The Committee on Human Rights (CHR) advocates in support of colleagues subjected to serious human rights abuses worldwide, with a focus on individuals targeted for their professional activities or the exercise of other internationally protected rights. Individuals assisted by the CHR include those who have been arbitrarily detained, denied justice through grossly unfair trials, stripped of citizenship without due process, and subjected to torture. The CHR undertakes cases where, to the best of its knowledge, individuals have not used or advocated violence. The CHR's human rights advocacy activities are largely non-public. Efforts include: Outreach to U.S., foreign, and international officials; Mobilization of National Academy members through a case alert system; Use of international and regional human rights complaint mechanisms; Country visits and publication of its findings Due in part to sustained international pressure, including by the CHR and its Correspondents, positive developments are regularly seen in the situations of colleagues subjected to rights abuses. Such positive developments include release from detention, reduced sentences, and dropped criminal charges. Summaries of recent positive developments in CHR cases can be found below.