2022-04-29T10:27:34-07:00 2021-12-31 134036703 SCHALL & ASHENFARB CPAS LLC 307 FIFTH AVE 15TH FL NEW YORK NY 10016 990 2021-01-01 133116646 Human Rights First HUMA 2128455200 75 Broad Street Fl 31 New York NY 10004 Michael Breen President & CEO 2022-04-29 true Michael Breen 999009999 Michael Schall P02024184 2122682800 3 AAL1 IAL1 FAL1 2021 2022-09-23 18:48:47Z Michael Breen 75 Broad Street Fl 31 New York NY 10004 19988052 false X www.humanrightsfirst.org X 1978 NY To empower Americans to work for justice in our own communities and around the world. 25 25 84 1000 0 12344382 13323789 0 287299 256128 244513 312388 12876194 13892305 208218 0 7000688 6805998 4000 0 930222 3405257 6532780 10409945 13546996 2466249 345309 18327603 18464972 2614844 2096193 15712759 16368779 Human Rights First is an independent advocacy and action organization that challenges America to live up to its ideals. We believe American leadership is essential in the global struggle for human rights, so we press the U.S. government and private companies to respect human rights and the rule of law. When they fail, we step in to demand reform, accountability and justice. Around the world, we work where we can best harness American influence to secure core freedoms. We know it's not enough to expose and protest injustice, so we create the political environment and policy solutions necessary to ensure consistent respect for human rights. Whether we are protecting refugees, combating torture, or defending persecuted minorities, we focus not on making a point, but on making a difference. For more than 40 years, we've built bipartisan coalitions and teamed up with front line activists and lawyers to tackle global challenges that demand American leadership. false false 8745951 PROTECTING REFUGEESHuman Rights Firsts Refugee Representation team promotes human rights by assisting refugees who are fleeing persecution. We provide legal representation, frequently with pro bono lawyers, to help our clients access legal protections in the United States consistent with U.S. and international law. We also assist our clients in accessing other critical services. We use this experience to advocate for laws and policies that protect refugees.In 2021, volunteer lawyers in the New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles metropolitan areas provided more than 58,000 hours of in-kind legal services. During that period, we represented more than 1,057 people from 69 countries and won legal protection for 89 clients and family members. We also conducted 15 pro bono attorney trainings, equipping over 648 attorneys to represent asylum clients.Among the key 2021 policy achievements resulting from our advocacy to protect refugees were the following: Spearheaded advocacy on the evacuation of Afghans who assisted U.S. operations and their dependents to U.S. territory following the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan Worked with the U.S. government to create a plan and pathway to the United States called Operations Promises Kept. Created the Evacuate Our Allies coalition, a coalition of over 200 organizations that advances government action and accountability to fulfill promises of safe passage, welcome, and protection for at-risk Afghans following the decades-long U.S. military presence in Afghanistan. Conducted various public advocacy, including a joint press conference with members of Congress, a rally in front of the White House, and a grassroots action where we garnered over 7,000 signatures to shed light on this issue. Launched a huge grassroots campaign in the months leading up to the fall of Kabul, creating toolkits, constituent meeting guides, factsheets, and social media campaigns for thousands of veterans across the country. Worked with various immigration experts and organizations to implement robust immigration reform, including ending Title 42 expulsions, ending Migrant Protection Protocols, and repealing the Muslin Ban. Our research and reporting on the harm inflicted by the Remain in Mexico program, along with advocacy by the organization and its allies, helped persuade the Biden administration to begin to wind down and officially end the program, and to issue a memorandum to re-terminate it (which cited Human Rights Firsts research) after a court ruling that led to its restart. Our advocacy and litigation helped encourage the Biden administration to take steps to end harmful and illegal Asylum Cooperative Agreements.Donated Legal and Related Expenses: $58,999,359 1876955 ACCOUNTABILTY, NATIONAL SECURITY, FOREIGN POLICY AND COMMUNCATION & OUTREACHACCOUNTABILITY - Human Rights Firsts Accountability Team works to hold corrupt actors and human rights abusers around the world accountable for their actions. Key 2021 achievements resulting from our advocacy include: Helped secure U.S. sanctions against more than 70 individuals and entities involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption (for example, in Bangladesh, China, Malta, and Angola), and new U.S. visa restriction programs focused on the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon, and global attacks against journalists and dissidents (the Khashoggi Ban). Organized a major conference on the international spread of Magnitsky-style sanctions. Helped to facilitate the adoption of an anti-corruption sanctions regime in the United Kingdom and Australia. Helped secure continued appropriations for the State and Treasury offices responsible for implementing targeted sanctions. Successfully advocated for the reversal of U.S. sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court and of a secret U.S. decision to lift sanctions on a notorious financier in Democratic Republic of the Congo.NATIONAL SECURITY Called out white supremacy, racism, antisemitism, and xenophobia in our military and worked with key stakeholders on recommendations and solutions, including highlighting extremism in the military with various press outlets. Created working groups of veteran leaders tackling white violent extremism. Called for accountability for January 6th and helped secure the creation of a January 6th Commission. Created messaging guidance for grassroots network pushing back against the insurrection. Worked to curb the militarization of police by reining in their ability to acquire military-grade equipment through a series of federal programs. Prevented the transfer of new detainees to the detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Helped secure the transfer of one Guantanamo detainee and the clearance for transfer of eight Guantanamo detainees. Helped secure legislation overhauling the military justice system aimed at combating sexual assault in the ranks. FOREIGN POLICY Helped secure the passage of the Transnational Repression Accountability and Prevention (TRAP) Act. Documented torture in Egypts prison system and produced a report on how it drives recruitment for ISIS. Worked with families of victims of the Northern Ireland conflict to press for justice for those killed and injured and helped organize a panel of experts to sit in 2022 to act as a truth tribunal.Donated Legal and Related Expenses: $2,054,772 842667 INNOVATION LABThe Human Rights Firsts Innovation Lab harnesses AI and data-driven technology to defend human rights and democracy. It builds and releases technology tools, applies its tech and insights to drive direct impact, and educates and trains the broader field on use of new technologies to protect rights. Key 2021 achievements include: Completed beta testing of a new technology platform for human rights investigators to detect and analyze violence in video. Completed beta testing of a new technology tool for human rights investigators to uncover disinformation and hate-based content on YouTube. Used our tools, data, and insights to combat domestic violent extremism activity, by presenting to the U.S. government agencies on how far-right violent extremist groups radicalize and organize online, reporting multiple disinformation campaigns on major social media platforms, and exposing a major coordinated digital attack on U.S. journalists by U.S. Neo-Nazi groups. Supported over 50 civil society organizations in the United States and globally to utilize our tools to: combat misinformation and disinformation campaigns that undermine democracy; protect themselves from political violence; protect free and fair elections; and investigate illegal violence enacted by both states and violent extremist organizations.Donated Legal and Related Expenses: $842,667 11465573 true true false true false false false false false true true false false false true true true false false false true false false false true false false true false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 35 0 true 84 true false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false X 25 25 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true false false CA NY X X Kurt Pacquette 2128455200 75 Broad Street Floor 31 New York NY 10004 Michael Breen President & CEO 37.50 0.00 X 268637 0 6733 James B Bernfield Sr VP, Mkt & Comm 37.50 0.00 183072 0 29756 Welton Chang Chief Tech Officer 37.50 0.00 200822 0 4780 Vinincia Ellington Dorsey Sr VP, HR & Office 37.50 0.00 166451 0 29312 Eleanor Acer Sr. Dir Refugee Pro 37.50 0.00 165256 0 29378 Jennifer Mellen Sr VP, Development 37.50 0.00 180629 0 4409 Kurt Pacquette Sr VP, Finance 37.50 0.00 X 158187 0 10839 Cynthia M Burns VP, Operations 37.50 0.00 131557 0 14371 Jennifer A Quigley Sr Dir,Govt Affair 37.50 0.00 125498 0 10774 Nicole Elkon COO 37.50 0.00 X 115385 0 2773 Michael K Rozen Co-Chair 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Mona Sutphen Co-Chair 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Lynda Clarizio Vice Chair 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Elizabeth Bowyer Secretary 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 J Adam Abram Treasurer 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Tom A Bernstein Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jay Carney Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Sarah H Cleveland Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Donald Donovan Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Matthew Dontzin Director 1.00 0.00 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13492102 54894 54894 13546996 Part V, Line 4: Intended uses of the endowment fund. In 2011, the Organization received a donor-restricted endowment to be held in perpetuity in a separate permanent fund to be distributed to promote the policies and projects of the Organization.In 2018 and continuing into 2019 and 2020, the Organization received additional donor-restricted endowment funds to be held in perpetuity in a separate restricted fund to be used for (i) representing and/or advocating for refugees, (ii) supporting human rights defenders, and (iii) advancing U.S. policy in human rights. It also permits the Board to change programmatic focus as long as the focus remains in the spirit of the donor's intent. Part X : FIN48 Footnote The Organization does not believe its financial statements include any material, uncertain tax positions. Tax filings for the periods ending December 31, 2018 and later are subject to examination by applicable taxing authorities. Europe 0 0 Program Services Research/ Advocacy 168017 North America 0 0 Program Services Research/ Advocacy 495 East Asia and Pacific 0 0 Program Services Legal Review/Ref. Rep. 2280372 2448884 2448884 false false false false false false X X X X X X true AL AK AR CA CO CT DC FL GA HI IL KS KY ME MD MA MI MN MS MO NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WV WI Award Dinner 1213617 1213617 1213617 1213617 false Pacific Council on Int Policy 725 S Figueroa Street Los Angeles CA 90017 954520471 501(c)3 208218 0 1 0 X X X X X false false false false false false false false false Eleanor Acer Sr. Dir Refugee Pro 157158 8098 3481 25897 194634 James B Bernfield Sr VP, Mkt & Comm 173757 9315 3825 25931 212828 Jennifer Mellen Sr VP, Development 171831 8798 3613 796 185038 Kurt Pacquette Sr VP, Finance 149687 8500 2514 8325 169026 Michael Breen President & CEO 266637 2000 5540 1193 275370 Vinincia Ellington Dorsey Sr VP, HR & Office 143451 23000 3466 25846 195763 Welton Chang Chief Tech Officer 200822 4018 762 205602 Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process Form 990 was prepared by our accounting firm in conjunction with the Organization's financial department. The draft form was reviewed by the Organization's SVP of Finance, Counsel, President/CEO, and key members of the executive team. A complete copy of the Form 990 was then provided to all members of the board of directors via electronic mail before it was filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts The Organization requires all directors, officers, and key employees annually to acknowledge receipt of the conflict of interest policy and disclose any potential conflicts of interest. The Chief Operating Officer and Secretary of the Board review all annual disclosures, in addition to any other disclosures made during the course of the year. Any disclosure that indicates a potential conflict of interest is reported to the audit committee and appropriate follow up is undertaken as set forth in the policy. The Organization's conflict of interest policy requires that individuals with conflicts of interest with respect to a particular transaction or action may not participate in the discussion or decision making with respect to that transaction. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a: Compensation Review & Approval Process - CEO, Top Management After a performance review, the executive committee sets the compensation of the organization's President and CEO based on a review of compensation paid by comparable organizations for comparable positions and based on appropriate salary surveys of comparable positions in comparable organizations. The executive committee contemporaneously documents the basis for its decisions. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available either on the website or upon request.