Human rights

Kenneth Roth portrait on black background

Harvard Reverses Course After a “Nation” Exposé Harvard Reverses Course After a “Nation” Exposé

The Kennedy School has decided to extend an invitation to Ken Roth, the former head of Human Rights Watch, after a Nation cover story revealed that his fellowship was initially vet...

Jan 19, 2023 / Editorial / The Editors

Why the Godfather of Human Rights Is Not Welcome at Harvard

Why the Godfather of Human Rights Is Not Welcome at Harvard Why the Godfather of Human Rights Is Not Welcome at Harvard

Kenneth Roth, who ran Human Rights Watch for 29 years, was denied a fellowship at the Kennedy School. The reason? Israel.

Jan 5, 2023 / Feature / Michael Massing

Fighting Poverty

Poor People Have the Power to Transform America Poor People Have the Power to Transform America

As the threat of yet more political turmoil and escalating violence looms, isn’t it time to break through the isolation with a new sense of collective power?

Dec 26, 2022 / Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis

Relatives of political prisoners protest outside El Helicoide in Venezuela.

Torture in the Heart of Venezuela Torture in the Heart of Venezuela

A UN report concludes that the Venezuelan intelligence agency abuses and torments detainees, including human rights defenders, miners, women, children, and Indigenous people.

Nov 29, 2022 / Mie Hoejris Dahl

Palestinian protesters in Gaza City

Why My Organization Has Chosen to Defy Israeli Military Orders Why My Organization Has Chosen to Defy Israeli Military Orders

Al-Haq was among seven civil society groups raided by Israel and ordered closed in August, but we do not believe in following illegal orders—and so we will remain open.

Nov 21, 2022 / Highlights / Shawan Jabarin

Debt and Inequality Will Be Key Issues at the UN’s Next Climate Conference

Debt and Inequality Will Be Key Issues at the UN’s Next Climate Conference Debt and Inequality Will Be Key Issues at the UN’s Next Climate Conference

At COP27, activists will be focused on all the ways developed nations have made it harder for developing nations to survive the climate crisis.

Nov 3, 2022 / Editorial / Tina Gerhardt

For Iranian Women, the Uprising Was a Long Time Coming

For Iranian Women, the Uprising Was a Long Time Coming For Iranian Women, the Uprising Was a Long Time Coming

The protests are about choice—elective rather than mandatory hijab—not unlike the demands of abortion rights supporters in the United States.

Oct 27, 2022 / Editorial / Kiana Karimi

Chandler Davis in Berkeley, California, in 1975.

The Radical Polymath Who Fought for Freedom The Radical Polymath Who Fought for Freedom

Chandler Davis was a mathematician, editor, poet, composer, science-fiction writer, and lifelong activist.

Oct 12, 2022 / Obituary / Siobhan Roberts

Little Amal at the 2022 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, New York City.

We Like the Idea of Asylum Seekers, but Not the Real Thing We Like the Idea of Asylum Seekers, but Not the Real Thing

The 12-foot-tall puppet of a Syrian refugee has been welcomed in New York and around the world. Real refugees? Not so much.

Sep 28, 2022 / Helen Benedict

portrait of Salman Rushdie

The Long Shadow of the Fatwa The Long Shadow of the Fatwa

We don’t know the motives behind the attack on Rushdie yet, but it is just one more threat to his life in a series of them.

Aug 15, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Jeet Heer

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