Human Rights First

This article is about a US-based human rights organization. For the Saudi human rights organization with a similar name, see Human Rights First Society.

Human Rights First

Formation	1978
Headquarters	New York, NY
President/CEO	Elisa Massimino
Former President	Michael Posner
Website	humanrightsfirst.org

Human Rights First (formerly known as the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan human rights organization based in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Leadership board

Human Rights First is governed by a board of directors composed of 67 members, including a 34-person Board of Advocates and a six-person Emeritus Board.

About

Human Rights First is an independent advocacy and action organization that challenges America to live up to its ideals.

The organization states "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. When they fail, we step in to demand reform, accountability and justice. Around the world, we work where we can best harness American influence to secure core freedoms.

"We know it is not enough to expose and protest injustice, so we create the political environment and policy solutions necessary to ensure consistent respect for human rights. Whether we are protecting refugees, combating torture, or defending persecuted minorities, we focus not on making a point, but on making a difference. For almost 40 years, we’ve built bipartisan coalitions and teamed up with frontline activists and lawyers to tackle global challenges that demand American leadership."

Human Rights First is a non-profit, nonpartisan international human rights organization based in New York, Washington D.C., Houston, and Los Angeles.

Campaigns

Keeping the Door Closed on Torture

Protecting our Allies

Protecting the World’s Persecuted

Veterans for American Ideals

Pro Bono Legal Representation for Asylum Seekers

Human Rights First's pro bono legal representation program matches good lawyers with asylum-seekers who need help and would not otherwise be able to afford high-quality legal representation.

The organization helps asylum seekers living in the greater Washington D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, and Houston metropolitan areas who do not already have legal representation, cannot afford an attorney, and need help with a claim for asylum or other protection-based form of immigration status. The organization's New York and Houston offices can also help people who are seeking asylum from within a nearby immigration detention center.

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
• Interview with Tad Stahnke from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum