Physicians for Human Rights Calls Attention

Established in 1986 by a small group of healthcare professionals, the Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a not-for-profit human rights organization with several notable achievements to its name. These include the first-ever documentary evidence of Iraq’s use of chemical weapons against the Kurds, the generation of critical forensic evidence of Rwanda’s genocide, and the co-sharing of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997.

The organization has established a well-deserved reputation for being one of the most credible sources of documentary evidence regarding human rights abuses in various countries of the world, even in the United States and its territories. Its dedicated men and women work toward the achievement of the organization’s goals in four areas, namely:

• Stop the mass atrocities including genocide, war crimes, and rape, among others, which cause severe physical and mental harm to their victims;
• Investigate the abuses using forensic science, medical examinations, and epidemiological research, among other scientific investigative methods, with the goal of ensuring accountability for these acts against humanity;
• Document the abuse including gathering of evidence and stories from victims and perpetrators; and
• Call for appropriate action by calling for interventions and sanctions, drafting legislation, and assisting in the prosecution of individuals, among others.

PHR focuses its programs and projects on four core values, namely:

• Atrocities committed against civilians particularly women, children and the elderly and disabled during armed conflict;Violence against women particularly rape during war;
• Abuse and torture of detainees; and
• Lack of access to healthcare because of ethnic, racial and gender discrimination

As a non-profit organization established and managed by healthcare professionals and scientists, the organization understandably also focuses on the protection of healthcare facilities and their professionals. Such protection is of crucial importance for healthcare professionals in the frontline of armed conflict, among other human rights crises.

PHR also maintains strong partnerships with several human rights organizations across the globe.