Updates
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Updates will appear here as the strategy progresses.
Push for investigations and prosecutions of atrocity crimes.
Use legal accountability pathways to raise the cost of atrocity crimes even when politics blocks action. Support UN fact-finding missions and strengthen cases for the International Criminal Court, ad hoc tribunals, and national courts using universal jurisdiction. The goal is to build durable records and prosecution pathways so impunity becomes harder over time.
Why this works
Signals that perpetrators will face consequences, deters some abuses, and gives victims a path to justice. The recent Argentinian court warrants for Myanmar’s junta leaders charged with genocide is a powerful example.
Human Rights First
Tax-deductibleAmerican leadership on human rights at home and abroad
Human Rights First is an independent advocacy and action organization that presses the United States to live up to its ideals by promoting human rights worldwide. Founded in 1978 (formerly the Lawyers Committee for International Human Rights), Human Rights First advocates for policies to protect refugees, hold oppressive regimes accountable, and curb injustices like torture and hate crimes::. It leverages legal expertise to press for sanctions on human rights abusers, strengthen international justice mechanisms, and support frontline activists and asylum seekers.
Mechanism
How Human Rights First uses funding
- Select the strongest venue and theory (UN missions, the ICC, ad hoc tribunals, or universal-jurisdiction cases) based on leverage.
- Build the record through documentation, briefs, and supporting evidence.
- Initiate or back formal steps that move investigations and prosecutions forward.
- Pursue interim steps that preserve evidence and keep pressure on perpetrators while cases proceed.
- Track rulings and compliance and publish milestone updates as cases advance.
Partner notes
Partner notes coming soon.