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HRF Calls on President and Congress to Promote Human Rights in Russia
Watch our New Video and Take Action Now, urging President Obama to promote human rights in Russia.
Human Rights First will also travel to Moscow to take part in a civil society conference on the sidelines of the Summit. We’ll keep you updated.
Letter to President Obama | U.S. Helsinki Commission Testimony
New HRF Video | Press Release
07/02/09
Hate Knows No Borders
Human Rights First has written a section on hate crimes around the world for the recently released report by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Confronting the New Faces of Hate: Hate Crimes in America 2009.
Hate Knows No Borders | Hate Crime Survey
06/29/09
HRF Joins NYC LGBT Gay Pride
Our goal is to reduce violent hate crimes around the world. We’re taking part in NYC Pride to show support to a community greatly affected by this problem. You can join us by reading our news and reports, taking action with us, or giving to Human Rights First.
At a glance: Factsheet on Homophobic Violence
Learn more about our work on LGBT rights or follow us on twitter during the parade on Sunday, June 28!
06/26/09
HRF Urges Congress to Pass the Matthew Shepard Act
HRF’s report on Hate Crime in the United States showed the need for passing the Matthew Shepard Act, which would enhance U.S. policy at home and abroad. Join our campaign on this important bill!
Read Elisa Massimino’s Testimony or JTA Op-Ed on hate crime, and Take Action
06/25/09
Governments Must Open Eyes to Hate Crimes
In our latest JTA Op-Ed, Program Director Paul LeGendre stresses that violent hate crimes know no boundaries and are on the rise, from Washington to Europe. The hateful murder of Special Police Officer Stephen Johns as he guarded the entrance to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was a troubling reminder of this thriving hate crime.
HRF Report: Antisemitic Violence
06/22/09
Help Prevent Homophobic and Other Bias-Driven Violence
The Senate is about to vote any day on the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 909), which would fortify existing laws by permitting federal authorities to assist local and state governments in hate crimes investigations. The proposed law would demonstrate U.S. commitment to fighting hate crimes at home and lead by example abroad.
Join our campaign to support the bill – contact your senator today!
Read Director Paul LeGendre’s Huffington Post piece
HRF Report: Hate Crime in the United States
06/17/2009
HRF Contributes to a Briefing on Rise of Violence against Roma
Bipartisan Members of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) voiced strong concerns for growing violence against the Roma. Human Rights First was invited to submit a written testimony for the Commission’s briefing examining the growing prejudice and acts of violence against Roma across Europe.
HRF Report: Violence against Roma and Sinti
Helsinki Commission Press Release
06/10/09
Drop Charges against Russian Art Curators
In Moscow, Yury Samodurov, a human rights activist, and Andrey Erofeev, a museum curator, are facing criminal prosecution for organizing an exhibition entitled "Forbidden Art 2006" at the Andrei Sakharov Museum. The two men could be sentenced to up to five years imprisonment. The Tagansky District Court in Moscow is scheduled to resume hearing the case behind closed doors on June 5, 2009.
HRF Petition in English | in Russian
06/04/09
HRF Urges Senate to Adopt Federal Hate Crime Law
In a letter sent to U.S. Senators today, Human Rights First called for passage of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 909), which would fortify existing laws by permitting federal authorities to assist local and state governments in hate crimes investigations. The United States can thereby demonstrate its commitment to fighting hate crimes at home and lead by example abroad.
HRF Report: Hate Crime in the United States
HRF Report: 2008 Hate Crime Survey
06/04/09
HRF Celebrates International Day Against Homophobia
On the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia [IDAHO], Human Rights First calls on governments to do more to curb homophobia by combating violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity bias.
Fact Sheet on Homophobic Violence
05/19/209
HRF Leads OSCE Civil Society Forum on Hate Crimes
In Vienna, Austria, civil society representatives made recommendations on combating intolerance and discrimination to the OSCE delegates participating in the Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting on Hate Crimes. The recommendations mirror HRF's Ten-Point Plan for Combating Hate Crimes.
HRF Advocacy at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
05/05/09
Improved Outcome Document Adopted by UN Racism Conference
Human Rights First Delivered a Statement at the Durban Review Conference at Geneva, welcoming the consensus approval of the Conference’s Outcome Document and highlighting several key issues that must be addressed to ensure that victims of racism and intolerance are protected.
Durban Review Conference Statement
HRF Working Paper on Incitement Laws and Religious Defamation Laws
04/24/09
Ahmadinejad Threatens to Hijack UN Racism Conference
Following Iranian President's address at the Durban Review Conference, Human Rights First urges Participating Nations to refocus on ending racism. HRF believes that it is incumbent on governments who have stayed to challenge any efforts to curtail free speech, to promote the concept of defamation of religion and to single out Israel or any other country in the final text of the outcome document.
04/20/09
April 8th: International Roma Day
On International Roma Day, Human Rights First calls to combat discrimination, marginalization, and scapegoating of Europe's largest minority. Governments must combat hate crimes targeting Roma individuals and threatening whole communities.
Fact Sheet on Anti-Roma Violence
Report: Violence Against Roma and Sinti
04/07/09
HRF Contributes to OSCE Hate Crime Guidelines
Hate Crime Laws: A Practical Guide, is the first publication providing practical and easily accessible advice for lawmakers, civil society and law enforcement personnel involved in developing or implementing hate crime legislation. The Fighting Discrimination Program Director Paul LeGendre participated in the writing and editing process, also taking part in the official ODIHR launch and expert workshop on March 19, 2009.
Hate Crime Survey: Framework Of Criminal Law
03/27/09
HRF Attends Roundtables on Racism and Discrimination, Antisemitism
Last week, HRF participated in two roundtables organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
On March 17, an expert-level meeting discussed the importance of combating antisemitism. On March 18, the ODIHR marked the International Antiracism day with a roundtable discussion on racism and discrimination.
Paul LeGendre's Remarks on Combating Antisemitism
Press Release: UN Antiracism Day
03/24/09
As U.N. Antiracism Day Is Marked, Racist Violence on the Rise
On International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Human Rights First reminds governments to combat racist and other bias-motivated violence, which has been rising across the globe. Key findings pertaining to racially motivated violence are summarized in the Fact Sheet on Violence Based on Racism and Xenophobia. Many states continue to downplay the problem and still do not have adequate policies to successfully tackle hateful attacks.
Press Release
Ten-Point Plan for Combating Hate Crimes
Report: Violence Based on Racism and Xenophobia
03/20/09
HRF Participates in OSCE Roundtable on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians
Joëlle Fiss, the Pennoyer Fellow of the Fighting Discrimination Program, contributed to the first OSCE meeting focusing specifically on intolerance and discrimination against Christians. Participants called for improved collection of data on hate crimes against Christians, the adoption of freedom of religion laws and assistance to states and civil society in raising awareness of relevant standards.
Violence Based on Religious Intolerance
03/13/09
HRF Welcomes New Government Efforts to Monitor Hate Crimes in Ukraine
In a letter to Ukrainian Interior Minister Lutsenko and Prosecutor General Medvedko, Human Rights First commended the recent initiative to begin registering crimes based on racial, ethnic, or religious intolerance. HRF also outlined specific recommendations on strengthening the mechanisms to combat bias violence in Ukraine. HRF's Report Card for Ukraine has been updated to reflect the new development.
Letter to the Ukrainian Authorities
Report on Hate Crime in Ukraine
03/11/09
HRF Outlines Recommendations for Combating Hate Crimes to the New OSCE Personal Representatives on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination
In January 2009, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) appointed three new Personal Representatives of the Chairman-in-Office to promote greater tolerance and combat racism, xenophobia and discrimination. HRF reached out to the Representatives with specific recommendations relevant to their mandates.
Letter to Mario Mauro (Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination)
Letter to Vyacheslav Gizzatov (Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims)
Letter to Andrew Baker (Combating Antisemitism)
OSCE Announcement / Representatives' Bios
03/03/09
Court Decision a Further Blow to Russia's Embattled Human Rights Community
On February 24, 2009, the Saint Petersburg City Court issued a ruling against a Russian human rights organization Memorial. The decision allows the authorities to remain in possession of all materials confiscated from Memorial’s St. Petersburg offices during a police raid in December 2008. Human Rights First is deeply concerned by the ruling and calls on the authorities to return the confiscated materials.
Human Rights Promotion in Russia
Voice of America Interview with Paul LeGendre (In Russian)
02/25/09
HRF Welcomes U.S. Engagement in Durban Review Process
Human Rights First and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, leading U.S. rights organizations, welcome the Obama administration’s decision to engage in the Durban Review Conference in order to try to change the direction in which the conference is heading.
More on HRF and the Durban Review
02/17/09
HRF Urges Narsultan Nazarbayev Not to Sign a Restrictive New Law on Religious Freedom
On December 24, 2008, the Fighting Discrimination Program Director Paul LeGendre submitted a letter to the Kazakh President, urging him to return to parliament the controversial bill "On Changes and Supplements to Laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan related to Freedom of Religion and Religious Organizations." Other civil society groups raised similar concerns with the proposed legislation, which President Nazarbayev sent for review by the country’s Constitutional Court on January 9. On February 11, 2009, the amendments were ruled unconstitutional.
News Updates: Forum 18 | Interfax-Religion
02/14/09
Hate Crimes a Prominent Issue during the Review of Russia
A high number of country delegations raised the need to strengthen initiatives to combat extremism and hate crimes in Russia during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Russian Federation at the United Nations Office at Geneva. The rise of violent hate crimes in Russia has been at the focus of the Fighting Discrimination Program, which urged UN Member States to address this important issue at the Human Rights Council.
HRF's Stakeholder Submission on Russia to the UN Human Rights Council
HRF's Report on Hate Crimes in Russia
Highlights: Review of the Russian Federation (UN)
02/09/09
HRF Urges Secretary of State Clinton to Take Up the Promotion of Human Rights in Russia
In a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State and other high-ranking Department of State officials, Human Rights First argued that the latest brazen shootings of Stanislav Markelov and Anastasia Baburova have underlined the urgency of promoting human rights in the Russian Federation. HRF identified two areas that are crucial to enabling Russians to secure human rights and promote rule of law and provided key recommendations aimed at protecting human rights defenders and combating racism, xenophobia, and violent hate crimes.
Read the Letter to Secretary Clinton
Blueprint on Promotion of Human Rights in Russia
Press Release on the Double Murder in Downtown Moscow
Letter to the Washington Times
01/29/09
Human Rights First Condemns Antisemitic Backlash Attacks in Europe
A wave of incidents of antisemitic violence has occured across Europe in apparent backlash to Israeli military action in Gaza. HRF's Fighting Discrimination Program Director Paul LeGendre condemned the attacks, adding that "international events are never a justification for violence targeting individuals or property on account of race, ethnicity, religion, or other similar factor."
2008 Fact Sheet on Antisemitic Violence
01/23/09
Murder of Prominent Russian Human Rights Defender Must be Investigated
A brutal double murder in downtown Moscow claimed the lives of Stanislav Markelov, a prominent lawyer and human rights defender, and Anastasia Baburova, a freelance opposition journalist. Both Stanislav and Anastasia have worked on issues relating to hate crimes and the growing neo-Nazi movement in the Russian Federation. The Fighting Discrimination Team mourns the untimely deaths and condemns the murders of our colleagues. Take action below to join us in calling for an immediate investigation.
Promotion of Human Rights in Russia
01/21/09
HRF Urges Obama Administration to Address Concerns with the Durban Review Conference
The incoming Obama Administration should lead an international effort to reshape the United Nations Durban Review Conference into a forum for credible discussion of racism and intolerance, rather than boycott the conference, Human Rights First and two other leading human rights organizations, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights of the American Jewish Committee, said today in a letter to Secretary of State designee Hillary Clinton.
01/12/09
HRF Discusses Anti-Roma Violence in Europe
Execution Chronicles, a web portal devoted to the victims of racial, religious, or gender violence and intolerance, referenced our 2008 Hate Crime Survey and interviewed the Fighting Discrimination following anti-Roma demonstrations in the Czech town of Litvinov at the end of 2008.
01/09/09
HRF Participates in a European Parliament Seminar
FD Program Director Paul LeGendre delivered a statement at a Seminar at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. The event—"Human Rights and Civil Liberties - past, present & future"—was hosted by the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, the third-largest coalition in the European Parliament. Paul spoke about the importance of supporting human rights by combating hate crime in Europe.
12/12/08
Blueprint for Obama Administration Provides Recommendations for Promotion of Human Rights in Russia
Consistent promotion of human rights must be an integral part of the United States bilateral relationship with Russia, asserts Human Rights First in a new Blueprint on promoting human rights in Russia, issued today. The Blueprint calls on the new administration to demonstrate support for independent human rights organizations and sets out practical steps the new administration should take to enhance cooperation with the Russian authorities in combating the surge in violent hate crimes.
12/05/08
U.S. Holocaust Museum's Audio Podcast Focuses on Violent Hate Crime
Voices on Antisemitism, produced by the United States Holocaust Museum, features a broad range of perspectives about antisemitism and hatred today. In the most recent podcast, the Museum’s Historian Dr. Aleisa Fishman interviews Human Rights First’s Tad Stahnke, who discusses discrimination in modern societies and its impact on individuals, noting that everyone has an interest—and a responsibility—to confront violence and prejudice in our communities.
12/01/08
HRF Co-Hosts a Panel Discussion "Intolerance and Discrimination in Today's Russia."
Tad Stahnke took part in the discussion event, co-hosted by CSIS and moderated by Sarah Mendelson in Washington, DC. Mr. Stahnke presented the findings of our 2008 Hate Crime Survey, focusing on recommendations to U.S. government officials and foreign policy-makers.
The event's main presenter was Alexander Verkhovsky of the Moscow-based SOVA Center for Information and Analysis, who provided the latest updates on the situation in Russia, outlining new trends and discussing the problem of the misuse of legislation countering extremism. Cathy Cosman, senior policy analyst at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, addressed official Russian policies toward freedom of religion or belief within that country's human rights climate.
Event Info, Audio Podcast, and Transcripts
11/20/08
HRF and LCCR Urge UN High Commissioner to Address Serious Concerns in Durban Review Conference
Elisa Massimino, CEO/Executive Director of Human Rights First, and Wade Henderson, President/CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, wrote UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay, urging her to address serious concerns in connection with the Durban Review Conference in order to prevent a recurrence of the problems that marred the 2001 World Conference Against Racism and ensure that the review conference is a forum for credible discussions on racial discrimination and related intolerance.
Human Rights First and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights encourage states to take an active role in the preparatory process in order to address these concerns. Both organizations support the recent Resolution of the U.S. House of Representatives (H. Res. 1361), which charts a course for U.S. engagement at the highest level. HRF and LCCR have recently worked together to call on Durban Review Conference PrepCom to Protect Freedom of Speech.
October 2008 Durban Prepcom Statement
11/17/08
As Kristallnacht Is Remembered, Antisemitic Violence Still Rising in Europe
Key findings of the 2008 Hate Crime Survey pertaining to antisemitism are summarized in the Fact Sheet on Antisemitic Violence, which draws attention to the rise in such violence - manifested in the form of personal assaults on Jews and incidents of arson and attacks targeting Jewish cemeteries and synagogues - as well as the inadequate government response.
Human Rights First released the Fact Sheet in connection to the anniversary of the "Night of Broken Glass" in Europe. We released a statement commemorating the horrific events of Kristallnacht. Human Rights First urges the governments to combat the rise of hate crimes, many of which are motivated by an antisemitic bias.
Fact Sheet on Antisemitic Violence
11/10/08
Confronting Hate Crimes: A New JTA Op-Ed
In the new op-ed on confronting hate crimes, our Program Director Tad Stahnke discusses the rise of bias-motivated attacks across Europe in North America, outlining specific recommendations for combating this violence.
The article recalls the horrific events of “the Night of Broken Glass,” urging the governments to bear in mind the destabilizing and devastating effects of antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, as well as antireligious and antigay policies. Today’s hate crimes are a violation of human rights, and bias-motivated individual attacks affect communities at large.
11/05/08
HRF Addresses the 2008 OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw
The Conference, hailed by the ODIHR Director Amb. Janez Lenarcic as "the single most important yearly OSCE event focusing on human rights and democracy in Europe, North America, and Central Asia," features delegations from all 56 member states, as well other high-profile speakers from NGO and IGO communities.
Human Rights First made three interventions during the conference. Our 2008 Hate Crime Survey was also distributed at various side-events and meetings. Two side-events were co-hosted by Human Rights First.
Read Tad Stahnke's Statement on "Hate Crimes in the OSCE Region."
Read Paul Legendre's statement at the Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Session.
Read Tad Stahnke’s Statement on "Implementation of the OSCE Action Plan on Roma and Sinti."
10/16/08
HRF and LCCR Call on Durban Review Conference PrepCom to Protect Freedom of Speech
The Fighting Discrimination Program Director Tad Stahnke delivered a statement at the Durban Review Prepcom on behalf of HRF and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. HRF and LCCR offered five principles for provisions on incitement in the future Outcome Document of the Durban Review Conference (to take place in 2009).
Our Advocacy at the United Nations.
10/09/08
New Report Finds Violent Hate Crime on the Rise
Incidents of violent hate crime targeting a number of minority groups are increasing or occurring at historically high levels in many of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) member-states, as governments fail to combat such crimes, a new report finds.
09/24/08
HRF Makes a Written Stakeholder Submission on Hate Crimes in Russia
Fighting Discrimination Team has submitted a report on "Violent Hate Crime in the Russian Federation" to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The submission was made in the framework of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. UPR is a new mechanism of the United Nations which consists of the review of the human rights practices all States in the world, once every four years. The Russian Federation's appearance before the fourth Universal Periodic Review session is scheduled to take place in February 2009. Fighting Discrimination Program hopes to influence the outcome documents that will result from the Russian Federation's upcoming review.
09/08/08
HRF Calls on European Officials to Raise Concern on Escalating Hate Crimes in Ukraine
The Fighting Discrimination Program has urged high-ranking European officials to use a September 9 summit meeting with Ukrainian officials to address substantively the precipitous rise in racially-motivated violent hate crimes in Ukraine.
In letters to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in his capacity as president of the EU Council, and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, as well as other senior EU officials, Human Rights First urges the European delegation to the upcoming E.U.-Ukraine Summit to discuss the recent increase in racist and related violence and put forward specific recommendations on how to strengthen the Ukrainian government's response to the problem.
Read the Letter to the EU Council
Read the Letter to the European Commission
08/21/08
HRF Joins Advocacy Efforts to Prevent Intolerance Against LGBT Persons
Tad Stahnke, Fighting Discrimination Program Director, co-signed two advocacy letters to the State Department's Assistant Secretary Daniel Fried, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, and Assistant Secretary David Kramer, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Human Rights First joined four other prominent NGOs in attempting to raise the problem of intolerance against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) upcoming Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) in Warsaw this September. The Fighting Discrimination Program will be represented at the HDIM meeting, furthering our advocacy agenda.
Read the Letter to David Kramer
08/15/08
HRF Calls on State Dept. to Raise Concern on Escalating Hate Crimes in Ukraine
A coalition of leading advocacy groups, convened by Human Rights First, has called on Dan Fried, the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, to use an upcoming bilateral meeting to substantively address the precipitous rise in racially-motivated murders and other hate crimes in Ukraine since 2006.
In a joint letter, Human Rights First, Amnesty International, Freedom House, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, NCSJ: Advocates on behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States, and Eurasia, and the Union of Councils for Jews in the Former Soviet Union, outlined recommendations on how to strengthen the Ukrainian government's response to the problem.
08/08/08
HRF signs on a Letter of Concern over discriminatory remarks at the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
Fighting Discrimination Program Director Tad Stahnke co-signed an advocacy letter to Ms. Dubravka Simonovic, the chairperson of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Human Rights First joined a group of other well-known NGOs in expressing concern about the discriminatory remarks in relation to lesbians made by a Committee member at the July 16 UN-CEDAW meeting.
07/30/08
Council of Europe References HRF Activities on Combating Hate Crimes
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg released a Viewpoint on July 21 decrying recent episodes of intolerant violence in Europe and proposing concrete measures to combat hate crimes. The Commissioner's statement references our 2007 Hate Crime Survey and Report Card and reflects our recommendations on combating hate crime in Europe.
Read our Letter to Thomas Hammarberg
Access the Commissioner's Viewpoint
07/23/08
HRF addresses the OSCE's National Points of Contact on combating hate crimes
Human Rights First, together with the Finnish League for Human Rights, presented NGO recommendations at the meeting of the OSCE's National Points of Contact on combating hate crimes. Tad Stahnke emphasized that governments should adopt a vigorous and flexible approach to combating violent hate crimes by:
- forging institutionalized cooperation with communities and civil society groups;
- supporting ODIHR efforts to build the capacity of civil society organizations to complement and support government hate crime monitoring, response and prevention efforts;
- acknowledging and condemning violent hate crimes;
- enacting laws that expressly address violent hate crimes;
- strengthening enforcement and prosecuting offenders;
- ensuring that all law enforcement professionals are provided the appropriate direction and supervision, given the necessary resources, and adequately trained; Â
- undertaking parliamentary, inter-agency or other special inquiries into the problem of hate crimes;
- monitoring and publicly reporting on violent hate crimes;
- creating and strengthening antidiscrimination bodies;
- speaking out against intolerance and bigotry;
- and encouraging international cooperation on hate crimes.
Human Rights First believes that because violent hate crime is a problem that is shared throughout the OSCE region, states can take advantage of the opportunity to work together to address the problem.Â
06/18/08
HRF Leads Call to OSCE States for Stronger Institutions to Combat Discrimination
05/30/08
HRF Urges Commission to Address Inadequate Government Responses to Hate Crimes in Europe
Read Tad Stahnke's written testimony to the Helsinki Commission's briefing on "Hate Crimes and Hate Propaganda on the Internet"
05/15/08
Civil Society Groups Seek Durban Review That Rejects Hatred
Read Statement Here
Read Tad Stahnke's Statement to the Review Conference on Core Principles
04/28/08
HRF Urges U.S. to Work for Improved U.N. Review Conference on Racism
Read the letter from Executive Director Maureen Byrnes
02/08/08
HRF Urges Commission to Address Rise in Antisemitic Attacks and Other Hate Crime Concerns in Europe
Read HRF's written statement for a Helsinki Commission Hearing on Antisemitism in Europe
02/07/08
HRF President Discusses Antisemitism in Europe
Listen to Mike Posner's interview – part of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum's "Voices on Antisemitism" podcast series. 12/11/07
HRF Discusses Hate Crimes in Russia
Click here to listen to Leonard Lopate's show with Paul LeGendre on "Hate Crimes and Racism in Russia"
10/04/07
HRF Addresses the 2007 OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw
Read HRF's remarks to the plenary session on the promotion of tolerance and non-discrimination
09/28/07
HRF signs on to Statement of Principles for the UN's WCAR Review Conference
09/05/07
HRF Addresses OSCE Meeting on Combating Discrimination in Bucharest
06/12/07
HRF Commemorates International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Appeals to EU Members to Strengthen Hate Crime Laws
03/21/07
Troubling Rise in Hate Crimes in Europe and North America
In September 2005, HRF released Everyday Fears: A Survey of Violent Hate Crimes in Europe and North America, a report on hate crimes and the fear they generate in Europe and North America – and the role of governments, inter-governmental bodies, and civil society organizations in combating these crimes.
Read the the full report [English]
02/6/07
Appeal to U.N. Leaders on Second Annual Holocaust Remembrance Day
Read HRF's statement and joint appeal
01/29/07
European Governments Must Do More to Tackle Hate Crimes
Read 2007 Hate Crime Report Card
01/02/08
HRF Addresses OSCE Meeting on Addressing the Hate Crime Data Deficit
Read Michael McClintock's statement to the session on "The Importance of Data Collection"
11/30/06
HRF Addresses the 2006 OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw
Read
10/16/06
Hate Crimes in St. Petersburg
With racist violence a growing problem throughout Russia, St. Petersburg stands out as the place where neo-Nazi groups are thought to be best organized, where assaults against foreigners have been boldly committed in broad daylight on downtown city streets, and where, at least until recently, prosecutions have been particularly rare and sentences lenient.
Read HRF's paper on "Minorities Under Siege: The Case of St. Petersburg
07/17/06
Russian Minorities Under Siege
Racist violence is on the rise in Russia, and the government response has been ineffectual at best. In the past year alone, nongovernmental organizations have documented hundreds of cases of violent assaults — including murder — against immigrants and minorities. Despite this alarming trend, Russia's political leaders have downplayed the problem, and criminal justice authorities generally treat these assaults as "hooliganism," rather than as hate crimes.
Read "Beyond Anna Politkovskaya: Tackling Russia's Inner Hatred" from The Globalist (external link)
06/30/06
HRF Testifies on Racist and Religious Intolerance in Russia
On May 17, 2006, Michael McClintock, Director of Research, testified on "Racist and Religious Intolerance in Russia" before the U.S. Congressional Human Rights Caucus. Read Michael McClintock's testimony [English, Russian]
05/17/06
Blind Eye to Discrimination Makes Fertile Ground for Antisemitism in France
On February 13, 2006, Ilan Halimi, a twenty-three-year-old French Jew, died soon after he was found near Paris, half-naked, stabbed, and burned with cigarettes and acid. Halimi was kidnapped and tortured because he was a Jew. Virulent antisemitism is still pervasive in France, fueled by extremist movements of the right and Islamist propaganda.
HRF's paper on the murder of Ilan Halimi and equality in France [ENGLISH, FRANCAIS]
03/27/06
Antisemitism in Europe: Challenging Official Indifference
HRF's 2004 report documents a range of antisemitic incidents in Europe over the previous two years, and the measures European governments have taken to monitor and compile data on antisemitic hate crimes. Read Antisemitism in Europe: Challenging Official Indifference [English, French, German]
01/06/2004
