Chicago

The Chicago Committee is part of the Human Rights Watch Council, a global network of individuals and committees across 33 cities internationally. Council members are ambassadors for Human Rights Watch in their communities, providing us with a strong presence in key cities and countries.

As the Chicago Committee of Human Rights Watch, we play a central role in raising awareness in Chicago of local and global human rights issues, generating financial support for the organization's mission, and mobilizing the public to defend basic freedoms for all. Together, we play a key role in defending human rights by ensuring that human rights issues remain high on the public agenda in our city.

Chicago Committee 20th Anniversary — Women demonstrate on International Women's Day in Guadalajara, Mexico, on March 8, 2022. © 2022 Ulises Ruiz/AFP via Getty Images

We are delighted to announce The 20th Anniversary Salon Series of Human Rights Watch’s Chicago Committee, bringing you discussions of the most pressing topics from the headlines through a human rights lens. Each conversation will feature a Human Rights Watch expert from the incredible staff, sometimes in conversation with another local expert in the field.

This series replaces our gala this year as a way for us to gather and reaffirm our commitment to Human Rights Watch and to each other. Your investment in Human Rights Watch comes with this opportunity to meet some of the most inspiring people working in the human rights movement today. We welcome your thoughts on topics to pursue in the future as we all seek to question, learn and become better informed ambassadors of the human rights movement in our community.

Israel/Palestine
Wednesday, January 24 at 6:00PM
HRW Washington Director Sarah Yager
Hosted by Shalini Sharma and Pradip Patiath at their Lincoln Park Home

As the horrors continue in Israel/Palestine, it’s clear the United States government plays an important role in how the war unfolds and what happens next. Sarah Yager brings us up to date on the current state of affairs, and what HRW’s asks are for the US Government to promote rights-respecting policies.

Women’s & Girls' Reproductive Health in the US
Thursday, March 7th at 6:00PM
HRW Executive Director, Children’s Rights Division Zama Neff featuring Cristina Villareal of Planned Parenthood of Illinois and Bryan Howard of Project 50
Hosted by Urban Innovations and the Conant Family in River North

Join us to celebrate International Women's Day in a discussion of the state of Women's Reproductive Health in the US. The coming election will be consequential for reproductive rights in the United States, and we would like to go into it informed and prepared to act!

HRW's Zama Neff will discuss our work looking at the effect on girls from restricting their access to reproductive health.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois' Cristina Villareal will discuss the issues at stake in Illinois, one of the most liberal states in the country.

Project 50's Bryan Howard will tell us about strategic investing in community organizations in red states.

HRW & the Human Rights Movement in a changing world
Thursday, May 16th at 6:00PM
Chief of Staff and Advisor to the Executive Director Param-Preet Singh

The world is on fire. Authoritarian and populist governments are on the rise globally. A warming planet presents an existential global threat to the foundations of our livelihood. Armed conflict and crises linked to economic inequality and discrimination continue to impact the human rights of millions worldwide. To remain effective in a changing world, Human Rights Watch must adapt.

Join us as Param-Preet Singh, HRW Chief of Staff and Advisor to the Executive Director, expands on the key pillars of HRW’s new global strategy and answers the questions: Why now? Why HRW?

News

February 4, 2014

The New Black: Film Screening and Panel Discussion

To celebrate the beginning of our 10th year in Chicago and the recent passage of the marriage equality bill in Illinois, the Human Rights Watch Chicago Committee will host a screening of "The New Black" on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 6 PM at the Harold Washington Library. The film, a documentary by Yoruba Richen, explores how the African-American community is grappling with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in light of the marriage equality movement and the fight over civil rights.

A panel discussion and Q&A featuring director Yoruba Richen and noted activist Maxim Thorne will take place following the screening.
January 23, 2014

HRW Chicago Talks to MSNBC About Juvenile Justice

Last week, the Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments on whether Adolfo Davis – who was sentenced to life in prison for a crime he committed at 14 years old – should be eligible for parole. While SCOTUS affirmed in 2012 that sentencing youth to mandatory life-without-parole is unconstitutional as a "cruel and unusual punishment," states are split as to whether the SCOTUS ruling should apply to those sentenced before the 2012 ruling, not just future cases.
December 5, 2013

Chicago Committee Welcomes Libyan Activist Hassan al-Amin

Last week, the Chicago Committee proudly presented Libyan activist Hassan al-Amin with Human Rights Watch’s highest honor, the Alison Des Forges Award, at the Voices for Justice Dinner. The Voices for Justice Dinners – which take place in 21 cities throughout the world – celebrate activists who risk their lives to protect the rights and dignity of others. This year, Chicago kicked off the 2013/14 dinner season with an impressive 600 guests in attendance. Honoree al-Amin spoke openly to the crowd of his experiences fighting for reform, including his 27 years in exile, his parliamentary position after the fall of Gaddafi and his hopes for the future. The Dinner raised over $1 million – a new record for the Chicago Committee – all of which will support Human Rights Watch in its mission to investigate atrocities and defend individuals in 90 countries throughout the world.
November 13, 2013

CALLING ALL ACTIVISTS: Join Human Rights Watch!

The Chicago and Midwest division of Human Rights Watch has local events throughout the year: film screenings, seminars, lunches with HRW researchers, advocacy campaigns and more. We also fight for human rights here, in the Midwest, where juveniles are currently serving life without parole in adult prisons – a sentence that violates both the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child. Join our newsletter to learn more about the Chicago and Midwest division of Human Rights Watch and how you can get involved, or connect with us on the Human Rights Watch-Chicago Facebook page (www.facebook.com/HRWchicago).
October 24, 2013

New Hope for Children Serving Life Sentences

The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized sentences imposed upon children must differ from adult sentences. The Supreme Court now requires judges in all states to carefully consider the age and age-related characteristics of youth facing life without the possibility of parole sentences and provide a “meaningful opportunity to obtain release based on demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation.” (Miller v. Alabama citing Graham v. Florida) California has made significant legislative progress, and Illinois must strive to do the same. Please sign up for our local e-mail list (above right) to receive more information about this issue in Illinois.
September 20, 2013

FOCUS: Child Marriage

Every year 14 million girls are married worldwide. One in seven girls in the developing world is married before her 15th birthday – some as young as eight or nine. In 2010, over 67 million women ages 20-24 had been married as girls, and, if the trend continues, 142 million will be married by 2020. Human Rights Watch is one of the founding members of global movement Girls Not Brides and has produced new research and advocacy campaigns to expose and change child marriage practices in South Sudan, Yemen and Afghanistan.
March 12, 2012

Emergencies and Crisis Missions Researcher Seminar

Last month, we welcomed Anya Neistat and Ole Solvang to Chicago for a special Emergencies Missions and Crisis Reporting Researcher Seminar. Over four hours, Chicago Committee members and friends learned how to apply HRW's mandate to current events, designed their own research projects, and participated in an interactive scenario of what a day in the life of a researcher looks like.