Physicians for Human Rights
Using science and medicine to stop human rights violationsJustice and Forensic Science
Physicians for Human Rights advocates that victims of violations of human rights and/or humanitarian law have a right to justice, the right to know the truth, and to have history recorded accurately in order to establish a historic record grounded in science and resistant to revisionism. Forensic science touches on nearly every area of our work, from our International Forensic Program (IFP), to our Asylum Program, to our work in gender violence and rape as a weapon of war.
The IFP is dedicated to providing independent forensic expertise to document and collect evidence of human rights violations and of violations of international humanitarian law. Since the 1980s, PHR has mobilized forensic scientists and other experts worldwide to respond to inquiries by governments, organizations, families, and individuals. Our experts come from all forensic science disciplines, ranging from forensic pathology to forensic anthropology, and include experts from analytical sciences in forensic laboratories, such as firearm examiners.
Transitional Justice in Afghanistan
PHR has been documenting human rights abuses in Afghanistan since 1997. As part of the grassroots push for transitional justice, we have partnered with Afghan civil society organizations and national stakeholders in a multi-year program to develop forensic capabilities to help Afghanistan address human rights violations and abuses as the country moves away from conflict and seeks national healing.
Death Investigations
The International Forensic Program uses forensic science to investigate both mass graves and, sometimes, individual deaths.
Environmental Assessments
The IFP participates in environmental assessments using forensic science to discover the effects of toxins on local populations.
Torture Investigations
PHR uses forensic science to investigate, document, and advocate against torture of US-held detainees, and through its Asylum Program, to conduct medical and psychological forensic evaluations of survivors of torture and abuse who seek asylum in the US.
Forensic Training
The International Forensic Program offers courses and online training in forensic science, human identification, DNA analysis, and international forensic investigations. Our online course is open to the public.
Qaddafi's Abattoir (January 24, 2012)
Since the collapse of the Qaddafi government, many mass graves have been discovered throughout Libya, evidence of the brutalities committed during the uprising. The forensic evidence provided by Physicians for Human Rights has helped to provide a clearer understanding of these atrocities.
Bahrain court overturns two death sentences (January 9, 2012)
The court of cassation in Bahrain has overturned a ruling by the court of appeals that had sentenced two Bahraini anti-government protesters to execution. Monday's decision will require the court of appeals to re-examine the case and issue a new verdict for the two protesters earlier sentenced to death, and five others who had been sentenced to life in prison.
Syria, Bahrain and Middle East unrest - Monday 9 January (January 9, 2012)
An American activist who was refused entry to Bahrain on Sunday said he feared the 20 medics being re-tried for allegedly trying to overthrow the regime would be "scape-goated" by the authorities. Richard Sollom, who had flown in to the country with the intention of observing the medics' retrial today, told the Guardian he hoped international pressure would eventually force the King to quash the charges.
Activist refused entry into Bahrain (January 9, 2012)
Bahrain's government refused to allow an American human rights activist into the country, officials say. On Sunday, officials at the airport turned away Richard Sollom, deputy president of Physicians for Human Rights, who was hoping to observe the trial of 20 medical workers being charged with felonies for providing care for protesters.
Free Conference: Forensic Evidence in the Fight Against Torture (February 1, 2012)
On February 15-16 stakeholders from around the world will gather in DC to participate in the “Forensic Evidence in the Fight Against Torture” conference, co-sponsored by the International Council for Torture Victims and American University Washington College of Law.
On 10 Year Anniversary of ‘Convoy of Death’, President Obama Must Keep His Promise to Investigate (December 20, 2011)
This December marks the 10-year anniversary of the “Convoy of Death.” During Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, 2,000 prisoners who had surrendered to the US and the Afghan Northern Alliance were shot or suffocated to death in sealed truck containers while being transferred by Northern Alliance forces. The dead prisoners – some of who had been tortured - were then buried in a mass grave in a northern Afghanistan desert at Dasht-e-Leili.
Fatou Bensouda to take the helm as ICC’s new prosecutor (December 15, 2011)
Earlier this week, Gambian lawyer Fatou Bensouda was chosen to be the new Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court. She will be the second person, and the first African, to hold this position. Bensouda was the likely choice for the position given her professional qualifications, including serving as Deputy Prosecutor to Luis Moreno-Ocampo during his nine-year tenure as Chief Prosecutor of the Court. Given the extent of the ICC’s work in Africa – all seven of the countries with cases before the court are African – the choice of an African prosecutor seems especially appropriate.
PHR in Colombia: Supporting Justice and Human Rights through Forensics (October 12, 2011)
In August, International Forensic Program (IFP) Director Stefan Schmitt and two of the program’s expert consultants, Dr. Robert C. Bux and Attorney Nery Osorio, traveled to Bogota, Colombia as part of their ongoing project with local partner organization EQUITAS to support the independent forensic investigation of cases of forced disappearance and extrajudicial executions.
Forensic Review of Sergei Magnitsky documents (July 2011)
After reporting an alleged $230 million tax fraud perpetrated by a group of Russian government officials and senior police officers, Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer stationed in Russia for the UK‐based investment firm Hermitage Fund, was arrested and jailed on November 24, 2008. Magnitsky died following 358 days in prison under progressively worsening conditions. PHR's International Forensic Program reviewed documents relating to Magnitsky's death in order to identify key irregularities, inconsistencies or gaps in the medical investigations carried out by the Russian authorities into the cause and manner of his death.
Punishment Before Justice: Indefinite Detention in the US (June 2011)
The United States government’s reliance on indefinite detention in both national security and immigration contexts reflects an abdication of its legal and moral responsibility to treat those in its custody humanely, as well as an abdication of its responsibility to protect its military and civilians from retaliation on account of its continued refusal to honor the rule of law.
Toxic Metals and Indigenous Peoples Near the Marlin Mine in Western Guatemala (May 2010)
Environmental health scientists from the University of Michigan find that a sample of Guatemalans who live near a controversial gold and silver mine in the country's western highlands have higher levels of potentially toxic heavy metals in their urine and blood than a sample of residents who live farther from the mine....
Forensic Documentation of Torture and Ill Treatment in Mexico (December 2008)
PHR documents the Mexican government's historic attempt and ultimate failure to implement international standards of forensic evaluations of torture and ill treatment.
Featured Investigation
Transitional Justice in Afghanistan
Transitional justice refers to the process of addressing human rights violations and abuses as a country moves away from conflict and seeks national healing. Read More »
Featured Expert
Stefan Schmitt
Stefan's background is in forensic anthropology and crime scene analysis. He is the author of a leading publication providing a working definition for mass graves. He has lived in Guatemala, where he founded the country’s first forensic anthropology team in 1992. Read More »
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