Silicon Valley
Human Rights Watch is one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending the dignity and human rights of people around the world. The Silicon Valley Executive Committee and Silicon Valley Committee are part of the Human Rights Watch Council, a global network of individuals and committees across 19 cities internationally. Council members are ambassadors for Human Rights Watch in their communities, providing us with a strong presence in key cities and countries.
The Silicon Valley Committee was launched in 2016 and is composed of a network of local advocates dedicated to advancing human rights both in the Bay Area and around the world.
The Silicon Valley Committee has three primary responsibilities:
- Raise funds to support the work of HRW and its researchers.
- Build a community of informed and engaged human rights supporters.
- Empower our members to use their skills, influence, and resources to advance human rights.
Through these efforts, the Silicon Valley Committee strengthens Human Rights Watch’s impact locally while helping to drive meaningful change worldwide.
Save the Date
April 13, 2027: Annual Voices for Justice Celebration
Our signature fundraising event of the year, bringing together leading human rights advocates, supporters, and changemakers for an inspiring evening advancing Human Rights Watch's mission.
Example Engagement Opportunities
August 5, 2026: The View from the Yellow Line: Research, Advocacy, and Accountability in Lebanon with Niku Jafarnia
Drawing on firsthand investigations in southern Lebanon, this conversation explored Human Rights Watch's work across the Middle East and North Africa, examining the civilian consequences of ongoing conflict and how rigorous documentation informs advocacy, accountability efforts, and policy discussions in Washington.
July 29, 2026: From CA to NJ: How HRW Is Advancing Youth Justice Reform – A Coffee Conversation with Amanda Leavell
Exploring the expansion of successful youth justice reforms from California to New Jersey, Amanda Leavell reflected on Human Rights Watch's landmark achievements in reducing the prosecution of children as adults and discussed how research, advocacy, and coalition-building can drive lasting systemic change while ensuring young people are treated with dignity and fairness.
July 13, 2026: Five Days, 600 Headlines: How Human Rights Watch Drives Change – A Lunch Briefing with Brian Root
Following the release of Dying in Detention, our joint report with Physicians for Human Rights, Brian Root demonstrated how Human Rights Watch turns rigorous research into global media attention, strategic advocacy, and measurable impact.
June 4, 2026: Breakfast Conversation with Ida Sawyer
Addressing some of today's most urgent human rights challenges, Ida Sawyer shared perspectives on crisis and conflict settings, evolving developments across the Middle East and North Africa, immigration enforcement in the United States, and broader shifts in the global conflict landscape.
April 21, 2026: Annual Voices for Justice Celebration, featuring renowned artist and human rights defender, Ai Weiwei, and Philippe Bolopion, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch
An inspiring evening of solidarity, purpose, and impact as we marked the 10th anniversary of our Silicon Valley office and achieved record-breaking fundraising results.
March 26, 2026: Defending Rights in an Authoritarian Era - A Lunch Briefing with Alison Leal Parker
Participants gained an inside look at Human Rights Watch's efforts to defend human rights in the United States, including work addressing threats to democracy, immigration abuses, and the increasing militarization of domestic law enforcement.
February 26, 2026: Gender Apartheid and Accountability – What the World Must Understand About Afghanistan
A timely discussion on the ongoing women's rights crisis in Afghanistan and the growing movement to recognize and address gender apartheid under international law, with moderator Dr. Halima Kazem of Stanford University’s Program in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; panelists Wahida Rahimi, former Afghan judge, and Fereshta Abbasi, Afghanistan Researcher, Human Rights Watch.
January 28, 2026: Meet the Researchers with Margaret Wurth, Bill Frelick, and Minky Worden
Members heard directly from Human Rights Watch researchers working on children's rights, migration and refugee protection, sports and human rights, and global advocacy campaigns.
December 3, 2025: Navigating Today’s Human Rights Challenges - A Breakfast Briefing with Lama Fakih
Providing a global perspective on emerging human rights threats, Lama Fakih discussed Human Rights Watch's efforts to advance accountability, justice, and reform in an increasingly complex international environment.
November 11, 2025: Book Talk – Philippe Sands in Conversation with Balkees Jarrah
Through a discussion of Philippe Sands' 38 Londres Street, attendees examined themes of international justice, impunity, and accountability for human rights abuses through the intertwined legacies of Pinochet and Nazi fugitives. Attendees also explored how Human Rights Watch's methodology, from meticulous documentation to strategic advocacy, has shaped landmark accountability efforts and reinforced the principle that justice matters.
October 21, 2025: Holding Power to Account – Human Rights in the Global Economy with Arvind Ganesan
Examining the intersection of business and human rights, this conversation addressed corporate accountability, labor rights, global supply chains, and the implications of emerging technologies and surveillance.
October 8, 2025: Human Rights Advocacy Across the Asia-Pacific - Voices from the Frontlines with Elaine Pearson
Drawing from firsthand experience across the region, Elaine Pearson provided insights into challenges related to authoritarianism, gender justice, and transnational repression throughout the Asia-Pacific.
September 4, 2025: Lunch Briefing with Bruno Stagno Ugarte
Bruno Stagno Ugarte offered an overview of Human Rights Watch's global advocacy strategies and efforts to defend fundamental rights and democratic institutions around the world.
July 23, 2025: Lunch Briefing with Niku Jafarnia
Niku Jafarnia shared insights on key human rights developments across the Middle East and North Africa, including developments in Iran, Israel/Palestine, and Yemen.
April 22, 2025: Annual Voices for Justice Celebration
Our annual gathering celebrating the defenders, supporters, and partners who make Human Rights Watch's work possible.
March 25, 2025: Celebrating the Book Launch of Righting Wrongs by Kenneth Roth
A conversation with Human Rights Watch's former Executive Director on three decades of confronting abusive governments and advancing accountability for human rights violations worldwide. The New York Times called Ken Roth the “godfather of human rights” and described him as “an unrelenting irritant to authoritarian governments,” exposing abuses through HRW’s carefully documented research. The book was named one of The Economist’s Best Books of 2025.
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Listen: Tune in to our podcast, Rights and Wrongs.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. Our Silicon Valley community is committed to growing and sustaining our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work.