Betsy Apple
Director
Crimes Against Humanity Program
Joined Human Rights First in 2007

As the director of the Crimes Against Humanity program, Betsy Apple leads Human Rights First’s efforts to address mass atrocities at every stage of conflict, utilizing a combination of legal, political, legislative, and public advocacy strategies.

Betsy has extensive experience as an international human rights lawyer, focusing on issues at the intersection of human rights, environmental abuse and gender justice. Before joining Human Rights First, Betsy served as deputy director of the Women’s Environment and Development Organization, based in New York.  Also, as managing and legal director of EarthRights International, she focused upon government and corporate accountability for human rights violations and environmental abuse.

Betsy has served as legal consultant to various institutions including Harvard Law School’s Human Rights Clinic, Refugees International, and the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma. She is currently an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, where she teaches Human Rights Advocacy. 

Earlier in her career, Betsy worked with the Volunteer Legal Services Program in San Francisco, focusing primarily upon family law and civil rights.  She also practiced law as a litigation attorney at the San Francisco law firm Bronson, Bronson & McKinnon.