Human Rights Research League

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

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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

ESIL Research Forum, Department of Law, University of Catania, Italy, April 15-16, 2021

2021-01-13 19:14 The next ESIL Research Forum is now reschedueld to take place on 15-16 April 2021 at the Department of Law, University of Catania, Italy. The ESIL Research will address the topic: 'Solidarity: The Que...

Call for Papers: 7th Annual International Refugee Law Student Writing Competition

2021-01-13 00:00 The American Society of International Law's International Refugee Law Interest Group (IRLIG) announces its seventh annual International Refugee Law Student Writing Competition, co-sponsored by the Glo...