Human Rights Research League

Research. Education. Advocacy. Development. (R.E.A.D.)

Mission statement

The Human Rights Research League (HRRL) is a non-governmental organization in consultative status with the United Nations (ECOSOC) aiming at protecting individuals by placing acts contrary to human rights and international humanitarian law, systemic grievances as well as humanitarian emergencies on the agenda. HRRL seeks to contribute to knowledge and research based public discussion and problem analysis without geographical, political, confessional or other limitations or alignments.

As our name suggests, we are an organization primarily focused on research from the basis of a strong academic foundation. However, we recognize that lasting impact and positive change also depend on connecting academics and practitioners, combining research on root causes of human rights challenges with implementation of projects and policies addressing those grievances. 

To this end, we are engaged in four focus areas: Research. Education. Advocacy. Development. (R.E.A.D.), all with a view to bridging the gap between academic and practical approaches to human rights, and between problem analysis and implementation of solutions.

 

News & reports

 

HRRL Statement on FGM at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
2025-04-02 17:30 During the General Debate on Item 10 at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, Human Rights Research League's Political Adviser Milica Javdan voiced deep concern about the persistent occuren...
Interview in Aftenposten on Hijab and Executions in Iran
2025-03-29 21:10 On 29 March 2025, Human Rights Research League Political Adviser Milica Javdan was interviewed in leading Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten concerning the fact that more young women in Iran are defying ...
HRRL Statement on Mali at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
2025-03-28 20:30 On 28 March 2025, during the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League delivered an oral statement in connection with the Interactive Dialogue with the Intern...
Afghanistan: Joint Letter to Pakistan Requesting Halt of Mass Deportations of Afghans
2025-03-27 13:52 Human Rights Research League joined forces with the Global Strategic Litigation Council for Refugee Rights at the Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility and more than 100 signatories in a Joint L...
Lebanon: Joint Letter on Justice for Beirut Blast Victims
2025-03-21 11:51 On March 21, 2025, Human Rights Research League teamed up with international and Lebanese human rights organizations in a Joint Letter calling for justice, truth and reparations for the victims of the...
HRRL Statements on Ukraine at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
2025-03-20 13:32 At the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League delivered an oral statement in connection with the Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Co...
Publication on Mental Health in Failing States
2025-03-20 11:32 The first publication of our research project on Collective Trauma and Mental Health in Lebanon, conducted in collaboration between the University of Montreal, Human Rights Research League, and a grou...
HRRL Statement on Gaza at the 58th UN Human Rights Council
2025-03-20 11:12 On 20 March 2025, during the General Debate on Item 4 at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Hani Dabbagh delivered an oral statement on behalf of Human Rights Research League, ...
HRRL Statement on Iran at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
2025-03-17 14:43 On 17 March 2025, on the occasion of the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League delivered an oral statement on Iran during the General Debate on Item 3. HR...
HRRL Statement on Fatwas & Genocide at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
2025-03-05 15:49 On 5 March 2025, in the context of the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, Human Rights Research League took the floor in connection with an Panel Discussion on Early Warning and Genocide Pre...
HRRL Statements on Lebanon at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
2025-03-04 12:04 On 4 March 2025, during the General Debate on Item 2 at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League's Zeina Zerbe raised concerns about recent developments ...
HRRL Statement on South Sudan at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
2025-02-24 19:17 On 28 February 2025, during the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League delivered an oral statement in connection with the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on ...
HRRL Statements on Afghanistan at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
2025-02-24 10:46 On the occasion of the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League delivered an oral statement on Afghanistan during the Interactive Dialogue with the UN Specia...

Conferences & calls

10th Annual International Refugee Law Student Writing Competition
2023-10-03 22:36 The 10th Annual International Refugee Law Student Writing Competition has just been announced. The competition is co-sponsored by the American Society of International Law (ASIL), the International La...
HRRL Statement on Lebanon at the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
2023-09-27 18:45 On September 27, 2023, during the General Debate on Item 4 at the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Zeina Zerbe commented on behalf of Human Rights Research League on the further ...
HRRL Side Event on Revenge Killings in Afghanistan at the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
2023-09-15 18:08 On the occasion of the 54th Human Rights Council Session at the United Nations in Geneva, Human Rights Research League (HRRL) held a Side Event on 13 September 2023 at the Palais des Nations, presenti...
Call for Participation: Research Project on Collective Trauma and Mental Health
2023-08-05 00:15 Human Rights Research League and the University of Montreal kindly invite you to participate in a research project on   'The Influence of a Permanently Failing Political and Security Environment on ...
HRRL: Joint Statement on Establishing Fact-Finding Mission into Beirut Port Explosion
2023-08-03 02:23 Human Rights Research League joins international and Lebanese organizations, survivors and families of the victims in a statement urging the United Nations Human Rights Council to adopt a resolution e...
CfP: '(Un)Fairness in Migration and Refugee Law: Past and Present Realities'
2023-05-15 00:08 On 31 August 2023, the European Society of International Law (ESIL) Interest Group on Migration and Refugee Law, Human Rights Research League, and the Odysseus Academic Network will organize a worksho...
CfP: Annual International Refugee Law Student Writing Competition. Submission Deadline: January 15, 2023
2022-11-22 11:39 The American Society of International Law's International Refugee Law Interest Group (IRLIG) just announced the ninth annual International Refugee Law Student Writing Competition, co-sponsored by the ...
Seminar: A Dark Day: How the Afghan Taliban Stormed Back to Power and What it Means for Security, Regional Dynamics, and Humanitarian Challenges Facing the Country, November 18, 2022
2022-11-11 00:30 On November 18, 2022, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET), the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School will host a seminar on 'A Dark Day: How the Afghan Taliban St...
Call for Abstracts: Workshop on 'The European Court of Human Rights Facing Populism and Authoritarianism: Time for System Change?', Submission Deadline: December 26, 2022
2022-10-21 00:24 On 27-28 April 2023, PluriCourts  - Centre for the Study of the Legitimate Role of the Judiciary in the Global Order will be hosting a workshop on populism, authoritarianism and the response of the Eu...
International Law Weekend in New York City, October 20-22, 2022
2022-10-20 00:02 On October 20-22, 2022, the American Branch of the International Law Association will present the International Law Weekend in New York City, this year for the 100th time. The centennial conference wi...
Webinar on 'Condemned to Serve for Life? A Snapshot of Political Trends in Africa', October 20, 2022
2022-10-10 23:14 On October 20, 2022, Harvard Law School's Human Rights Program will host a webinar entitled 'Condemned to Serve for Life? A Snapshot of Political Trends in Africa'. For further information and to regi...
Symposium on 'International Law and the New Cold War', Case Western Reserve University, September 30, 2022
2022-09-22 23:35 On September 30, 2022, Case Western Reserve University will host a day-long symposium on 'International Law and the New Cold War', discussing the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and the inte...
Annual Meeting Announcement
2022-09-21 00:57 Human Rights Research League will hold its Annual Meeting on Thursday, 27 October 2022, at 1:30 PM ET / 7:30 CET via Zoom. HRRL members interested in participating, please get in touch via info@hrrlea...