HRF’s Mission In Focus

Since its founding in 2005, first with a focus on every dictatorship in Latin America, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) has grown to confront all dictatorships regardless of political or ideological orientation. HRF promotes and advocates for pro-democracy movements globally, with a focus on countries ruled by authoritarian regimes.

HRF recently published a statement mourning the loss of many thousands of innocent lives in October and November 2023 in Israel and Gaza where we firmly believe the human rights of everyone — and particularly the right of the Palestinian people subjected to a relentless campaign of bombardments in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack — must be protected.

HRF reiterates its call for Israel to abide by international humanitarian law and unequivocally rejects any justification for the targeting and killing of non-combatants and innocent civilians — the lives of the innocent in any armed conflict must always be protected.

While HRF as a team may have institutional positions, its individual members (including its directors and executives) have categorical freedom of expression and are at liberty to hold personal views and opinions that may cover issues distinct from HRF positions given our mission purview. What differentiates HRF from other human rights organizations is our singular focus on authoritarian regimes. HRF’s institutional positions can be found solely on its website, press releases, and social media accounts. HRF considers its mission essential given that today more than 5.7 billion people live under tyranny. That’s 72% of humankind in 97 countries HRF covers.

It is HRF’s persistent focus on dictatorships that has enabled us to convene the world’s most engaging and courageous human rights advocates as we help them share their stories and brainstorm ways to expand freedom and unleash human potential across the globe. It is also HRF’s focus that has elevated the discussion about authoritarianism, highlighting struggles that were, for many years, relegated to second-tier coverage such as the freedom of North Koreans and of the Uyghur Muslim minority in Uyghur Region. As HRF continues to confront the tyranny of authoritarianism, we invite you to join us in our mission.