Source description last updated: 20 August 2020

In brief: Human Rights First is a non-profit, nonpartisan international human rights organisation based in the United States that advocates for US efforts to promote the protection of human rights in the world.

Coverage on ecoi.net:

Reports on human rights

Covered weekly on ecoi.net for countries of priorities A, B and C

Mission/Mandate/Objectives:

Human Rights First, originally founded in 1978 (Human Rights First: Audited Financial Statements December 31, 2018, April 2019, p. 7) is “an independent advocacy and action organization that challenges America to live up to its ideals. We believe American leadership is essential in the global struggle for human rights, so we press the U.S. government and private companies to respect human rights and the rule of law. […] Around the world, we work where we can best harness American influence to secure core freedoms.”

Human Rights First has “built bipartisan coalitions and teamed up with frontline activists and lawyers to tackle global challenges that demand American leadership.” (Human Rights First website: About Us, undated)

“Over its 40-year history, Human Rights First has earned a reputation for pragmatic, results-oriented advocacy that is politically astute, grounded in facts, and driven by sophisticated legal and policy analysis.” (Human Rights First website: Careers, undated)

“The Organization was under the auspices of the International League of Human Rights until July 31, 1982. Effective August 1, 1982, The Lawyers Committee for International Human Rights split off from the International League for Human Rights and began separate activities. In September 1986, the Organization changed its name to the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights. During the [fiscal] year ended May 31, 2004, the Organization changed its name to Human Rights First.” (Human Rights First: Audited Financial Statements December 31, 2018, April 2019, p. 7)

Funding:

Human Rights First accepts contributions (donations) from individuals and companies (Human Rights First website: Donate, undated). Contributions dedicated to program services by far account for the largest share of the organisation’s revenue, followed by general contributions, income from special events, fellowship income and investment income (Human Rights First: Audited Financial Statements December 31, 2018, April 2019, p. 4).

Scope of reporting:

Geographic focus: Middle East and North Africa, CIS region, Americas

Thematic focus: refugee protection, US national security (including counterterrorism, interrogation practices, targeted killings and torture), foreign policy (including antisemitism and extremism, human rights defenders, Islamophobia, xenophobia and religious freedom)

Methodology:

Reports may be based on interviews conducted by Human Rights First researchers during trips to the relevant countries/regions (Human Rights First: Like a Fire in a Forest; ISIS Recruitment in Egypt's Prisons, February 2019, p. 1 and (Human Rights First: Hong Kong's Fight for the Rule of Law, September 2019). Interviewees may be former prisoners, lawyers, activists, and diplomats. While some interviewees may be mentioned in the reports by name, others may be quoted by an assumed name to protect their identities or not be quoted at all (see, for example, Human Rights First: Like a Fire in a Forest; ISIS Recruitment in Egypt's Prisons, February 2019, pp. 1–2).

Language of publication:

English

 

All links accessed 20 August 2020.