As the deadline to close Guantanamo approaches, Human Rights First is working to make sure we stay on track. Read More» Join Our Campaign!
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Crimes Against Humanity
New Evidence of Human Rights Abuses in Darfur A new report issued by the U.N. Panel of Experts on Sudan revealed continuing abuse in Darfur and blatant violations of the U.N. arms embargo. Human Rights First urges the Obama Administration to take immediate action. |
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Law & Security
New Studies on Detentions in Afghanistan As the Obama Administration continues to weigh its options in Afghanistan, concerns remain surrounding whether there is a fair review of detentions at the Bagram detention facility. These concerns continue to affect local Afghan perception of the U.S. mission there. Human Rights First published Undue Process, a report that discusses U.S. detention policies and is based on research in Afghanistan in April 2009 and firsthand interviews with former detainees held by the U.S. military at the Bagram detention facility. It was submitted to the Detention Task Force, CENTCOM, and Department of Defense in May 2009. A follow-up policy paper, Fixing Bagram, analyzes the reforms made by the Obama Administration in September 2009 and makes further recommendations. |
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Law & Security
Beyond Guantanamo: A Bipartisan Declaration coordinated by Human Rights First and the Constitution Project The largest bipartisan group of prominent Americans to propose a plan for closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, coordinated by the Constitution Project and Human Rights First , has backed a single scheme for the disposition of cases of current and future detainees. Former members of Congress, diplomats, federal judges and prosecutors, high-level military and government officials, as well as national security experts (list attached) today backed a plan for the handling of detainees when the detention facility is closed. |
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Human Rights Defenders
Demand End to Politically-Motivated Charges Against Indonesian Anti-Corruption Activists Illian Deta Arta Sari and Emerson Yuntho, staff members of Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), were named as suspects in a criminal defamation case for expressing their skepticism about the amount of money that prosecutors claimed to have saved the state through corruption prosecutions. Urge the Indonesian President to end the politically-motivated investigation of against them. |
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Fighting Discrimination
Human Rights First Welcomes U.S. Hate Crime Bill President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crime Prevention Act, expanding the list of protected victim categories and enabling stronger government response to hate crime in the U.S. The new law should also enhance U.S. global leadership on combating hate violence. Sign Up for the Fighting Discrimination Program's Newsletter |
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Human Rights First Testifies before the Congressional Human Rights Commission
At a hearing "Human Rights Defenders in the Crosshairs: The Ongoing Crisis in Colombia," Senior Associate Andrew Hudson urged Congress to take decisive action to protect activists in Colombia. Read Testimony At a hearing "Implications of the Promotion of 'Defamation of Religions,'" Director of Policy and Programs Tad Stahnke outlined ways for the U.S. to advance respect for freedom of expression while combating racial and religious discrimination and intolerance. |
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Crimes Against Humanity
Obama's New Sudan Policy: Start Implementing Sanctions Now |
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Human Rights Defenders
US Government Grants Visa for Colombian Activist Human Rights First has chosen Colombian activist Gabriel Gonzalez as the 2009 recipient of its prestigious human rights award. After four months of delays the Read Press Release in English | in Spanish |
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Refugee Protection
Iraqi Refugees in the United States The Associated Press highlights the challenges facing newly arrived Iraqi refugees in this article and cites to Human Rights First's recent report "Promises to the Persecuted: The Refugee Act of 2008" – which revealed that just 20 percent of at least 20,000 Iraqis with American ties who've applied have arrived in the United States since 2003. HRF's report also urges the Obama administration to review and improve security clearance procedures so that eligible refugees do not wait for a year or more – in an almost cruel limbo - while their applications are processed. |
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