remarks from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial…
Blog
Combating Violence against LGBTI people in South Africa
August 2, 2013
Violent attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people in South Africa were in the spotlight again this past week as the U.N.…
Blog
Prosecutors Complain 9/11 Case Taking Too Long After Waiting 10 Years to Prosecute
July 9, 2013
This is a cross post from The Huffington Post. Talk about chutzpah. In a motion unsealed this week in the case of the five co-defendants accused…
Press
Kerry Pledges American Leadership on LGBT Rights
June 19, 2013
Washington, D.C. – In a speech today Secretary of State John Kerry voiced U.S. commitment to the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.…
Blog
Obama Should Offer Support to South African Hate Crimes Initiatives
June 6, 2013
President Barack Obama will visit South Africa at the end of the month as part of a three-country African tour. In what is sure to…
Video
Paul LeGendre Discusses Hate Crimes on The John Stossel Show
June 6, 2013
Fox’s John Stossel asks the question, “Do we need hate crime laws?” Human Rights First’s Paul LeGendre says yes, we do. Read More
Blog
Murder in South Africa Highlights Need for Hate Crime Laws
May 17, 2013
As South Africa provides leadership on LGBT rights, it needs to take further steps to protect LGBT people from violence. Despite prohibiting discrimination against LGBT…
Blog
Honduran LGBT Activist Found Safety in the United States
May 17, 2013
Four years ago, Ana Patricia Centeno, a lesbian and Honduran LGBT activist, was granted asylum in the United States. After years of fear, persecution, and violence…
Blog
Terror Suspect Begs To Be Sent To Guantanamo to be Tried as “A Warrior”
May 6, 2013
This is a cross-post from The Huffington Post It was late last Friday afternoon when Ibrahim Suleiman Adnan Adam Harun, also known as “Spin Ghul”, was…
Blog
2012: “A Contradictory Year” In Russia’s Struggle with Hate Crime
March 18, 2013
By Innokenty Grekov They say predictions are difficult, especially about the future. A recent report on hate crime in Russia reveals that it’s been “a…
Press
U.S. Should Expand Hate Crime Reporting among other Efforts to Combat Hatred
March 6, 2013
Washington, D.C. – On the heels of a Southern Poverty Law Center report detailing record high levels of hate groups, Human Rights First draws attention to…
Blog
Top 5 Reasons To Preserve the CIA Black Sites
January 25, 2013
This is a crosspost from Huffington Post Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his four co-conspirators have asked the government to preserve the notorious “black sites” where…
Press
Magnitsky Bill’s Passage Brings Russia Policy Out of Cold War Shadow
December 6, 2012
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First praises the Senate for passing the “Magnitsky Bill,” landmark human rights legislation to combat impunity for those who commit crimes…
Blog
Warning: Avoid Military-Age Men in Muslim Countries
November 21, 2012
Cross posted from Huffington Post. All men in Pakistan between the ages of 20 and 40 are potential targets for a U.S. drone strike, says former…
Press
Inadequate Hate Crimes Reporting Undermines OSCE Report
November 16, 2012
New York City – Human Rights First and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today issued a paper critiquing inadequate government responses to hate crimes of participating…
Blog
More Action Needed to Address Xenophobic Violence
November 13, 2012
In May of 2008, at least 62 people were murdered and many more injured in a wave of xenophobic violence that swept across South Africa.…
Blog
Attacked by Racists, Then Thrown in Jail: Free Femi Now
November 9, 2012
Once the breadbasket of the Soviet Union, known for its rich black soil and sweeping fields of grain, Ukraine is now gaining notoriety for its…
Blog
Punitive Psychiatry Making a Comeback in Russia?
October 22, 2012
By Innokenty Grekov By now, it seems that everyone has heard of the Russian female punk collective Pussy Riot. Yet the band’s prosecution is but…
Blog
Pussy Riot: One Out, Two to Go (to Prison)
October 10, 2012
By Innokenty Grekov Pussy Riot’s Yekaterina Samutsevich is now free, but Moscow’s city court upheld two-year sentences for bandmates Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Mariya Alyokhina. Samutsevich’s newly…
Press
Pussy Riot Rocker Freed, Two Remain in Prison
October 10, 2012
New York City – Human Rights First today welcomed the news that Pussy Riot’s Yekaterina Samutsevich was released from prison following this morning’s appellate hearing. Two…
Press
Human Rights First, Muslim Public Affairs Council Urge U.N. General Assembly to Combat Hate Speech While Protecting Freedom of Expression
September 28, 2012
New York City – Human Rights First today joined the Muslim Public Affairs Council in urging governments to reject national and global blasphemy laws that inevitably violate the…
Testimony
Condemn Hate Speech, Fight Violence and Protect Freedom of Expression
September 27, 2012
A Joint Statement by Human Rights First and the Muslim Public Affairs Council Hate speech against Muslims must be taken seriously. Hate speech that intends…
Press
Testimony Details Concrete Steps U.S. Should Take to Address Global Hate Crime
September 19, 2012
Washington, D.C. – In testimony submitted today to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, Human Rights First’s Paul LeGendre urged the…
Testimony
Testimony Details Concrete Steps U.S. Should Take to Address Global Hate Crime
September 18, 2012
In testimony submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, Human Rights First’s Paul LeGendre urged the U.S. to…
Press
Human Rights Groups Unite to Support Non-Judicial Methods to Combat Racist Hate Speech
August 28, 2012
New York City – Today, as the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination gathers in Geneva to host a discussion on racist hate speech, Human…
Blog
Protests Condemn Pussy Riot Verdict, Call for Russia’s Awakening
August 21, 2012
On Friday, August 17th, 2012, I took part in one of many protests around the world in support of the jailed members of the punk group Pussy…
Press
Russian Punk Band Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Criticizing Putin
August 17, 2012
New York City – Three members of Pussy Riot, the Russian punk band accused of “hooliganism” for staging a protest inside Moscow’s main cathedral, were convicted…
Press
The Enemies of Russia’s Freedom
August 16, 2012
Whenever the Kremlin announces priorities things usually go sour. Dmitry Medvedev has declared corruption an “enemy of our freedom,” and Vladimir Putin reaffirmed it was…
Blog
Russia Clamps Down on Dissent
August 13, 2012
By Innokenty Grekov A verdict in the sham trial of members of the feminist punk band Pussy Riot is expected this week. Not shaken by…
Press
Secretary Clinton Must Set Out Clear Plan for Bringing End to Syrian Conflict
August 10, 2012
Washington, DC – As Secretary Clinton travels to Istanbul for consultations with the Turkish government on Syria, Human Rights First calls on her to set out…
Blog
Clinton Challenges South Africa to Live Up To Mandela’s Legacy
August 10, 2012
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s eleven day trip to Africa took another historic turn when she met with Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s former President and…
Press
U.S. Response to Sikh Temple Shooting Praised
August 7, 2012
New York City – Human Rights First welcomes the government’s swift and appropriate response to Sunday’s shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin and urges political leaders and law enforcement to double…
Blog
Constellation Pussy Riot Shines in Russia’s Universe of Extremism
August 7, 2012
By Innokenty Grekov The world is now witnessing the second painful week of the politically motivated and media-dominating trial of three members of Pussy Riot who performed…
Blog
“The Gazelle” Represents for the Women of Uganda
August 3, 2012
By Christiana Renfro This blog is part of the Olympics 2012 and Human Rights series. Dorcus Inzikuru: 30 years old Ugandan. Event: 3000m steeplechase (Friday, August…
Blog
Xenophobic Violence in Greece Highlights Need for Better Government Response
July 26, 2012
A recent front page article in the New York Times shines a light on the troubling rise in xenophobic violence in Greece. The article cites a new report from…
Press
American Christian Leaders Speak Out Against Anti-Homosexuality Laws
July 24, 2012
Washington, DC – Today, a group of 46 American Christian leaders issued an open letter expressing solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Ugandans in the face…
Press
Unanimous Committee Support for Magnitsky Bill Praised
June 26, 2012
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First welcomes action today by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of…
Press
Combatting Xenophobic Violence in Israel and Around the World
June 4, 2012
Refugees, asylum seekers and migrants from South Sudan and Eritrea have been the targets of brutal attacks, firebombing and lootings in Israel, as highlighted in…
Press
Human Rights First Urges Attention to Hate Crime at South Africa’s U.N. Human Rights Review
May 30, 2012
New York City – As South Africa prepares to undergo its mandated Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of human rights at the United Nations Human Rights Council…
Blog
A Spicy Borscht: Nationality, Mathematics, and Russian Police
May 29, 2012
By Innokenty Grekov Russia’s internet is fuming over a story out of Chelyabinsk, a city in the South Urals, where police officials have been sending official…
Press
Toulouse Attacks Highlight Need to Combat Bias-Motivated Crimes
March 19, 2012
Washington, DC – Human Rights First today praised French officials for their response to a horrific shooting at a Jewish school in Toulouse that resulted…
Press
Russian Court Ruling Bans LGBTI Group from 2014 Winter Olympics
March 14, 2012
New York City – Today, Human Rights First condemns a recent Russian court decision which discriminates against LGBTI persons. The organization is concerned that the…
Blog
Viktória Mohácsi: Confronting Hate Crimes Against Roma
March 1, 2012
Viktória spent decades on the front lines of the fight for Roma rights. In 2004, she was elected a Hungarian Member of the European Parliament,…
Fact Sheet
Guantanamo Transfer Restrictions Undermine National Security, Rule of Law
December 31, 2011
Obstructing the transfer of detainees out of Guantánamo impedes the President’s ability to close the prison, which serves as a recruiting tool for al Qaeda. …
Blog
Watch: LGBT Rights are Human Rights
December 6, 2011
In commemoration of Human Rights Day this Saturday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a breakthrough policy speech today focused on the protection of LGBT…
Report
Combating Xenophobic Violence–A Framework for Action
December 4, 2011
Around the world, refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and others viewed as “foreign” have been the targets of violent attacks. Xenophobic, racist, and other forms of…
Press
Human Rights First, Anti-Defamation League Criticize Inadequate Government Response to Hate Crime
November 17, 2011
Intergovernmental report: “Hate crime remains a significant problem across the OSCE region” New York City – Human Rights First and the Anti-Defamation League today issued…
Press
FBI Report Shows Sharp Incline in Anti-Muslim Violence
November 14, 2011
Washington, DC – The Federal Bureau of Investigations today released its annual data on hate crime in the United States for 2010. According to the…
Press
State Department Conversation with Massimino Marks International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism
November 9, 2011
Washington, DC – Today, Human Rights First President and CEO Elisa Massimino marked International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism and the 73rd anniversary of Kristallnacht…
Blog
Missing Pieces from the Nomination Hearing for Ambassador to Russia
October 12, 2011
A slew of issues were brought up today at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s nomination hearing for Michael McFaul, picked by President Obama to be…
Audio
Anti-Extremist Laws in Russia Misused to Target Human Rights, Religious Groups
October 8, 2011
In this audio file we discuss Russia’s selective enforcement of it’s anti-extremist laws. The Russian Federation has experienced a dramatic upsurge in violent hate crimes…
Blog
Moscow Biennale Art Performance Brings Attention to Victims of Racist Violence
September 8, 2011
This week, the New York-based conceptual artist Yevgeniy Fiks led a group tour in Moscow of several sites of violent hate crimes targeting people of…
Blog
Moscow Biennale Art Performance Brings Attention to Victims of Racist Violence
September 8, 2011
This week, the New York-based conceptual artist Yevgeniy Fiks led a group tour in Moscow of several sites of violent hate crimes targeting people of…
Press
9/11 Anniversary: Civil and Human Rights Groups Commit to Respect for Diversity, Safety, Security
August 31, 2011
Washington, D.C. – On a press conference call today, national civil rights, human rights, civil liberties, Muslim, Jewish, and South Asian groups introduced their statement…
Blog
Combating Religious Intolerance: What Works
July 20, 2011
Last week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton traveled to Turkey to meet with the head of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Secretary Clinton…
Blog
Rights Commissioner Hammarberg Critical of Antigay Discrimination in Europe
July 1, 2011
Last week, Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights, presented a report about “Discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in…
Blog
Senator McConnell’s Guantanamo Rhetoric Needs a Reality Check
June 29, 2011
Cross posted from Huffington Post For the past two weeks, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has waged a campaign of fear and inaccuracy in an attempt to…
Blog
Senator McConnell’s Guantanamo Rhetoric Needs a Reality Check
June 29, 2011
Cross posted from Huffington Post For the past two weeks, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has waged a campaign of fear and inaccuracy in an attempt to…
Blog
Pride Month: Celebrating and Advocating for LGBTI Persons Around the World
June 24, 2011
June is Pride Month, celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex rights around the world. Here in the United States, supporters of LGBTI rights are…
Blog
Brazilian Soccer Star Appalled at Racist Incident in Russia
June 23, 2011
Roberto Carlos had a banana thrown at him during a recent game in the Russian soccer league. The revered footballer is spending the sunset of…
Blog
European Emissaries Seek to Confront Intolerance and Promote Freedom
June 9, 2011
The Council of Europe’s group of Eminent Persons—assembled to address the challenges arising from the resurgence of intolerance and discrimination in Europe—has produced a new…
Press
Prevent the Targeting of Civilians in Syria
June 7, 2011
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First is deeply concerned by reports that Syrian security forces are advancing on the town of Jisr al-Shugour, in northern Syria. It…
Blog
U.N. Expert Highlights Xenophobia in South Africa, Calls for Hate Crime Legislation
June 3, 2011
International human rights bodies have periodically evaluated the response of the South African government to xenophobic and other forms of bias-motivated violence. Since waves of…
Press
Human Rights First Condemns Racist Attack on Russian Journalist
May 27, 2011
New York, N.Y.—Human Rights First calls on the Russian authorities to investigate the assault on the Kommersant journalist Elman Soltakhanov, who was attacked by a…
Blog
Antigay Hate Crimes Are Rising, Says U.N. High Commissioner
May 6, 2011
“Homophobia and transphobia are no different to sexism, misogyny, racism, or xenophobia,” says U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay in a video on…
Press
Transfer Restrictions, Recidivism Figures Criticized Ahead of House Hearing
April 13, 2011
Washington, DC – Today as the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations holds a hearing on “Guantanamo Transfer Policy and Recidivism,” Human Rights First…
Press
America Must Not Falter on Rights of Muslim Americans
March 29, 2011
Washington, DC – Today as Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) chairs a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights hearing on “Protecting the…
Press
Hungarian Government Urged To Protect Roma From Harassment and Intimidation
March 18, 2011
New York City, NYC – Today, Human Rights First joined the European Roma Rights Centre and Amnesty International in urging Hungarian authorities to protect Romani residents in Gyöngyöspata…
Blog
Irish should know better than to demonize Muslims given their own history
March 7, 2011
Published in Irish Central Irish teenagers growing up in British cities in the 1970s and 1980s knew what it was like to be part of a suspect…
Blog
Fight Hate Crimes–Donate by 12/31!
December 30, 2010
Persecuted communities should not have to stand alone in their struggles for justice, equality, and protection from violence. This year, we’ve worked to combat antisemitism,…
Blog
UN Rights its Wrong and Votes to Protect Gays
December 22, 2010
Huffington Post Following yesterday’s U.N. General Assembly vote to recognize and condemn killings based on sexual orientation – a reference that had been stripped in an…
Press
Human Rights First Statement on International Migrants Day
December 18, 2010
New York, NY – Today as it marked International Migrants Day, Human Rights First’s Eleanor Acer issued the following statement: “International Migrants Day is an important reminder…
Blog
Pakistani woman faces death for “blasphemy,” UN moves to support similar laws
December 18, 2010
In this week’s podcast: A Pakistani woman from Punjab was sentenced to death by hanging for defaming the Prophet Mohammed. Aasia Bibi, a Christian farm worker and a…
Blog
New FBI Hate Crime Data: Significant Drop, But Problem Persists in the United States
November 22, 2010
New York City – The Federal Bureau of Investigation today released a report for the year 2009, showing a decrease in the number of hate…
Blog
“Arguing for Free Speech—not Defamation of Religion—at Human Rights Council”
October 5, 2010
At the UN Human Rights Council debate (with Githu Muigai Special Rapporteur on ‘contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance’) Human Rights…
Blog
Slideshow: Discrimination Against Muslims
September 7, 2010
The U.S. Helsinki Commission’s Chairman Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Co–Chairman Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL) released a slideshow with depictions of various acts of discrimination, including hate crimes, against…
Blog
A Roma Family of Six Murdered in Slovakia
September 1, 2010
A “lone wolf, strange type” of a man murdered six neighbors, all from one Romani family, in Slovakia’s capital Bratislava on Monday, August 30th. The unemployed…
Blog
Lonely Planet: Anti-Gay Laws Prevent German Vice Chancellor’s Partner from Traveling Abroad
August 11, 2010
Guido Westerwelle, Germany’s—and Europe’s—first openly gay foreign minister has recently announced the decision that he would not be accompanied by his longtime domestic partner Michael…
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A Ugandan Beaten by Police in Ukraine
July 29, 2010
Discrimination and racist violence, including at the hands of the police, is an ongoing problem in Ukraine. The latest victim was Steven Okurut, a legal…
Child Soldier To Boycott Military Commission Proceedings in First Trial under Obama
July 14, 2010
By Nicole Karlebach, International Policy Fellow Crossposted from Huffington Post Omar Khadr appeared before Military Judge Patrick Parrish in Guantanamo Bay this week to confirm…
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Pakistan’s Crackdown on the Internet Shows What ‘Global Blasphemy Code’ Could Look Like
July 12, 2010
By Tad Stahnke, Director of Policy and Programs Crossposted from Huffington Post Pakistani authorities recently announced they will ban 17 websites and scrutinize seven additional…
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Russian Art Curators Fined, Avoid Jail Time in Case Challenging Freedom of Expression
July 12, 2010
It’s verdict time in Moscow. In a case closely followed by Human Rights First over the past two years, two Russian art curators were ordered…
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Majority of OSCE Nations Fail to Comply with Efforts to Track Hate Crime
June 30, 2010
Washington, DC Human Rights First and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today issued a report noting that the large majority of the 56 Organization for Security and…
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2010 High-Level Conference on Tolerance in Astana, Kazakhstan
June 30, 2010
At the OSCE Conference on Tolerance, HRF and the Anti-Defamation League released a report noting that half of OSCE nations fail to comply with efforts to…
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Elisa Massimino Testifies in Congress on Foreign Aid
June 10, 2010
President and CEO of Human Rights First, Elisa Massimino testified before the United States House Of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs today on Human Rights…
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Retired Military Urge Closing Guantanamo, Trying Terrorism Suspects in Federal Courts
June 2, 2010
Human Rights First is gathering a group of distinguished retired military leaders this week in Philadelphia to talk to congressional candidates about national security issues–notably…
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A Right–but First–Move in Malawi: Next Steps to Protect LGBT persons at risk
June 1, 2010
This weekend the President of Malawi made the right move in pardoning a Malawian couple, Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, previously sentenced to 14 years hard…
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Elisa Massimino Testifies in Congress on Antisemitism
April 14, 2010
Human Rights First President and CEO Elisa Massimino testified today at 2 p.m. before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on the alarming rise of antisemitism worldwide.…
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Are Russia’s Neo-Nazis Upping the Ante?
April 14, 2010
By Paul LeGendre, Director, Fighting Discrimination Program Crossposted from Huffington Post On April 12, Eduard Chuvashov, a federal judge of the Russian Federation was gunned down…
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Group Urges Newly Elected Hungarian Leaders to Prioritize Fight Against Anti-Roma Violence and Discrimination
April 12, 2010
New York City, 4/12/10 Human Rights First today called on Hungary’s newly elected authorities to prioritize combating hate crime and racist violence, specifically growing xenophobia, antisemitism…
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Spotlight U.S. Rights Violations in Report to Human Rights Council
March 31, 2010
In a recent report to the Human Rights Council, Human Rights First highlights ongoing concerns about U.S. refugee protection and immigration detention; counterterrorism policies; and…
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Spotlighting US Rights Violations
March 31, 2010
In a recent report to the Human Rights Council, Human Rights First highlights ongoing concerns about U.S. refugee protection and immigration detention; counterterrorism policies; and…
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Tide Turning on “Defamations of Religions” at the United Nations Human Rights Council
March 26, 2010
New York, March 26, 2010 Human Rights First today praised growing United Nations Human Rights Council opposition to the concept of “defamation of religions,” a trend…
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UN Delegations Urged to Block Efforts to Prohibit “Defamation of Religion”
February 26, 2010
Washington, DC Human Rights First today urged United Nations member states to block ongoing efforts to establish new norms that prohibit defamation of religion, a…
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Lindsey Graham v. The U.S. Military
February 24, 2010
Cross-posted at Huffington Post. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) likes to tout his experience as a former military lawyer. Graham apparently thinks this makes him sound more convincing…
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Roma Citizens Remain At Risk In Hungary, Reforms Needed
February 23, 2010
By Joelle Fiss Pennoyer Fellow – Fighting Hate Crimes Crossposted from Huffington Post A year ago today, on February 23, 2009, Robert Csorba, a 27-year-old man…
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Freedom and Security are not Enemies
February 19, 2010
By Gabor Rona International Legal Director Vice President Joe Biden hit the nail on the head when he said Dick Cheney cannot change history and…
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Military Commissions Are a Terrorist’s Best Bet
February 11, 2010
By Daphne Eviatar, Senior Associate, Law and Security Cross-posted on Huffington Post. On February 2nd, a federal court of appeals decided that an Algerian man convicted of…
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Military Commissions Are a Terrorist’s Best Bet
February 11, 2010
By Daphne Eviatar, Senior Associate, Law and Security Cross-posted on Huffington Post. On February 2nd, a federal court of appeals decided that an Algerian man convicted of…
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Gillibrand, Baldwin Send Letter to Clinton: Help LGBT Refugees
February 4, 2010
Today Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin took a first step to help LGBT individuals fleeing violence or persecution in Iraq, Iran, and other…
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Andy McCarthy’s Analysis Doesn’t Add Up
February 1, 2010
By Gabor Rona International Legal Director Andy McCarthy is playing 3 Card Monte, and not very well, at that. His thesis appears to be that…
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Massimino Calls for Implementation of Human Rights Treaties Across U.S. Government
December 16, 2009
(Washington DC December 16, 2009) Human Rights First President and CEO Elisa Massimino today called for implementation of human rights treaties across the U.S. government,…
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Elisa Massimino Testifies on U.S. Implementation of Human Rights Treaties
December 16, 2009
Human Rights First’s President and CEO, Elisa Massimino, testifies today before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law. Read our press release, or…
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Human Rights First Celebrates International Human Rights Day
December 10, 2009
(New York City, NY December 10, 2009) Human Rights First today marks the 61st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by calling for…
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Holder Hearing: Stats, Shenaningans and Security Concerns
November 19, 2009
By Katie Fourmy, Human Rights First Program Assistant/Office Manager, Government Advocacy Just days after announcing that he would move the cases of five men accused…
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Russian Murder Underscores Danger Faced by Antifascist Activists
November 17, 2009
(New York, NY November 17, 2009) On November 16, a well-known Russian antifascist activist, Ivan Khutorskoi, was shot to death in Moscow. It has been…
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Moscow Murder Underscores Dangers for Russian Activists, Journalists
November 17, 2009
The brutal murder of 26-year-old anti-fascist activist Ivan Khutorskoi in Moscow yesterday is yet another reminder of the dangers faced by activists and journalists in…
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Intergovernmental Report: Hate Crime Remains a Significant Problem in Europe and North America
November 16, 2009
(New York, NY November 16, 2009) The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) today released its annual report “Hate Crimes in the OSCE…
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Obama Signs the Hate Crime Bill into Law! What’s Next?
October 28, 2009
By Paul LeGendre, cross-posted from Huffington Post Ten years ago this month, Wyoming college student Matthew Shepard was brutally attacked and murdered because he was gay.…
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Matthew Shepard Hate Crime Bill Passes Congress, Awaits Signature
October 26, 2009
At the end of last week Congress passed a bill that has been over ten years in the waiting, extending hate crime protection to gays.…
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Respecting freedom of expression, while combating discrimination and intolerance: HRF Congressional Testimony
October 22, 2009
Check out testimony below made by Human Rights First’s Tad Stanhke, at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Hearing yesterday on the Implications of the…
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Human Rights First Praises Final Passage of Hate Crimes Prevention Legislation
October 8, 2009
Washington, DC – Praising House passage of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, legislation that was included in the Department of Defense authorization bill,…
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Hate Crime in Russia: Rethinking Crime and Punishment
September 21, 2009
Fourteen neo-Nazi youths are on trial in St. Petersburg for deliberately and systematically killing eight people in what appear to be hate crimes. Human Rights…
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Two Retired Generals Denounce Former Vice President Cheney
September 10, 2009
It’s not every day that retired generals denounce a Vice President. But two distinguished military leaders felt compelled to speak out against Mr. Cheney’s support…
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Rights Group Calls for Follow Through on Key State Hate Crimes Recommendations
August 18, 2009
New York City Human Rights First today welcomed the New York Hate Crimes Task Force … Read More
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The Hungarian government must step up its efforts to stop hate crimes against Roma
August 7, 2009
A few days ago, on August 2 2009, a Roma woman, 45, was shot dead, and her daughter, 13, seriously injured in an overnight attack…
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Testimony from Ukraine: Racist Violence and Need for Government Action
July 21, 2009
Check out this Huffington Post article from a partner working at the African Center of Kyiv. The rise in racist violence has turned what was originally a…
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Paul Legendre’s Huffington Post article on hate murder of Jewish man in Paris
July 16, 2009
Check out Paul’s piece in the Huffington Post on the Ilan Halimi case. In February 2006, Halimi was kidnapped, tortured and killed because he was a Jew.…
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Following Verdict iIn Halimi Trial, Rights Group Reminds of Trend in Hate Violence and Role of Criminal Justice
July 13, 2009
In light of today’s verdict in the 2006 killing of 23-year-old Ilan Halimi, Paul LeGendre, Director of the Fighting Discrimination Program at Human Rights First,…
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Human Rights Group Responds to Hate Crime Murder in Germany
July 10, 2009
Human Rights First expresses deep concern at the stabbing of a Marwa El Sherbiny, who was suing her attacker after he insulted her for wearing…
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Attorney General Speaks About Hate Crimes and Coming Report on Torture
June 17, 2009
Attorney General Eric Holder mentioned hate crime legislation as a top priority in a Senate hearing today. Let your senator know that you agree with…
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As International Hate Crimes Escalate, Human Rights First Urges Senate to Strengthen U.S. Laws
June 4, 2009
Washington, DC Human Rights First (HRF) is urging the U.S. Senate to pass legislation that would strengthen protections against hate crimes throughout the nation and abroad.…
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2008 State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
February 25, 2009
New York, NY – The release today of the State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices follows a number of positive steps taken…
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“K.S.M. produced no actionable intelligence.”
January 12, 2009
Firedoglake offers up succinct refutation of Joe Scarborough’s screed, citing Jane Mayer’s The Dark Side, and David Rose’s article in Vanity Fair late last year:…
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Rights Group Launches Series of Blueprints for the Obama Administration
January 5, 2009
New York – A leading rights group has released a series of blueprints laying out detailed, multi-phased strategies for how the Obama administration should act…
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Accountability Needed for Murder of Indonesian Rights Defender
December 29, 2008
NEW YORK, December 29, 2008 -The verdict expected on December 31, 2008, in the trial of a senior intelligence official charged with the murder of…
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Rights Group urges New Administration to End Mixed Messages on Human Rights Promotion in Russia
December 5, 2008
WASHINGTON – Consistent promotion of human rights must be an integral part of the United States bilateral relationship with Russia, asserts Human Rights First in…
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As Kristallnacht is remembered, antisemitic violence still rising in Europe
November 10, 2008
NEW YORK – Tad Stahnke, Director of Human Rights First’s Fighting Discrimination Program and co-author of the group’s recent 2008 Hate Crimes Survey, released the…
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New FBI Hate Crime Statistics Confirm Need for Stronger Federal Response
October 27, 2008
New York, October 27, 2008 – Hate crime statistics released today by the Federal Bureau of Investigation show a continued upward trend in certain categories…