We pursue justice through science, technology, and law.
We research and investigate war crimes and human rights violations.
We develop standards for policymakers and practitioners.
We train investigators, students, and advocates.
Who We Are
Using evidence-based methods and multidisciplinary frameworks, we collaborate with impacted communities, build blueprintable solutions to address some of the most significant human rights challenges of our time, and support efforts to hold perpetrators accountable. In doing so, we catalyze our work into effective action to further justice and accountability efforts.
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Explore our Projects
For thirty years, the Human Rights Center has spearheaded and contributed to complex projects that span the fields of international justice, public health, investigative journalism, and much more.
Working With Partners Across Disciplines
The Human Rights Center works across domains and disciplines to address the most pressing global challenges of our time. We work closely with top human rights organizations, legal institutions, universities, media platforms, tech companies, and beyond to unearth the truth and seek justice and accountability.
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Journalists are encouraged reach out to connect with our expert sources, explore potential collaboration through our Investigations program and Lab, access professional reports and publications, and more.
What’s Happening
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July 9, 2025
For True Peace, Ceasefires Must Address Digital Warfare, Too
President Donald Trump and his national security team meet in the Situation Room of the White House, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Official White House photo by Daniel Torok) Commentary in the News
July 3, 2025
Canadian citizen Johnny Noviello died while in custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida. Johnny Noviello/Facebook Commentary in the News —
July 1, 2025
Prosecuting the Sahel’s War Influencers with Lindsay Freeman
HRC in the News — Lawfare Daily: Prosecuting the Sahel’s War Influencers with Lindsay Freeman, HRC Technology, Law & Policy director.
June 23, 2025
As our allies abandon the Ottawa Convention against landmines, Canada must publicly defend it
Suleiman Khalil, 21, who lost his leg in a landmine explosion while harvesting olives, with his siblings at his home in the village of Qaminas, Syria, on April 9. Ghaith Alsayed/The Canadian Press
June 23, 2025
Wagner Group in Belarus (BelTA News Agency, https://shorturl.at/ngypl; CC BY 3.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) Commentary in the News —
July 9, 2025
For True Peace, Ceasefires Must Address Digital Warfare, Too
President Donald Trump and his national security team meet in the Situation Room of the White House, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Official White House photo by Daniel Torok) Commentary in the News
July 3, 2025
Canadian citizen Johnny Noviello died while in custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida. Johnny Noviello/Facebook Commentary in the News —
July 1, 2025
Prosecuting the Sahel’s War Influencers with Lindsay Freeman
HRC in the News — Lawfare Daily: Prosecuting the Sahel’s War Influencers with Lindsay Freeman, HRC Technology, Law & Policy director.
June 23, 2025
As our allies abandon the Ottawa Convention against landmines, Canada must publicly defend it
Suleiman Khalil, 21, who lost his leg in a landmine explosion while harvesting olives, with his siblings at his home in the village of Qaminas, Syria, on April 9. Ghaith Alsayed/The Canadian Press
June 23, 2025
Wagner Group in Belarus (BelTA News Agency, https://shorturl.at/ngypl; CC BY 3.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) Commentary in the News —
December 5, 2023
Climate candor: Ridding climate cases of questionable science
HRC in the News — Open Global Rights: Climate candor: Ridding climate cases of questionable science, authored by Alexa Koenig and Baiboon Sakulkarunaarree.
January 8, 2021
A crude virus: How man camps can cause a COVID surge
A view of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation from the bank of the Missouri River in Forest City, South Dakota. Nearby, there are three oil worker man camps. Kristina Barker Commentary —
October 19, 2005
Human rights researchers find widespread problems after 2004 tsunami
Image by NOAA on Unsplash HRC in the News — Berkeley News: Human rights researchers find widespread problems after 2004 tsunami, writing about the report
January 31, 2025
Trump’s foreign aid freeze guts grassroots groups helping migrants in Latin America
Migrants eat lunch at the Peace Oasis of the Holy Spirit Amparito shelter in Villahermosa, Mexico, June 7, 2025. AP Photo / Felix Marquez, File. HRC in the News —
June 27, 2024
Pride in Supporting LGBTQI+ Children in Humanitarian Emergencies
Commentary — #Verified by the Human Rights Center: Pride in Supporting LGBTQI+ Children in Humanitarian Emergencies, authored by Julie Freccero and Audrey Taylor.
October 13, 2023
Fighting Impunity: International Criminal Court President Describes Triumphs and Challenges
Berkeley Law: Covering HRC event with ICC president Piotr Hofmański.
April 11, 2023
Five lessons on housing for youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation
FAM Caregiver recruitment ad. Image by Freedom Forward. Commentary — #Verified from the Human Rights Center: Five lessons on housing for youth
June 17, 2021
Five ways to prevent child marriage in refugee communities: 280 girls speak out
Commentary — Berkeley Blog: Five ways to prevent child marriage in refugee communities: 280 girls speak out, by Julie Freccero and Audrey Taylor.
April 8, 2025
Launch of Pilot Version of the Murad Code Open-Source Practitioner’s Guide to the Murad Code
For Immediate Release Launch of Pilot Version of the Murad Code Open-Source Practitioner’s Guide to the Murad Code We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the pilot version of the Open-Source
April 3, 2025
For immediate release: Today, 3 April 2025, the United Nations Human Rights Council voted to extend the mandate of the Independent Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFMI), ensuring the FFMI’s critical
March 13, 2025
How social media is helping catch war criminals
HRC in the News — The Guardian, How social media is helping catch war criminals, a feature on the Berkeley Protocol and how it may help bring justice for atrocities committed in Sudan
February 26, 2025
Terror, Chaos, and Shame: When Information Operations Constitute War Crimes
A craftsman’s house in Mali. Photo by Taguelmoust. Commentary — Articles of War: Terror, Chaos, and Shame: When Information Operations Constitute War Crimes,
February 21, 2025
Covering Gender Based Violence with Alexa Koenig
HRC in the News — Bellingcat: “Covering Gender Based Violence” with Alexa Koenig, interviewing Alexa Koenig.
July 1, 2025
Prosecuting the Sahel’s War Influencers with Lindsay Freeman
HRC in the News — Lawfare Daily: Prosecuting the Sahel’s War Influencers with Lindsay Freeman, HRC Technology, Law & Policy director.
June 23, 2025
Wagner Group in Belarus (BelTA News Agency, https://shorturl.at/ngypl; CC BY 3.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) Commentary in the News —
June 22, 2025
A confidential brief urges the ICC to investigate Wagner’s promotion of atrocities in West Africa
In this image from video posted on a Wagner Group-affiliated Telegram channel in July 2024, men in Burkina Faso military uniforms stand around a dead body lying on the ground as it was cut into pieces. (AP Photo)
June 22, 2025
Takeaways from AP report on Wagner allegedly committing war crimes by promoting atrocities
In this image from video posted on a Wagner Group-affiliated Telegram channel in July 2024, men in Burkina Faso military uniforms stand around a dead body lying on the ground as it was cut into pieces. (AP Photo) (Uncredited/AP)
April 28, 2025
AI and justice: what role should artificial intelligence play in the criminal justice system?
Daniela Nogueira, Chief Counsel to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, replied to one of the other panelists at ASU’s discussion on Artificial Intelligence in the Criminal Justice System.
March 21, 2025
On the ground with UC Berkeley Public Health’s Bhavya Joshi in Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp
HRC in the News — UC Public Health: “Reaching the furthest behind, first:” On the ground with UC Berkeley Public Health’s Bhavya Joshi in Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp, a feature on
April 29, 2024
Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed buildings in Nuseirat, Gaza, on April 29, 2024. AFP via Getty Images Student Fellowship in the News — The Conversation:
December 12, 2023
Fighting Uphill Battles, Human Rights Center Student Fellows Stay Resolute in Their Work
Spotlighting 2022 fellow alumnus and keynote speaker Anthony Ghaly and 2023 fellow Maria Fernanda Quintero Sirtori.
December 19, 2022
Rare Feat: Berkeley Law Students Present Their Research at Major International Forum
Human Rights Center fellow, Anthony Ghali. HRC in the News — Berkeley Law: Rare Feat: Berkeley Law Students Present Their Research at Major
August 29, 2022
Student Fellowship Alumni — The Nation: This Tiny Fish Holds Together Ecosystems and Cultures—It’s Also Under Threat, The Nation, written and reported by 2021 student fellow Brett