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.
Human Rights and…
Justice
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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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August 28, 2024
As Taliban tightens grip, secret schools for girls become more dangerous to run
Reporting — PRI The World: As Taliban tightens grip, secret schools for girls become more dangerous to run, authored as a Master’s thesis by Khwaga Ghani, former Human Rights Center
August 16, 2024
HRC in the News — Computer Says Maybe: Exhibit X: The Courts, interviewing Alexa Koenig.
July 26, 2024
A Safe Harbor: Omar Gómez Trejo Finds Welcoming New Home at Berkeley’s Human Rights Center
HRC in the News — Berkeley News: A Safe Harbor: Omar Gómez Trejo Finds Welcoming New Home at Berkeley’s Human Rights Center, a feature on visiting scholar Omar Gómez Trejo.
July 25, 2024
Commentary — Counsel Magazine: Can’t believe your eyes?, co-authored by Alexa Koenig and Yvonne McDermott Rees
July 21, 2024
Open-source journalism in the war on Gaza
HRC in the News — Al Jazeera / The Listening Post: Open-source journalism in the war on Gaza, featuring Alexa Koenig.
August 16, 2024
HRC in the News — Computer Says Maybe: Exhibit X: The Courts, interviewing Alexa Koenig.
July 26, 2024
A Safe Harbor: Omar Gómez Trejo Finds Welcoming New Home at Berkeley’s Human Rights Center
HRC in the News — Berkeley News: A Safe Harbor: Omar Gómez Trejo Finds Welcoming New Home at Berkeley’s Human Rights Center, a feature on visiting scholar Omar Gómez Trejo.
July 21, 2024
Open-source journalism in the war on Gaza
HRC in the News — Al Jazeera / The Listening Post: Open-source journalism in the war on Gaza, featuring Alexa Koenig.
June 28, 2024
Nourishing the heart with Helia Sadeghi
HRC in the News — #Verified by the Human Rights Center: Nourishing the Heart With Helia Sadeghi, a feature on HRC researcher Helia Sadeghi.
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.
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 Populations.”
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
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.
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 28, 2024
Nourishing the heart with Helia Sadeghi
HRC in the News — #Verified by the Human Rights Center: Nourishing the Heart With Helia Sadeghi, a feature on HRC researcher Helia Sadeghi.
June 26, 2024
War Crime Prosecutions Enter a New Digital Age
HRC in the News — WIRED: War Crime Prosecutions Enter a New Digital Age, interviewing Alexa Koenig about SITU Research’s digital platform created for the ICC’s Al Hassan case.
June 25, 2024
Mapping our Environmental Footprint
Investigations Lab Reflections — #Verified by the Human Rights Center: Mapping our Environmental Footprint: The OSINT Forest Tracker as a Case Study for Digital Investigations of
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
HRC Reflections — Digital Front Lines: The Role of International Justice in Cyber Defense and Deterrence, authored by Lindsay Freeman.
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
Student Fellowship in the News — The Conversation: International prosecution of Israeli or Hamas leaders wouldn’t bring quick justice − and even bringing them to court will be difficult, authored
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