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Human Rights Watch is the largest human rights organization based in the United States. (Amnesty International is based in Great Britain.) In the words of its annual report: “Human Rights Watch is one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and promoting human rights. By focusing international attention where human rights are violated, we give voice to the oppressed and hold oppressors accountable for their crimes. Our rigorous, objective investigations and strategic, targeted advocacy build intense pressure for change and raise the cost of human rights abuse.” Its annual report for 2011 focuses largely on the so-called Arab Spring 2011, but also describes seven other efforts. They include: a global effort of two treaties regarding the rights of women, a Domestic Violence Convention and a treaty on the rights of domestic workers; a successful effort in Mexico to bring abusive soldiers to trial in civilian courts; an effort in Cote d’Ivoire to assist the International Criminal Court in the investigation of political violence; an effort in the United States that resulted in the Supreme Court ruling that juveniles cannot be sentenced to life without parole for offenses other than murder; trials of war criminals from former Yugoslavia; documenting abuses in Papua New Guinea; and efforts in India to reduce the use of lethal force by police. Human Rights Watch has offices in 17 cities in 9 countries; its personnel respond to crises anywhere in the world.
In the year ending 30 June 2011, Human Rights Watch had total expenses of $50,639,000, including $38,463,000 or 76% for program services, $3,130,000 or 6% for management and general, and $9,046,000 or 18% for fund-raising.
It is my opinion that Human Rights Watch is eligible for contributions from both endowments based on bylaw 3D4 (restating section 6C5 of the charter), which provides for contributions for activities likely to increase civil liberty or human freedom. The Fund has made previous contributions to Human Rights Watch of $575 from the General Endowment and $1100 from the Special Endowment. I recommend that the Board categorize Human Rights Watch as eligible and currently nominated for contributions from both endowments.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert McClenon
16 June 2012