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

 

The first publication of our research project on Collective Trauma and Mental Health in Lebanon, conducted in collaboration between the University of Montreal, Human Rights Research League, and a group of Lebanese psychologists, researchers and data specialists, has just been launched. The article, 'Violence sociopolitique d'Etat, violences collectives et impacts traumatiques sur la sante mentale' ['Sociopolitical State Violence, Collective Violence and Traumatic Impacts on Mental Health'] (in French  only), has just been released in the March 2025 issue of  Psychologie Quebec. The article presents a selection of preliminary results of our study on the cumulative impact of traumatic events on the mental health of a population that has been forced to live quasi permanently in a failing political and security environment, and in the absence of functioning state institutions that may provide justice. For further details, please see the article here (in French only).

Conferences & calls

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...
HRRL Statement on the Protection of UN Mandate Holders at the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
2024-09-26 14:50 On 26 September 2024, on the occasion of the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League delivered an oral statement on the Protection of UN Mandate holders dur...

Latest publications