The Hymen’s Role in Determining Sexual History or Assault

Through evidence, change is possible.

We are building a movement of health professionals to defend human rights worldwide.

We Document.

We Document.

We use the power of science and forensic medicine to establish a fact-based record of human rights abuses.

We Empower.

We Empower.

We enable front line human rights defenders to expose violations and hold perpetrators accountable.

We Advocate.

We Advocate.

We use our authoritative voice to protect human rights and end impunity for perpetrators.

Featured

About Us

About Us

We investigate and document human rights violations, give voice to survivors and witnesses,…

Continue Reading
Report

Shot While Fleeing: Rohingya Disabled by Myanmar Authorities’ Targeted Violence

In August 2017, Myanmar security forces and Rakhine Buddhist civilians attacked hundreds…

Continue Reading
Multimedia

Medical Personnel Are Targeted in Syria

Medical professionals are often on the front lines in conflict situations, propping…

Continue Reading

In Focus

Press Release

Killings of Syrian Health Workers Underscore Assad’s Contempt for International Law: PHR

August 14, 2019 Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is profoundly dismayed by credible reports that airstrikes by Syrian or Russian forces killed two Syrian…
Press Release

PHR Briefs UN Security Council on Attacks on Health Care in Syria

NEW YORK – On behalf of Physicians for Human Rights, which has meticulously documented attacks on health care in Syria since the start of…
Press Release

PHR: UN Investigation into Recent Attacks on Health Care in Syria is a Positive Step, But Overdue and Insufficient

NEW YORK – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ announcement today of a UN probe into the latest attacks on health care facilities in Syria in…
Blog

Rohingya “Repatriation” Efforts Just a Cruel Charade

This post originally appeared in the Asia Times. The government of Myanmar reached out late last month to the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya…
Statements

Physicians for Human Rights Briefing to the United Nations Security Council on Attacks on Health Facilities and Personnel in Syria

العربية Good morning, Mr. President, and thank you for the opportunity to address the Council regarding attacks on health facilities and personnel, and their…
Attacks in Syria | Case Study

Kafr Nabl Hospital: In the Crosshairs of a Murderous Barrage of Attacks

Throughout the Syrian conflict, Syrian government forces and their allies have perpetrated the vast majority of the 578 verified attacks on medical facilities in…
Report

Deprivation and Despair

This report was jointly produced by the Center for Victims of Torture and Physicians for Human Rights. Executive Summary From the inception more than…
Press Release

PHR: Acquittal of Turkish Physician Human Rights Defender Welcome and Overdue

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) welcomes a Turkish court’s acquittal today of Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, a prominent human rights defender, anti-torture advocate, and…
Multimedia

The U.S. Made an Elective Decision to Traumatize Children

One year of medical neglect. Of fear and intimidation. Of psychological trauma. In that one year, at least five migrant children have died and…
Blog

Two Decades of International Collaboration to Prevent Torture

Twenty years ago, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) led the development of the Istanbul Protocol, which established United Nations standards on the state obligation…
Report

“There Is No One Here to Protect You”

Policy debates rage over what has been termed a humanitarian crisis, a human rights crisis, or a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. What…
Report

Intimidation and Persecution: Sudan’s Attacks on Peaceful Protesters and Physicians

Executive Summary Since Sudanese protesters took to the streets in December 2018 to demonstrate against government corruption, economic mismanagement, and brutal repression, forces loyal…