Matthew Easton
Director,
Human Rights Defenders Program
Joined Human Rights First in 2004

Matt Easton directs the Human Rights Defender program. The Defenders program conducts research and advocacy in support of advocates who come under attack for defending human rights. Matt supervises campaigns that include urgent actions, trial monitoring, public education, and dialogue with the U.S. and foreign governments. His own work focuses primarily on the countries of Southeast Asia.

Although he joined the staff of Human Rights First in September 2004, his relationship with the organization goes back to 1994, when he co-authored a case study on the World Bank and human rights. Matt has worked in both human rights and international development, as a U.S.-based consultant and while living in Indonesia, East Timor, India, and Zimbabwe.

Matt has B.A. in Anthropology from Haverford College and an M.A. in International Relations from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, DC.