June 11th, 2007 by NGO Monitor Staff | Category: Human Rights, NGOs, Human Rights First

In contrast to many human rights advocacy groups active in the Middle East, Human Rights First (HRF) presents a balanced viewpoint that acknowledges harm caused to both Israelis and Palestinians while eschewing politicized commentary that distracts from the pursuit of universal human rights.

In June 2007, HRF released a comprehensive survey on hate crimes including attacks on Jews, Muslims, the Roma and Sinti, as well as violence based on sexual orientation, and disability bias. In the report, HRF notes “that in Europe and North America, authors of antisemitic threats and attacks frequently invoke Israel and Israeli policies as justification even while employing the language and symbols of Nazi Germany.” This statement stands in sharp contrast to the many NGOs that employ Holocaust terminology and antisemitic imagery in order to condemn Israel.

Following the report’s publication, HRF was praised by a number of significant actors in the human rights world, including Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who said “Human Rights First has done a valuable service by publishing four reports on hate crimes in Europe and North America: the 2007 Hate Crimes Survey and companion surveys on Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and Homophobia.” With its latest report, HRF cements its place as a leading human rights NGO dedicated to principles of universality and impartiality.