The Committee on Human Rights (CHR), created in 1976, is a standing membership committee of the United States National Academy of Sciences (NAS), National Academy of Engineering (NAE), and National Academy of Medicine (NAM). The CHR serves as a bridge between the human rights and scientific communities, in recognition of the importance of rights protection both for scientific inquiry and the realization of human dignity worldwide. It advocates in support of scientists, engineers, and health professionals subjected to serious human rights abuses worldwide. 

The infographics below (click on the images to expand them) highlight the CHR’s advocacy efforts and provide a regional breakdown of our current and “resolved” cases*, as well as types of abuse suffered by colleagues.  They also provide a snapshot of members of the Academies who lend support to the work of the CHR (CHR Correspondents). Data is from March 2018. 

*“Resolved” cases are cases on which the Committee is no longer working as the result of significant positive developments (e.g. release, acquittal). Resolved cases may be reopened as a result of subsequent negative developments.