|
IN THE SPOTLIGHT View all...
 Celebrating 70 Years of Universal Rights and Freedoms
This year, Human Rights Day marks the 70th anniversary of a historic effort to set forth universally protected human rights. On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which provides a crucial foundation for research and progress to flourish. Scientists, engineers and health professionals have also used their knowledge and expertise to promote and protect human rights and access to justice. Over the course of the coming year, the CHR will share stories acknowledging and celebrating these efforts. To learn more about what you can do to advance human dignity and fundamental human rights, please check out the CHR’s collection of web resources.
CHR Chair Martin Chalfie and CHR Member Anthony Leggett among 121 Nobel Laureates Appealing for the Release of Iranian-Swedish Medical Doctor Ahmadreza Djalali In advance of the Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies taking place today, Sir Richard Roberts was joined by 120 other Nobel Laureates in appealing to Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for assistance in the case of Iranian-Swedish medical doctor Ahmadreza Djalali. Dr. Djalali was sentenced to death in 2017 following proceedings that failed to meet international fair trial standards. Reliable reports indicate that his health is rapidly declining and that he is not receiving needed medical care. The letter, which can be read here, calls upon Ayatollah Khamenei to ensure that Dr. Djalali is treated humanely and is released as soon as possible. For more information on Dr. Djalali’s case, read this statement issued by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Read more...
 CHR Member and Other Johns Hopkins Health Professionals Assist Human Rights Watch in Assessing Venezuelan Crisis
Venezuela’s ongoing health crisis, which includes widespread food and healthcare shortages, has led more than 2.6 million people to flee the country since 2014. To assess the effects of this crisis, CHR Committee member Dr. Chris Beyrer organized and supported a team of public health and medical professionals from Johns Hopkins University that joined researchers from Human Rights Watch on a trip to the Venezuelan borders shared with Colombia and Brazil. The team found outbreaks of previously well-controlled diseases, a stark increase in infant mortality rates, and severe malnutrition. For more information about Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis, read this interactive report on the team’s findings.
|
