Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Human Rights Day Symposium! 34 undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students presented their posters on human rights issues. We were honored to welcome Paul O’Brien, executive director of Amnesty International USA, for the keynote address.

We are pleased to share this Star Tribune article highlighting our Human Rights Day Symposium, including an interview with Amnesty International USA Executive Director Paul O'Brien applauding the University of Minnesota's strong reputation for human rights work. www.startribune.com/us-human-rig...

Master of Human Rights student Aidan Thomason's summer internship at the United Nations Human Rights Office affirmed her commitment to defending human rights and illuminated new career paths. Read more about Aidan's experience: cla.umn.edu/human-rights...

Today is Give to the Max Day! As a Fraser Fellow, Isabella Minahan (CLA '25) was able to fully devote herself to a hands-on experience that helped her prepare for a future in human rights advocacy. Support the Fraser Fellowships TODAY! crowdfund.umn.edu/participants... #UMNGive #UMNproud #GTMD25

We are thrilled to welcome Paul O'Brien, executive director of Amnesty International, as the keynote speaker for the Human Rights Day Symposium! Paul O'Brien will deliver his talk titled, "Human Rights Activism in a World of Growing Authoritarian Practices." Learn more: z.umn.edu/HRDSymposium2025

As a Don Fraser Fellow interning with The Advocates for Human Rights, Manushri Ivaturi (CLA '25) conducted research on country-specific conditions and their human rights standards. Support the Fraser Fellowships on Give to the Max Day! crowdfund.umn.edu/participants... #UMNGive #UMNproud #GTMD25

As an Arvonne Fraser Fellow, Dante Rocío assisted with the Universal Periodic Review and investigated case studies of how people engage with the UN. Support the Fraser Fellowships on or before #GTMD25 on Thursday, November 20! Visit crowdfund.umn.edu/participants... to donate.

The Fraser Fellowships support undergraduate students interning at leading human rights organizations. Support the Fraser Fellowships on or before Give to the Max Day on November 20: crowdfund.umn.edu/participants... www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7a6...

Support the Fraser Fellowships on Give to the Max Day! Interning at The Advocates for Human Rights, Libby Nemitz expanded her understanding of UN systems and human rights courts, and gained valuable legal writing and analytical skills. crowdfund.umn.edu/participants/hrp #UMNGive #UMNproud #gtmd25

Join Human Rights Educators USA’s Training as Action Series (TAAS) for their next session, "Human Rights Education as a Response to Polarization,” on Monday, November 10, at 6:00 PM CST. Learn more and register: hreusa.org/projects/tra...

Join us for the second annual Human Rights Day Symposium! The symposium includes a student poster session and a keynote address. This year, we welcome Paul O’Brien, executive director of Amnesty International, to deliver the keynote address. Learn more and RSVP: z.umn.edu/HRDSymposium2025

This summer, undergraduate students Libby Nemitz (CLA ‘26) and Dante Rocío (CLA ‘26) interned for The Advocates for Human Rights with the support of the Fraser Fellowships. Read more: cla.umn.edu/human-rights...

Professor Luis Ramos-Garcia has led a project to give voice to the victims of human rights violations through art. Women in Peril serves to archive the experiences of victims of human rights violations. Read more about Professor Ramos-Garcia's work: cla.umn.edu/human-rights...

Thank you to everyone who attended the Scallen Lecture with Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders. Ms. Lawlor's inspiring address highlighted the importance of protecting human rights defenders. Watch the keynote: www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9ba...

I look forward to this @uofmhumanrights.bsky.social event where I will discuss human rights defenders and their place in the USA and the world. 🗓️ Mon 20 October 🕓 4-6pm 📍 Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Minneapolis ℹ️ Registration & details: cla.umn.edu/human-rights...

We are thrilled to announce the 1st annual Hitti lecture on Nov. 5 at the Weisman Art Museum feat. Charlotte Karem Albrecht speaking about Possible Histories: Arab Americans and the Queer Ecology of Peddling. More info and rsvp at z.umn.edu/HittiLecture @uofmhumanrights.bsky.social

The Human Rights Program’s 2024-2025 Annual Report is now available! The Annual Report provides an in-depth review of our work and highlights the major events, initiatives, and people that have contributed to the success of HRP in the 2024-2025 academic year. pub.umn.edu/hrp/HRP-Annu...

Join us for the Scallen Lecture in Human Rights with Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders. A reception with refreshments will follow. 📆Oct 20 🕝4:00 PM 📍Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey School of Public Affairs Learn more: cla.umn.edu/human-rights...

The Solitary Confinement Symposium will bring together legislators, scholars, and community organizers to examine solitary confinement practices and push for reform. Thursday, September 18 12:15 - 5:30 PM Walter F. Mondale Hall, Room 40 Learn more and register: law.umn.edu/events/solit...

Juvenile Justice Advocates International and HRP invite you to the Minneapolis opening of Reflections of Dignity, an exhibit featuring art from youth in justice systems around the world. The event includes a panel discussion followed by a reception and exhibit opening. cla.umn.edu/human-rights...

The Human Rights Initiative (HRI) is seeking bold, impactful research proposals that address today's most pressing human rights challenges. Grant Range: $10,000 - $50,000 Duration: 12 months Deadline: October 3, 2025 Read the Request for Proposals: z.umn.edu/HRIFund

Join us for our Human Rights Program Open House! Enjoy some lunch, network with others, and learn more about HRP. Tuesday, September 16 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Social Sciences Building, Room 710 RSVP: forms.gle/QayCAvQSeYoS...

In the wake of the overturning of Roe V. Wade, with Human Rights Initiative grant support, a UMN team launched Healthcare Under Crisis, a community-oriented oral history project investigating the dynamics of Minnesota’s healthcare landscape. Read more about the project: cla.umn.edu/human-rights...

Vishal Jamkar, a PhD candidate at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, has undertaken a research project to tackle the issue of landlessness in the Indian Dalit community. His project is supported by grant funding from the Human Rights Initiative. Read more: z.umn.edu/DalitHRI

HRP and the IGS cosponsored Juvenile Justice Advocates International's ""Reflections of Dignity"" exhibition at the 5th World Congress on Justice with Children. Read more: z.umn.edu/Reflectionso... Visit the online exhibition for the artist's personal accounts: www.jjadvocates.org/reflections-...

In May, Barbara Frey was interviewed on the creation of the Minnesota Protocol by KFAI. She was a pivotal voice in the initial design for the protocol to reveal the truth behind massacres throughout the world. https://kfai.org/minneculture-how-minnesota-shaped-international-death-investigations/

Introducing Riley Stern, an undergraduate research assistant with HRP Director Carrie Walling. Riley is a senior majoring in economics and mathematics and will help develop the pilot for a new human rights data research and advocacy lab. Welcome, Riley!

Today is World Refugee Day. Many people around the globe are displaced from their homes due to dangerous circumstances. Part of the human rights mission is to ensure that all people are safe and given the same rights and respect that are due to any human being, and so we honor today. #humanrights

Happy Juneteenth! June 19th is the holiday to celebrate the liberation of African Americans from the racist system of slavery after it was abolished in 1865. As we celebrate Black pride on this day, it is critical to recognize that African American history will always be American history!

Natika Kantaria (MHR '24) has been working with the International Service for Human Rights in New York, where she has been protecting human rights defenders and monitoring human rights developments globally. Read about Natika's human rights journey and how she enacts change on the global stage:

HRP is delighted to announce our new Program and Communications Assistant, Zukaina Al-Mohamed! Zukaina is a rising senior in CLA majoring in Global Studies with a minor in Political Science. Welcome, Zukaina!

The Human Rights Program wants to welcome our new Communications Assistant, Thanh Nguyen! Majoring in Sociology and minoring in Cult. Stud. & Comp. Lit. in CLA, Thahn hopes to bring his perspective on queer and immigrant justice, as well as his previous Minnesota advocacy work for housing access.

Master of Human Rights student Sarah Kuhns (MHR '26) is spurring important conversations around the rights of inmates and access to menstrual products. Read Kuhns's opinion piece in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. #humanrights

Congratulations to Master of Human Rights student Skye Cronje (MHR '26), who has received the Sullivan Ballou Award for her extensive community involvement and deep passion for migrant and farmworkers’ rights. The Sullivan Ballou Award recognizes students who devote heartfelt energy to human rights.

Lindsey Clayton (MHR '25) has a passion for social justice and fighting for human rights. Last summer, she landed her dream internship at the ACLU of Minnesota, where she worked on a project to educate people who had been convicted of felonies about their voting rights. #humanrights

Congratulations to Master of Human Rights student Hank Hellstrom, who has received the Sharon Grimes Human Rights Fellowship in recognition of his commitment to human rights and the environment. Hellstrom is dedicated to studying how to protect climate refugees and assist vulnerable communities.

Congratulations to our graduates in the Master of Human Rights, the Human Rights graduate minor, and our undergraduate students who have contributed their passion to human rights on campus! Our students inspire us with their enthusiasm and determination. We can’t wait to see what they will do next!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Parental Incarceration and Children's Human Rights Symposium last week! The event was a part of HRP and Children of Incarcerated Caregivers' residency with the Liberal Arts Engagement Hub in the College of Liberal Arts. Learn more: cicmn.org/hub-residency/

Funded by the Human Rights Initiative, CHGS Interim Director, Joe Eggers, and history PhD candidate Tibisay Navarro-Mana launched, Big Concepts in Small Spaces. The podcast engages high school students in conversations about human rights, genocide, and the law.

Read the latest ‘Human Writes’ blog: “Protecting Ukrainian Identity Through Dance.” Skylar Strudwick sheds light on how Ukrainian artists work tirelessly to preserve their traditional practices and sense of national identity in a time of war. Check out the blog! humanwrites.umn.edu/protecting-u...

Join us for a screening of "The Broken Promise," a film that explores re-emergent patterns of genocide, and the political and institutional failures that enable perpetrators of crimes against humanity. Learn more and register: www.eventbrite.com/e/film-scree...

Join HRP and our NGO partner, Children of Incarcerated Caregivers (CIC), for a symposium on Parental Incarceration & Children's Human Rights on Thursday, 4/17. Learn more and register: cla.umn.edu/human-rights...

HRP and our NGO Partner, Children of Incarcerated Caregivers, are exploring alternatives to parental incarceration, centering the rights of children through research, workshops, and community engagement as part of a Liberal Arts Engagement Hub residency. Learn more: cla.umn.edu/human-rights...

Master of Human Rights student Léocadia Tchouaffé is a vital member of the Human Rights Initiative, a collaboration between the College of Liberal Arts and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs promoting interdisciplinary engaged research and teaching in human rights. cla.umn.edu/human-rights...