jan 1, 1978 - Founding of Human Rights Watch

Description:

Human Rights Watch is a non-governmental human-rights organisation founded in 1978 by a group of US lawyers and activists led by Robert L. Bernstein. Its cited purpose is to investigate and report human-rights abuses worldwide, to promote laws and policies that protect human rights, and to hold governments and other actors accountable for violations.

It has several hundred staff members globally and maintains offices in many countries around the world, working across more than 100 nations through research, advocacy, and reporting.

Over the years it has achieved many important outcomes, including:

- Publishing thousands of detailed reports documenting human-rights violations — bringing international attention to abuses such as war crimes, torture, political repression, and discrimination.

- Influencing legislation and international policy, contributing to sanctions, international investigations, and reforms aimed at protecting human rights.

- Supporting courts and tribunals by providing evidence and expert documentation that help prosecute perpetrators of atrocities.

- Elevating awareness and public pressure globally on human-rights issues, giving a voice to victims and marginalized communities.

- Helping to establish or strengthen international norms and institutions for human-rights protection.

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