Justice Defenders Program
Supporting human rights defenders around the world who face retaliation for their work.
Center for Human Rights
Mobilizing lawyers to defend threatened advocates, protect vulnerable communities, and hold governments accountable under law
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The Latest
The Human Rights and Rule of Law Summit
On September 6, 2023, the American Bar Association Center for Global Programs convened its annual Human Rights and Rule of Law Summit. The Summit invites frank, informal, and creative dialogue involving all in attendance to craft a common advocacy agenda for securing universal human rights and a just rule of law.
Read the - Outcome Document
Legal Analysis: Arrest of Prominent Human Rights Lawyers in Zimbabwe
This report examines the arrest and charging of Zimbabwean human rights lawyers Doug Coltart and Tapiwa Muchineripi for obstruction of justice, while in the course of representation of their clients, in relation to the law applicable to the charge, international standards relating to the rights of victims of violent crimes and torture, and the rights and independence of lawyers.
Read the analysis - HereCHR’s Work
Reports, Articles & Publications
View the Center's materials relating to human rights violations, rule of law, and governmental accountability around the world.
Eleanor Roosevelt Prize for Global Human Rights Advancement
With the blessing of the Roosevelt family, CHR in 2018 established the annual Eleanor Roosevelt Prize for Global Human Rights Advancement to recognize persons and organizations having a positive, enduring, and global impact in advancing the principles set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which Eleanor Roosevelt championed.
CHR-TV
Center Leadership
The Center consists of an executive board, chaired by Roula Allouch, special counselors and an advisory council, all appointed by the ABA president. Liaisons to the Center are appointed by ABA entities and external organizations.
CHR: A History
Founded in February 2001, CHR celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2021. This History tells the circuitous tale of CHR’s evolution from one man’s idea, to a small group’s adopted cause, to a new staff’s shared mission, to a multi-faceted defender of human rights and a just rule of law around the world.