Human Rights First
@humanrightsfirst.org
Fighting for human rights on Capitol Hill, in court, and on the front lines.
"There is the constant boom of explosions from nearby Vovchansk as we round up the animals. The Russian army, specifically the 2nd Guards Spetsnaz Brigade, the 128th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, and the 82nd Motor Rifle Regiment, are about 10 miles up the road."
humanrightsfirst.org/library/evac...
humanrightsfirst.org/library/evac...
Evacuating Civilians From Ukraine’s Front Line in the Snow - Human Rights First
Kharkiv: It’s still dark after 7 a.m. when we leave Kharkiv city to evacuate people from the frontline village of Hontarivka, a few hours’ drive east. It’s cold too: thick snow blankets the streets, a...
humanrightsfirst.org
January 8, 2026 at 11:27 PM
"There is the constant boom of explosions from nearby Vovchansk as we round up the animals. The Russian army, specifically the 2nd Guards Spetsnaz Brigade, the 128th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, and the 82nd Motor Rifle Regiment, are about 10 miles up the road."
humanrightsfirst.org/library/evac...
humanrightsfirst.org/library/evac...
ICE's extrajudicial killing yesterday in Minneapolis is yet another example of the unlawfulness and cruelty of ICE as they terrorize communities across the nation. Our hearts go out to all those impacted.
January 8, 2026 at 8:20 PM
ICE's extrajudicial killing yesterday in Minneapolis is yet another example of the unlawfulness and cruelty of ICE as they terrorize communities across the nation. Our hearts go out to all those impacted.
Enrique Roig, our VP of External Relations, told @wlrnnews.bsky.social: “[Acting President Rodríguez] was clearly complicit in the human rights abuses of the Maduro regime… the command-and-control structure for that whole repressive system has not gone away.”
Read more: www.wlrn.org/americas/202...
Read more: www.wlrn.org/americas/202...
The Delcy Deal: Will Rodríguez facilitate — or sabotage — Venezuela's return to democracy?
ANALYSIS Acting President Delcy Rodríguez is a dark, hardline "architect" of Venezuela's dictatorship — so why has the Trump administration bet she'll lead the country to the light of democracy after ...
www.wlrn.org
January 6, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Enrique Roig, our VP of External Relations, told @wlrnnews.bsky.social: “[Acting President Rodríguez] was clearly complicit in the human rights abuses of the Maduro regime… the command-and-control structure for that whole repressive system has not gone away.”
Read more: www.wlrn.org/americas/202...
Read more: www.wlrn.org/americas/202...
Removing an illegitimate leader by unlawful means to establish open-ended U.S. control of Venezuela’s governance and oil sector undermines the likelihood and legitimacy of a future democratic transition.
humanrightsfirst.org/library/huma...
humanrightsfirst.org/library/huma...
Human Rights First Condemns the Illegality of Military Action in Venezuela and Calls for Legitimate Transition to Democracy - Human Rights First
Human Rights First condemns the illegality of recent military action taken by the Trump administration in Venezuela and its announced plan to take over and run the country indefinitely. Venezuelans vo...
humanrightsfirst.org
January 3, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Removing an illegitimate leader by unlawful means to establish open-ended U.S. control of Venezuela’s governance and oil sector undermines the likelihood and legitimacy of a future democratic transition.
humanrightsfirst.org/library/huma...
humanrightsfirst.org/library/huma...
From the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Slava risked his life rescuing civilians from communities under fire. On Christmas Day, he was killed by Russian drone evacuating people from the frontline. Our
@dooleydooley.bsky.social honors him: humanrightsfirst.org/library/at-k...
@dooleydooley.bsky.social honors him: humanrightsfirst.org/library/at-k...
January 2, 2026 at 10:51 PM
From the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Slava risked his life rescuing civilians from communities under fire. On Christmas Day, he was killed by Russian drone evacuating people from the frontline. Our
@dooleydooley.bsky.social honors him: humanrightsfirst.org/library/at-k...
@dooleydooley.bsky.social honors him: humanrightsfirst.org/library/at-k...
Reposted by Human Rights First
Almost certainly not, is our answer; but advocates and Congress should use the occasion of this upcoming report to scrutinize the administration's record and highlight the human impacts of U.S. backsliding on anti-corruption.
The U.S. is about to publish a new report evaluating other countries’ anti-corruption efforts—but can it lead by example while its own guardrails erode?
Dani Schulkin, Sky Miller & Adam Keith (fmr State Dept) discuss the Combating Global Corruption Act.
www.justsecurity.org/127389/podca...
Dani Schulkin, Sky Miller & Adam Keith (fmr State Dept) discuss the Combating Global Corruption Act.
www.justsecurity.org/127389/podca...
Just Security Podcast: Can the U.S. Still Lead on Anti-Corruption?
Former State Department officials Sky Miller and Adam Keith join Dani Schulkin to discuss anti-corruption efforts in the U.S. and abroad.
www.justsecurity.org
December 18, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Almost certainly not, is our answer; but advocates and Congress should use the occasion of this upcoming report to scrutinize the administration's record and highlight the human impacts of U.S. backsliding on anti-corruption.
Reposted by Human Rights First
Thanks to Middle East Eye for covering @humanrightsfirst.org's push for the U.S. government to acknowledge that the ongoing torture in Bahrain's prisons requires, among other things, a visa ban on the country's long-serving interior minister.
Rights group seeks US sanctions on Bahrain minister for torture of detainees
Human Rights First says Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa has failed to take measures to end prison abuses
www.middleeasteye.net
December 19, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Thanks to Middle East Eye for covering @humanrightsfirst.org's push for the U.S. government to acknowledge that the ongoing torture in Bahrain's prisons requires, among other things, a visa ban on the country's long-serving interior minister.
Human Rights First has submitted evidence and a recommendation urging the U.S. government to impose #GlobalMagnitsky sanctions and a mandatory visa ban against Bahrain’s interior minister, based on the torture and cruel treatment of prisoners in facilities under his supervision.
Human Rights First Seeks Sanctions for Torture in Bahrain Prisons - Human Rights First
Washington D.C. — Human Rights First today submitted a dossier to the U.S. government recommending targeted sanctions against Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah al Khalifa, Bahrain’s long-serving interior min...
humanrightsfirst.org
December 18, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Human Rights First has submitted evidence and a recommendation urging the U.S. government to impose #GlobalMagnitsky sanctions and a mandatory visa ban against Bahrain’s interior minister, based on the torture and cruel treatment of prisoners in facilities under his supervision.
The Trump admin’s expanded Travel Ban is unequivocally racist. It targets African & Muslim-majority countries, separates families, and endangers refugees & Afghan allies.
We urge Congress to act immediately to overturn this discriminatory policy.
We urge Congress to act immediately to overturn this discriminatory policy.
Human Rights First Slams Sweeping and Racist Travel Ban That Separates Families and Endangers Lives - Human Rights First
Washington, D.C. — Human Rights First strongly condemns yesterday’s Travel Ban proclamation vastly expanding on the discriminatory June travel and entry bans targeting nationals from dozens of countri...
humanrightsfirst.org
December 18, 2025 at 5:33 PM
The Trump admin’s expanded Travel Ban is unequivocally racist. It targets African & Muslim-majority countries, separates families, and endangers refugees & Afghan allies.
We urge Congress to act immediately to overturn this discriminatory policy.
We urge Congress to act immediately to overturn this discriminatory policy.
Our November @iceflightmonitor.bsky.social report shows a sharp escalation in the Trump admin’s mass deportation campaign—record domestic transfer flights, expanded forced third-country transfers, & continued removals to Venezuela amid rising tensions. Read more: humanrightsfirst.org/library/ice-...
December 17, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Our November @iceflightmonitor.bsky.social report shows a sharp escalation in the Trump admin’s mass deportation campaign—record domestic transfer flights, expanded forced third-country transfers, & continued removals to Venezuela amid rising tensions. Read more: humanrightsfirst.org/library/ice-...
Dang Dinh Bach has been jailed since 2021 for defending communities against environmental harm. Yesterday, we awarded him the 2024 Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty. His work should be celebrated, not criminalized. We call on Vietnam to release him immediately.
December 16, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Dang Dinh Bach has been jailed since 2021 for defending communities against environmental harm. Yesterday, we awarded him the 2024 Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty. His work should be celebrated, not criminalized. We call on Vietnam to release him immediately.
Thank you to Rep. Jamie Raskin for joining our event honoring Baldwin Award winner Dang Dinh Bach and for calling on Vietnam to free him. We’re grateful for your leadership alongside @lofgren.house.gov, @repmcgovern.bsky.social, and Rep. Derek Tran.
Today I’m leading my colleagues in calling on the government of Vietnam to immediately release internationally respected environmental activist and attorney Dang Dinh Bach.
Mr. Bach's detention on phony charges violates his basic human rights—and we demand his release and freedom.
Mr. Bach's detention on phony charges violates his basic human rights—and we demand his release and freedom.
December 16, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Thank you to Rep. Jamie Raskin for joining our event honoring Baldwin Award winner Dang Dinh Bach and for calling on Vietnam to free him. We’re grateful for your leadership alongside @lofgren.house.gov, @repmcgovern.bsky.social, and Rep. Derek Tran.
As we celebrate #HumanRightsDay and look ahead to the 75th anniversary of the #RefugeeConvention, 300+ groups worldwide are calling on States to uphold human rights, refugee, and humanitarian treaties. Read the letter👇
Upholding Not Undermining International Law: Civil Society Open Letter to States (December 2025, reissued) - Human Rights First
In advance of Human Rights Day on December 10, the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review in mid-December 2025, and the 75th Anniversary of the Refuge Convention in 2026, over 300 faith-based, non-gover...
humanrightsfirst.org
December 10, 2025 at 8:04 PM
As we celebrate #HumanRightsDay and look ahead to the 75th anniversary of the #RefugeeConvention, 300+ groups worldwide are calling on States to uphold human rights, refugee, and humanitarian treaties. Read the letter👇
Our Substack is now LIVE! Human Rights First's CEO @uzraz.bsky.social launches our substack with a piece arguing that human rights can’t be limited to vague “natural rights” ideas. Universal rights, grounded in law, protect everyone and are essential for U.S. credibility at home and abroad.
Don’t Cage Human Rights Behind a “Natural Rights” Smokescreen
Uzra Zeya, President and CEO of Human Rights First; Former Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights
humanrights1st.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Our Substack is now LIVE! Human Rights First's CEO @uzraz.bsky.social launches our substack with a piece arguing that human rights can’t be limited to vague “natural rights” ideas. Universal rights, grounded in law, protect everyone and are essential for U.S. credibility at home and abroad.
2025 saw rising authoritarianism at home & abroad. But wherever rights were attacked, people rose to defend them.
On this #HumanRightsDay, thank you for fighting back. You show the collective power we have to make change. Anyone can defend human rights—and we need everybody.
On this #HumanRightsDay, thank you for fighting back. You show the collective power we have to make change. Anyone can defend human rights—and we need everybody.
December 10, 2025 at 7:07 PM
2025 saw rising authoritarianism at home & abroad. But wherever rights were attacked, people rose to defend them.
On this #HumanRightsDay, thank you for fighting back. You show the collective power we have to make change. Anyone can defend human rights—and we need everybody.
On this #HumanRightsDay, thank you for fighting back. You show the collective power we have to make change. Anyone can defend human rights—and we need everybody.
We joined 130+ groups urging #POTUS to fully restore our nation's humanitarian & immigration programs. Collective punishment & vilification of Afghans, Somalis, refugees, or immigrants is not sound national security policy. @rcusa.bsky.social @welcomewdignity.bsky.social
rcusa.org/wp-content/u...
rcusa.org/wp-content/u...
December 9, 2025 at 4:11 PM
We joined 130+ groups urging #POTUS to fully restore our nation's humanitarian & immigration programs. Collective punishment & vilification of Afghans, Somalis, refugees, or immigrants is not sound national security policy. @rcusa.bsky.social @welcomewdignity.bsky.social
rcusa.org/wp-content/u...
rcusa.org/wp-content/u...
We are appalled by the Trump administration's decision to halt processing of all asylum applications as well as immigration processes for the countries in its 2025 Travel Ban, which could imperil countless people fleeing persecution. Read our statement: humanrightsfirst.org/library/trum...
Trump Administration’s Halt in Processing of All Asylum Applications is Punitive, Extreme, and Undermines Our National Interest - Human Rights First
Washington, D.C. — Human Rights First is appalled by the Trump administration’s extreme and punitive action to halt all immigration processing, including permanent residence and citizenship, and to re...
humanrightsfirst.org
December 3, 2025 at 7:52 PM
We are appalled by the Trump administration's decision to halt processing of all asylum applications as well as immigration processes for the countries in its 2025 Travel Ban, which could imperil countless people fleeing persecution. Read our statement: humanrightsfirst.org/library/trum...
Reposted by Human Rights First
The U.S. administration is quietly using a maze of third-country transfer deals to whisk asylum seekers and other immigrants to places where they have no ties—and where many face serious danger.
👀 We're teaming up with @humanrightsfirst.org to pull back the curtain on these deals. 🧵
👀 We're teaming up with @humanrightsfirst.org to pull back the curtain on these deals. 🧵
December 2, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The U.S. administration is quietly using a maze of third-country transfer deals to whisk asylum seekers and other immigrants to places where they have no ties—and where many face serious danger.
👀 We're teaming up with @humanrightsfirst.org to pull back the curtain on these deals. 🧵
👀 We're teaming up with @humanrightsfirst.org to pull back the curtain on these deals. 🧵
Even after asylum is granted, people still face huge barriers in the U.S.—from housing to job security. Amadou’s story shows how meeting basic needs can help asylum seekers rebuild their lives.
This #GivingTuesday, support our Client Emergency Fund at bit.ly/CEFSupport.
This #GivingTuesday, support our Client Emergency Fund at bit.ly/CEFSupport.
December 2, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Even after asylum is granted, people still face huge barriers in the U.S.—from housing to job security. Amadou’s story shows how meeting basic needs can help asylum seekers rebuild their lives.
This #GivingTuesday, support our Client Emergency Fund at bit.ly/CEFSupport.
This #GivingTuesday, support our Client Emergency Fund at bit.ly/CEFSupport.
This #GivingTuesday, your support helps defend democracy and advance human rights in the U.S. and abroad. In 2025, you protected 500k+ humanitarian parolees, equipped 14k with critical resources, & sent 13k+ letters to Congress. THANK YOU.👏👏
Help us keep going in 2026: humanrightsfirst.org/donate
Help us keep going in 2026: humanrightsfirst.org/donate
December 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM
This #GivingTuesday, your support helps defend democracy and advance human rights in the U.S. and abroad. In 2025, you protected 500k+ humanitarian parolees, equipped 14k with critical resources, & sent 13k+ letters to Congress. THANK YOU.👏👏
Help us keep going in 2026: humanrightsfirst.org/donate
Help us keep going in 2026: humanrightsfirst.org/donate
Women human rights defenders face escalating digital violence—deepfakes, doxxing, sexualized smears, coordinated trolling. They’re targeted because they’re activists & because they’re women.
As we mark this year's #16DaysOfActivism, governments and tech platforms must act. Read more👇
As we mark this year's #16DaysOfActivism, governments and tech platforms must act. Read more👇
Women Human Rights Defenders Address Digital Violence During the 16 Days of Activism - Human Rights First
Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual global campaign that ends on December...
humanrightsfirst.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Women human rights defenders face escalating digital violence—deepfakes, doxxing, sexualized smears, coordinated trolling. They’re targeted because they’re activists & because they’re women.
As we mark this year's #16DaysOfActivism, governments and tech platforms must act. Read more👇
As we mark this year's #16DaysOfActivism, governments and tech platforms must act. Read more👇
The Trump admin’s directive to review more than 230,000 already-vetted refugees is a dangerous attempt to terminate legal status & retraumatize families who built their lives here.
Survivors of persecution deserve protection, not further punishment by our own government.
Survivors of persecution deserve protection, not further punishment by our own government.
Human Rights First Condemns Trump Administration’s Dangerous Refugee Review Directive - Human Rights First
Washington D.C. — Human Rights First condemns the Trump administration’s directive ordering a sweeping review of more than 230,000 refugees admitted under the Biden administration — a move that halts ...
humanrightsfirst.org
November 25, 2025 at 8:12 PM
The Trump admin’s directive to review more than 230,000 already-vetted refugees is a dangerous attempt to terminate legal status & retraumatize families who built their lives here.
Survivors of persecution deserve protection, not further punishment by our own government.
Survivors of persecution deserve protection, not further punishment by our own government.
Political violence has no place in America - full stop. It’s horrifying that President Trump has called for the execution of elected officials. All political leaders, regardless of party politics, should see this as a threat to themselves and our nation.
Donald Trump should keep his reckless mouth shut.
November 24, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Political violence has no place in America - full stop. It’s horrifying that President Trump has called for the execution of elected officials. All political leaders, regardless of party politics, should see this as a threat to themselves and our nation.
Reposted by Human Rights First
Nine months ago Tetiana Pechonchyk of Ukrainian NGO ZMINA & myself outlined in the New York Law Journal why human rights mustn’t be traded away in a peace deal
@glushko.bsky.social @humanrightsfirst.org
www.law.com/newyorklawjo...
@glushko.bsky.social @humanrightsfirst.org
www.law.com/newyorklawjo...
November 24, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Nine months ago Tetiana Pechonchyk of Ukrainian NGO ZMINA & myself outlined in the New York Law Journal why human rights mustn’t be traded away in a peace deal
@glushko.bsky.social @humanrightsfirst.org
www.law.com/newyorklawjo...
@glushko.bsky.social @humanrightsfirst.org
www.law.com/newyorklawjo...
We're deeply alarmed by the U.S. deporting 50 Ukrainians via #Poland. Our Sr. advisor @dooleydooley.bsky.social warns, “There is no safe place to hide in #Ukraine… the whole country is a war zone.” Forced returns put lives at serious risk and violate UN guidance. Read more👇
Human Rights First Condemns U.S. Government’s Deportation of Ukrainians into Active War Zone - Human Rights First
Washington, D.C. — Human Rights First is deeply alarmed by the U.S. government’s deportation of 50 Ukrainians earlier this week via Poland and reiterates warnings that conditions in Ukraine are not sa...
humanrightsfirst.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:08 PM
We're deeply alarmed by the U.S. deporting 50 Ukrainians via #Poland. Our Sr. advisor @dooleydooley.bsky.social warns, “There is no safe place to hide in #Ukraine… the whole country is a war zone.” Forced returns put lives at serious risk and violate UN guidance. Read more👇