Engaging the New York community to defend human rights worldwide
The Human Rights Watch New York Committee raises awareness of local and global human rights issues, builds financial support, and mobilizes the public and governments worldwide to recognize basic freedoms for all. We are part of a global network supporting Human Rights Watch, consisting of 13 committees and many individual supporters in cities around the world. These informed and engaged opinion leaders from a variety of backgrounds play a key role in defending human rights worldwide.
About the New York Committee
New York Committee members participate in meaningful dialogue with Human Rights Watch investigators and hear firsthand accounts from the frontlines of human rights work. The Committee focuses on three areas:
- Advocacy: Members have met with influential policy makers and legislators in Congress to push for the ban of cluster munitions, stop the use of child soldiers, and restore habeas corpus to all detainees in US custody. Committee members also worked in partnership with Human Rights Watch to use the occasion of the Beijing Olympics to promote human rights in China.
- Outreach: The events organized by the Committee increase the visibility of Human Rights Watch and introduce new people to our work. They have ranged from a meeting with Kofi Annan in his final days as UN Secretary General and a press conference with President Michelle Bachelet just after former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori was extradited from Chile, to the special events held during the renowned Human Rights Watch International Film Festival at Lincoln Center.
- Fundraising: The Annual Voices for Justice Dinner, the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, and other generous major gifts received throughout the year provide essential funding for Human Rights Watch to defend human rights and save lives. Annually, New York Committee members contribute between $5,000 and $100,000 or more, depending on level of involvement and capacity.
New York Committee
Founded 1998
Emeritus Chairs: Michael
G. Fisch, Kevin Ryan
Co-Chairs: Kristen Durkin,
Richard W. Fields
Director: Susan Fulwiler
Karen Ackman
Stewart Adelson
Allen R. Adler
Lena Alhusseini
Salam Al-Rawi
Kathleen Begala
Amy and Peter Bernstein
Blair and John Borthwick
Cristóbal Conde
Dana Conroy
Patrick Durkin
Yasmine Ergas
Laura Fisch
Abraham George
Mike de Graffenried
Marie-Line Grina
David S. Hirsch
Donald Huber
Robert G. James
Sabi Kanaan
Stephen L. Kass
Constance Kassouf
Andrew Kaufman
Wendy Keys
Ike Kier
Michael Kluger
Hal Luftig
Kati Marton
Sam G. McFarland
Henry McGee
Terence Meehan
Jonathan Mir
Tiffany E. Moller
James Mossman
David Nachman
Kelly M. Newsome
Bruce Rabb
Gloria V. Reiss
Amy L. Robbins
Barbara Paul Robinson
Ricki Roer
Pascaline Servan-Schreiber
Brett Smith
John J. Studzinski
Alison Tocci
Paula Wardynski
Richard M. Zuckerman