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Standing Committee

Committee on Human Rights

The Committee on Human Rights (CHR) is a standing membership committee of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Medicine. It serves as a bridge between the human rights and scientific communities, in recognition of the importance of rights protection for scientific inquiry and the realization of human dignity worldwide.

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News and Updates

CHR Turns 50: Its Legacy and Future

Update

This year, the CHR marks a half a century of work to safeguard human rights and deepen understanding of the connections between human rights and science, engineering, and medicine. Visit the CHR’s anniversary website for historical highlights, messages from CHR supporters and affected colleagues, and information on the CHR’s ongoing efforts to address STEMM and human rights challenges.

Jan 1, 2026
A person standing behind a damaged fence during sunset.

Watch Now – CHR Video on the Importance of Responding to Rights Abuses

Update

Through stories from colleagues who have been targeted for their work or the exercise of their human rights, a new video highlights why advocacy for threatened scientists, engineers, and health professionals is the cornerstone of the CHR's work.

Apr 2, 2026
Helen Mack from the video.

Resources for Researchers and Scholars under Threat in the United States

Update

Researchers and scholars have long been targeted in connection with their professional work. In recent years, such attacks have taken on new dimensions and have originated from a variety of actors. View an array of resources meant to support U.S.-based researchers and scholars facing these threats.

Jan 12, 2025
About Events Projects Publications/Resources News and Updates

CHR Resource Collections

Featured Resource Collection
Climate Change and Human Rights Resource Collection
Climate change has serious implications for a range of internationally protected human rights, from the right to a healthy environment to the right to life. The Committee on Human Rights has compiled materials for those seeking to explore issues at the intersection of human rights and climate change.
View Resource
A man walking on sand next to water.
Featured Resource Collection
Resources for Researchers and Scholars under Threat in the United States*
Researchers and scholars have long been targeted in connection with their professional work. In recent years, such attacks have taken on new dimensions and have originated from a variety of actors.

*These resources were not produced by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and do not necessarily represent the views of the institution.
View Resource
Featured Resource Collection
8 Things You Can Do to Promote Human Rights in Science, Engineering, and Medicine
CHR has developed a collection of web resources that provides information about how scientists, engineers, and health professionals can promote human rights.
View Resource
Business, people and computer with training in office to prepare accounting reports and finance filing system. Mentor, mature manager and helping intern accountant to track financial payments at desk
COVID-19.
Featured Resource Collection
COVID-19 and Human Rights Resource Collection
CHR has compiled resources useful for exploring the human rights dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic—featuring materials applicable in both U.S. and international settings. They include a broad spectrum of information from the National Academies, the United Nations, and other bodies concerning COVID-19, the response to COVID-19, and implications for internationally protected human rights.
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Publications

Promotional/Outreach Material

CHR 50th Anniversary Website

Promotional/Outreach Material

In 2026, the Committee on Human Rights (CHR) marks 50 years of advancing human rights and deepening understanding of the connections between human rights and science, engineering, and medicine. Visit the CHR’s anniversary website for historical highlights, messages from CHR supporters and affected colleagues, and information on the CHR’s ongoing efforts to address STEMM and human rights challenges, in the U.S. and around the world.

Defending Scientists, Engineers, and Health Professionals 50 Years of the Committee on Human Rights

Promotional/Outreach Material

Since its inception in 1976, the Committee on Human Rights (CHR) has advocated in support of colleagues subjected to serious human rights abuses worldwide, often in connection with their research and other professional activities. This short film, featuring colleagues who have themselves come under threat, highlights this problem and the importance of responding to rights abuses.
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