Geneva

Launched in 2003, the Geneva International Committee includes more than 40 prominent and dedicated members representing various professions such as law, banking, journalism and the arts, and sharing the same interest in promoting human rights in Geneva and within the international community.

The Committee’s goals are:

• To share information about Human Rights Watch research, campaigns and advocacy actions with leading institutions and individuals in Geneva.
• To increase our outreach and name recognition through the holding of public and private events at least three times a year.
• To raise funds through the growth, special actions and generosity of the Geneva International Committee.

The Committee has been indispensable in raising the visibility of human rights ideals and the work of Human Rights Watch in Geneva.

A member of the Executive Committee speaks out

Neil Rimer explains how he became a member of the Geneva International Committee:

"As I had the chance to find myself blocked on the tarmac in a little airplane, sitting next to Ken Roth, I could ask him during some hours about the aims of Human Rights Watch, about its functioning and organizational structure, as well as about its budget and fundraising.

During this discussion I understood that Human Rights Watch represents one of the best tools to identify and investigate human rights violations, to make the findings public in order to protect the victims, and to bring the guilty to justice.

In spite of our situation here in Geneva that gives us a privileged standpoint on international affairs and in spite of the flow of information that comes from the media, it is increasingly difficult to remain objective, to erase the biases from all the sides and to know the truth — not ten years later in history books, but immediately, in order to help and to avoid having catastrophes on our consciences. […]

I decided fifteen years ago to become involved with Human Rights Watch, which I see as a formidable opponent of dictators and impunity."

On our impact page, you can read about the impact our work has had around the world.