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

 

At the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League intervened during the Annual Full-Day Discussion on the Human Rights of Women. HRRL Political Adviser Milica Javdan underlined that UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security had called on all states to adopt measures that ensured protection of and respect for human rights of women and girls. In a number of authoritarian states and in particular in those enforcing misogynist policies, women's human rights are trampled upon and women's equal participation may only be fully achieved by removing an oppressive regime and replacing it with a democratic and inclusive one. However, if such change is to truly benefit women and girls, it cannot be brought about by foreign intervention, nor by appeasing authoritarian regimes' symbolic policy gestures, but by supporting women-led, democratic transitions. For further details, please see the video of the Oral Statement on UN Web TV.

Conferences & calls

HRRL Side Event on Russia's War on Civilians in Ukraine at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
2026-03-09 00:30 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 Rig...
HRRL at Afghanistan Conference on the Occasion of Human Rights Day
2025-12-08 18:24 On the occasion of Human Rights Day, the Federation of Afghan Resident Organizations in Europe (FAROE) held a conference on 7 December 2025 dedicated to 'The World and the Human Rights Crisis in Afgha...
Opening & Exhibition on 'Ukraine: Daily Resistance'
2025-11-19 17:16 On 25 November 2025, Human Rights Research League (HRRL) in collaboration with Oslo New University College and UABeyond (Ukraine) will open a photo exhibition on 'Ukraine: Daily Resistance', with phot...
12th Annual International Refugee Law Student Writing Competition
2025-11-05 17:04 The 12th 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 Participation in Panel Discussion on the Death Penalty
2025-10-03 15:10 On 9 October 2025, Human Rights Research League Political Adviser Milica Javdan will participate in a panel discussion on the death penalty organized by Amnesty International, the Association of Irani...
HRRL Side Event on Mental Health in Times of War at the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
2025-09-19 20:41 On the occasion of the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League (HRRL) will organize a Side Event & Report Launch at the Palais des Nations, on M...
Conference on the Occasion of World Refugee Day
2025-06-23 15:16 On the occasion of World Refugee Day, the Federation of Afghan Resident Organizations in Europe (FAROE) held a conference dedicated to the deteriorating situation of Afghan refugees. Human Rights Rese...
Conference on State Violence and Collective Trauma in Lebanon - Video Released
2025-04-18 15:49 On 16 April 2025, the Department of Psychology at Saint Joseph University of Beirut organized a conference (in French) dedicated to topics raised by HRRL Adviser in Psychology Zeina Zerbe's book and p...
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...
Interview on France 24 (Arabic) on Historical Massacre in Damour, Lebanon
2025-01-18 23:30 On January 18, 2025, Human Rights Research League's Adviser in Psychology, Zeina Zerbe, was interviewed by France 24 about her research into the historical massacre in Damour, Lebanon, and its psychos...
CfP: Annual International Refugee Law Student Writing Competition. Submission Deadline: February 15, 2025
2025-01-13 21:27 The American Society of International Law's International Refugee Law Interest Group (IRLIG) has just announced the eleventh Annual International Refugee Law Student Writing Competition, co-sponsored ...
HRRL Statements on Ukraine at the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
2024-10-08 14:55 At the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League delivered oral statements on Ukraine in connection with the Interactive Diaogue with the Commission of Inquir...
HRRL Statement on South Sudan at the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
2024-10-04 14:11 On 4 October 2024, at the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League (HRRL) delivered an oral statement during the Interactive Dialogue on the oral update by t...

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