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Human Rights First

Also Known As: HRF

333 Seventh Ave
13th Fl
New York, NY 10001

www.humanrightsfirst.org

Mission and Programs

Mission

Since 1978, Human Rights First (formerly the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights) has worked in the U.S. and abroad to create a secure and humane world by advancing justice, human dignity and respect for the rule of law.

Programs

1. Protecting refugees in flight from persecution and repression; 2. Building a strong international system of justice for crimes against humanity; 3. Helping human rights activists fight for basic freedom and peaceful change in their societies; 4. Challenging U.S. law and policies that undermine civil liberties.

Additional Comments from the Organization

Human Rights First has earned the trust and respect of grassroots groups, policymakers, academics, and the media for our ability to translate human rights standards into real-life protections for vulnerable groups. Hallmarks that distinguish our approach include: - A commitment to cooperating with and strengthening local human rights groups around the world. - The ability to reach and persuade high-level policy makers in a non-partisan, principled way - no matter how highly charged the issue at hand. - Our dedication to expanding the human rights movement through incubating new organizations such as WITNESS and the Fair Labor Association.

Who We Are

Human Rights First works in the U.S. and abroad to create a secure and humane world by advancing justice, human dignity and respect for the rule of law.

NTEE Code

Goals and Results


Accomplishments for Fiscal Year Ending May 31, 2006

  1. We represented over 100 refugees on asylum claims, originating from many countries around the world, including China, Congo, Haiti and Sudan.
  2. We raised the profile of a human rights agenda in U.S. Law and Security through participating in Supreme Court cases, publishing new research reports, intensive advocacy on Capitol Hill, and public education about the chain of command behind U.S. government policy on torture.
  3. We aided human rights defenders around the world by particpating in regional consultations of defenders in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Our advocacy and intervention also contributed to the release of defenders in Iran, Cuba, Haiti and Chechnya.

Objectives for Fiscal Year Beginning June 1, 2006

  1. To launch H.O.P.E. for Darfur, a campaign calling for the appointment of a high-level envoy to promote peace in the Darfur region of Sudan.
  2. To convince the U.S. government to ban all forms of torture, and to create an independent commission to investigate the policies and lack of oversight that led to torture of detainees in Iraq, Guantanamo and beyond.
  3. Prevent Congress from adopting laws that pose unduly high hurdles to asylum seekers and other immigrants.

Self Assessment

Human Rights First conducts a biannual, internal review and planning process, during which we set concrete, achievable goals. We measure our progress against specific benchmarks: 1) passage and implementation of rights-respecting laws and policies; 2) creation of new systems of justice; and 3) active involvement of local activists in formulating national and international human rights policies.

Chief Executive Profile

Mr. Posner has led human rights fact-finding missions to 25 countries, including a dozen African countries. He has worked on issues dealing with Central America, the Philippines, Israel, Egypt, and the areas under the control of the Palestinian authority. Recently, he has focused on projects involving Northern Ireland, China and Hong Kong. Mr. Posner is a member of the White House Task Force examining the sweatshop practices in the apparel industry worldwide. He was also a leader in the movement to create an independent International Criminal Court. A visiting lecturer at Columbia University Law School since 1984, he was a lecturer at Yale Law School from 1981 to 1984. A regular Court TV commentator, Mr. Posner has published articles on refugee and human rights in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The International Herald Tribune, Harvard International Review, The Wall Street Journal, and other leading publications.

Financial Data

Revenues and Expenses: Fiscal Year Ending May 31, 2008

Revenue
Contributions $6,213,908
Government Grants $0
Program Services $0
Investments $389,134
Special Events ($41,676)
Sales $0
Other $36,940
Total Revenue $6,598,306
Expenses
Program Services $7,875,644
Administration $1,050,954
Other $741,474
Total Expenditures $9,668,072
Net Gain/Loss ($3,069,766)

Balance Sheet: Fiscal Year Ending May 31, 2008

Note: The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot long survive, but the types of assets and liabilities also must be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

  June 1, 2007 May 31, 2008 Change
Assets      
Cash & Equivalent $4,551,118 $3,768,416 ($782,702)
Accounts Receivable $27,772 $20,249 ($7,523)
Pledges & Grants Receivable $4,501,866 $2,351,543 ($2,150,323)
Receivables/Other $0 $0 $0
Inventories for Sale or Use $0 $0 $0
Investments/Securities $1,340,110 $987,132 ($352,978)
Investments/Other $0 $0 $0
Fixed Assets $441,444 $498,832 $57,388
Other $113,959 $189,753 $75,794
Total Assets $10,976,269 $7,815,925 ($3,160,344)
Liabilities      
Accounts Payable $544,676 $525,098 ($19,578)
Grants Payable $34,794 $34,794 $0
Deferred Revenue $132,000 $61,000 ($71,000)
Loans and Notes $0 $0 $0
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities $0 $0 $0
Other $0 $0 $0
Total Liabilities $711,470 $620,892 ($90,578)
Fund Balance $10,264,799 $7,195,033 ($3,069,766)

Financial Comments from the Organization

Human Rights First derives much of its strength, political clout, and expertise from the tremendous pro bono contribution of the U.S. legal community. In the past year, volunteer lawyers put in more than 62,000 hours representing hundreds of asylum seekers, analyzing the application and enforcement of human rights into U.S. foreign policy, and participating in overseas human rights missions. Their participation - valued at almost $23 million - triples the value of each dollar of support we receive.

Basic Information