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Mass Atrocities

Mass atrocities — including certain war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide — are human rights violations directed against a population. PHR has prepared evidence of war crimes and testified at various international bodies, including tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, and the Special Court of Sierra Leone. Based on our investigations, we are working to prevent, stop, and provide accountability for mass atrocities in the following areas.

War Crimes in Libya

When Libyans first took to the streets to protest Colonel Muammar Qaddafi’s autocratic rule in February 2011, Qaddafi's response was quick and brutal: attack protesters and target civilians in a deliberate campaign to quash dissent across the country. PHR documented some of the conflict's most severe human rights violations that must be addressed as a new civilian government emerges.

Crimes Against Humanity in Burma

PHR’s research in Burma’s Chin State revealed extraordinary levels of state and military violence against civilian populations. The abuses included forced labor, religious persecution, beatings, killing, disappearances, torture, rape, and widespread pillaging.

Refugee Crisis in Bangladesh

Stateless refugees from Burma face death from starvation and disease in makeshift camps because the government of Bangladesh denies them access to humanitarian aid. PHR has called for a comprehensive regional response to the Bangladesh government's failure to protect and care for the refugees, as well as to the human rights violations in Burma that have caused some 300,000 Muslim minority Rohingya to flee that country.

War Crimes in Afghanistan

As many as 2,000 Taliban prisoners are believed to have been killed by US-allied Afghan troops and buried in a mass grave in the northern desert of Dasht-e-Leili. PHR investigators discovered the mass grave in 2002. Since then, we have called for a full investigation of the alleged massacre.

Transitional Justice in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, over 100 mass grave sites allegedly contain many of Afghanistan’s estimated 1.5 million dead. PHR is helping to develop local forensic capabilities so the people of Afghanistan can address past abuses and begin the process of transitional justice, turning from violence to peace.

Health Crisis in Zimbabwe

In 2008, PHR witnessed the utter collapse of Zimbabwe's health system, resulting in the death of some 4,000 from cholera. Today, Zimbabwe remains a country battered and torn by political strife, infrastructure collapse, and grave human rights abuses. PHR continues to call for the correction of the health and human rights situation in the country.

Genocide in Darfur

Hundreds of thousands of people have died in the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Following our three investigations into the crisis, PHR has mobilized health professionals, students, and members of the general public to press for urgently needed security in Darfur and compensation and restitution for survivors.

US suspends sanctions on investment in Myanmar (May 18, 2012)

In a Reuters story story on the US Administration’s decision to suspend sanctions on Burma, PHR's Bill Davis says Kachin and other ethnic minority groups whose homelands hold Myanmar's natural resources are "still afraid of the government." "If the people of Burma do not trust their government, the U.S. administration should not either," he said.

Decision to Ease Ban on US Investments in Burma is Criticized (May 17, 2012)

The US Administration’s decided today to waive key elements of the Executive Order banning US investment in Burma. PHR criticized the decision to allow US companies into Burma despite ongoing human rights violations in the country.

BANGLADESH: Jaheda Begum: “I can’t feed my family” (May 1, 2012)

As reported by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, PHR report details widespread famine in Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh.

Malaria Adds to Myanmar’s Woes (April 27, 2012)

Bill Davis, PHR Director for Burma, encourages consideration of link between disease and human rights violations in Inter Press Service's article about Malaria crisis in Myanmar.

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Science and Justice in Afghanistan (April 27, 2012)

With the backing of PHR, the Afghanistan Forensic Science Organization (AFSO) was officially launched in Kabul on March 7, 2012. The AFSO was created by eighteen participants of PHR’s 2010 forensic training program in Afghanistan, and funded through PHR’s International Forensic Program.

ICC to Investigate Rape in Misrata Using Doctors’ Testimonies and Hospital Records (April 24, 2012)

ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo has announced his intention to investigate mass rape as a weapon of war in Misrata, Libya during last year’s conflict.

Syrian Medics At The Frontline (April 10, 2012)

In the last thirteen months, at least 8000 Syrian civilians have died in a brutal government crackdown according to the UN. Medical professionals who dare to treat the injured have also found themselves in the line of fire.

"We would return if we felt safe" - Burmese Refugees in Delhi (April 9, 2012)

Some refugees fled Burma after the military’s violent crackdown on student protests in 1988; a few had fled fighting in Kachin State last year. Others said they had come to India to live freely and without harassment from the Burmese military government. All of them talked about returning, though.

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PHR Testifies Before Canadian Parliament on Human Rights Situation in Burma (May 2012)

Bill Davis, PHR’s Burma Project Director, testified yesterday before the Canadian Parliamentary House of Commons on the human rights situation in Burma.

William Davis Testifies on Burma Before Canadian House of Commons (May 2012)

May 10, 2012 testimony of Bill Davis, PHR’s Burma Project Director, before the Canadian Parliamentary House of Commons on the human rights situation in Burma.

Ban Ki-Moon Betrays People of Burma by Calling on Western Nations to End Sanctions (April 2012)

PHR criticized today United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s remarks to Burma’s Parliament, which urged Western nations to lift or suspend remaining sanctions against Burma.

PHR and Partner Organizations Express Concern to Obama on Relaxed Burma Sanctions (April 2012)

PHR joins 8 partner organizations in calling on President Obama to ensure that any shift in US policy toward Burma reflects true progress toward human rights improvements in Burma.

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Featured Expert

Richard Sollom

Richard Sollom, MA, MPH

Richard oversees PHR programs on health, emergency response, armed conflict, asylum, and UN advocacy initiatives. During his time at PHR, he has led health and human rights investigations in Bahrain, Bangkok, Bangladesh, Burma, and Zimbabwe. Read More »