Jorge G. Castaneda, former foreign minister of Mexico; Barry Meyer, chairman & CEO at Warner Bros.; and Victoria Riskin, president of the Writer's Guild of America, are joining the Board of Directors at its next meeting on June 12, 2003.
During his tenure as a foreign minister, Mr. Castaneda helped to reorient Mexico’s human rights policy 180 degrees, from actively opposing the enforcement of human rights standards, to actively promoting their enforcement. Mr. Meyer, in addition to running one of the largest corporations in the entertainment industry, has been a long-time supporter of Human Rights Watch and member of its California Committee South. Ms. Riskin, co-chairman of the California Committee South and member of the Advisory Committee of the Asia Division of Human Rights Watch, is a psychologist, writer and film producer, as well as a human rights activist with a special interest in Tibet.
“Human Rights Watch will greatly benefit from the combined expertise and dedication of these three superb additions to our board,” said Kenneth Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch. “These new members also reflect the growing national and international support for Human Rights Watch’s work.”
A short biography of each new member follows:
Jorge G. Castaneda
Born in Mexico City, Mr. Castaneda resigned as Mexico’s foreign minister in January. He has a B.A. from Princeton University and a Ph.D. from the University of Paris. He has taught at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, New York University, Princeton University, Dartmouth College and the University of California, Berkeley. He is a prolific writer; his publications include “Limits to Friendship: The United States and Mexico” (988) with Robert Pastor (Alfred Knopf, 1988); “Utopia Unarmed: The Latin American Left after the Cold War,” (Alfred Knopf, 1993); “The Mexican Shock” (New Press, New York, 1995), and “Compañero, The Life and Death of Che Guevara” (Alfred A. Knopf, 1997). He regularly contributes columns to the Mexican daily Reforma, The Los Angeles Times, El Pa’s (Madrid), and Newsweek International. His column is syndicated throughout Latin America by The New York Times Feature Syndicate.
Barry Meyer
As Chairman & CEO, Mr. Meyer is responsible for all aspects of Warner Bros., a global leader in the creation, production, distribution, marketing and licensing of all forms of entertainment. Mr. Meyer joined the company in 1971 as Director of Business Affairs for Warner Bros. Television, following two-and-a-half years in both the legal and business affairs departments of the ABC Television Network. In 1972, he was named Vice President of Business Affairs, Warner Bros. Television; in 1978, he became Executive Vice President for the television division, and in 1984, he was promoted to Executive Vice President of Warner Bros. Inc., taking charge of all of the studio's television operations. In 1994, he took on the added responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer. Born in New York City, Mr. Meyer holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester and a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He is admitted to the bar in New York and Ohio.
Victoria Riskin
Victoria (Vicki) Riskin began her activism in human rights ten years ago when she became instrumental in establishing the California office for Human Rights Watch. Her initial interest in human rights was inspired while she served as a volunteer and co-director of a non-profit foundation called the “Tibetan Aid Project,” which sends assistance to Tibetan refugees in India, Nepal and Tibet. She took several trips to Nepal and India to work in the Tibetan Community and witnessed the terrible suffering in the refugee camps. Ms. Riskin has a Doctorate from the University of California in psychology and spent 15 years in private practice before changing careers. In 1989, she wrote and produced an ABC television movie, “The Last Best Year,” based on her experiences as a therapist. Since then, she has produced several award-winning films. Ms. Riskin currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Asia Division of Human Rights Watch, is co-chair of Human Rights Watch California Committee South.
