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

Webinar on 'A Right of Peoples and Individuals to International Solidarity?', November 18, 2021
2021-11-10 19:15 On November 18, 2021, from 12:30-2PM (EST), the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University will host a webinar on 'A Right of Peoples and Individuals to International ...
Hybrid Seminar on Challenges of Constitution-Making in Sudan, November 12, 2021
2021-10-25 01:16 On 12 November 2021, the Christian Michelsen Institute (CMI) will organize a seminar on the Challenges of Constitution-Making in Sudan, debating the challenges the transitional government faces in its...
50th Annual Conference of the Canadian Council on International Law, October 20-22, 2021
2021-10-03 21:33 The Canadian Council on International Law will hold its 50th Annual Conference on October 20-22, 2021, this year devoted to the theme of 'Getting International Law Back on Track?'. The conference will...
Conference on International Criminal Law before Domestic Courts, October 14-16, 2021
2021-10-03 21:19 On October 14-16, 2021, the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights in cooperation with the University of Vienna will organize a conference on International Criminal Law before Dome...
Final Program: Joint Workshop on 'The Evolution of the Principle of Non-Refoulement in International Law: What Role for New Types of International Law-Making?', September 8, 2021
2021-08-29 15:11 On 8 September 2021, Human Rights Research League along with the European Society of International Law (ESIL) Interest Group on Migration and Refugee Law and the ESIL Interest Group on International C...
Conference on Extraterritoriality in International Law, September 15-17, 2021
2021-08-27 02:07 The Maurer School of Law at Indiana University invites to a three-day conference and webinar on 'Extraterritoriality in International Law'' from 15-17 September 2021. For more information and to regis...
Annual Meeting Announcement
2021-08-23 20:37 Human Rights Research League will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, 23 October 2021, at 1:00 PM EDT / 7:00 CET via Zoom. HRRL members interested in participating, please get in touch via info@hrrle...
Webinar on FGM and Women's Access to Health, August 17, 2021
2021-08-05 16:33 On 17 August 2021, from 17:00 -18:30 (11 AM - 12:30 PM, EST), Human Rights Research League will organize a webinar on 'FGM, Women's Access to Health, and Social Norms in Norway', with an interdiscipli...
Call for Papers: The Evolution of the Principle of Non-Refoulement in International Law: What Role for New Types of International Law-Making?
2021-06-17 23:16 On 8 September 2021, Human Rights Research League along with the European Society of International Law (ESIL) Interest Group on Migration and Refugee Law and the ESIL Interest Group on International C...
Call for Papers: Student Essay Competition on Avoiding Civilian Harm during Military Cyber Operations
2021-04-09 14:10 The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Geneva Academy are launching a global undergraduate student essay competition on Avoiding Civilian Harm during Military Cyber Operations. Th...
Webinar on Public Intellectual: The Life of a Citizen Pilgrim - A Conversation with Richard Falk, April 13, 2021
2021-04-08 14:48 On April 13, 2021, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM (EST), Richard Falk, one of the preeminent international law scholars and advocates of his generation, will be joining a conversation to discuss his newly publishe...
Stockholm Forum on Peace and Development, May 4-7, 2021
2021-04-08 00:38 The 2021 Stockholm Forum on Peace and Development will be held on May 4-7 on the theme of 'Promoting Peace in the Age of Compound Risk'. For each of the days of the Forum, the format will combine open...
Webinar on Constitutionalism and Democracy in Turkey and Beyond, April 8, 2021
2021-04-05 22:15 On April 8, 2021, from 10:30 AM- 12:00 PM EST, the Istanbul Policy Center and the Sakip Sabanci Center for Turkish Studies at Columbia University are organizing a webinar on Constitutionalism and Demo...

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