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

 

On the occasion of the 61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League, together with the Center for Civil Liberties, the Media Initiative for Human Rights, Physicians for Human Rights, the World Organization against Torture, and ZMINA Human Rights Center will organize a Side Event on Russia's War on Civilians in Ukraine at the Palais des Nations, on 13 March 2026, from 12:00-13:00 (CET). 

 

Since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression, civilians have been actively targeted and subjected to Russia's campaign of widespread and systematic abuses, including arbitrary detention, torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, attacks on health care and energy infrastructure, and constant missile and drone attacks specifically aiming at civilians. OHCHR, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, the ICC, and human rights organizations have continuously documented these grave and systematic violations of IHL and IHRL.

 

This Side Event aims at exploring how these distinct tactics and war crimes translate into sustained harm particularly to the civilian population and what is needed to strengthen protection and accountability.

 

For further details, please see the Side Event flyer.

Conferences & calls

On the occasion of the 61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League, together with the Center for Civil Liberties, the Media Initiative for Human Rights, Physicians for Human Rights, the World Organization against Torture, and ZMINA Human Rights Center will organize a Side Event on Russia's War on Civilians in Ukraine at the Palais des Nations, on 13 March 2026, from 12:00-13:00 (CET). 

 

Since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression, civilians have been actively targeted and subjected to Russia's campaign of widespread and systematic abuses, including arbitrary detention, torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, attacks on health care and energy infrastructure, and constant missile and drone attacks specifically aiming at civilians. OHCHR, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, the ICC, and human rights organizations have continuously documented these grave and systematic violations of IHL and IHRL.

 

This Side Event aims at exploring how these distinct tactics and war crimes translate into sustained harm particularly to the civilian population and what is needed to strengthen protection and accountability.

 

For further details, please see the Side Event flyer.

Latest publications