Human rights

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Harvard Changed Its Mind on Ken Roth—Not on Allowing Free Speech About Palestine Harvard Changed Its Mind on Ken Roth—Not on Allowing Free Speech About Palestine

If even a highly respected establishment figure like Ken Roth can be targeted for speaking out against Israel’s abuse of Palestinian human rights, where does that leave student org...

Jan 24, 2023 / Nadine Bahour and Shraddha Joshi

Graham Rayman & Reuven Blau

Rikers Just Had Its Deadliest Year. Two Authors Explain Why It’s Still Open. Rikers Just Had Its Deadliest Year. Two Authors Explain Why It’s Still Open.

A conversation with Graham Rayman and Reuven Blau about their new book on Rikers Island, a jail system plagued by decades of institutional inertia.

Jan 20, 2023 / Q&A / Victoria Law

Kenneth Roth portrait on black background

Harvard Reverses Course After a “Nation” Exposé Harvard Reverses Course After a “Nation” Exposé

The Kennedy School has decided to extend an invitation to Ken Roth, the former head of Human Rights Watch, after a Nation cover story revealed that his fellowship was initially vet...

Jan 19, 2023 / The Editors

Why the Godfather of Human Rights Is Not Welcome at Harvard

Why the Godfather of Human Rights Is Not Welcome at Harvard Why the Godfather of Human Rights Is Not Welcome at Harvard

Kenneth Roth, who ran Human Rights Watch for 29 years, was denied a fellowship at the Kennedy School. The reason? Israel.

Jan 5, 2023 / Feature / Michael Massing

Fighting Poverty

Poor People Have the Power to Transform America Poor People Have the Power to Transform America

As the threat of yet more political turmoil and escalating violence looms, isn’t it time to break through the isolation with a new sense of collective power?

Dec 26, 2022 / Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis

Relatives of political prisoners protest outside El Helicoide in Venezuela.

Torture in the Heart of Venezuela Torture in the Heart of Venezuela

A UN report concludes that the Venezuelan intelligence agency abuses and torments detainees, including human rights defenders, miners, women, children, and Indigenous people.

Nov 29, 2022 / Mie Hoejris Dahl

Palestinian protesters in Gaza City

Why My Organization Has Chosen to Defy Israeli Military Orders Why My Organization Has Chosen to Defy Israeli Military Orders

Al-Haq was among seven civil society groups raided by Israel and ordered closed in August, but we do not believe in following illegal orders—and so we will remain open.

Nov 21, 2022 / Shawan Jabarin

Debt and Inequality Will Be Key Issues at the UN’s Next Climate Conference

Debt and Inequality Will Be Key Issues at the UN’s Next Climate Conference Debt and Inequality Will Be Key Issues at the UN’s Next Climate Conference

At COP27, activists will be focused on all the ways developed nations have made it harder for developing nations to survive the climate crisis.

Nov 3, 2022 / Tina Gerhardt

For Iranian Women, the Uprising Was a Long Time Coming

For Iranian Women, the Uprising Was a Long Time Coming For Iranian Women, the Uprising Was a Long Time Coming

The protests are about choice—elective rather than mandatory hijab—not unlike the demands of abortion rights supporters in the United States.

Oct 27, 2022 / Kiana Karimi

Chandler Davis in Berkeley, California, in 1975.

The Radical Polymath Who Fought for Freedom The Radical Polymath Who Fought for Freedom

Chandler Davis was a mathematician, editor, poet, composer, science-fiction writer, and lifelong activist.

Oct 12, 2022 / Obituary / Siobhan Roberts

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