(Statement available in English here) Des coupes massives américaines dans les programmes de santé mondiaux essentiels, notamment des coupes de financement et de personnel aux Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), le démantèlement de l’Agence américaine pour le développement international (USAID) et le retrait des États-Unis de l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS), ont dangereusement affaibli la capacité […]

In response to the Trump administration invoking Title 42 authorities to block access to the U.S. asylum system following the Ebola outbreak, the following quote is attributable to Thomas McHale, SM, public health director at Physicians for Human Rights (PHR): “The Trump administration’s revival of Title 42 in response to the Ebola outbreak in the […]

(Déclaration disponible en français ici) Sweeping U.S. cuts to critical global health programs, including funding and staffing reductions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), have dangerously weakened the world’s ability to respond […]

As the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence unfolds around the world, conversations often center on the scale of the problem. We hear about alarming statistics, stories of harm, and the persistent barriers survivors face in their pursuit of justice, like how only 14 per cent of all women and girls worldwide (about 557 […]

As leaders from Africa’s Great Lakes region and around the world meet in Paris this week to address the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) warns of an escalating humanitarian and health crisis, including immense violence, mass displacement, infectious disease, and acute malnutrition.   Conflict related sexual violence is also surging in the region, with more than 11,000 new cases of sexual violence […]

The abrupt and sweeping cuts to U.S. global health support has led to preventable deaths, shortages of medicines, and reduced access to services for vulnerable communities in both Kenya and Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to two new research briefs published today by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR).  “Sexual violence survivors unable to access […]

The United States has historically been the largest provider of humanitarian assistance and bilateral support to the health sector in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), contributing billions of dollars annually through mechanisms such as United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Health Security […]

In response to the U.S. government-facilitated agreement signed today by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda, which aims to bring peace to the conflict-affected region of eastern DRC, the following statement is attributable to Sam Zarifi, JD, executive director at Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), which has worked in […]

On June 19, the international community marks the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict – a day to honor the strength of survivors and recommit to the pursuit of justice and healing. This year’s theme, “The Intergenerational Impact of Sexual Violence” calls global attention to the profound and enduring harm inflicted […]

PHR’s 2024 Annual Report captures our work and impact for health, human rights, and justice around the world.

Les efforts annoncés par l’administration Trump pour faciliter un accord de paix entre le Rwanda et la République démocratique du Congo (RDC), doivent privilégier la responsabilité et la justice pour les survivant-e-s et les victimes de ce conflit de longue date, a déclaré aujourd’hui Physicians for Human Rights (PHR).  Une première « déclaration de principes […]

The Trump administration’s reported efforts to facilitate a peace accord between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) must prioritize accountability and justice for survivors and victims of the long-running conflict, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) said today.   An initial “declaration of principles” between DRC and Rwanda published by the U.S. State Department is […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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. […]

PHR fights for justice for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and empowers the clinicians that support them.

The escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has caused a “massive influx” of widespread sexual violence perpetrated by the DRC military, armed groups associated with neighboring countries, United Nations (UN) peacekeepers, and community members, according to a new report published today by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR).   This widespread […]

La recrudescence du conflit dans l’est de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) a provoqué un « afflux massif » de violences sexuelles de grande ampleur, perpétrées par des militaires de la RDC, des groupes armés associés aux pays voisins, des forces de maintien de la paix de l’ONU et des membres des communautés, selon […]

Health care workers in DRC have reported a “massive influx of cases” of conflict-related sexual violence among adults and children.

Child-rights experts from Physicians for Human Rights are collaborating with clinicians at HEAL Africa to care for thousands of people displaced by conflict in North Kivu, including children who suffered sexual violence. 

PHR submissions to the Fourth Cycle, 47th Session of the Human Rights Council (4 – 15 November, 2024): Submission for Universal Periodic Review of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Submission for Universal Periodic Review of Ethiopia

The bombing of internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today shows the urgent need for international and national action to protect civilians during the escalating conflict, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) said today.  “Today’s bombing of internally displaced persons camps has once again has put Congolese civilians […]

“If any of you worry about the issues that are going on in the world as you listen to the news every day and you feel somewhat powerless because the problems, the fractures, are too large and too many, I think you and I can take comfort that PHR is playing its part everywhere in […]

The 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva concluded last week. Headed by PHR’s Executive Director Sam Zarifi, JD, LLM, the PHR delegation included Christian De Vos, JD, PhD, director of research and investigations, and Uliana Poltavets, Ukraine emergency response coordinator. The team presented several interventions before the Council, partnered […]