Human Rights Research League

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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

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...
Midyear Meeting of the American Society of International Law, Miami, November 10-12, 2022
2022-09-19 22:18 This year's Midyear Meeting of the American Society of International Law (ASIL) will be held on November 10-12, 2022, at the University of Miami School of Law. For more information and to register, pl...
Draft Program: Joint Workshop on 'In/Ex-clusivity of International Migration and Refugee Law: The Rights Holders’ Perspective', August 31, 2022
2022-04-23 16:30 On 31 August 2022, Human Rights Research League along with the European Society of International Law (ESIL) Interest Group on Migration and Refugee Law and the Forum on Immigration, Frontiers and Asyl...
Call for Papers: 2022 ESIL Annual Conference, Utrecht, Netherlands, September 1-3, 2022
2022-04-07 02:31 The 17th Annual Conference of the European Society of International Law (ESIL) will convene in Utrecht, Netherlands, from 1-3 September 2022 under the overall theme of 'In/Ex-clusiveness of Internatio...
Call for Papers: In/Ex-clusivity of International Migration and Refugee Law: The Rights Holders' Perspective
2022-04-05 12:38 On 31 August 2022, the European Society of International Law (ESIL) Interest Group on Migration and Refugee Law and Human Rights Research League will organize a workshop on 'In/Ex-clusivity of Interna...
Annual Meeting of the American Society of International Law, Washington, DC, April 6-9, 2022
2021-12-01 02:29 From April 6-9, 2022, the American Society of International Law will convene its 116th Annual Meeting. This year's Meeting Theme, 'Personalizing International Law', will focus on how people, independe...
Call for Papers: 8th Annual International Refugee Law Student Writing Competition, January 15, 2022
2021-12-01 02:21 The American Society of International Law's International Refugee Law Interest Group (IRLIG) just announced the eighth annual International Refugee Law Student Writing Competition, co-sponsored by the...
Webinar on 'Another Coup d’état in Sudan: An Exploration of the Prospects of Democracy and Human Rights ', November 22, 2021
2021-11-17 22:57 On 22 November 2021, from 11 AM-12:15 PM (EST), Harvard Law School will host a webinar entitled 'Another Coup d'etat in Sudan: An Exploration of the Prospects of Democracy and Human Rights', exploring...

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