Document, Advocate, Empower: Using Science & Medicine to Prevent Human Rights Violations

Published: June 23, 2023, 3:30 p.m.

b'Founded by three doctors in 1986, the mission of Physicians for Human Rights is built on the idea that health professionals can help prevent human rights abuses. The organization works across the globe on a variety of issues including asylum, sexual violence, and mass atrocities. Research and investigations by the group have led to policy changes in the United States and have secured the rights and protection of asylum seekers, protestors, and frontline health care workers.\\\\r\\\\n\\\\r\\\\nIn March, Physicians for Human Rights named Sam Zarifi as its new Executive Director. Zarifi brings 30 years of experience in law and advocacy to the position. Before coming to Physicians for Human Rights, Zarifi was the Secretary-General of the International Commission of Jurists, an NGO that defends and sets international human rights standards through the legal system. Zarifi will lead Physicians for Human Rights during a pivotal time as the organization tackles human rights violations in Ukraine, emergency abortion care in a post-Dobbs country, and more.\\\\r\\\\n\\\\r\\\\nSam Zarifi will join The City Club for a discussion about the work of Physicians for Human Rights and the important role the organization plays in the fields of humanitarianism and advocacy.'