Read Statement Here

Read Tad Stahnke's Statement to the Review Conference on Core Principles

Read the Press Release 

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!

In response to a wave of violent attacks against Roma, HRF and three other rights groups addressed a letter of concern to the Hungarian Ambassador to the United States and outlined a blueprint for addressing violence against Roma and other forms of hate crime.

Letter to the Hungarian Ambassador  

Fact Sheet: Violence Against Roma | Select Cases of Antigypsyism in Hungary

The 2009 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting brings together official delegations and nongovernmental organizations to discuss democracy and human rights in Europe, North America, and Central Asia.

HRF Statement on Aggressive Nationalism

HRF Statement on Freedom of Assembly

HRF Statement on Freedom of Religion

HRF Statement on Tolerance and Nondiscrimination

In response to a newly released report on Hate Crime in the OSCE Region, Human Rights First and the Anti-Defamation League issued a reaction paper highlighting the inadequate government response to hate crime.

ODIHR Report
HRF Press Release
HRF/ADL Reaction Paper

Read the Submission

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."

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).

Read the Full Statement.

Our Advocacy at the United Nations.

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.

Read the Letter

Read H. Res. 1361

October 2008 Durban Prepcom Statement

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.

Read Press Release

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)

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.

Read Press Release

More on HRF and the Durban Review

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

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.

Read HRF's Remarks

Violence Based on Religious Intolerance 

Press Release

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

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

OSCE/ODIHR Press Release

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

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

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.

Press Release

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

HRF Advocacy at WCAR

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.

Civil Society Recommendations

HRF Advocacy at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

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.

Press Release

Fact Sheet on Homophobic Violence

Read HRF’s letter to Secretary Powell expressing gratitude for attendance at Berlin meeting (April 19, 2004)

Read HRF’s letter to Secretary Powell urging his attendance (March 10, 2004)

Read the State Department’s response (March 17, 2004)

Read HRF’s letter to Secretary Powell urging strong U.S. leadership (March 24, 2004)