Human Rights First
@humanrightsfirst.org
Fighting for human rights on Capitol Hill, in court, and on the front lines.
Our VP @enriqueroig.bsky.social joined TRT World to discuss #Honduras's election of Nasry Asfura. Discussion included U.S. influence on the election and growing human rights concerns documented by HRF’s @iceflightmonitor.bsky.social following deportations to Honduras without due process. 👇
US-backed president of Honduras sworn in amid Latin America’s right-wing surge
YouTube video by The Newsmakers
www.youtube.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Our VP @enriqueroig.bsky.social joined TRT World to discuss #Honduras's election of Nasry Asfura. Discussion included U.S. influence on the election and growing human rights concerns documented by HRF’s @iceflightmonitor.bsky.social following deportations to Honduras without due process. 👇
In a massive show of support, 1,025 orgs, including immigrant justice, human rights, civil rights, faith & labor orgs sent a letter to members of Congress to express horror, outrage & deep grief about the recent shooting deaths by federal agents in Minneapolis. humanrightsfirst.org/library/no-f...
No Funds for ICE and Border Patrol - Human Rights First
Dear Members of Congress, We the undersigned 1,025 organizations write to express our horror, outrage and deep grief about the news that federal agents have executed a human being in broad daylight on...
humanrightsfirst.org
January 27, 2026 at 8:45 PM
In a massive show of support, 1,025 orgs, including immigrant justice, human rights, civil rights, faith & labor orgs sent a letter to members of Congress to express horror, outrage & deep grief about the recent shooting deaths by federal agents in Minneapolis. humanrightsfirst.org/library/no-f...
Our client Yunseo Chung isn’t accused of a crime. She’s being targeted for deportation for attending a peaceful protest. Our Special Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan updates on our fight to protect her First Amendment rights against the government’s recent appeal.
January 26, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Our client Yunseo Chung isn’t accused of a crime. She’s being targeted for deportation for attending a peaceful protest. Our Special Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan updates on our fight to protect her First Amendment rights against the government’s recent appeal.
UPDATED: Our Third Country Deportation Watch tracker with @refugeesinternational.org includes:
➡️New agreements with at least 5 countries
➡️ Updated data analysis on asylum pretermissions
➡️ Documentation of recent transfers
➡️ Stories sharing the real human cost
➡️New agreements with at least 5 countries
➡️ Updated data analysis on asylum pretermissions
➡️ Documentation of recent transfers
➡️ Stories sharing the real human cost
Third Country Deportation Watch
Monitoring the human cost of the U.S. government’s forced third country transfer agreements.
www.thirdcountrydeportationwatch.org
January 23, 2026 at 3:18 PM
UPDATED: Our Third Country Deportation Watch tracker with @refugeesinternational.org includes:
➡️New agreements with at least 5 countries
➡️ Updated data analysis on asylum pretermissions
➡️ Documentation of recent transfers
➡️ Stories sharing the real human cost
➡️New agreements with at least 5 countries
➡️ Updated data analysis on asylum pretermissions
➡️ Documentation of recent transfers
➡️ Stories sharing the real human cost
Alberto Mora, who served as the chief legal officer for the Navy and Marine Corps, explains how an attack on #Greenland would be a violation of the 2024 Defense Act in a piece for @justsecurity.org. ⬇️⬇️
Preserving NATO; Prohibiting Military Action Against Greenland
Trump’s threats to invade Greenland risk destroying NATO itself, but a little-known statute could prevent him from doing just that.
www.justsecurity.org
January 22, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Alberto Mora, who served as the chief legal officer for the Navy and Marine Corps, explains how an attack on #Greenland would be a violation of the 2024 Defense Act in a piece for @justsecurity.org. ⬇️⬇️
ICE's killing of Renee Nicole Good is not an isolated incident. It’s the result of unchecked enforcement, mass detention, & no accountability. Now the Trump admin is asking for $3.4B more for ICE detention. We must say NO MORE.
Call your senators and reps NOW! Take action at bit.ly/ICEOut4Good
Call your senators and reps NOW! Take action at bit.ly/ICEOut4Good
January 21, 2026 at 10:57 PM
ICE's killing of Renee Nicole Good is not an isolated incident. It’s the result of unchecked enforcement, mass detention, & no accountability. Now the Trump admin is asking for $3.4B more for ICE detention. We must say NO MORE.
Call your senators and reps NOW! Take action at bit.ly/ICEOut4Good
Call your senators and reps NOW! Take action at bit.ly/ICEOut4Good
One year into the Trump administration, attacks on democracy & human rights keep escalating. From day one, Human Rights First has fought back—in court, on Capitol Hill, & on the front lines.
Support our work in continuing to fight authoritarianism: info.supporthumanrightsfirst.org/give/756820/...
Support our work in continuing to fight authoritarianism: info.supporthumanrightsfirst.org/give/756820/...
January 21, 2026 at 7:43 PM
One year into the Trump administration, attacks on democracy & human rights keep escalating. From day one, Human Rights First has fought back—in court, on Capitol Hill, & on the front lines.
Support our work in continuing to fight authoritarianism: info.supporthumanrightsfirst.org/give/756820/...
Support our work in continuing to fight authoritarianism: info.supporthumanrightsfirst.org/give/756820/...
One year under Trump 2.0, immigration policy has meant mass deportations, expanded detention, family separation, and forced transfers to dangerous third countries—often in violation of the law.
Our new issue brief breaks it down: humanrightsfirst.org/library/issu...
Our new issue brief breaks it down: humanrightsfirst.org/library/issu...
ISSUE BRIEF: Locked Up, Banished, Endangered: Immigration One Year Under Trump 2.0 - Human Rights First
Since taking office on January 20, 2025, the second Trump administration has pursued an unprecedented and escalating mass deportation and detention agenda, marked by legally dubious and overtly cruel ...
humanrightsfirst.org
January 20, 2026 at 4:22 PM
One year under Trump 2.0, immigration policy has meant mass deportations, expanded detention, family separation, and forced transfers to dangerous third countries—often in violation of the law.
Our new issue brief breaks it down: humanrightsfirst.org/library/issu...
Our new issue brief breaks it down: humanrightsfirst.org/library/issu...
President Trump’s threat to invoke the Insurrection Act in MN is a dangerous escalation of authoritarian power. Federal immigration enforcement in MN is already heavily militarized—resulting in violence & death. Congress & the courts must stop this overreach humanrightsfirst.org/library/invo...
Invoking the Insurrection Act Against Protestors Would Be an Escalation of Authoritarian Powers - Human Rights First
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act today over Truth Social, a move which would see him deploy military forces in Minnesota in support of ICE’s overly aggressi...
humanrightsfirst.org
January 15, 2026 at 5:53 PM
President Trump’s threat to invoke the Insurrection Act in MN is a dangerous escalation of authoritarian power. Federal immigration enforcement in MN is already heavily militarized—resulting in violence & death. Congress & the courts must stop this overreach humanrightsfirst.org/library/invo...
Human Rights First & 115 other orgs signed a statement marking the 24th anniversary of the opening of Guantanamo Bay. We have long advocated for its closure, that it not be repurposed for other detention campaigns & for accountability for abuses that took place. www.cvt.org/statements/g...
Guantánamo Detention Facility Must Be Closed – A Joint Statement
Ahead of the 24th anniversary of Guantánamo's opening, 116 organizations signed this statement led by CVT and the Center for Constitutional Rights reaffirming that it must be closed, without repurposi...
www.cvt.org
January 12, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Human Rights First & 115 other orgs signed a statement marking the 24th anniversary of the opening of Guantanamo Bay. We have long advocated for its closure, that it not be repurposed for other detention campaigns & for accountability for abuses that took place. www.cvt.org/statements/g...
"There is the constant boom of explosions from nearby Vovchansk as we round up the animals. The Russian army, specifically the 2nd Guards Spetsnaz Brigade, the 128th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, and the 82nd Motor Rifle Regiment, are about 10 miles up the road."
humanrightsfirst.org/library/evac...
humanrightsfirst.org/library/evac...
Evacuating Civilians From Ukraine’s Front Line in the Snow - Human Rights First
Kharkiv: It’s still dark after 7 a.m. when we leave Kharkiv city to evacuate people from the frontline village of Hontarivka, a few hours’ drive east. It’s cold too: thick snow blankets the streets, a...
humanrightsfirst.org
January 8, 2026 at 11:27 PM
"There is the constant boom of explosions from nearby Vovchansk as we round up the animals. The Russian army, specifically the 2nd Guards Spetsnaz Brigade, the 128th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, and the 82nd Motor Rifle Regiment, are about 10 miles up the road."
humanrightsfirst.org/library/evac...
humanrightsfirst.org/library/evac...
ICE's extrajudicial killing yesterday in Minneapolis is yet another example of the unlawfulness and cruelty of ICE as they terrorize communities across the nation. Our hearts go out to all those impacted.
January 8, 2026 at 8:20 PM
ICE's extrajudicial killing yesterday in Minneapolis is yet another example of the unlawfulness and cruelty of ICE as they terrorize communities across the nation. Our hearts go out to all those impacted.
Enrique Roig, our VP of External Relations, told @wlrnnews.bsky.social: “[Acting President Rodríguez] was clearly complicit in the human rights abuses of the Maduro regime… the command-and-control structure for that whole repressive system has not gone away.”
Read more: www.wlrn.org/americas/202...
Read more: www.wlrn.org/americas/202...
The Delcy Deal: Will Rodríguez facilitate — or sabotage — Venezuela's return to democracy?
ANALYSIS Acting President Delcy Rodríguez is a dark, hardline "architect" of Venezuela's dictatorship — so why has the Trump administration bet she'll lead the country to the light of democracy after ...
www.wlrn.org
January 6, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Enrique Roig, our VP of External Relations, told @wlrnnews.bsky.social: “[Acting President Rodríguez] was clearly complicit in the human rights abuses of the Maduro regime… the command-and-control structure for that whole repressive system has not gone away.”
Read more: www.wlrn.org/americas/202...
Read more: www.wlrn.org/americas/202...
Removing an illegitimate leader by unlawful means to establish open-ended U.S. control of Venezuela’s governance and oil sector undermines the likelihood and legitimacy of a future democratic transition.
humanrightsfirst.org/library/huma...
humanrightsfirst.org/library/huma...
Human Rights First Condemns the Illegality of Military Action in Venezuela and Calls for Legitimate Transition to Democracy - Human Rights First
Human Rights First condemns the illegality of recent military action taken by the Trump administration in Venezuela and its announced plan to take over and run the country indefinitely. Venezuelans vo...
humanrightsfirst.org
January 3, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Removing an illegitimate leader by unlawful means to establish open-ended U.S. control of Venezuela’s governance and oil sector undermines the likelihood and legitimacy of a future democratic transition.
humanrightsfirst.org/library/huma...
humanrightsfirst.org/library/huma...
From the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Slava risked his life rescuing civilians from communities under fire. On Christmas Day, he was killed by Russian drone evacuating people from the frontline. Our
@dooleydooley.bsky.social honors him: humanrightsfirst.org/library/at-k...
@dooleydooley.bsky.social honors him: humanrightsfirst.org/library/at-k...
January 2, 2026 at 10:51 PM
From the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Slava risked his life rescuing civilians from communities under fire. On Christmas Day, he was killed by Russian drone evacuating people from the frontline. Our
@dooleydooley.bsky.social honors him: humanrightsfirst.org/library/at-k...
@dooleydooley.bsky.social honors him: humanrightsfirst.org/library/at-k...
Reposted by Human Rights First
Almost certainly not, is our answer; but advocates and Congress should use the occasion of this upcoming report to scrutinize the administration's record and highlight the human impacts of U.S. backsliding on anti-corruption.
The U.S. is about to publish a new report evaluating other countries’ anti-corruption efforts—but can it lead by example while its own guardrails erode?
Dani Schulkin, Sky Miller & Adam Keith (fmr State Dept) discuss the Combating Global Corruption Act.
www.justsecurity.org/127389/podca...
Dani Schulkin, Sky Miller & Adam Keith (fmr State Dept) discuss the Combating Global Corruption Act.
www.justsecurity.org/127389/podca...
Just Security Podcast: Can the U.S. Still Lead on Anti-Corruption?
Former State Department officials Sky Miller and Adam Keith join Dani Schulkin to discuss anti-corruption efforts in the U.S. and abroad.
www.justsecurity.org
December 18, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Almost certainly not, is our answer; but advocates and Congress should use the occasion of this upcoming report to scrutinize the administration's record and highlight the human impacts of U.S. backsliding on anti-corruption.
Reposted by Human Rights First
Thanks to Middle East Eye for covering @humanrightsfirst.org's push for the U.S. government to acknowledge that the ongoing torture in Bahrain's prisons requires, among other things, a visa ban on the country's long-serving interior minister.
Rights group seeks US sanctions on Bahrain minister for torture of detainees
Human Rights First says Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa has failed to take measures to end prison abuses
www.middleeasteye.net
December 19, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Thanks to Middle East Eye for covering @humanrightsfirst.org's push for the U.S. government to acknowledge that the ongoing torture in Bahrain's prisons requires, among other things, a visa ban on the country's long-serving interior minister.
Human Rights First has submitted evidence and a recommendation urging the U.S. government to impose #GlobalMagnitsky sanctions and a mandatory visa ban against Bahrain’s interior minister, based on the torture and cruel treatment of prisoners in facilities under his supervision.
Human Rights First Seeks Sanctions for Torture in Bahrain Prisons - Human Rights First
Washington D.C. — Human Rights First today submitted a dossier to the U.S. government recommending targeted sanctions against Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah al Khalifa, Bahrain’s long-serving interior min...
humanrightsfirst.org
December 18, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Human Rights First has submitted evidence and a recommendation urging the U.S. government to impose #GlobalMagnitsky sanctions and a mandatory visa ban against Bahrain’s interior minister, based on the torture and cruel treatment of prisoners in facilities under his supervision.
The Trump admin’s expanded Travel Ban is unequivocally racist. It targets African & Muslim-majority countries, separates families, and endangers refugees & Afghan allies.
We urge Congress to act immediately to overturn this discriminatory policy.
We urge Congress to act immediately to overturn this discriminatory policy.
Human Rights First Slams Sweeping and Racist Travel Ban That Separates Families and Endangers Lives - Human Rights First
Washington, D.C. — Human Rights First strongly condemns yesterday’s Travel Ban proclamation vastly expanding on the discriminatory June travel and entry bans targeting nationals from dozens of countri...
humanrightsfirst.org
December 18, 2025 at 5:33 PM
The Trump admin’s expanded Travel Ban is unequivocally racist. It targets African & Muslim-majority countries, separates families, and endangers refugees & Afghan allies.
We urge Congress to act immediately to overturn this discriminatory policy.
We urge Congress to act immediately to overturn this discriminatory policy.
Our November @iceflightmonitor.bsky.social report shows a sharp escalation in the Trump admin’s mass deportation campaign—record domestic transfer flights, expanded forced third-country transfers, & continued removals to Venezuela amid rising tensions. Read more: humanrightsfirst.org/library/ice-...
December 17, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Our November @iceflightmonitor.bsky.social report shows a sharp escalation in the Trump admin’s mass deportation campaign—record domestic transfer flights, expanded forced third-country transfers, & continued removals to Venezuela amid rising tensions. Read more: humanrightsfirst.org/library/ice-...
Dang Dinh Bach has been jailed since 2021 for defending communities against environmental harm. Yesterday, we awarded him the 2024 Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty. His work should be celebrated, not criminalized. We call on Vietnam to release him immediately.
December 16, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Dang Dinh Bach has been jailed since 2021 for defending communities against environmental harm. Yesterday, we awarded him the 2024 Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty. His work should be celebrated, not criminalized. We call on Vietnam to release him immediately.
Thank you to Rep. Jamie Raskin for joining our event honoring Baldwin Award winner Dang Dinh Bach and for calling on Vietnam to free him. We’re grateful for your leadership alongside @lofgren.house.gov, @repmcgovern.bsky.social, and Rep. Derek Tran.
Today I’m leading my colleagues in calling on the government of Vietnam to immediately release internationally respected environmental activist and attorney Dang Dinh Bach.
Mr. Bach's detention on phony charges violates his basic human rights—and we demand his release and freedom.
Mr. Bach's detention on phony charges violates his basic human rights—and we demand his release and freedom.
December 16, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Thank you to Rep. Jamie Raskin for joining our event honoring Baldwin Award winner Dang Dinh Bach and for calling on Vietnam to free him. We’re grateful for your leadership alongside @lofgren.house.gov, @repmcgovern.bsky.social, and Rep. Derek Tran.
As we celebrate #HumanRightsDay and look ahead to the 75th anniversary of the #RefugeeConvention, 300+ groups worldwide are calling on States to uphold human rights, refugee, and humanitarian treaties. Read the letter👇
Upholding Not Undermining International Law: Civil Society Open Letter to States (December 2025, reissued) - Human Rights First
In advance of Human Rights Day on December 10, the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review in mid-December 2025, and the 75th Anniversary of the Refuge Convention in 2026, over 300 faith-based, non-gover...
humanrightsfirst.org
December 10, 2025 at 8:04 PM
As we celebrate #HumanRightsDay and look ahead to the 75th anniversary of the #RefugeeConvention, 300+ groups worldwide are calling on States to uphold human rights, refugee, and humanitarian treaties. Read the letter👇
Our Substack is now LIVE! Human Rights First's CEO @uzraz.bsky.social launches our substack with a piece arguing that human rights can’t be limited to vague “natural rights” ideas. Universal rights, grounded in law, protect everyone and are essential for U.S. credibility at home and abroad.
Don’t Cage Human Rights Behind a “Natural Rights” Smokescreen
Uzra Zeya, President and CEO of Human Rights First; Former Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights
humanrights1st.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Our Substack is now LIVE! Human Rights First's CEO @uzraz.bsky.social launches our substack with a piece arguing that human rights can’t be limited to vague “natural rights” ideas. Universal rights, grounded in law, protect everyone and are essential for U.S. credibility at home and abroad.
2025 saw rising authoritarianism at home & abroad. But wherever rights were attacked, people rose to defend them.
On this #HumanRightsDay, thank you for fighting back. You show the collective power we have to make change. Anyone can defend human rights—and we need everybody.
On this #HumanRightsDay, thank you for fighting back. You show the collective power we have to make change. Anyone can defend human rights—and we need everybody.
December 10, 2025 at 7:07 PM
2025 saw rising authoritarianism at home & abroad. But wherever rights were attacked, people rose to defend them.
On this #HumanRightsDay, thank you for fighting back. You show the collective power we have to make change. Anyone can defend human rights—and we need everybody.
On this #HumanRightsDay, thank you for fighting back. You show the collective power we have to make change. Anyone can defend human rights—and we need everybody.