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Controller Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), which shared in the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997, is a U.S.-based international advocacy organization working at the intersection of medicine, science, and law. With a global network of thousands of medical, scientific, and legal experts, PHR uses the power of medical and scientific evidence to document violations of […]

February 13, 2025
Statements

U.S. Foreign Aid Freeze Disrupts Lifesaving Health Care, Services for Survivors of Sexual Violence Midst Deadly Conflict in Democratic Republic of the Congo: PHR 

The Trump administration’s executive order to freeze U.S. foreign aid for 90 days has halted the supply of lifesaving medical care to populations facing rising conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) including survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, said Physicians for Human Rights (PHR).  The order was issued as the M23 militia moves […]

February 12, 2025
Sexual Violence
Press Release

MEDIA ADVISORY: Pivotal Court of Appeal Hearing Tuesday in Landmark Election-Related Sexual Violence Case in Kenya

Survivors of 2007-2008 election-related sexual violence (ERSV) will have their first day in court since 2020, as they appeal a judgement that denied relief for four of the eight survivor-petitioners who experienced ERSV perpetrated by non-state actors  WHAT: Hearing for Civil Appeal No. E645 of 2021: Coalition of Women Against Violence vs. the Attorney General […]

February 2, 2025
Sexual Violence
Press Release

Doctors Trapped in Hospitals, Clinics Under Fire in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): PHR

In response to mounting conflict and the M23 militia seizing additional cities and towns in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the following statement is attributable to Karen Naimer, JD, director of programs at Physicians for Human Rights (PHR):  “Health and humanitarian workers and facilities are under assault in eastern DRC as M23 forces […]

February 1, 2025
Attacks on Health Care
Press Release

Trump Administration Use of Guantánamo to Detain Immigrants Threatens Abuse, Inhumane Conditions, Health Harms: PHR

In response to the Trump administration memorandum directing the U.S. government to prepare the Guantánamo Bay prison in Cuba to detain migrants, the following statement is attributable to Michael Payne, deputy director of advocacy at Physicians for Human Rights (PHR):  “The dark history of Guantánamo is getting a new chapter as the Trump administration looks […]

January 29, 2025
Asylum, Torture
Press Release

Millions at Risk as Conflict Escalates in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: PHR

In response to the escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the following quote is attributable to Sam Zarifi, JD, executive director of PHR:  “Civilians in DRC are again caught between regional rivals fighting for power and mineral resources, and hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced in recent weeks alone, […]

January 27, 2025
Attacks on Health Care, Mass Atrocities, Sexual Violence
Press Release

Trump Ending ICE “Sensitive Locations” Policy Forces Immigrants to Choose Between Health Care and Safety: PHR

In response to the Trump administration’s move to rescind the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “sensitive locations” policy, which prevents immigration enforcement actions in or around locations like hospitals, schools, or places of worship, the following quote is attributable to Katherine Peeler, MD, medical advisor at Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and assistant professor of […]

January 22, 2025
Asylum
Press Release

“Deterrence Through Cruelty”: Trump Administration’s Assault on Asylum System Violates Human Rights and Harms Public Health

U.S. President Trump’s policy agenda will compound suffering, threaten public health, and violate long-standing human rights protections, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) said today. Several executive actions signed by the president yesterday represent inhumane, unlawful, and dangerous developments that attack people seeking asylum and other migrants, while other new policies erode global health and public […]

January 21, 2025
Asylum
Press Release

Public Health and Former CDC Experts Warn Against Renewed Misuse of Title 42 Public Health Authority

Following reports that the incoming Trump administration may once again invoke Title 42 public health authority to turn away asylum seekers and migrants at the border, leading epidemiologists, former CDC officials, and other public health experts reiterate their strong objection to any misuse of public health authority. While the first Trump administration directed the Centers […]

January 17, 2025
Asylum
Multimedia

[VIDEO] Care in a Safe Place: Child-friendly Spaces for Survivors of Sexual Violence in the DRC

In armed conflicts around the world, sexual violence is perpetrated at an alarming rate – including against children. Multiple challenges limit evidence collection, preventing accountability for sexual violence. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Physicians for Human Rights and our partners are supporting child survivors of sexual violence through the creation of child-friendly spaces. […]

January 15, 2025
Children's Rights, Sexual Violence

Internships at PHR

Physicians for Human Rights takes pride in its strong internship program. Every semester, PHR is fortunate to host a group of academically successful and passionate students who represent the next generation of human rights advocates. Students joining the PHR intern team come from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including public health, international relations, nonprofit […]

January 13, 2025

Syria

In January 2011, peaceful protesters in Syria took to the streets, demanding basic human rights and dignity. They were met with a fierce crackdown by the Syrian government. That violence spiraled into a brutal civil war, devastating the country. In blatant violation of international law, Bashar al-Assad’s regime relentlessly targeted health care facilities and deployed […]

January 9, 2025
Tools and Guides

Child-Centered Documentation Toolkit

Table of Contents Introduction Conflict-related sexual violence is an enduring problem globally. The burden of this violence often affects the most vulnerable within society, including women and girls, racial or other minorities, refugees and internally displaced persons, and in particular, children. According to the UN Secretary-General’s 2024 report on children and armed conflict, almost 30,705 […]

December 20, 2024
Children's Rights, Sexual Violence

Externally Funded Legal Fellow

Externally Funded Legal Fellow Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), which shared in the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997, is a U.S.-based international advocacy organization working at the intersection of medicine, science, and law. With a global network of thousands of medical, scientific, and legal experts, PHR uses the power of medical and scientific evidence to […]

December 19, 2024
Press Release

“New Dawn” for Syria Must Center Justice and Accountability Following Years of Atrocities: PHR

Former president Bashar al-Assad’s exodus from Syria represents a milestone opportunity for justice, accountability, and healing following more than 13 years of war and atrocities he oversaw, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) said today.   “This week is a momentous occasion for which Syrians have waited decades. Since he came to power, Bashar al-Assad directed a […]

December 10, 2024
Attacks on Health Care, Mass Atrocities
Press Release

Severe Harms from Idaho’s Abortion Ban Likely to Expand with Trump Administration Poised to Reverse EMTALA Guidance: PHR

Idaho’s abortion ban has caused preventable medical crises and chaos in the state’s health system, according to an amicus curiae brief filed by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) for the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals hearing in Idaho v. United States, which opens in Pasadena, California on Tuesday.   While PHR’s amicus brief documents delayed […]

December 10, 2024
Reproductive Justice

Russian Invasion of Ukraine

War in Ukraine: Health and Human Rights under Fire  Російське вторгнення в Україну In its violent and unlawful invasion of Ukraine, Russia has launched indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and residential buildings. Thousands of civilians, including children, have been killed and many more injured, and hundreds of thousands are facing […]

December 9, 2024
Press Release

Escalating Conflict in Northwest Syria Puts Hospitals Under Fire: PHR

As military confrontation between Syrian opposition groups and the Syrian government intensifies in the country’s northwest, all parties to the conflict must abide by international humanitarian law (IHL) and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including health care facilities, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) said today.  Syrian opposition forces based in northwest Syria launched a military […]

December 5, 2024
Attacks on Health Care
Blog

Teaching the Tools of Change: How a New Curriculum for Medical Students in Kenya is Advancing Care for Survivors of Gender-based Violence 

The United Nations reports that more than one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. Research shows that these traumatic experiences have both short- and long-term effects on a survivor’s health, making them more likely to seek help from a health care provider. This impact goes beyond […]

December 5, 2024
Press Release

Russian Bombardment of Ukraine’s Power Grid Forces Health Care Workers to Operate in the Dark: Report

Russia’s widespread and systematic attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid have harmed health care workers and endangered patients, according to a first-of-its-kind report published today by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and Truth Hounds. Ninety-two percent of 2,261 Ukrainian health care workers surveyed report experiencing power outages at their health care facility due to attacks on […]

December 4, 2024
Attacks on Health Care
Press Release

Російські атаки на енергетичну систему України змушують медиків працювати в темряві — звіт

Широкомасштабні та систематичні атаки Росії на енергетичну інфраструктуру України завдають серйозної шкоди медичним працівникам і наражають пацієнтів на небезпеку, як зазначено в опублікованому сьогодні звіті організацій Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) і Truth Hounds. За результатами опитування українських медпрацівників, 92% з 2 261 людини повідомили про відключення електроенергії в їхніх закладах охорони здоров’я внаслідок атак […]

December 4, 2024
Attacks on Health Care

Brian Kiprotich

Brian Kiprotich collaborates closely with staff across all departments at Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) to develop compelling fundraising materials for governments, foundations, and corporations. He is responsible for effectively communicating PHR’s mission, vision, programmatic work, and impact to prospective and existing donors to build relationships and secure funding that enables PHR to advance its […]

December 3, 2024

Dorcas Nyambura Gitonga

Dorcas Nyambura Gitonga contributes to Physicians for Human Rights (PHR’s) efforts to address sexual violence in conflict zones, advancing the strategy and implementation of impactful programs. She collaborates with partners across sectors to strengthen accountability and support survivors globally. Dorcas has a strong background as a legal and program management professional with over seven years […]

December 3, 2024

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