Senior Associate Deborah Colson was in Guantánamo recently to monitor pre-trial hearings in the cases of two detainees, Omar Khadr and Mohammed Jawad, who were each brought to Guantánamo as juveniles and have alleged they were tortured.  Read about her observations on the Huffington Post. The hearings are the first to be held after the Supreme Court ruled that detainees have the right to challenge their detention in federal courts. Read the press statement on the Supreme Court decision here.

On June 23, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE), Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), and Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) introduced legislation to establish a White House Coordinator for Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to direct federal policy regarding the nearly five million Iraqis who have fled their homes and are now displaced in the region. A companion bill was introduced in the House on June 20, World Refugee Day.

Click here to read HRF’s press statement and a summary of the legislation.

Read the Groups' Principles on Interrogation

Press Release

In a major development in the investigation into the fatal poisoning of leading human rights lawyer Munir, retired General Muchdi was arrested on June 19.

Read an op-ed from Human Rights First and Kontras about the arrest here

Fighting Discrimination Program Director Tad Stahnke delivered the NGO recommendations to the OSCE’s National Points of Contact on combating hate crimes.

Access the Recommendations and Tad Stahnke’s prepared remarks

Read HRF Statement commending Senators

Read the Senate Statement on the Bill

Read Letter from Faith, Human Rights, and Other Groups urging Support

To learn more, click here