We found 260 results for "Technology"
Blog
The Woman’s Way: Brilliance, Resilience, and Unwavering Grit
March 21, 2023
By Marvelous Maeze, ELAB Executive Co-Chair and DEI Committee Chair During March, Women’s History Month, Human Rights First’s Emerging Leaders Advisory Board honors women who…
Press
Biden’s Asylum Ban Would Return U.S. to Trump-Style Policy
February 21, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After the Biden administration today proposed a rule that would illegally ban many refugees from seeking asylum in the United States due…
Press
Human Rights First Welcomes Two New Directors to Its Board
January 25, 2023
NEW YORK, NY – At its board retreat last week, Human Rights First elected Fiona A. Philip and Nithya Thadani to its board of directors.…
Press
On Anniversary of January 6, Antidemocratic Extremism is Mainstream
January 6, 2023
WASHINGTON – On the second anniversary of the insurrection at the United States Capitol, Human Rights First reprised its call to bring those responsible for…
Blog
HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST WELCOMES ITS EMERGING LEADERS ADVISORY BOARD
November 23, 2022
The Next Generation of World Shapers is Already Here By Jayshawn Lee and Isaac Todd Importance & Promise Young people have always been vanguards in…
Press
Human Rights First Challenges Surge of Antisemitism and Anti-Black Hate
November 8, 2022
For more than a month, bigoted and dangerous actions and comments from Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, have ignited a surge of antisemitic incidents…
Press
Shora Speaks at DHS Conference on Extremist Violence
November 4, 2022
WASHINGTON – Human Rights First’s Executive Vice President for Programs and Policy Kareem Shora spoke today at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center…
Letter
To President Biden on Iran: Fulfill Your Promise to Confront Authoritarianism
October 7, 2022
Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Cc: Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State Jake…
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…
Lab Project
SurvAI
September 19, 2022
Problem. Today, anyone with a phone has the means to capture video recordings of human rights abuses. But this proliferation of data can easily overwhelm…
Press
Human Rights First Welcomes Krishna Omkar to its Board
September 19, 2022
NEW YORK – At its recent board meeting, Human Rights First elected Krishna Omkar to its board of directors. “Krishna is recognized around the world as…
Topics
EXTREMISM
September 19, 2022
We help lead a holistic, rights-respecting response to violent domestic extremism. Spurred by drivers such as technology, climate, demographic change, economic inequality, and opportunistic leadership,…
Press
Human Rights First Releases Walking the Talk
September 19, 2022
2021 Blueprints for a Human Rights-Centered U.S. Foreign Policy WASHINGTON – Today Human Rights First released Walking the Talk: 2021 Blueprints for a Human Rights-Centered U.S. Foreign Policy, a series…
Action
Use Your Voice for Human Rights
July 7, 2022
Human Rights are under threat in the United States and across the globe in the undue burdens put on asylum seekers exercising their right to…
Blog
International Expert Panel: State Impunity and the Northern Ireland conflict
June 30, 2022
Brian Dooley & Aoife Duffy Since the 1998 Good Friday/Belfast Agreement which ended the 30-year conflict in Northern Ireland, the region has largely enjoyed progress…
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…
Blog
Air Raid App Offers Reassurance in Ukraine
May 11, 2022
By Brian Dooley Using new technology to defend human rights is all the rage. The leading international human rights organizations are dedicating significant resources to…
Press
Human Rights First Calls for Nominations for 2022 Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award
March 10, 2022
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Human Rights First announced a call for nominations for the 2022 Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award. Nominations are due…
Press
Human Rights First Announces Addition of Inaugural Chief Legal Officer
March 8, 2022
WASHINGTON D.C. Human Rights First is pleased to announce that Licha M. Nyiendo today joins the organization as its inaugural Chief Legal Officer. Her hiring is…
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…
Press
Immigrant Rights Organizations Call on Biden to Stop Expansion of Surveillance and End the Immigration Detention System as a Whole
February 9, 2022
WASHINGTON D.C. – Yesterday, Axios reported that the Biden administration is planning an expanded home confinement and curfew pilot program for immigrants seeking asylum or other…
Press
HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST WELCOMES ALENCIA JOHNSON TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
January 25, 2022
WASHINGTON – At its quarterly board meeting last week, Human Rights First elected Alencia Johnson to its board of directors. “Alencia brings to our board of…
Fact Sheet
Steps to Protect Your Online Identity from the Taliban: Digital History and Evading Biometrics Abuses
August 17, 2021
Evading the Misuse of Biometric Data We understand that the Taliban is now likely to have access to various biometric databases and equipment in Afghanistan,…
Fact Sheet
Evading the Misuse of Biometric Data
August 16, 2021
We understand that the Taliban is now likely to have access to various biometric databases and equipment in Afghanistan, including some left behind by…
Letter
Time for Biden to Call for Prisoner Releases in Bahrain as Medical Neglect Continues
June 3, 2021
Abduljalil Al Singace is one of the Bahraini activists tortured in 2011 and given a life sentence in prison for his peaceful dissent against the…
Press
Human Rights First and the Western Union Foundation Create Social Impact Programming for Asylum-Seeking Children
April 27, 2021
WASHINGTON – Human Rights First and the Western Union Foundation are partnering to create an innovative social programming project, Vida sin Fronteras (“Life without Borders”), for asylum-seeking…
Testimony
Defend Human Rights and Defenders
March 9, 2021
Asylum Case Analyzer Working with the Lambda School, Human Rights First is building a data science tool that will assist our refugee representation team by…
Testimony
Human Rights Defenders’ Technology Needs
March 8, 2021
Are you a human rights defender with a problem that might demand a high-technology solution? Send us a note and let’s start a discussion about…
Press
Human Rights First Releases Walking the Talk: 2021 Blueprints for a Human Rights-Centered U.S. Foreign Policy
October 19, 2020
WASHINGTON – Today Human Rights First released Walking the Talk: 2021 Blueprints for a Human Rights-Centered U.S. Foreign Policy, a series of policy “blueprints” outlining…
Press
Detained in Danger: Database raises troubling questions about COVID-19 in ICE Detention Centers
June 11, 2020
Blog
Hong Kong’s Inquiry Into Police Behavior Falls At First Hurdle
May 27, 2020
By Brian Dooley It’s big and it’s biased. The new study by Hong Kong’s Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) into police behaviour since the mass…
Blog
Congress Pushes Back Against Trump’s Erratic Saudi Friends
May 15, 2020
By Brian Dooley The new U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, John Abizaid, started work in Riyadh last week. He’s taken on a difficult job, with…
Press
HRF CEO Michael Breen Statement on Human Rights Day
December 10, 2019
Washington, D.C. – Michael Breen, the president and CEO of Human Rights First made the following statement in recognition of Human Rights Day and the anniversary…
Press
Human Rights First Welcomes Passage of Two Pro-democracy Bills on Hong Kong
November 28, 2019
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed into law two pro-democracy bills created to support human rights and rule of law in Hong Kong.…
Press
Mona Sutphen and Michael Rozen to Serve as Board Chairs of Human Rights First
November 21, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 21, 2019 As international human rights organization transitions leadership, former chairs Bill Zabel and Tom Bernstein to serve in emeritus roles WASHINGTON…
Press
Human Rights First on Senate Passage of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act
November 19, 2019
WASHINGTON – Human Rights First welcomes the Senate’s passage of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019. Enactment of this bill will…
Blog
Putin Presses Gulf Advantage with Saudi Visit
October 11, 2019
Saudi Arabia is again showing Washington what a great ally it is by hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin on a visit to Riyadh in the…
Issue Brief
Poland’s Attacks on the Rule of Law: How Party Loyalty Tests in the Military and Intelligence Harm U.S. and NATO Security
June 7, 2019
INTRODUCTION When meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office in September 2018, Polish President Andrzej Duda urged the United States to create a permanent…
Blog
Congress Pushes Back Against Trump’s Erratic Saudi Friends
May 14, 2019
The new U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, John Abizaid, started work in Riyadh last week. He’s taken on a difficult job, with U.S.-Saudi relations in crisis…
Blog
Proven Alternatives to Mass Incarceration of Families
June 27, 2018
By Michelle Walker On June 20, 2018 President Trump signed Executive Order 13841, titled “Affording Congress an Opportunity to Address Family Separation,” which called for…
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…
Letter
NGO Statement on Reported Changes to U.S. Policy on Use of Armed Drones and Other Lethal Force
March 8, 2018
We, the undersigned non-governmental organizations, are deeply concerned about the reported changes to the United States’ policy on the use of lethal force overseas, including…
Issue Brief
Fake News, Free Speech, And Foreign Influence: The Smart Way the United States Can Combat Disinformation
March 8, 2018
On January 23, 2018, through the generous support of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Human Rights First hosted a public conference entitled, “Fake News, Free…
Blog
Vets for American Ideals Heads to SXSW
March 8, 2018
For the third year in a row, Human Rights First is headed to SXSW (or South by Southwest), but this time it’s Vets for American…
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…
Press
Human Rights First Adds Four Distinguished Leaders to its Board of Directors
April 26, 2017
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today announced that former Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken, Academy Award–winning director Gavin Hood, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff…
Blog
German Social Media Law Threatens Free Speech
April 10, 2017
By Erika Asgeirsson On Wednesday, the German cabinet approved a draft law that would fine social media companies for failing to remove hate speech and other content…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: March 13, 2017
March 13, 2017
By Mary Elizabeth Margolis TOP ITEMS President’s Budget Request President Trump is expected to submit his budget request to Congress on Thursday. The administration has…
Letter
Statement by Former U.S. Government Officials on Use of Force
March 10, 2017
March 10, 2017 The Honorable James Mattis Secretary of Defense Department of Defense 1000 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-1000 Dear Secretary Mattis: We, the undersigned,…
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…
Blog
Donald Trump is on the Losing Team
February 3, 2017
By Sharon Kelly McBride The Falcons taking on the Patriots isn’t the only big competition going down in America this weekend. It seems a clear winner…
Report
Executive Order Opposition
February 3, 2017
Leaders in business, government, and across America have spoken out against President Trump’s harmful Muslim refugee ban. Here is a list of many who have…
Blog
A Gift Free from Forced Labor
December 24, 2016
This time of year many people are out searching for the perfect gifts for family, friends, and sometimes even the dog. But, before you purchase…
Blog
Hate Speech Online: 2016 in Review
December 24, 2016
By Susan Corke, Erika Asgeirsson, and Dora Illei Twitter trolls and hateful anonymous comments online are not a new phenomenon, but the 2016 presidential election…
Blog
DNA: The World’s Newest Partner in the Fight against Forced Labor Slavery
December 7, 2016
Chances are that as you read this blog, something you have on is made with cotton. But have you ever thought about where that cotton…
Blog
Salman Rabei’i’s New PRB Defense Strategy
November 1, 2016
By Elizabeth Topolosky Less than a year after his first Periodic Review Board (PRB) hearing, this morning 37-year-old Salman Yahya Hassan Mohammad Rabei’i once again found himself before…
Blog
U.N. High Level Forum on Global Antisemitism
September 14, 2016
By Erika Asgeirsson On Wednesday September 7, representatives from governments, civil society, and tech gathered to discuss the most pressing issues related to antisemitism around…
Press
#BetterTogether Summit Yields U.S.-France Agenda to Fight Extremism, Radicalization Online
September 14, 2016
Paris, France—Following an historic two-day summit in France that brought together civil society, the tech sector, and French and U.S. government leaders, event cohosts Human Rights…
Blog
Making Up for Lost Time: The Need to Support Civil Society and Security in Central Asia
September 12, 2016
On August 3, Secretary Kerry met with foreign ministers of the five Central Asian nations (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) as the prelude to the…
Blog
Intel Ad Campaign Highlights Importance of Supply Chain Responsibility
September 9, 2016
By Lewis Golove The past two decades in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been characterized by civil war and mass atrocity, the…
Blog
Ten Years of Injustice: Over 90 Percent of Gitmo Detainees Imprisoned for over a Decade
September 8, 2016
Ten years ago this week, a batch of men arrived at the U.S. military prison facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The CIA had held these…
Press
Human Rights First’s Corke to Speak Today at U.N. on Combating Global Antisemitism
September 7, 2016
New York City—Today in remarks during the United Nations’ High Level Forum on Global Antisemitism, Human Rights First’s Susan Corke urged governments around the world…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: September 6, 2016
September 6, 2016
Top Items Congress This month in New York City world leaders will attend two major summits designed to address the ongoing global refugee crisis, the…
Blog
Apple, Shaggy, and Hacks in the Gulf
August 30, 2016
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross-posted from the Huffington Post. Apple iPhone’s major security scare last week drew attention not only to the importance of not clicking on…
Blog
Bahrain Detains Leading Neurosurgeon
August 18, 2016
UPDATE: at 7pm on August 23rd Bahraini authorities released Dr. Alderazi from detention. His next hearing date will be on Monday, August 29th. By Jude Ali…
Blog
Vote for Human Rights First’s SXSW PanelPicker Ideas
August 16, 2016
Last March we set out for Austin, Texas to talk about using corporate data to fight modern slavery at SXSW (South by Southwest). Now we’re…
Blog
New Report Highlights Need for National Human Trafficking Case Reporting System
May 5, 2016
A new report by Sarah Godoy of the Luskin Center for Innovation reveals that there is a great need for additional resources and research efforts…
Press
China Seeks to Chill Foreign Funding of NGOs
April 28, 2016
Washington, D.C.—Continuing a troubling global trend of authoritarian crackdowns on civil society and foreign-based nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), Chinese President Xi Jinping has led an effort…
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…
Blog
UAE is Questionable Partner for CVE Initiatives
February 1, 2016
Repressive practices foster the very grievances that drive violent extremism and threaten peace and stability. President Obama knows this, and has said it many times.…
Blog
Review: Why Torture Doesn’t Work: The Neuroscience of Interrogation, by Shane O’Mara
January 22, 2016
By Adelma Jakupovic Waterboarding. Sleep deprivation. Solitary confinement. Stress positions. These were some of the tactics outlined and authorized in a series of Bush Administration…
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet: American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act
December 1, 2015
American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act Would Bring Resettlement of Iraqi and Syrian Refugees to a Standstill Bill Would Also Abandon Iraqis who worked with…
Blog
End Impunity for Military Contractors
September 24, 2015
The horrific wrongs of Abu Ghraib, a former prison near Baghdad, came to light when shocking photos surfaced in 2003. Four prisoners who were held…
Blog
Using Data Analysis to Fight Slavery
August 20, 2015
Last week as part of the Freedom Project, CNN published a piece on the use of technology in combating modern-day slavery. The article profiles innovative…
Blog
Your Votes Can Help Human Rights First Get to SXSW 2016
August 11, 2015
By Mary Elizabeth Margolis Public voting has begun for sessions and panels to be included in the 2016 SXSW (South by Southwest) Interactive Festival agenda.…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: July 6, 2015
July 6, 2015
Top News Guantanamo Over the weekend, six former British cabinet ministers joined a group of more than 80 prominent Britons to urge the Obama Administration to…
Press
Stahnke Testimony Outlines U.S. Response to Hungary’s Authoritarianism
May 19, 2015
Washington, D.C.—Amidst a rise of authoritarianism in Hungary, Human Rights First’s Tad Stahnke will testify before Congress today to detail practical steps the U.S. government…
Fact Sheet
How to Build a More Sustainable and Mutually Beneficial Relationship with Saudi Arabia
May 10, 2015
“Too often, we have failed to enforce international norms when it’s inconvenient to do so. And we have not confronted forcefully enough the intolerance, sectarianism,…
Blog
Reinventing the Wheel: Military Commissions and Transitional Justice
March 16, 2015
Not too long ago I spent a week in Guantanamo Bay as an observer for Human Rights First. I attended a military commission hearing for…
Fact Sheet
How to Build a More Sustainable and Mutually Beneficial Relationship with Saudi Arabia
March 10, 2015
“Too often, we have failed to enforce international norms when it’s inconvenient to do so. And we have not confronted forcefully enough the intolerance, sectarianism,…
Press
United States Should Overhaul Relationship With Saudi Arabia to Support Human Rights
March 10, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged the Obama Administration to press the Saudi government to ease its crackdown on civil society, speak out…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: January 26, 2015
January 26, 2015
Top News GUANTANAMO The military commission trial of Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi continues this week at the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Human Rights First…
Press
President Obama Should Urge Saudi King to Chart New Course
January 26, 2015
New York City – As President Obama prepares to visit Saudi Arabia following the death of King Abdullah and the installment of King Salman, who ascended…
National Security, Intelligence, and Interrogation Professionals Biographies
October 1, 2014
Some defenders of torture claim that it was necessary and legal and effective. The real-world experiences of professionals in the area of counterterrorism, interrogation, human…
Press
Human Rights First Taps Ed-Tech President to Lead Strategic Growth
September 15, 2014
New York City – Human Rights First announced today that Zach Silverstein, former President of the Brooklyn-based education technology company Amplify Insight, has joined the organization as…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: June 23, 2014
June 23, 2014
Top News CRISIS IN IRAQ Secretary of State… Read More
Fact Sheet
Human Trafficking and the Private Sector
June 23, 2014
GENERAL RESOURCES Global Business Coalition Against Trafficking (gBCAT) gBCAT’s mission is to “mobilize the power, resources, and thought leadership of the business community to end…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: June 16, 2014
June 16, 2014
Top News CRISIS IN IRAQ This morning, Secretary of State John Kerry said the Obama Administration is willing to talk with Iran about ways to address…
Testimony
Human Rights First Testimony on Oversight of DHS on Border Security and Immigration Detention
May 29, 2014
Statement for the record of Eleanor Acer, Director, Refugee Protection, Human Rights First on “Oversight of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” Submitted to the House Judiciary Committee.…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: May 19, 2014
May 19, 2014
Top News POST-WAR NATIONAL SECURITY On Wednesday morning, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing on “Authorization for Use of Military Force After Iraq…
Blog
Congress Should Continue to Address Resource Deficiency in Immigration Courts
May 16, 2014
Immigration courts nationwide are facing a computer hardware failure that started April 12, leaving judges, immigrants, and attorneys in the dark on case schedules. But that’s…
Blog
The State of Press Freedom Worldwide
May 2, 2014
By Molly Hofsommer Saturday May 3rd marks World Press Freedom Day, which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom and highlights the state of press…
Press
New U.S. Sanctions on Russia Punish Putin Allies Involved in Syria Abuses
April 28, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today praised the Obama Administration’s decision to designate for sanctions Sergey Chemezov and other senior Russian officials and companies…
Blog
10 Questions Reporters Should Ask about U.S. Drones in Yemen
April 21, 2014
Several news outlets are reporting “massive” and ongoing joint U.S./Yemeni lethal operations against suspected Al Qaeda militants in Yemen. CNN is reporting that at least 65 suspected al Qaeda…
Blog
Women Challenge “Mini-skirt Ban” in Uganda’s Intensifying Crackdown
March 5, 2014
By Simone Salvo On February 6, just weeks before the infamous Anti-Homosexuality Act was signed into law, Uganda passed another piece of legislation under the…
Press
GNI Report Details Yahoo!, Google, Microsoft’s Assessments of Human Rights Impact
January 8, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First is praising today’s release of the Global Network Initiative’s (GNI) public report on assessments of founding company members, noting…
Press
Pentagon Cuts Ties with Russian Arms Dealer Enabling Syrian Atrocities
November 13, 2013
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today praised the Department of Defense (DoD) for canceling plans for a $345 million purchase of 15 additional helicopters from…
Blog
7 Things to Watch in the Jeh Johnson Confirmation Hearing
November 13, 2013
Today the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs will hold a confirmation hearing for President Obama’s nominee, Jeh Johnson, to lead the Department…
Blog
Gitmo Logistics & DoD Computer Mess Likely to Delay 9/11 Case
September 23, 2013
This is a cross-post from The Huffington Post. Witnesses provided more details of the Defense Department’s computer mess-ups and confidentiality breaches in the 9/11 hearings on Friday,…
Blog
Defense Files Lost Because DoD Techies Failed “IT 101”
September 19, 2013
Another day of testimony in the 9/11 case at the Guantanamo Bay courtroom revealed a few new nuggets of information about the computer catastrophes at…
Blog
Testimony Reveals Shocking Level of Pentagon Computer Errors Affecting 9/11 Legal Defense
September 18, 2013
This is a cross-post from The Huffington Post. In testimony that revealed one shocking level of incompetence after another, the Chief Defense Counsel for the…
Press
Pentagon Overpaying for Weapons from Russian State-Owned Arms Dealer
July 30, 2013
Washington, D.C. – New documents obtained by Human Rights First suggest that American taxpayers have been paying a sharply increased price for the Russian helicopters that…
Blog
Blue Coat Pushed to Meet International Obligations
July 26, 2013
By Brad Powell Devices from U.S. technology company Blue Coat Systems have again been identified by Citizen Lab in sanctioned countries, including Syria, Iran, and Sudan. As…
Press
Blueprint Details Steps for U.S. to Cut Ties with Russian Arms Dealer at Heart of Syrian Atrocities
July 23, 2013
Washington, DC – Human Rights First today said the United States must stop doing business with Russian arms dealer Rosoboronexport and it released a blueprint detailing…
Blog
9/11 Trial Pauses for Jet Takeoff, Microphone Slip
June 21, 2013
Not a day goes by at Guantanamo, it seems, without some kind of hiccup in the pre-trial hearing of Khalid Shaikh Muhammad and the other…
Blog
Image Rights in Bahrain
June 21, 2013
By Chloe Kems Anonymous amateur photographers document the Bahraini revolution in all its forms. Photos have become a potent—and efficient—tool for frontline activists, who are…
Blog
At KSM Trial, Contradictory Rules, Dysfunctional Technology is the Norm
June 20, 2013
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba – It’s day three of the military commission of Khalid Sheik Mohammed and his four coconspirators. On the agenda: attorney-client privilege. Does…
Press
Letter Urges Companies to Inform Public of Government Requests under PRISM
June 14, 2013
Washington, D.C. – In the wake of revelations that the National Security Administration obtained private user data from several technology companies, Human Rights First President and…
Letter
An Open Letter to Companies Implicated in the PRISM Program
June 13, 2013
In the wake of revelations that the National Security Administration obtained private user data from several technology companies, Human Rights First President and CEO Elisa…
Blog
Social Media and Social Change in the Gulf
May 20, 2013
A Bahraini court has sentenced six people to a year in prison for the crime of insulting the king, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, on Twitter. This ruling…
Blog
Social Media and Social Change in the Gulf
May 20, 2013
A Bahraini court has sentenced six people to a year in prison for the crime of insulting the king, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, on Twitter. This ruling…
Opinion
FP: How To Destabilize the Assad Regime
May 12, 2013
Op-ed by Elisa Massimino. In the wake of reports that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad allegedly used sarin, a chemical weapon, it appears that U.S. President…
Press
U.S., Allies Should Target Assad Enablers
April 26, 2013
Washington, D.C. – News reports today indicate that the Syrian regime claims to have cut off weapons supply chains for rebel forces. Human Rights First notes…
Press
Russian Continues to Block Action on Syria at the G8
April 10, 2013
Washington D.C. – Human Rights First calls on the Secretary of State and other G8 ministers gathered this week to engage in discussions about practical and…
Blog
Russia’s Enforcement of Child Porn Law Threatens Internet Freedom
April 3, 2013
By Meg Roggensack Russia is in the news again: this time for using a new law aimed at curbing internet child pornography, drug use, and suicide to…
Press
Kerry Tackles Enablers of Syrian Atrocities during Iraq Visit
March 25, 2013
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today praised Secretary of State John Kerry for his calls to cut off supplies that are fueling the atrocities in…
Press
New Interactive Website, Report Chronicle Syrian Enablers and U.S. Options to Stop Them
March 15, 2013
Washington, D.C. – Today marks two years since the start of the Syrian uprising that has claimed nearly 70,000 lives, caused over one millions refugees…
Blog
What Eric Holder Should Say About Drones Tomorrow
March 5, 2013
This is a crosspost from the Huffington Post “In the months ahead, I will continue to engage with Congress to ensure not only that our targeting,…
Report
Enablers of the Syrian Conflict
February 28, 2013
HOW TARGETING THIRD PARTIES CAN SLOW THE ATROCITIES IN SYRIA The Syrian conflict is a human rights catastrophe. Over the past two years, nearly 70,000…
Blog
9/11 Hearings Continue to Disappoint
February 15, 2013
This is a crosspost from the Huffington Post. If observers hoped the parade of officers testifying in the 9/11 hearings this past week was going…
Blog
Senior Gitmo Commander Didn’t Know of Secret Surveillance Capabilities Under His Command
February 14, 2013
This is a crosspost from Huffington Post. Questions about monitoring of privileged attorney-client communications continued to swirl around the pre-trial hearings taking place at Guantanamo Bay…
Blog
Testimony Confirms Microphones in 9/11 Courtroom Could Capture Confidential Conversations
February 12, 2013
This is a crosspost from the Huffington Post. Testimony from the special 9/11 courtroom at Guantanamo Bay this morning confirmed what defense lawyers have been complaining about for…
Blog
Lawyers Say Gitmo Audio Feed Can Capture Confidential Attorney-Client Communications
February 11, 2013
This is a crosspost from Huffington Post. The problems of holding the trial of the alleged masterminds of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at Guantanamo Bay in…
Press
Egypt’s YouTube Ban Undermines Transition to Democracy
February 10, 2013
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today said that a Cairo court ruling this weekend to block YouTube for 30 days in punishment for the webpage’s…
Press
Senators Should Ask Tough Human Rights Questions During Brennan’s Confirmation Hearing
February 6, 2013
Washington, D.C. – Tomorrow, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence will have the opportunity to question John Brennan about his qualifications to be the next…
Opinion
US News and World Report: Brennan and Obama’s Drone Playbook Must Be Debated Publicly
February 5, 2013
Op-ed by C. Dixon Osburn. John Brennan has said U.S. drone policy is “establishing precedents that other nations may follow, and not all of them…
Blog
Defense Seeks Suspension of 9/11 Hearings Due to Fears of Govt Eavesdropping
January 31, 2013
This is a crosspost from the Huffington Post Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s lawyer on Thursday morning asked the military commission judge presiding over the trial of…
Blog
Not Only Does 9/11 Trial Have a Censor, But No One Can Know Who It Is
January 30, 2013
This is a crosspost from Huffington Post A military commission judge’s attempt to explain Tuesday morning why the 9/11 pre-trial hearing being held at Guantanamo…
Press
Hagel Confirmation Should Feature Human Rights Issues Key to National Security
January 30, 2013
Washington, DC – Tomorrow the Senate Armed Services Committee questions Senator Chuck Hagel about his qualifications to be President Obama’s Secretary of Defense. Human Rights First urges…
Press
Obama Administration Urged to Promote and Protect Internet Freedom
January 17, 2013
Washington, D.C. – Tomorrow, as internet activists around the world celebrate “Internet Freedom Day” to mark the one-year anniversary of an internet blackout to protest controversial…
Blog
Live Blog of the Human Rights Summit – Day 2
December 5, 2012
4:55 – 4) strengthening multilateral institutions to support human rights. “We would be better off trying to fix [the UN human rights] council from the…
Blueprint
How to Protect and Expand Internet Freedom
November 30, 2012
The rapid development of the Internet presents profound opportunities and challenges for U.S. interests around the world, particularly around the promotion and protection of human…
Blueprint
How to Encourage U.S. Companies to Respect Human Rights
November 30, 2012
When U.S. companies abuse or facilitate violations of human rights abroad, they undermine U.S. national interests in advancing security, economic development, and human rights. For…
Blog
Voting for Drones
November 5, 2012
This blog was crossposted from Huffington Post. Kudos to the Washington Post for acknowledging on Friday that the U.S. presidential campaign has skirted some key questions of U.S.…
Press
USAID and Humanity United Launch Tech Challenge for Mass Atrocity Prevention
October 31, 2012
Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Humanity United launched a Tech Challenge for Mass Atrocity Prevention. According to its…
Press
Meg Roggensack Testifies before Helsinki Commission on the Responsibilities of Companies to Protect Internet Freedom
October 19, 2012
Washington, D.C. – Today, in testimony before the U.S. Helsinki Commission, Human Rights First’s Meg Roggensack detailed the broad scope of online safety challenges posed by repressive…
Testimony
Human Rights First Testimony on Online Safety Under Repressive Regimes
October 18, 2012
In a Human Rights First testimony before the U.S. Helsinki Commission, Human Rights First’s Meg Roggensack detailed the broad scope of online safety challenges posed…
Blog
Battles Over Government Secrecy Dominate 9/11 Hearings
October 17, 2012
This blog was crossposted from HuffingtonPost. The definition and use of classified information, and the public’s right to hear it, is proving to be one of…
Press
Iran’s Internal Internet One More Step Towards Fragmented Access to Information
September 20, 2012
The University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Global Communications Studies will release a report this week showing that Iran is at the implementation stage of a…
Blog
Human Rights Defender Profile: Febi Yonesta of Indonesia
September 19, 2012
Human Rights First is running a series of profiles on human rights defenders we work with in various countries. These profiles help to explain their work,…
Blog
Pistorius Makes Strides for Paralympic Participation
August 6, 2012
By Maron Soueid This blog is part of the Olympics 2012 and Human Rights series. Oscar Pistorius: 25 years old, South Africa. Events: 400m race, 4x400m…
Press
Congress Leads Push for Pentagon to Cut Ties with Russian Arms Dealer
July 19, 2012
Back in March, a bipartisan group of 17 senators led by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta expressing their grave…
Press
Wikileaks E-mails Show Italian Company’s Involvement in Syrian Human Rights Abuses
July 12, 2012
Wikileaks is at it again – this time releasing more than two million e-mails stolen from Syrian officials, ministries, and companies. And the recent tranche of…
Press
Chinese Internet Censorship Sparks Strong U.S. Response
July 2, 2012
Washington, DC – Human Rights First today praised U.S. officials for their strong snd public response to China’s recent decision to censor the Bloomberg News and…
Press
Congress Leads Push for Pentagon to Cut Ties with Russian Arms Dealer
June 19, 2012
Back in March, a bipartisan group of 17 senators led by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta expressing their grave…
Press
U.S. Defense Subcontractor’s Purchase Could Enable Syrian Atrocities
June 12, 2012
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today is concerned by reports that U.S. defense firms are planning to complete a U.S. Army tender by sourcing non-standard…
Press
Despite Ongoing Women’s Rights Activism, Developments in Egypt Continue to Disappoint
May 16, 2012
As Egypt pieces itself back together after last year’s revolution, women’s rights are taking a back seat. Some examples: One of the new female members…
Press
Executive Order Targets Enablers of Atrocities, and Companies Should Follow Suit
April 27, 2012
President Obama commemorated Genocide Prevention Month on Monday with a renewed commitment to marshal the full range of U.S. power to prevent mass atrocities. In…
Press
Lessons Learned from Former Liberian President’s War Crimes Conviction
April 27, 2012
Yesterday an international tribunal announced a guilty verdict against Charles Taylor, the former President of Liberia, on 11 counts of aiding and abetting war crimes during…
Press
Piecemeal Restrictions A Threat to Internet Freedom in Egypt
April 13, 2012
Last week, an Egyptian administrative court ordered mandatory blocking of internet sites in an attempt to prevent pornography. The court’s ruling is broad and vague.…
Press
Massimino Testifies Before Congress on Internet Freedom
December 8, 2011
Washington, D.C. – In testimony on Capitol Hill, Human Rights First President and CEO Elisa Massimino today called on Congress to press companies to take a…
Blog
LIVE WEBCAST: Human Rights First Testifies in Congress on Internet Freedom
December 8, 2011
Human Rights First President and CEO Elisa Massimino testified today on Internet Freedom before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human…
Blog
Excuses, Excuses: Surveillance Technology and Oppressive Regimes
November 18, 2011
By Meg Roggensack and Betsy Walters “This is a commerce of death for the companies that place this technology in the hands of dictatorships.” –…
Blog
Excuses, Excuses: Surveillance Technology and Oppressive Regimes
November 18, 2011
By Meg Roggensack and Betsy Walters “This is a commerce of death for the companies that place this technology in the hands of dictatorships.” –…
Report
Jails & Jumpsuits: Transforming the US Immigration Detention System
October 5, 2011
Two years ago, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) committed to transform the U.S. immigration detention system by…
Press
State Department Netizen Grants Welcomed
April 20, 2011
Washington, DC – Human Rights First today welcomed reports that the State Department will invest $28 million in grant funding to help internet activists around the…
Press
Human Rights First Praises New Microsoft Licensing Policy, Urges U.S. Government to Stand with Tech Companies Combating Abuses
December 6, 2010
Washington, DC – Late this afternoon, Microsoft announced a unilateral license for nongovernmental organizations and independent media designed to address concerns regarding the Russian government’s politically…
Press
Human Rights First Seeks Answers From Amazon in Wake of Wikileaks Drop
December 2, 2010
Washington, DC – Human Rights First today urged Amazon to make clear the decision making process that led to the dropping of Wikileaks from its servers…
Blog
Dear Microsoft: Please Stop Helping Russia Abuse Advocates
September 15, 2010
By Elisa Massimino, President of Human Rights First Crossposted at Huffington Post This weekend’s New York Times article was a wake up call to Microsoft and the entire information and…
Blog
A Networked World: What’s Next for Human Rights?
July 23, 2010
Watch this video, “A Networked World: What’s Next for Human Rights?” commissioned by one of our partners, Global Partners & Associates to learn about the…
Blog
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…
Blog
China’s Censorship Problem Remains
July 9, 2010
China and Google have been sparring over Internet freedom. Google has refused to yield to China’s demands to censor its search results and China threatened…
Blog
Face It Facebook, You Just Don’t Get It
May 25, 2010
By Meg Roggensack Consultant, Business and Human Rights After a week of bad press and threats of user boycotts stemming from Facebook’s latest privacy policies, the…
Blog
Google Leaving China: a Case for Partnerships in Business and Human Rights
March 23, 2010
In reaction to yesterday’s news about Google pulling out of China, Human Rights First CEO and President Elisa Massimino responded: Google’s decision to leave China underscores…
Press
State Department Country Reports Reflect Progress, Show Need for Additional Steps to Protect Human Rights
March 11, 2010
Washington, D.C. The State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2009, released today, comes at a time when human rights activists around the…
Blog
What We Need to Hear About the Torture Report
February 25, 2010
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Author responds to your questions live on Facebook, Friday at 3:00 Cross-posted from Huffington Post. At 10 a.m. on Friday, February 26, the Senate Judiciary…
Blog
A Human Rights Activist’s Hopes for the State of the Union
January 27, 2010
By Neil Hicks Cross-posted from Huffington Post From podiums around the globe, President Obama has eloquently articulated his commitment to advancing human rights and securing global…
Press
Clinton Speech Marks Major Turning Point for Promoting Freedom of Expression
January 21, 2010
Washington, DC January 21, 2010 Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Newseum speech made clear the Obama Administration’s intent to put into practice its previously stated commitment…
Blog
Clinton’s Speech on Internet Freedom: a Turning Point for Freedom of Expression
January 21, 2010
By Elisa Massimino, Human Rights First’s President and CEO Crossposted from Huffington Post Secretary Clinton, in a live address this morning at the Newseum, marked a…
Blog
What Secretary Clinton Can Do to Support Internet Freedom
January 20, 2010
By Elisa President and CEO Crossposted from the Huffington Post Tomorrow, in her planned speech at the Newseum, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has the opportunity…
Blog
Next Generation Internet Activists Receive Human Rights Award
October 24, 2008
NEW YORK – Celebrities, emerging human rights defenders and seasoned activists came together on Thursday night at Chelsea Piers for Human Rights First’s annual dinner…
Blog
Next Generation Internet Activists to Receive Annual Human Rights Award
October 21, 2008
NEW YORK – Human Rights First will host its annual dinner and 30th anniversary celebration honoring those at the forefront of the struggle to defend…
Blog
Archives of Human Rights First to be Housed at Columbia University Libraries
April 18, 2008
(NEW YORK, April 18, 2008) On February 20th, 2008, a formal agreement was signed by James Neal, Columbia’s Vice President for Information Services and University…
Blog
“Mistakes were made”: CIA Confirms Rendition Flights to Brits
February 21, 2008
Or, as the CIA Director Michael Hayden puts it: the Administration’s previous denial of having used British soil and airspace for rendion flights “turned out…
Blog
Asylum News 56
August 1, 2007
Settlement Announced in Hutto Litigation On August 27, the American Civil Liberties Union announced a settlement in the federal lawsuits brought by the ACLU, the ACLU…
Press
Human Rights First Appoints Maureen K. Byrnes as New Executive Director
October 3, 2005
NEW YORK — Oct. 3 — Human Rights First announced today that it has appointed as its new Executive Director Maureen K. Byrnes, who currently…