Search

Report, Research Brief

Expert Statement on Individual and Community Effects from Trauma Due to NYPD Use of Force in Response to the Mott Haven Protest on June 4, 2020

Executive Summary On June 4, 2020, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) used force against protestors of police violence, arresting 263 people in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the South Bronx. Mott Haven is a predominantly Black and Latinx community that historically has experienced high rates of poverty and homelessness. Since March 2020, the […]

April 20, 2021
Chemical Weapons, Weapons
Press Release

Türkiye Must Cease Reported Attacks on Civilians in Syria, Respect Human Rights: PHR

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is deeply alarmed by reports of wide-ranging and severe human rights violations committed by Turkish forces in Syria, a devastating escalation in an eight-year conflict defined by the egregious corrosion of international human rights and humanitarian norms. According to reports from humanitarian organizations and news media, Turkish or Turkish-aligned forces […]

October 23, 2019
Attacks on Health Care, Chemical Weapons, Weapons

Chemical Weapons Fact Sheets

The fact sheets below describe the physical effects of chemical weapons agents (CWAs) and provide guidelines for medical professionals to correctly diagnose, treat, and document evidence of exposure to CWAs. Compiled from publicly available sources and vetted by experts in the field, the fact sheets are designed to synthesize and clearly communicate the pragmatic science […]

September 25, 2018
Chemical Weapons, Weapons
Blog

In the Crosshairs, Syria’s Doctors Are Still Saving Lives — and Bearing Witness

Civilian areas in Khan Shaykhun were targeted with poisonous gases this morning. Initial rprts of 50 killed incl wmn & chldrn, 300+ injured. pic.twitter.com/ZQ6MAgsqNO — The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) April 4, 2017 At a hospital in the Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun, Dr. Zakariya had just started an early morning shift when dozens of patients […]

April 18, 2017
Chemical Weapons, Weapons
Blog

On the Front Lines of a Chemical Attack

This article includes graphic scenes of injury and death. As soon as he arrived on the scene, Bashar – a first responder with the Syrian Civil Defense or White Helmets – knew that this attack was unlike anything he had ever encountered. “Normally when we go to a strike location, there are body parts scattered […]

April 17, 2017
Chemical Weapons, Weapons
Blog

Protecting Syria's civilians: another discarded New Year's resolution?

This post originally appeared in The Huffington Post. It’s been just three weeks since the UN Security Council adopted its latest resolution on the conflict in Syria, re-authorizing cross-border delivery routes for humanitarian aid and promising – once again – to take “further measures” if the parties to the conflict do not comply with international […]

January 11, 2016
Attacks on Health Care, Chemical Weapons, Mass Atrocities, Persecution of Health Workers, Weapons
Blog

Illegal Attacks: Use of Chlorine Gas in Syria

Recent medical reports of chlorine gas attacks in Syria reveal a disturbing trend in the use of chemical warfare against civilians. At least 25 people reportedly suffered chemical exposure during attacks in Idlib just last week, and six people were killed – and dozens of others were wounded – in an attack on Sarmin village […]

May 14, 2015
Chemical Weapons, Weapons
Blog

Syria’s Forgotten Civilians

As atrocities committed by the self-declared Islamic State (IS), also called ISIS or ISIL, dominate media headlines, we must not forget the civilians who have been suffering since long before IS gained a stronghold in parts of Syria and Iraq. We must remember the people whose lives James Foley, Steven Sotloff, and David Haines were […]

September 26, 2014
Chemical Weapons, Mass Atrocities, Persecution of Health Workers, Weapons
Blog

While Syria Burns

This post originally appeared in The Huffington Post. I had mixed emotions about the latest "good news" on humanitarian aid in Syria. The U.N. Security Council has passed a long overdue resolution that — if implemented — will save the lives of Syrians trapped in desperate circumstances by the war. That is a big if, […]

July 17, 2014
Chemical Weapons, Mass Atrocities, Persecution of Health Workers, Weapons
Blog

The War on Health Care in Syria

Full names have not been used in this post in order to protect individuals’ security. Dr. H has treated bombing casualties, chemical weapons survivors, and victims with bullet wounds – all standard cases in his field hospital in one of the opposition-controlled areas of Syria. Addressing these kinds of traumas day in and day out […]

May 19, 2014
Chemical Weapons, Mass Atrocities, Persecution of Health Workers, Torture, Weapons
Blog

A Peaceful Syria Must Be Built on Foundation of Justice

As members of the Syrian government, opposition forces, and international actors gather for Geneva II – the latest round of peace negotiations – it is crucial that all parties prioritize the end of systematic violations on medical care and targeted blockades of civilian communities. Attacks on the health community in Syria have been so widespread […]

January 21, 2014
Chemical Weapons, Mass Atrocities, Persecution of Health Workers, Torture, Weapons
Blog

Discovering Inspiration in Tragedy

“I’m upset – feeling guilty for leaving colleagues working in extreme circumstances in Syria. But I will document the violations. That is my contribution.” – Syrian refugee doctor Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is very fortunate to have the opportunity to meet and work with incredibly brave and talented health professionals, lawyers, and human rights […]

November 18, 2013
Chemical Weapons, Persecution of Health Workers, Sexual Violence, Torture, Weapons
Blog

Polio and Starvation – Latest Indicators of Humanitarian Crisis in Syria

The health crisis in Syria has reached alarming proportions, threatening not only the Syrian population, but also its neighbors, and requires an immediate international response. While the international response to the Syria crisis has been effectively galvanized around the chemical weapon attacks and subsequent international inspections and destruction of stockpiles, a parallel potential crime against […]

November 8, 2013
Chemical Weapons, Mass Atrocities, Persecution of Health Workers, Weapons
Blog

Despite Chemical Weapons Agreement, Crisis Continues for Syrian Refugees and IDPs

The historic deal brokered by the United States and Russia facilitating Syria’s compliance with international chemical weapons norms has drawn wide attention from the international community. And while the work of the joint mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations (OPCW-UN) is critical to enhancing global security, dismantling […]

October 28, 2013
Chemical Weapons, Mass Atrocities, Weapons
Blog

A Dual Assault on Syrian Civilians: Unlawful Attacks on Medical Care

Three medical workers in Syria were injured in June when a bomb was deliberately dropped on their hospital, destroying its intensive care unit. Soon after, another hospital became a target – government forces raided the facility, destroyed the equipment, and harassed medical staff solely for doing their job of treating the wounded. Ambulance drivers delivering […]

September 27, 2013
Chemical Weapons, Mass Atrocities, Persecution of Health Workers, Weapons
Report

Winds of Death

In the late 1980’s Iraq’s army attacked Kurdish villages with poison gas. PHR documented the injuries and deaths of Kurdish civilians from these attacks, finding that Iraqi aircraft used bombs containing mustard gas and other lethal chemical agents.

January 1, 1989
Chemical Weapons, Weapons
Report

The Use of Tear Gas in the Republic of Korea

Between July 11 and July 18, 1987, five public health specialists, organized by PHR, visited Seoul, South Korea, to study the effects of an unprecedented use of tear gas in that country against civilians in June and into July, 1987. This report details their findings. Download the full report here.

July 1, 1987
Chemical Weapons, Weapons

Get Updates from PHR