We found 172 results for "Ukraine and Russia"
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…
Press
Human Rights First Welcomes U.S. Sanctions for Vladimir Kara-Murza’s Persecutors
March 3, 2023
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. government sanctioned six Russian individuals involved in the arbitrary detention of Russian opposition leader, journalist, and historian Vladimir Kara-Murza, who…
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…
Press
Ten Ways the U.S. Should Help Civil Society in Ukraine
February 16, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C.— A year after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Human Rights First issued a briefing with ten recommendations for how the United States can…
Press
Deadline Passes for Biden to Address Sanctions for Kara-Murza’s Russian Persecutors
January 25, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC – The Biden administration has failed to provide a substantive response to the senators who set a January 20 deadline for a decision…
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…
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…
Press
Biden Must Sanction Russians Involved in Kara-Murza’s Detention
January 10, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of a January 20 deadline to respond to a letter from U.S. senators that calls for the Biden administration to consider…
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…
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…
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…
Press
After Documenting Abuses at ICE Berks Detention Center, PHR and Human Rights First Welcome Biden Administration Decision to Close Facility
December 2, 2022
NEW YORK – Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and Human Rights First welcome reports that the Biden administration will end a contract with the Berks…
Report
Friends Like These: U.S. Security Partners and Selectivity in the Global Magnitsky Sanctions Program
November 30, 2022
U.S. Security Partners and Selectivity in the Global Magnitsky Sanctions Program To live up to its commitments to protect human rights, Human Rights First urges…
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,…
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…
Press
Human Rights First Outraged by Administration’s Handling of Lawsuit against Saudi Crown Prince
November 18, 2022
WASHINGTON– After the U.S. government yesterday told a U.S. federal court that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s purported recent promotion to prime minister gives…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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)…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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?…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Report
Extending Title 42 Would Escalate Dangers, Exacerbate Disorder, and Magnify Discrimination
April 27, 2022
In April 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined that as of May 23, 2022, it would terminate the Title 42 order,…
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…
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…
Press
Human Rights First Welcomes Steps to Protect Ukrainians and Urges the Biden Administration to Honor its Promise to At-Risk Afghans
April 12, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. – While Human Rights First welcomes reports of the establishment of a special parole program for Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression, the organization calls on the Biden…
Press
Permanent Global Magnitsky Act Will Ensure Perpetrators Face Consequences
April 12, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following a yearlong advocacy campaign by Human Rights First and Freedom House, the organizations welcomed the permanent reauthorization of the Global Magnitsky…
Press
Russian Human Rights Activist Vladimir Kara-Murza Arrested in Moscow
April 11, 2022
WASHINGTON D.C. – Vladimir Kara-Murza, the Russian democracy activist, historian, twice-poisoned critic of Vladimir Putin’s regime, and a senior advisor to Human Rights First, was reportedly…
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…
Blog
Crimea Offers Disturbing Blueprint for Russian Takeover of Ukraine
March 25, 2022
Aliev Alim is a leading Crimean Tatar Human Rights Defender, and he told Human Rights First what could happen should Russian forces take control of…
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…
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…
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…
Press
In Poland, Biden Must Meet NGOs and Refugees
March 23, 2022
WASHINGTON D.C. – President Biden, scheduled to hold talks Friday with Polish government representatives in Warsaw, should meet with refugees and leaders of non-governmental organizations working…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Fact Sheet
Evacuate Our Allies Calls Out Biased Media Coverage of Forced Displacement
March 9, 2022
Against the backdrop of displacement crises in Afghanistan, the U.S.-Mexico border, and other areas, the differences in reporting are stark Following media coverage of the…
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…
Press
Human Rights First Welcomes Temporary Protected Status Designation for Ukrainians
March 3, 2022
WASHINGTON D.C. – Human Rights First welcomes the Biden Administration's Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for citizens of Ukraine and repeats calls for TPS for…
Press
Human Rights First Calls on Russian Authorities to Stop Muzzling Civil Society
March 2, 2022
WASHINGTON D.C. – Human Rights First expressed its grave concern about the March 1 decision by Russian authorities to take the independent radio station “Echo…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Press
Human Rights First Expresses Solidarity with Ukrainian People
February 24, 2022
WASHINGTON D.C. – In response to the Russian government’s declaration of war on Ukraine, Human Rights First called for international solidarity with the Ukrainian people.…
Press
Human Rights First Condemns Renewed Russian Invasion of Ukraine, Calls for Targeted Sanctions on Corrupt and Abusive Officials
February 22, 2022
WASHINGTON D.C. – In response to the Russian government’s decision to recognize two regions of Ukraine as independent states, Human Rights First condemned Russia’s dangerous…
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…
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…
Press
Bipartisan Resolution Addresses Eroding Democracy in Hungary
May 28, 2019
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today applauded introduction of new bipartisan legislation expressing deep concern over the Government of Hungary weakening democratic institutions, undermine free elections, and…
Press
Trump Should Confront, not Accommodate, During Orban White House Visit
May 10, 2019
Washington, D.C—In advance of Monday’s White House meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, Human Rights First calls on the Trump…
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…
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…
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…
Fact Sheet
Helsinki Summit: A Review of Vladimir Putin’s Record of Human Rights Violations and Attacks on Democratic Institutions
July 10, 2018
On July 16, U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet one-on-one with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland. According to White House officials,…
Press
New Resource Details Russian Government’s Efforts to Undermine Democracy, Human Rights, and Fundamental Freedoms
July 10, 2018
Washington, D.C.—In advance of President Trump’s July 16 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Human Rights First today released a new fact sheet detailing how the Russian…
Press
Congressional Delegation to Russia Must Raise Human Rights Concerns, Meet with Civil Society
June 27, 2018
New York City—In response to reports that a group of Republican lawmakers planned to travel to Russia and meet with senior Russia officials, Human Rights…
Press
New Report Reveals Ukraine at Crossroads on Corruption, Human Rights
December 10, 2017
Kyiv, Ukraine—Human Rights First today released a new report documenting how recent attacks on anti-corruption activists, corruption in government, and media restrictions threaten reform in…
Report
Democracy in Danger
December 8, 2017
The 2013-14 Euromaidan protests brought down the corrupt government of President Viktor Yanukovych and offered Ukrainians the prospect a brighter and freer future. Four…
Testimony
Testimony of Melissa Hooper
October 17, 2017
Senator Gardner, Co-Chair Smith, Ranking Member Cardin, and Members of the Helsinki Commission, I would like to thank you and Chairman Wicker for giving me…
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
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…
Press
Human Rights First Welcomes Enactment of Russia Sanctions Bill
August 2, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today applauded President Trump’s signing of bipartisan legislation codifying, strengthening, and expanding sanctions against Russia for its interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as for…
Press
Trump Should Raise Human Rights Concerns With Putin
June 30, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today urged President Trump to use his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to make clear that the United States…
Press
Comprehensive Sanction Package is Decisive Action Against Russian Abuses
June 13, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today applauded bipartisan efforts in the Senate to provide congressional oversight over executive branch sanctions authority—including any efforts to reduce current…
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…
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…
Press
Tillerson Urged to Raise Rights Abuses, Civil Society Crackdown During First Russia Visit
April 7, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First called on U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to publicly and privately raise concerns over recent human rights abuses, the crackdown…
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.…
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…
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
Trump Prepares Dangerous Sale of F-16s to Bahrain
February 24, 2017
By Brian Dooley This is cross-posted from The Huffington Post. News that the White House will approve the sale of military jets to Bahrain without any human…
Letter
Trump Prepares Dangerous Sale of F-16s to Bahrain
February 24, 2017
News that the White House will approve the sale of military jets to Bahrain without any human rights restrictions is as depressing as it is…
Blog
On Maidan Anniversary, United States Must Offer Clarity
February 23, 2017
Co-authored by Alexandra Funk This blog is cross posted with The Huffington Post This week marks the three-year anniversary of Ukraine’s Maidan revolution, which erupted beginning February 19,…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: February 13, 2017
February 13, 2017
By Mary Elizabeth Margolis Top Items Ruling Upholds Stay on Muslim Ban On Thursday the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling that upheld the…
Press
Congress Should Support Legislation to Maintain Sanctions against Russia
February 8, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today urged members of Congress to support legislation that would make it more difficult for President Trump to unilaterally lift certain Ukraine-related sanctions on Russia.…
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…
Blog
The Trump Administration Turns its Back on the World’s Refugees
February 1, 2017
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post. President Trump and his senior advisors have sought to downplay the significance of the sweeping restrictions on refugees…
Press
Trump Urged to Maintain Sanctions Against Russia
January 27, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today urged the Trump Administration to maintain stringent sanctions against the Russian Federation until it has fully complied with the requirements…
Blog
Secretary Tillerson: Three Things to Show Leadership on Universal Values
January 24, 2017
By Erika Asgeirsson Rex Tillerson will almost certainly be the next Secretary of State. During his confirmation hearing, he was grilled on Russia: on sanctions, its interference…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Blog
Congress Starting to Push Back against Russian Interference
December 12, 2016
By Erika Asgeirsson After a public back-and-forth between the CIA and President-elect Donald Trump over the role of Russian hackers in the U.S. election, a bipartisan group of senators…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Blog
Russia and the OSCE: Anatomy of a takedown
September 17, 2016
Next week on September 19 the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will open. One of the…
Spread of Russian-Style Propaganda Laws
July 11, 2016
The international LGBT community has watched in horror as Russia’s brand of discriminatory propaganda legislation has taken root outside its borders. The flagship piece of…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Press
Members of Congress Urge Ukraine to Protect the Rights of LGBT Citizens
May 27, 2016
Washington, D.C.– Human Rights First today applauded a group of 38 members of Congress for expressing support for the protection of the rights of Ukraine’s…
Blog
Sharing Worst Practice: New Publication on Russia’s Traditional Values Foreign Policy
May 26, 2016
On May 15-19, attendees at a conference in Tbilisi, Georgia railed against threats they described as “homofascism,” “rainbow radicalism,” “demographic winter,” and “cultural Marxism.” These conference-goers…
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…
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…
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)…
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…
Press
Ahead of Equality Festival, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Called to Support LGBT Ukrainians
March 16, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt to raise concerns with his Ukrainian counterparts over the possible cancellation of…
Report
Russia’s Bad Example
March 11, 2016
A joint report by Human Rights First and Free Russia Foundation Since the start of Vladimir Putin’s presidency in 2000, Russian authorities have been continually…
Blog
Poland and the Threat of Illiberalism
January 29, 2016
By Timothy Meyers Poland’s far-right Law and Justice Party (PiS) took power two months ago and has enacted a number of laws eroding democratic safeguards.…
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…
Press
Ukraine Parliament Passes Anti-Discrimination Amendment
November 12, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today praised Ukraine’s parliament for passing a workplace anti-discrimination amendment to the country’s labor code that is inclusive of…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: September 28, 2015
September 28, 2015
Top News Global Refugee Crisis On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Immigration and National Interest Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Obama Administration’s Fiscal…
Blog
LGBT Voices for Equality: Ukraine
August 31, 2015
By Shawn M. Gaylord Taras Karasiichuk, Executive Director of Gay Alliance Ukraine In his Words “We have sent letters to the police and they have…
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…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: June 1, 2015
June 2, 2015
Top News Defense Authorization The Senate is poised to consider its FY16 National Defense Authorization Act, a bill that could have significant ramifications for U.S. national…
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)…
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…
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. Ambassador to Hungary Should Encourage Government to Protect Human Rights, Rule of Law
February 17, 2015
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today urged U.S. Ambassador Colleen Bell to press Hungary to adopt policies that would improve the rule of law while strengthening…
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…
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…
Blueprint
We’re not Nazis, but…The Rise of Hate Parties in Hungary and Greece and Why America Should Care
December 8, 2014
Greece’s Golden Dawn and Hungary’s Jobbik represent the bloody tip of the far-right spear in Europe. In the May elections for the 751- member European…
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…
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…
Blog
Election Day Reflection
November 4, 2014
By Maddy Tennis Today U.S. citizens head to the polls, exercising the fundamental freedom of the right to vote. As we practice democracy at its…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: November 3, 2014
November 3, 2014
Top News TORTURE The United Nations Committee Against Torture kicked off its November session today and will review steps taken by countries to prevent torture and…
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…
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…
Press
U.S. Should Push Democracy, Rights in Meeting with Hungarian Foreign Minister
October 20, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged the U.S. government to emphasize the need for democratic reforms in Hungary during a critical meeting scheduled for…
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.…
Blog
Is the United States Government Finally Losing Patience with Bahrain?
October 20, 2014
By Brian Dooley This is a cross post from the Huffington Post The U.S. State Department today reacted to a decision by a Bahraini judge not to…
Press
U.S. Sanctions Target Corrupt Hungarian Officials
October 17, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today welcomed reports that the United States has imposed visa bans on ten members of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s…
Blog
A Way Forward for Ukraine
October 17, 2014
Ukraine is fighting more than a war with Russian-backed rebels: it is also fighting for democracy. Now more than ever Ukraine is at the tipping point of…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
Press
Greek Mayor’s Protest of Antisemitic City Councilors Demonstrates Need to Combat Extremist Parties
September 2, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today applauded actions by Yiannis Boutaris, the mayor of the Greek city of Thessaloniki, for wearing a Star of David…
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…
Press
Upcoming NATO Summit Agenda Should Include Rising Neo-Facism, Antisemitism in Greece and Hungary
August 28, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged President Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel at the upcoming NATO Summit…
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…
Report
We’re not Nazis, but…
August 14, 2014
We’re not Nazis, but…The Rise of Hate Parties in Hungary and Greece and Why America Should Care Recommendations To the U.S. Government The primary responsibility…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: July 28, 2014
July 28, 2014
Top News CHILDREN AT THE BORDER As Congress prepares to recess at the end of this week, it will continue to debate and possibly bring…
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…
Press
Ukraine’s Cancellation of Kyiv March for Equality is a Major Setback for Human Rights
July 4, 2014
Kyiv – Human Rights First today said that the cancellation of the 2014 Kyiv March for Equality is a disappointing failure in the struggle for…
Blog
Remnants of Revolution in Kyiv
June 27, 2014
Kyiv, Ukraine – Today the new President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko signed the European Union cooperation agreement that late last year sparked the protests that ended…
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…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: June 9, 2014
June 9, 2014
Top News CHIDREN AT THE BORDER Over the… Read More
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…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: June 2, 2014
June 2, 2014
Top News OBAMA TRAVELS TO EUROPE President Obama,… Read More
Blog
What Really Happened at Eurovision
May 29, 2014
Russia’s crackdown on LGBT people is having a spillover effect as neighboring countries enact copycat homophobic legislation. Conventional wisdom holds that leaders such as President…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: May 12, 2014
May 12, 2014
Top News #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS The search for more than 200 missing girls taken from their school on April 14 continues today as their captors, members of terrorist…
Press
United States Sanctions Syrian Finance Minister and Russian Bank Involved in Enabling the Assad Regime
May 8, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today applauded the Obama Administration’s decision to designate for sanctions the Syrian Minister of Finance, other Syrian cabinet ministers, and…
Opinion
Los Angeles Times: In parts of Europe, the far right rises again
May 8, 2014
By Sonni Efron As Europe marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I, the war that destroyed Old Europe, far-right parties are…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: May 5, 2014
May 5, 2014
International Human Rights, Inside the Beltway Top News UKRAINE During a hearing on Thursday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee will examine Russia’s role in the destabilization…
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…
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…
Press
Human Rights First Condemns Antisemitic Actions in Ukrainian City
April 17, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First condemns reports that Jews in Eastern Ukraine are being asked to register with regional authorities or risk deportation. The organization…
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…
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…
Press
President Obama Expands U.S. Sanctions Against Russia
March 20, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today welcomes the expansion of U.S. sanctions against Russia for its aggression against Ukraine. The Executive Order issued today for the…
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…
Blog
Fraud Prevention Tools in Immigration System Should Be Strengthened without Adding Unnecessary Burden
February 27, 2014
A piece in Saturday’s The New York Times details the appalling conduct that led to high-profile indictments in December 2012 against more than 30 lawyers, paralegals, and…
Blog
Fraud Prevention Tools in Immigration System Should Be Strengthened without Adding Unnecessary Burden
February 27, 2014
By Eleanor Acer A piece in Saturday’s The New York Times details the appalling conduct that led to high-profile indictments in December 2012 against more than 30 lawyers,…
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…
Press
Treasury and State Departments Should Investigate Reports of Sanctions-Busting Russian Banks
October 31, 2013
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First calls on the U.S. Treasury Department to investigate reports of sanctions-busting by Russian banks that are enabling the regime of…
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…
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
Ukraine Takes Another Step Back on LGBTI Rights
October 4, 2012
Last year the world spoke up when Ukrainian lawmakers sought to pass a bill that would criminalize the dissemination of “homosexual propaganda.” Though the bill…
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…
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
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…
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…
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…
Report
2008 Hate Crime Survey
March 16, 2008
The 2008 Hate Crime Survey includes sections examining six facets of violent hate crime in the 56 countries that comprise the Organization for Security and Cooperation in…
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…
Blog
New Report Finds Hate Crimes on the Rise in Many Parts of Europe
June 6, 2007
NEW YORK – Hate crimes are on the rise in many parts of Europe, according to Human Rights First’s 2007 Hate Crimes Survey, a new…