The Human Rights Watch Chicago Committee is part of a network of committees in North America and Europe, composed of opinion leaders from a variety of backgrounds. The committee constitutes an informed and engaged constituency that is essential for the defense of human rights. They seek to increase awareness of local and global human rights issues and enlist the public and governments to support basic rights for all. Committee members meet regularly to learn about human rights crises and policies and support the work of Human Rights Watch.

Members of the Chicago Committee strengthen Human Rights Watch and its global defense of essential liberties by contributing financially to its work, attracting potential supporters, and promoting the organization’s message and concerns locally. Membership in the Human Rights Watch Chicago Committee provides an inside perspective on the most pressing human rights issues of the day. The committee is focused on outreach, education, and advocacy with assumed fundraising responsibility in Chicago. Members are asked to attend committee meetings, participate regularly in committee events, and join a subcommittee.

The committee has launched an alternating month Human Rights critical issue briefing series hosted by various committee members. These briefings provide an opportunity for committee members to receive fresh-from-the-field briefings from international experts on a wide range of topics, including: the crisis in Darfur, the impact of U.S. policies on women’s rights around the world, human rights neglect in the war on terrorism, sustained warlord abuses in Afghanistan, justice and accountability for crimes of humanity in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and juveniles sentenced to life without parole right here in Illinois.

Contact the Chicago Committee