Physicians for Human Rights

Description

Physicians for Human Rights, PHR, is a nonprofit organization that uses medicine, science and law to document and seek justice for human rights violations.

It deploys medical, public health and forensic expertise to investigate war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and other abuses. Health professionals in its networks act as human rights advocates, working alongside law enforcement and legal experts to gather and present evidence. Programs cover forensic investigation, training of local clinicians and lawyers, sexual violence in conflict zones, asylum medical evaluations and documentation of torture and attacks on health care.

Founded in 1986 in the United States by a group of physicians, PHR grew out of earlier efforts to defend persecuted doctors under repressive governments. It has exhumed mass graves for international tribunals, documented chemical weapons use and mass atrocities, and helped develop international standards for documenting torture. In 1997 it shared the Nobel Peace Prize for its work banning landmines.

PHR is headquartered in the United States, with additional offices, and its work extends to conflict and crisis settings worldwide, including Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and elsewhere. It also supports a national network of student chapters and volunteer health professionals in the United States who assist asylum seekers and campaign on human rights issues.