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We found 136 results for "Our Work in Ukraine"

Blog

Civilians Under Air Attack in Ukraine Warned: “Overconfidence Is Your Weakness”

May 16, 2023

By Brian Dooley In the early hours of this morning, Kyiv was hit by what a local official described as an “exceptional” number of Russian…

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Blog

Undaunted by War, Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Activists Track Public Spending

May 15, 2023

In 2017, we reported from the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on a series of attacks on activists who exposed local corruption. We documented how several…

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Blog

NGO Sphere Provides Resistance and Aid in Kharkiv

April 27, 2023

KHARKIV – Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, we have reported regularly from the battered but defiant city of Kharkiv. We’ve detailed how…

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Blog

Using Targeted Sanctions to Bring ICC Fugitives to Justice

April 14, 2023

By Alix Hirsh and Adam Keith Targeted sanctions can support the diplomatic, political, and law enforcement work that is often necessary to hold serious human…

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Blog

Civilians Organize to Resist Russian Occupation in Ukraine

March 29, 2023

By Brian Dooley  KYIV, Ukraine — Just after the Second World War, French Resistance fighter Agnes Humbert published an account of how she had survived…

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Blog

Russian Forces Attack Medical Facilities Across Ukraine

March 28, 2023

By Brian Dooley Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine: I’m with Mike Breen of Human Rights First, about ten miles from the Russian border in the northeastern villages…

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Blog

Almost There: When Will the Biden Administration Support the ICC in Ukraine?

March 7, 2023

This article was first published on Just Security on March 4, 2023 By Adam Keith Over the last year, the people of Ukraine have endured Russian war crimes on…

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Report

Ten things the U.S. should do to help Ukraine’s civil society

February 16, 2023

Within hours of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many local human rights defenders responded to the crisis, adjusting their work methods and…

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Blog

Ukrainian Activists Urge Reform on Prisoner Swaps and Military Ombudsman

January 12, 2023

By Brian Dooley No one knows exactly how many Ukrainian civilians are detained by Russian forces, either in occupied zones in Ukraine or in Russia…

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Blog

Ukraine’s Gwara Media Fights For Truth in Kharkiv

January 11, 2023

By Brian Dooley Despite what United States Senator Hiram Johnson declared in 1918, truth wasn’t the first casualty of the Russian war on Ukraine. Russia…

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Blog

DIVOCHE.MEDIA: Amplifying Voices of Women in Ukraine

January 10, 2023

By Brian Dooley  Kyiv — For over a decade, the independent media outlet DIVOCHE.MEDIA has provided a feminist perspective on Ukrainian society, health advice, and…

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Blog

Coping in the Kharkiv cold

January 9, 2023

https://humanrightsfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/dooley-in-Kharkiv.mp4 By Brian Dooley For months, the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine has been bracing for a bitter winter. Back in August we reported…

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Blog

Undoing Some Damage, U.S. Commits to More Support for ICC

December 16, 2022

By Adam Keith In the fog on the outskirts of The Hague, governments and civil society representatives came together last week for the annual meeting…

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Blog

Same-sex Partnerships In Ukraine Would Show Its Values

November 29, 2022

By Brian Dooley Days after Russia invaded his country in February, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy framed the war as a struggle “for values: life, democracy,…

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Blog

Crimean Human Rights Lawyers Appeal for Solidarity in Wake of Attacks

November 22, 2022

By Brian Dooley  KYIV: The Crimean Solidarity movement was set up by lawyers, journalists, and relatives of those arrested following the Russian invasion of Crimea…

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Blog

Ukrainian Experts Produce Guide for Journalists Reporting War-Related Sexual Violence

November 8, 2022

By Brian Dooley  Russia’s war on Ukraine is the biggest news story of 2022. Teams of international journalists are all over the country detailing Russia’s…

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Blog

As Winter Bites, Russian Missiles Threaten Ukraine’s Power Supply

November 7, 2022

By Brian Dooley https://humanrightsfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Dooley-Winter-Bites83.mp4 KHARKIV:  Ukraine’s winter has begun, bringing new threats to its cities already battered by eight months of rocket attacks. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s…

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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…

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Press

Human Rights First Recommends Sanctions For Vladimir Kara-Murza’s Detention and Poisoning

October 14, 2022

Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First yesterday filed a formal recommendation to the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of the Treasury recommending Magnitsky…

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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…

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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)…

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Press

New Board Members Bring Key Expertise

October 4, 2022

NEW YORK — Today, Human Rights First announced the addition of three new members to its board of directors: Catherine Amirfar, Gil H. Ha and…

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Press

Human Rights First Honors World Refugee Day

September 19, 2022

WASHINGTON - On World Refugee Day, Human Rights First recognizes both the enormous hardships that displaced people around the world continue to face and their…

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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…

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Press

Human Rights First Honors Three Law Firms with the 2022 Marvin E. Frankel Award for Pro Bono Service

August 31, 2022

NEW YORK — Human Rights First today announced that three law firms will be honored with the Marvin E. Frankel Award for Pro Bono Service: Greenberg…

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Blog

Kharkiv Battles on Despite Russian Rocket Attacks

August 15, 2022

Next week marks six months since the largescale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Although many battle lines have shifted across the country in that time, the…

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Blog

LGBTQ Asylum Seekers Still Facing Grave Dangers Due to Title 42

August 12, 2022

By Teodoro Garcia, Intern, Refugee Protection This week, the Biden administration announced the end of “Remain in Mexico,” a policy that forced migrants and asylum…

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Blog

A Taste of Normal Life in a Ukrainian City at War

August 11, 2022

KHARKIV — Finding a slice of normalcy during war is a strong instinct for many people. Activists all over the world stress the importance of clinging…

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Blog

Leading Rights Activist Joins Ukraine’s Army and is Taken Prisoner

July 25, 2022

By Brian Dooley It’s an agonizing decision for human rights defenders: is there a point where they switch from peaceful resistance to take up arms?…

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Press

New Bill Would Prevent Sanctions Against Institutions Promoting Accountability

July 14, 2022

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Joaquin Castro and Rep. James McGovern introduced the Multilateral Leadership Act to ensure that targeted U.S. sanctions are not misused against institutions that help…

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Blog

Responsibly Researching War Crimes in Ukraine

July 12, 2022

By Brian Dooley War crimes in Ukraine are now so horribly common that one of the local groups tracking them documents incidents virtually every day.…

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Testimony

Meeting International Obligations to Welcome and Protect Refugees

June 24, 2022

Testimony of Kennji Kizuka Associate Director of Research and Analysis for Refugee Protection, Human Rights First Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, U.S. Congress “South Korea’s…

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Blog

Biden to Visit Saudi: Recalibration of the Relationship or Rehabilitation of MBS?

June 15, 2022

True to its word, the Biden White House is recalibrating its relationship with Saudi Arabia. Just not in the way we'd hoped. Press reports suggest…

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Blog

Ukraine’s Public Mobilizes to Document War Crimes

May 9, 2022

By Brian Dooley From Lviv in the west to Kharkiv 700 miles away in the northeast, people across Ukraine are talking about war crimes and…

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Blog

Underground in a Ukrainian City at War: How Kharkiv’s Metro System Offers Shelter

May 5, 2022

  By Brian Dooley Tucked in northeastern Ukraine, less than 25 miles from the Russian border, Kharkiv is a major target of Russia’s invasion. It’s…

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Blog

“There is a Shortage of Body Bags”

April 25, 2022

By Brian Dooley On the first night of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, Human Rights Defender Mila Yankina from the NGO ZMINA spoke to…

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Blog

The Polish Catholic Group Taking Risks to Help Refugees

April 15, 2022

By Brian Dooley Tucked away on the edge of a forest on the Polish side of the Poland-Belarus border is a cottage with a green…

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Press

Evacuate Our Allies Urges Extension of Ukrainian Parole Program to Afghans

April 13, 2022

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Blog

Poland’s Secret Heroes

April 11, 2022

By Brian Dooley For now, their real names must be kept hidden: locals along Poland’s border with Belarus who are secretly helping refugees in the…

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Blog

Biden Should Speak Out on Trans People Blocked from Leaving Ukraine

March 24, 2022

By Brian Dooley Liana Georgi is an activist with the Safe Bow organization, which helps people from marginalized groups fleeing to safety from Ukraine. It…

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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…

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Press

Atrocities in Ukraine Underscore Need To Reauthorize Strengthened Global Magnitsky Act

March 23, 2022

WASHINGTON D.C. – Human Rights First, Freedom House, and 56 other civil society groups issued a joint letter today calling on the U.S. Congress to…

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Blog

Mila Yankina’s Medical Work in the Violence of Kyiv

March 23, 2022

The day after the Russian invasion of Ukraine I spoke to my friend Mila Yankina in Kyiv. She’s a human rights defender at the organization ZMINA and…

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Blog

Driven by Humanity: One Polish Volunteer’s Efforts in Ukraine

March 22, 2022

When Russian troops invaded Ukraine, 38-year old Marek had just passed his driving test. He is from eastern Poland, and wanted to help with the…

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Blog

Tracking War Crimes in Ukraine with the Truth Hounds

March 21, 2022

Set up in 2014, Ukrainian human rights organization Truth Hounds has built an international reputation for its superb work in documenting war crimes in the eastern parts…

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Blog

Ukraine Medics Face Rocket Attacks with Defiance

March 20, 2022

Ksenja is a 24 year-old pediatric doctor in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. She told Human Rights First that after a brief respite in the west of…

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Blog

Lviv Offers Fast Track to Safety

March 19, 2022

Lviv’s magnificent old railway station in Ukraine is one of those Art Nouveau classics of eastern Europe. It survived a couple of world wars, Nazi…

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Justice for Ukraine and the U.S. Government’s Anomalous Int’l Criminal Court Policy

March 9, 2022

The International Criminal Court's investigation of Russian war crimes in Ukraine should prompt the United States to set aside its idiosyncratic view about the court's…

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Press

Court of Appeals blocks use of public health to expel families to danger

March 4, 2022

WASHINGTON D.C. -- In the wake of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Hisha Huisha v. Mayorkas, Human Rights First calls on the…

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Testimony

Examining the Court-Ordered Reimplementation of the Remain in Mexico Policy

March 1, 2022

March 2, 2022 Human Rights First thanks the House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations for holding a hearing on…

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Fact Sheet

Q & A on Sanctions and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

March 1, 2022

What are sanctions, and why are they being used or proposed in this crisis? The word “sanctions” broadly describes a range of coercive measures usually…

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Blog

U.S. Should Spell Out How It Will Help Activists Needing to Flee Ukraine

February 27, 2022

By Brian Dooley The U.S. State Department assures us that “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to putting human rights and democratic principles at the center…

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Blog

Human Rights Activists in Ukraine Call for Swift Response

February 25, 2022

By Brian Dooley Human rights activists in Ukraine are telling Human Rights First about the immediate impact on them of the Russian invasion, and what…

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Blog

Targeted Sanctions on Corrupt and Abusive Russian Officials: What Civil Society is Calling For

February 25, 2022

By Gita Howard, Adam Keith Human Rights First has called for the United States and other governments to immediately impose targeted Global Magnitsky sanctions on…

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Letter

Listening to Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Ukraine

August 29, 2021

No-one knows how many war crimes have been committed in Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February, or how many were committed since Russia’s 2014…

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Letter

Listening to Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Ukraine

August 29, 2021

No-one knows how many war crimes have been committed in Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February, or how many were committed since Russia’s 2014…

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Press

Recipients of 2019 Marvin E. Frankel Award for Pro Bono Service Announced

August 13, 2019

New York City—Human Rights First today announced that it will present its annual Marvin E. Frankel Award to the law firms of Akin Gump Strauss…

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Blog

Five Oversight Questions for Secretary Pompeo

March 27, 2019

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will testify twice today in the House of Representatives to justify President Trump’s fiscal year 2020 budget plan and answer…

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Blog

A Few Questions for Madeleine Albright at HFAC

February 27, 2019

Today, former secretary of state Madeleine Albright appeared before the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) at its hearing on “The Trump Administration’s Foreign Policy: A…

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Letter

Open Letter from Non-Governmental Organizations in Support of a Targeted, Global EU Human Rights Sanctions Regime

December 5, 2018

December 05, 2018   OPEN LETTER FROM NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN SUPPORT OF A TARGETED, GLOBAL EU HUMAN RIGHTS SANCTIONS REGIME Dear Ministers of Foreign Affairs,…

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Press

Human Rights First Meets with State and Treasury Departments on Human Rights and Corruption Sanctions

August 1, 2018

Washington, D.C.—Today, Human Rights First and ten other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) met with representatives from the Departments of State and Treasury to discuss sanctions recommendations…

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Press

Hooper Testifies on Russian Disinformation Efforts in United States, Europe

September 14, 2017

Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First’s Melissa Hooper today will urge members of Congress to maintain American support for democratic norms and institutions in response to Russian…

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Press

NGOs Identify Human Rights Abusers, Corrupt Actors for Sanctions Under U.S. Bill

September 13, 2017

Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today called on the Trump Administration to use the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to levy targeted sanctions against individuals in 15 cases from…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: May 15, 2017

May 15, 2017

By Mary Elizabeth Margolis Top Items Turkish President to Visit the White House President Trump is scheduled to welcome Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the White House…

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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…

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Letter

Letter to Secretary Tillerson on First Russia Trip

April 7, 2017

Dear Secretary Tillerson: Your upcoming visit to the Russian Federation comes at a particularly consequential time for bilateral relations between the United States and Russia.…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: March 20, 2017

March 20, 2017

By Mary Elizabeth Margolis Top Items Neil Gorsuch Confirmation Hearings Confirmation hearings begin today in the Senate for Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Trump’s nominee to…

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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…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: February 6, 2017

February 6, 2017

By Mary Elizabeth Margolis TOP ITEMS Muslim Ban Temporarily Halted A decision Sunday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit preserved a lower…

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Issue Brief

Russian Influence in Europe

January 11, 2017

SIX WAYS (OTHER THAN HACKING) THAT RUSSIA IS EXPLOITING DIVISIONS AND THE RISE OF XENOPHOBIA IN EUROPE 1.Backing far-right and other disruptive parties Russia has…

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Blog

Risks of a Tillerson Foreign Policy: Authoritarian Growth and Corruption

January 10, 2017

In 2011 Exxon Mobil, with Secretary of State-nominee Rex Tillerson at the helm, won a lucrative contract to explore for oil in a Russian-controlled part of the…

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Blog

Russia’s Toolkit for Undermining Democracy

December 13, 2016

The CIA recently announced its conclusion that the Russian government intentionally interfered in the U.S. presidential election. Much of the attention has focused on illegal hacking. While…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: December 12, 2016

December 12, 2016

Top Items Human Rights Summit Tomorrow Human Rights First will host its fifth annual Human Rights Summit at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. The afternoon…

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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…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: November 28, 2016

November 28, 2016

Top Items Veterans Storming Capitol Hill  This week members of Veterans for American Ideals will convene in Washington, D.C. to call on members of Congress to save…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: November 21, 2016

November 21, 2016

Top Items Torture Senator John McCain (R-AZ), while speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum on Saturday, delivered strong remarks against any return to the use of torture…

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Blog

Central Asia Follows Russia’s Lead, Undermining Human Rights at OSCE

October 5, 2016

(Photo courtesy of U.S. Mission to the OSCE) Last week the largest annual human rights conference in Europe brought together governments and human rights defenders…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: September 26, 2016

September 26, 2016

Top Items Global Refugee Crisis On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Immigration and National Interest Subcommittee will hold a hearing to examine the administration’s FY2017 refugee…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: June 20, 2016

June 21, 2016

Top News World Refugee Day Today, to mark World Refugee Day, 28 of the nation’s most prominent national security leaders, retired generals and admirals, and former government…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: June 13, 2016

June 13, 2016

Top News Ukraine Pride After the deadliest mass shooting attack in U.S. history targeted LGBT men and women at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub, claiming 50 lives and…

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Blog

Voices for Equality: Ukraine

June 13, 2016

By Shawn Gaylord “I stand with the rainbow flag. I know that many of you belong to this group. I ask that you not be afraid…

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Press

Amid Threats of Violence, United States Urged to Press for Protection of Kiev Pride Participants

June 10, 2016

Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today called on the State Department to press the Ukrainian government to provide protection to organizers and participants of Pride…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: June 6, 2016

June 6, 2016

Top Items Human Trafficking This week Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United States. In advance of the visit, Human Rights First is urging the State Department to press…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: May 23, 2016

May 23, 2016

Top News Guantanamo On Tuesday, the House Oversight and Government Reform National Security Subcommittee will hold a hearing examining the remaining detainees at the U.S. detention…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: May 16, 2016

May 16, 2016

TOP NEWS Guantanamo This week as the military commission proceedings in the case against Abdul Hadi al Iraqi continue at the U.S. detention center at…

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Blog

Will New Anti-Corruption Efforts Strengthen the Fight Against Violent Extremism?

May 13, 2016

This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Secretary of State John Kerry and dozens of heads of state attended yesterday’s London Anti-Corruption Summit, which…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: April 18, 2016

April 18, 2016

TOP NEWS Obama in Saudi Arabia This week President Obama travels to Saudi Arabia to meet with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including…

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Blog

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Ukraine’s Missteps on Protecting the Rights of LGBT People

March 31, 2016

By Dylan Rasnick In mid-March, Equality Festival Lviv was forced to cancel its weekend events because venues retracted sponsorship, the local government banned all public events, and…

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Press

Violence Erupts in Lviv as Ukrainian Equality Festival is Cancelled

March 21, 2016

Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today expressed alarm over reports of violence that took place against members of Ukraine’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)…

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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…

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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…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: October 19, 2015

October 19, 2015

Top News Antisemitism Tomorrow Senator Ben Cardin and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance will host a conversation on Combating Anti-Semitism…

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Press

President Obama Urged to Raise Extremism, Antisemitism as G7 Nations Meet to Address Security Concerns

June 3, 2015

Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged President Obama to work with his Group of Seven counterparts to confront antisemitism and extremism in a way that strengthens the Trans-Atlantic…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: April 13, 2015

April 13, 2015

Top News Equality in Jamaica During his trip to Jamaica last week, President Obama voiced support for the island’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: March 2, 2015

March 2, 2015

Top News GUANTANAMO This week, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House Appropriations Committee’s Defense Subcommittee…

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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…

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Transcript

Elisa Massimino Keynote Address on the Case for American Leadership on Human Rights

February 10, 2015

Elisa Massimino Keynote Address American Bar Association Mid-Year Meeting Center for Human Rights Annual Luncheon Houston, Texas February 9, 2015. Thank you so much for…

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Press

Obama, Merkel Urged to Discuss Hungary’s Authoritarianism after White House Meeting

February 9, 2015

Washington, D.C.—As President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Andrea Merkel continue conversations that started during their meeting today, Human Rights First urges them to focus…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: November 10, 2014

November 12, 2014

Top News TORTURE This week, the United States will appear before the United Nations Committee Against Torture in Geneva to describe its efforts to fulfill America’s…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: October 27, 2014

October 27, 2014

Top News TORTURE Twelve Nobel Peace Prize laureates are calling on President Obama to release the Senate intelligence committee’s long-anticipated CIA torture report and make “full disclosure to…

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Blog

Six Things to Watch Out for in Ukraine’s Elections

October 24, 2014

By Brian Dooley This is a cross post from The Huffington Post: Parliamentary elections take place in Ukraine on Sunday and are expected to show what direction…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: October 20, 2014

October 20, 2014

Top News TORTURE Over the weekend, The New York Times’ Charlie Savage reported that State Department attorneys are urging the president to “officially abandon” the George W.…

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Blueprint

How to Promote Ukraine’s Democracy

October 16, 2014

INTRODUCTION This blueprint is based on research conducted in Ukraine by Human Rights First staff, and on discussions with Ukrainian government and civil society representatives,…

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Press

Blueprint Urges U.S. Role in Ukraine’s Push for Democracy

October 16, 2014

Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today released a blueprint for the U.S. government on how to promote Ukraine’s democracy. The blueprint comes as Ukraine is set to…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: September 22, 2014

September 25, 2014

Top News U.N. General Assembly This week, as the United Nations General Assembly gathers in New York City, President Obama will address member nations on Wednesday…

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Testimony

Back to Basics: Advancing Human Rights in a Time of Crisis

September 22, 2014

Keynote Address to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Warsaw, Poland Elisa Massimino, President and CEO, Human Rights First September 22, 2014…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: September 15, 2014

September 15, 2014

Top News Congressional ISIS Hearings Members of the House and Senate will hold a series of hearings this week on the administration’s plan to address the…

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Press

Obama Should Prioritize Development of Independent, Democratic Ukraine at NATO Meeting

September 3, 2014

Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged President Obama to prioritize the development of an independent and democratic Ukraine as he meets with his NATO…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: September 2, 2014

September 2, 2014

Top News Ukraine Tops NATO Agenda President Obama leaves today for a four-day trip that will include a high-profile meeting in Tallinn with the presidents of…

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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…

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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…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: July 21, 2014

July 21, 2014

Top News CHILDREN AT THE BORDER On Friday, President Obama will meet with the presidents of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras to discuss the surge…

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Blog

Washington’s Bahrain Problem Gets Worse

July 10, 2014

By Brian Dooley This week the Bahrain ruling family has revealed itself as an increasingly embarrassing, erratic ally for the United States. Monday’s decision to…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: June 23, 2014

June 23, 2014

Top News CRISIS IN IRAQ Secretary of State… Read More

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: June 9, 2014

June 9, 2014

Top News CHIDREN AT THE BORDER Over the… Read More

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Blog

LGBT Activist Refused Membership of New Ukrainian Party

June 5, 2014

As Vice President Joe Biden heads to Ukraine this weekend for the inauguration of new Ukrainian president Poroshenko, he might want to pay closer attention to the new era of…

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Press

Senate Confirms Keith Harper as New U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Human Rights Council

June 3, 2014

Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today welcomes the Senate’s confirmation of Keith Harper as U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Human Rights Council. The Senate’s vote…

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: June 2, 2014

June 2, 2014

Top News OBAMA TRAVELS TO EUROPE President Obama,… Read More

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Blog

Washington Week on Human Rights: May 27, 2014

May 27, 2014

Top News PRESIDENT OBAMA TALKS FOREIGN POLICY President Obama will discuss the administration’s foreign policy and national security priorities during his West Point commencement address on…

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Blog

Bahrain Rewards Assad’s Arms Supplier With New Contract

April 30, 2014

By Brian Dooley Yesterday’s news that the  Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) has signed another contract with the Russian state-owned arms dealer, Rosoboronexport, is a further depressing…

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Blog

Twitter and Human Rights: A Complicated Story

March 26, 2014

By Emily Price Twitter and other social media outlets are a blessing and a curse for human rights defenders. On one hand, they are great…

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Letter

Coalition Letter Urging the Senate to Vote on the Confirmation of Malinowski

March 26, 2014

Human Rights First along with a broad based group of human rights organizations today urged the Senate to immediately confirm Tomasz Malinowski as Assistant Secretary…

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Press

U.S. Financial Sanctions Against Russia Establish Framework for Targeting Arms Exporters

March 17, 2014

Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First welcomes President Obama’s executive order issued today that puts in place financial sanctions against the Russian government. This newly-signed executive…

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Press

Human Rights Priorities at Core of Strong State of the Union

January 28, 2014

Washington, D.C. – As President Obama prepares to deliver his State of the Union address tonight, Human Rights First is urging him to articulate policies…

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Fact Sheet

The Basics of U.S. Asylum Law

December 31, 2012

Who are refugees? Refugees are often survivors of unimaginable atrocities. Many have had family members killed in conflict or been separated from their parents or…

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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…

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Blog

Largest-Ever U.N. Call for End to Anti-LGBT Violence

March 23, 2011

Yesterday’s United Nations Human Rights Council statement on sexual orientation and gender identity was endorsed by an unprecedented 85 countries. The statement received the support…

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Blog

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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Press

New Report Finds Violent Hate Crime on the Rise

September 24, 2008

NEW YORK–Incidents of violent hate crime targeting a number of minority groups are increasing or occurring at historically high levels in many of the Organization…

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Press

Rights Group Calls on European Officials to Raise Concern on Escalating Hate Crimes in Ukraine

August 19, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A leading human rights advocacy group has urged high-ranking European officials to use a September 9 summit meeting with Ukrainian officials to…

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Press

Rights Groups Call On State Dept. To Raise Concern On Escalating Hate Crimes In Ukraine

August 7, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A coalition of leading advocacy groups, convened by Human Rights First, has called on Dan Fried, the Assistant Secretary of State for…

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Report

2008 Hate Crime Survey: Framework Of Criminal Law

March 16, 2008

Executive Summary While governments have an obligation to combat all crime, the hate crime concept is a simple acknowledgement of the greater seriousness of crimes…

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Press

Interrogation and Torture in U.S. Policy: Forum with Retired Admirals and Generals

January 11, 2008

Columbia, SC – Retired military leaders will discuss U.S. interrogation policy and the importance of the commander-in-chief setting the highest standards for all U.S. personnel…

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Press

Retired Admirals and Generals Visit The Citadel to Speak about U.S. Interrogation Policy and the Geneva Conventions

January 11, 2008

Charleston, SC – Retired military leaders will meet at The Citadel to discuss U.S. interrogation policy and the importance of the commander-in-chief setting the highest…

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Blog

European Governments Must Do More to Tackle Hate Crimes

December 17, 2007

TEL AVIV – A majority of European governments get a poor grade in their efforts to tackle violent hate crimes, according to Human Rights First’s…

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