Human Rights First

Human Rights First is a New York City-based association formerly known as the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights.

The organization works on a host of domestic and international rights from a legal perspective. The organization focuses pointedly on issues related to detainees.

Founded in 1978, Human Rights First also works on a range of other issues, including asylum seekers in the United States, international refugee policy, genocide intervention, protecting human rights defenders abroad, and combating violent hate crimes in Europe and North America.

Human Rights First maintains five major programs (or departments): Crimes Against Humanity, End Torture Now, Fighting Discrimination, Made in China, Human Rights Defenders, Law and Security, Refugee Protection.

Human Rights First has issued numerous reports on human rights issues and has contributed amicus curiae briefs in support of foreign nationals held by the United States without charges. The President is Michael H. Posner, Elisa Massimino is the Executive Director. The chairman of the board emeritus was founder Marvin Frankel. Current Board members include Kerry Kennedy, Harold Hongju Koh, and Sigourney Weaver.

Human Rights First has been praised by NGO Monitor for its balanced reporting on the Arab Israeli conflict."

External links

• Official website
• Human Rights First's Elect to End Torture 08 campaign
• Human Rights First's Lifeline for Iraqi Refugees initiative
• Interview with Michael Posner from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum