March 20, 2013
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On consecutive Mondays from April 8 through May 6, the Gene Siskel Film Center collaborates with Human Rights Watch to present the 2013 Human Rights Watch Film Festival. Through the eyes of committed and courageous filmmakers, the festival showcases the heroic stories of activists and survivors from all over the world facing human rights issues. The featured works put a human face on threats to individual freedom and dignity, and celebrate the power of the human spirit and will to prevail. Discussion with filmmakers, Human Rights Watch researchers, and local leaders follow each screening.
Special Screening of the Human Rights Watch Chicago Film Festival
TICKETS You can purchase tickets via phone by calling Renee Mechanic at (312)828-9100. PUTIN'S KISS Director: Lise Birk Pedersen, 85 min Meet Masha, a 19-year-old who grew up in the Putin era, on her journey through the Kremlin-created Nashi youth movement.
June 28, 2012
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Only weeks after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down statutes in 29 states, including Illinois, that provided for mandatory life-without-parole sentences for children, the California State Assembly and California State Senate have passed a bill that allows the review of life without parole sentences for youth offenders. Illinois should recognize children's capacity for change and follow suit.
April 19, 2012
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Tamms Correctional Facility, Illinois' only supermaximum security prison, is slated to be closed as part of an effort by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn to reduce the state's spending. The facility's closure also represents an advance for human rights. Long term solitary confinement is tantamount to torture and fails to meet international human rights standards. Tamms is scheduled to close by August 31, 2012.
April 19, 2012
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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) held meetings in Chicago from May 20-21. As the announced departure of US and NATO forces in 2014 draws closer, many Afghan women look to the future with fear. They worry that the troop pullout signals the end of interest in Afghanistan, and with it the international commitment to push the Afghan government to promote and protect women's rights. Stay informed about the situation in Afghanistan and help us keep women's rights at the top of the agenda.
August 23, 2010
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The Chicago Committee of Human Rights Watch is a member of the Illinois Coalition for the Fair Sentencing of Children, a project of the Northwestern Children and Family Justice Clinic. Learn more about how you can get involved to address mandatory life sentences for youth. The Supreme Court recently ruled that the young are indeed different, but what needs to be done at the state level to address the issue?
Human Rights Watch Annual Dinner SAVE THE DATE

Please join us.
For more information contact Renee Mechanic at (312) 828-9100 or by email

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Jobi Petersen Cates, Director
Renée Mechanic, Senior Coordinator
Claire Gaiefsky, Associate

The Chicago Committee, formed in 2004, is part of a network of support committees composed of opinion leaders from a variety of backgrounds in North America and Europe.

Human Rights Watch and Adobe Youth Voices Seek Films Made by Young People
October 29, 2009
Human Rights Watch and Adobe Youth Voices Seek Films Made by Young People

The Human Rights Watch International Film Festival in partnership with Adobe Youth Voices seeks youth-produced film, video and animated works on human rights issues made by youth ages 19 and under for its third annual YOUTH PRODUCING CHANGE program.