International Grantmaking : Human Rights and International Justice

Human Rights & International Justice

About Our Grantmaking

MacArthur seeks to further the development of an international system of justice and advance human rights around the globe, with a special focus on Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia.

Latest News

Medvedev Orders Deep Police Reforms

The Moscow Times, February 19, 2010

Claiming abuses by police officers had "eroded" their authority, Russian President Medvedev pledged to take a personal role in reforming the country's police force. MacArthur has long supported efforts to reduce police abuse and increase accountability of the police in Russia. Read the article »

Russia Ends Opposition to Rights Court

The New York Times, January 15, 2010

Russia reversed its opposition to reforms in the European Court of Human Rights. The Duma passed legislation that clears the way for the Court to handle a large backlog of complaints, one-third of which were filed against Russia. Read the article »

Consultative Conference on International Criminal Justice

September 9-11, 2009

This MacArthur-sponsored meeting sought to increase communication and coordination among elements of the states, NGOs, UN and humanitarian agencies, law enforcement bureaus, national legal officials, and organs of the International Criminal Court. Learn more »

Events

The Reckoning: The Battle for the International Criminal Court

July 14, 2009

MacArthur grantee POV airs the documentary, The Reckoning, which follows dynamic ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo and his team for three years across four continents as he issues arrest warrants for Lord's Resistance Army leaders in Uganda, puts Congolese warlords on trial, shakes up the Colombian justice system, and charges Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir with genocide in Darfur. Watch this documentary »

Goldstone Op-Ed Marks Achievements of International Justice System

May 31, 2009

Justice Goldstone’s opinion-editorial discussing the growing power and reach of the developing international system of justice appeared on May 31, 2009 in the International Herald Tribune. Read the op-ed »

From the Field

New Study Links Former Dictator of Chad to Hundreds of Prison Deaths
February 25, 2010
The former dictator of Chad was well-informed of hundreds of deaths in prisons operated by his police, according to a new study that could be critical in the long-delayed prosecution of Hissène Habré. Human Rights Data Analysis Group reviewed thousands of documents generated by the state security force during the Habré regime and discovered by MacArthur grantee Human Rights Watch in 2001. In 2000, Habré was indicted by a Senegalese judge in the deaths and torture of opponents from 1982-1990; however, the charges were dismissed on a technicality. Senegal has agreed to an African Union mandate to prosecute him, but the country has refused to act until it reaches agreement with the international community about the trial cost. The study was announced by a coalition of human rights groups including Foundation grantees the Chadian Association for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, International Federation of Human Rights, and Agir Ensemble pour les Droits de l’Homme.

For More Information

Booklet

Advancing Human Rights & International Justice »

Video

International Justice Takes Root, a film by Skylight Pictures »

Panel discussion on international criminal tribunals »

Supporting a strong international justice system »

About MacArthur

The MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. In addition to selecting the MacArthur Fellows, we work to defend human rights, advance global conservation and security, make cities better places, and understand how technology is affecting children and society.

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