We pursue justice through science, technology, and law.
We research and investigate war crimes and human rights violations.
We develop standards for policymakers and practitioners.
We train investigators, students, and advocates.
Who We Are
Using evidence-based methods and multidisciplinary frameworks, we collaborate with impacted communities, build blueprintable solutions to address some of the most significant human rights challenges of our time, and support efforts to hold perpetrators accountable. In doing so, we catalyze our work into effective action to further justice and accountability efforts.
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Explore our Projects
For thirty years, the Human Rights Center has spearheaded and contributed to complex projects that span the fields of international justice, public health, investigative journalism, and much more.
Working With Partners Across Disciplines
The Human Rights Center works across domains and disciplines to address the most pressing global challenges of our time. We work closely with top human rights organizations, legal institutions, universities, media platforms, tech companies, and beyond to unearth the truth and seek justice and accountability.
Media Inquiries
Journalists are encouraged reach out to connect with our expert sources, explore potential collaboration through our Investigations program and Lab, access professional reports and publications, and more.
What’s Happening
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December 9, 2024
For Press: UC Berkeley Human Rights Center Providing Expertise on Syria
Media Advisory On Sunday, December 8, Syria’s capital city of Damascus was liberated by multiple opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), ending the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. The liberation of Damascus came
November 4, 2024
Reproductive Health in Refugee Camps: A Lifeline Amid Compounded Crises
Image credit: Zohra Bensemra/Reuters Fellowship Alumna News — UC Global Health Institute: Reproductive Health in Refugee Camps: A Lifeline Amid
October 31, 2024
A close presidential election could turn ‘messy’ — and maybe worse, scholars say
Kamala Harris (left) and Donald Trump. Photos by Gage Skidmore via Flickr HRC in the News — UC Berkeley News: A close presidential election could
October 31, 2024
Internally displaced Sudanese children in Port Sudan, Sudan, on Jan. 3, 2024. Omer Erdem/Anadolu via Getty Images Commentary — The
October 21, 2024
HRC in the News — Berkeley Law’s Voices Carry Podcast: Syria’s White Helmets, a conversation between HRC’s Betsy Popken, the White Helmets’ Farouq Habib, and Berkeley Law’s Gwyneth Shaw.
November 4, 2024
Reproductive Health in Refugee Camps: A Lifeline Amid Compounded Crises
Image credit: Zohra Bensemra/Reuters Fellowship Alumna News — UC Global Health Institute: Reproductive Health in Refugee Camps: A Lifeline Amid
October 31, 2024
A close presidential election could turn ‘messy’ — and maybe worse, scholars say
Kamala Harris (left) and Donald Trump. Photos by Gage Skidmore via Flickr HRC in the News — UC Berkeley News: A close presidential election could
October 31, 2024
Internally displaced Sudanese children in Port Sudan, Sudan, on Jan. 3, 2024. Omer Erdem/Anadolu via Getty Images Commentary — The
October 21, 2024
HRC in the News — Berkeley Law’s Voices Carry Podcast: Syria’s White Helmets, a conversation between HRC’s Betsy Popken, the White Helmets’ Farouq Habib, and Berkeley Law’s Gwyneth Shaw.
October 9, 2024
Michael Flynn and Other Disinformation Merchants Take Aim at Military’s Role in Hurricane Response
Airmen with the North Carolina Air National Guard load cargo pallets of food and humanitarian aid to help survivors of Hurricane Helene across western North Carolina. Tech. Sergeant Juan Paz/Us Army/Zuma
December 5, 2023
Climate candor: Ridding climate cases of questionable science
HRC in the News — Open Global Rights: Climate candor: Ridding climate cases of questionable science, authored by Alexa Koenig and Baiboon Sakulkarunaarree.
January 8, 2021
A crude virus: How man camps can cause a COVID surge
A view of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation from the bank of the Missouri River in Forest City, South Dakota. Nearby, there are three oil worker man camps. Kristina Barker Commentary —
October 19, 2005
Human rights researchers find widespread problems after 2004 tsunami
Image by NOAA on Unsplash HRC in the News — Berkeley News: Human rights researchers find widespread problems after 2004 tsunami, writing about the report
June 27, 2024
Pride in Supporting LGBTQI+ Children in Humanitarian Emergencies
Commentary — #Verified by the Human Rights Center: Pride in Supporting LGBTQI+ Children in Humanitarian Emergencies, authored by Julie Freccero and Audrey Taylor.
October 13, 2023
Fighting Impunity: International Criminal Court President Describes Triumphs and Challenges
Berkeley Law: Covering HRC event with ICC president Piotr Hofmański.
April 11, 2023
Five lessons on housing for youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation
FAM Caregiver recruitment ad. Image by Freedom Forward. Commentary — #Verified from the Human Rights Center: Five lessons on housing for youth
June 17, 2021
Five ways to prevent child marriage in refugee communities: 280 girls speak out
Commentary — Berkeley Blog: Five ways to prevent child marriage in refugee communities: 280 girls speak out, by Julie Freccero and Audrey Taylor.
March 1, 2021
Hundreds of health workers attacked amid pandemic
Image by SJ Objio via Upsplash HRC in the News — Associated Press: Hundreds of health workers attacked amid pandemic.
December 9, 2024
For Press: UC Berkeley Human Rights Center Providing Expertise on Syria
Media Advisory On Sunday, December 8, Syria’s capital city of Damascus was liberated by multiple opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), ending the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. The liberation of Damascus came
September 27, 2024
A New Digital Approach to Human Rights Documentation and Advocacy in Libya and Yemen
Participants in the advanced open-source investigations training for Yemeni activists, held in Amman, Jordan, in July 2024, collaborate on a group activity. (Nour El Bejjani/ICTJ) HRC in the News
September 26, 2024
Ten Years after Ayotzinapa, Government Impunity Stains the Pursuit of Justice
Commentary — El Faro: Ten Years after Ayotzinapa, Government Impunity Stains the Pursuit of Justice, authored by HRC visiting scholar Omar Gómez Trejo. Left: Maria de Jesus Tlatempa, 54,
August 16, 2024
HRC in the News — Computer Says Maybe: Exhibit X: The Courts, interviewing Alexa Koenig.
July 25, 2024
Commentary — Counsel Magazine: Can’t believe your eyes?, co-authored by Alexa Koenig and Yvonne McDermott Rees
June 26, 2024
HRC in the News — Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression: French Court of Appeal Validates Historic Arrest Warrant for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad: A Legal Milestone and
June 17, 2024
Exclusive: ICC probes cyberattacks in Ukraine as possible war crimes, sources say
HRC in the News — Reuters: Exclusive: ICC probes cyberattacks in Ukraine as possible war crimes, sources say, citing HRC’s ongoing investigation into Russian cyber attacks and Article
June 10, 2024
The Role of International Justice in Cyber Defense and Deterrence
Brian Stauffer illustration for FP Analytics. HRC Reflections — Digital Front Lines: The Role of International Justice in Cyber Defense and
March 18, 2024
Le défi des enquêtes sur le web
HRC in the News — La Presse: Le défi des enquêtes sur le web, interviewing Lindsay Freeman. Left: In Eastern Ghouta, Syria, more than 1,000 people were killed in sarin gas attacks in
March 13, 2024
Evidence of Russian Cyber Operations Could Bolster New ICC Arrest Warrants
Commentary — Lawfare: Evidence of Russian Cyber Operations Could Bolster New ICC Arrest Warrants, authored by Lindsay Freeman.
April 29, 2024
Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed buildings in Nuseirat, Gaza, on April 29, 2024. AFP via Getty Images Student Fellowship in the News — The Conversation:
December 12, 2023
Fighting Uphill Battles, Human Rights Center Student Fellows Stay Resolute in Their Work
Spotlighting 2022 fellow alumnus and keynote speaker Anthony Ghaly and 2023 fellow Maria Fernanda Quintero Sirtori.
December 19, 2022
Rare Feat: Berkeley Law Students Present Their Research at Major International Forum
Human Rights Center fellow, Anthony Ghali. HRC in the News — Berkeley Law: Rare Feat: Berkeley Law Students Present Their Research at Major
August 29, 2022
Student Fellowship Alumni — The Nation: This Tiny Fish Holds Together Ecosystems and Cultures—It’s Also Under Threat, The Nation, written and reported by 2021 student fellow Brett
June 24, 2022
Reproductive Health and Women’s Rights Researcher Includes Women Refugees from Ukraine to Croatia
HRC 2022 fellow Bhavya Joshi smiling for a picture. HRC in the News — ReciHr: Reproductive Health and Women’s Rights Researcher Includes Women