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

 

During the 63rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League (HRRL) delivered several statements on Iran, both orally and in writing.

 

On 21 September 2026, during the Interactive Dialogue with the International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, HRRL Chairman Tom Syring underlined that while the Islamic Republic of Iran does not publish comprehensive public data on death sentences, even according to the government's own account, since the beginning of 2026, at least 58 individuals were executed on security-related charges. A large number of political prisoners executed in 2026 were members of the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK). Three Kurds and Baluch men were also among those executed on political grounds.

 

Tens of thousands of people, including children, have been arrested in connection with the country-wide uprisings against the Islamic Republic in January 2026. In many cases, the fate and whereabouts of the prisoners remained unknown, which may indicate that the arrests were a prelude to enforced disappearances. 

 

For the full statement, please see the video of the Oral Statement on UN Web TV.

 

Earlier in the Session, during the General Debate on Item 2, HRRL also raised the issue and fate of the large number of political prisoners currently on death row, and highlighted the 'Tuesdays Against Executions' campaign, initiated by courageous political prisoners in 2024. In this nationwide campaign, every Tuesday inmates go on hunger strike and demand a halt to all executions in Iran. HRRL urged the Council to keep in mind that the main victims of external warfare as well as of domestic oppression are the people of Iran, whose plight must not be overlooked.

 

For the full statement, please see the video of the Oral Statement on UN Web TV.

 

Human Rights Research League also submitted, with international partners, a joint Written Statement on 'Escalating Political Executions in the Islamic Republic of Iran' (UN doc. A/HRC/63/NGO/356), requesting inter alia enhanced monitoring and reporting by the Special Rapporteur on the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Fact-Finding Mission and relevant thematic Special Procedures, and support for the preservation of evidence and international accountability efforts concerning executions, torture, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and persecution on political grounds.

Conferences & calls

HRRL-NUPI Conference on Ukraine: Resilience and Resistance in Times of War
2026-09-07 18:33 On 15 September 2026, Human Rights Research League (HRRL) and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) will co-organize a conference on 'Resilience and Resistance in Times of War'. The ...
HRRL at Bergen Exchanges Conference
2026-08-14 16:22 Human Rights Research League (HRRL) is pleased to participate in the Bergen Exchanges on Law & Social Transformation conference, to be held from 17-21 August 2026 in Bergen, Norway. The five-day inter...
Side Event at the United Nations in Vienna on Justice Responses to Harm and Vulnerability
2026-05-31 16:03 On 3 June 2026, during the upcoming 35th Session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), Human Rights Research League (HRRL) will team up with the Academy of...
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) organized a Side Event & Report Launch at the Palais des Nations, on Menta...
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...

Latest publications