Category: Human Rights First

Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today condemned the Russian government’s claim that it has concluded its investigation of human rights abuses in Chechnya and found no evidence of mass detention and torture of gay and bisexual men, and called for a new inquiry that will take the crisis seriously.

New York City–Human Rights First today condemned President Trump’s invitation to the White House of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. Since taking office less than a year ago, Duterte has overseen a so-called “war on drugs” that has resulted in the extrajudicial killing of thousands of Filipino men and women, as well as credible reports of unlawful detentions and torture. Duterte has frequently spoken favorably of murder and rape, saying at one point that he would be “happy to slaughter” more of his countrymen, and comparing himself positively to Hitler.

Washington, D.C.—In response to reports that Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant and senior counter-terrorism advisor to President Trump, will be reassigned from his White House role, Human Rights First’s Rob Berschinski, former deputy assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights, and labor, issued the following statement:

Wednesday, April 26, 2017 – 3:27pm

A Woman’s Death in Italy Spotlights Modern Slavery

Earlier this month the New York Tim

New York City—Human Rights First today welcomed reports that Stephen Bannon, chief strategist to President Trump, has been removed from the National Security Council. Prior to his White House appointment, Bannon served as the executive chairman of Breitbart News, a website that has promoted racist, antisemitic, and white-nationalist ideologies.   

Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today welcomed comments from State Department officials calling on the Russian government to independently investigate the recent murders and mass arrests of gay men in Chechnya, and calls on Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to urge Russia to hold the perpetrators of the assault on the Chechen lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community accountable during his upcoming with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on April 12. The State Department spokesman made the comment in response to a&n

Thursday, April 13, 2017 – 12:23pm

Coptic Church Bombings Show Sisi Isn’t Doing a “Fantastic Job”

The suicide bombings of Palm Sunday services in two Coptic churches in Egypt, which killed at least 45 people and wounded scores more, are another terrible reminder of the

Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today expressed alarm over reports that the Trump Administration may not fill the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism position and plans to eliminate the staff positions of that office. The office, when filled and fully staffed, performs critical work documenting and preventing bias-motivated violations against Jewish communities. Human Rights First calls on President Trump to immediately appoint a new special envoy and maintain the office’s support staff and funding.