Physicians for Human Rights

Welcome to Physicians for Human Rights

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) mobilizes health professionals to advance the health and dignity of all people through action that promotes respect for, protection of, and fulfillment of human rights. As one of the original coordinating committee members of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, PHR shared the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize and in 2007, PHR once again received the highest 4-star rating by Charity Navigator.

Our research takes us to conflict zones, to AIDS-ravaged Africa, to US prisons and juvenile detention centers—and our advocacy brings us to the offices of national and international policymakers.

The courts, decisionmakers and the media have come to rely on our credibility and expertise. Motivated by moral urgency, based on science, and anchored in international human rights standards, PHR's advocacy advances global health and protects human rights.

PHR is a membership organization that applies the specialized skills, knowledge and ethical commitments of health professionals to a range of issues including supporting a comprehensive prevention, treatment and care strategy for global HIV/AIDS; ending the United States' role in torture and complicity of physicians in those abuses; preventing genocide; promoting women's health and rights; protecting the health and human rights of youth in the US justice system; and protecting asylum seekers in the United States. 

PHR investigates and reports on human rights abuses, provides evidence in support of justice and accountability, and promotes health systems that advance well-being and dignity.  PHR's research, forensic and advocacy programs are internationally recognized, and have contributed to investigations in Sierra Leone, genocide convictions in Rwanda and Bosnia, increased government funding for global health, and to the recent US Supreme Court decision ending the death penalty for juveniles.      

PHR members are building a new movement for human rights. We invite you to join us.

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How you can help

Join PHR to support its programs, and help PHR harness the specialized skills, rigor and passion of doctors, nurses, public health specialists and scientists to investigate human rights abuses and work to stop them.

Get more information on how you can be involved.