COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
The Committee on Human Rights (CHR), created in 1976, is a standing committee of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.  It uses the influence and prestige of the institutions it represents in behalf of scientists, engineers, and health professionals anywhere in the world who are unjustly detained or imprisoned for exercising their basic human rights as promulgated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).  More information about the CHR.

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS NETWORK
The CHR also serves as the secretariat of the International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies (H.R. Network). It works to address grave issues of science and human rights, particularly the unjust detention or imprisonment of scientists, scholars, engineers, and health professionals throughout the world, and seeks to promote the free exchange of ideas and opinions among scientists and scholars in all countries.  More information about the H.R. Network.

In the spotlight

Novel by Syrian Scientist and Former Prisoner of Conscience Mustafa Khalifa

H.R. Network Executive Committee Endorses Article "Two Libyan Prisoners, Two Paradoxical Fates" by Executive Director, Carol Corillon

H.R. Network Executive Committee Sends Letter to al-Gaddafi
H.R. Network Executive Committee expresses shock and sorrow at Fathi el-Jahmi's preventable death.

H.R. Network's 9th Biennial Meeting--Rabat, Morocco
The 9th biennial meeting of the H.R. Network, held on May 21-23, 2009, was hosted by the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco.  National academies and scholarly societies in 37 countries sent members to the meeting.

During the 2009 NAS Annual Meeting, Engineer and Architect Suleiman Nuh Ali Recalls his Eight Years in Solitary Confinement in Somalia
Suleiman Nuh Ali told NAS members about his experience as a prisoner of conscience in Somalia from 1982 to 1989 and the CHR's efforts to gain his release, including a mission of inquiry to Mogadishu.  Click on the link above to listen to his story.

AAAS Launches Scientists "On-call" Program
"On-call" Scientists connects scientists interested in volunteering their skills and knowledge with human rights organizations that are in need of scientific expertise.