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
The Human Rights Center conducts research on serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and on war crimes. 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.
Human Rights and…
Justice
Featured Programs
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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January 31, 2024
HRC in the News — USC Gould School of Law: Human rights by other means, a feature on Executive Director Betsy Popken. Executive Director
January 30, 2024
Could Canada Be Complicit in a ‘Plausible Genocide’?
HRC in the News — Canadaland: Could Canada Be Complicit in a ‘Plausible Genocide’?, interviewing HRC Research Fellow Amanda Ghahremani about South Africa’s filing against Israel to the
January 26, 2024
UN court ruling against Israel shows limits of legal power to prevent genocide − but rapid speed
HRC in the News — The Conversation: UN court ruling against Israel shows limits of legal power to prevent genocide − but rapid speed, interviewing Senior Researcher Victor Peskin.
January 22, 2024
For America’s Democracy… and Your Well-Being, Check the Facts
HRC in the News — On Shifting Ground: For America’s Democracy… and Your Well-Being, Check the Facts, both a renewing of the recent “Graphic” interview with Alexa and Andrea,
January 22, 2024
International law, not history, holds the promise of protecting life in Gaza
Commentary — Toronto Star: International law, not history, holds the promise of protecting life in Gaza, co-authored by Research Fellow Amanda Ghahremani.
January 31, 2024
HRC in the News — USC Gould School of Law: Human rights by other means, a feature on Executive Director Betsy Popken. Executive Director
January 30, 2024
Could Canada Be Complicit in a ‘Plausible Genocide’?
HRC in the News — Canadaland: Could Canada Be Complicit in a ‘Plausible Genocide’?, interviewing HRC Research Fellow Amanda Ghahremani about South Africa’s filing against Israel to the
January 26, 2024
UN court ruling against Israel shows limits of legal power to prevent genocide − but rapid speed
HRC in the News — The Conversation: UN court ruling against Israel shows limits of legal power to prevent genocide − but rapid speed, interviewing Senior Researcher Victor Peskin.
January 22, 2024
For America’s Democracy… and Your Well-Being, Check the Facts
HRC in the News — On Shifting Ground: For America’s Democracy… and Your Well-Being, Check the Facts, both a renewing of the recent “Graphic” interview with Alexa and Andrea,
January 22, 2024
International law, not history, holds the promise of protecting life in Gaza
Commentary — Toronto Star: International law, not history, holds the promise of protecting life in Gaza, co-authored by Research Fellow Amanda Ghahremani.
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
Commentary — High Country News: A crude virus: How man camps can cause a COVID surge by Kalen Goodluck, Lucy Meyer and Anjali Shrivastava (a collaboration with the Human Rights Center).
October 19, 2005
Human rights researchers find widespread problems after 2004 tsunami
HRC in the News — Berkeley News: Human rights researchers find widespread problems after 2004 tsunami, writing about the report “After the Tsunami: Human Rights of Vulnerable
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
Commentary — #Verified from the Human Rights Center: Five lessons on housing for youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation, authored by Julie Freccero and Audrey Taylor.
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
HRC in the News — Associated Press: Hundreds of health workers attacked amid pandemic. Image by SJ Objio via Upsplash
January 8, 2021
A crude virus: How man camps can cause a COVID surge
Commentary — High Country News: A crude virus: How man camps can cause a COVID surge by Kalen Goodluck, Lucy Meyer and Anjali Shrivastava (a collaboration with the Human Rights Center).
December 13, 2023
Q&A: Alexa Koenig on the potential and pitfalls of open source investigations
HRC in the News — Columbia Journalism Review: Q&A: Alexa Koenig on the potential and pitfalls of open source investigations, interviewing Alexa Koenig.
November 17, 2023
HRC in the News — Reuters Institute: Breaks, grief and community: how to protect yourself when sifting through graphic visuals from Gaza and beyond, covering the release of “Graphic:
November 7, 2023
Human Rights Center Leaders Offer Science-Based Advice on Processing Disturbing Imagery
HRC in the News — Berkeley Law: Human Rights Center Leaders Offer Science-Based Advice on Processing Disturbing Imagery, covering the release of “Graphic: Trauma and Meaning in our Online
August 28, 2023
Berkeley Law Center Helps Train Yemen Investigators Pursuing Justice for Wartime Atrocities
HRC in the News — Berkeley Law: Berkeley Law Center Helps Train Yemen Investigators Pursuing Justice for Wartime Atrocities, a feature on HRC’s professional training program. Left:
August 7, 2023
Blue-Check Blues and Trauma X-Posure: Coping with Viral Violence
On Shifting Ground Podcast: Interviewing Alexa Koenig and Andrea Lampros.
November 22, 2023
HRC in the News — Sigrid Rausing Trust: SRT grantees celebrates victory as France issues international arrest warrant for Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, reporting on universal jurisdiction case
November 15, 2023
HRC in the News — Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression: French Magistrates Issue Arrest Warrants for the Syrian President and Three Associates for Chemical Weapons Attacks,
October 18, 2023
Hackers in the Hague? The Prospects of Prosecuting International Cyber Crimes Before the ICC
HRC in the News — Lawfare: Hackers in the Hague? The Prospects of Prosecuting International Cyber Crimes Before the ICC, citing Lindsay Freeman on the ICC’s decision to investigate
October 13, 2023
Cybercrimes under consideration by the ICC
HRC in the News — IBA Global Insights Magazine: Cybercrimes under consideration by the ICC, interviewing Lindsay Freeman about the Article 15 Communications submitted to the ICC by the Human
September 29, 2023
Cybercrimes as war crimes with Lindsay Freeman
HRC in the News — Asymmetrical Haircuts: Cybercrimes as war crimes with Lindsay Freeman, interviewing Lindsay Freeman. Human Rights Center
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
HRC in the News — Berkeley Law: Rare Feat: Berkeley Law Students Present Their Research at Major International Forum, student researchers highlighted.
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 in the News — ReciHr: Reproductive Health and Women’s Rights Researcher Includes Women Refugees from Ukraine to Croatia, interviewing 2022 student fellow, Bhavya Joshi, on
January 8, 2021
A crude virus: How man camps can cause a COVID surge
Commentary — High Country News: A crude virus: How man camps can cause a COVID surge by Kalen Goodluck, Lucy Meyer and Anjali Shrivastava (a collaboration with the Human Rights Center).