Revitalizing the U.S. human rights movement
The US Human Rights Network is relaunching with new leadership and renewed purpose.
After a long operational hiatus, it is our great pleasure to announce that the US Human Rights Network is relaunching!
The U.S. Human Rights Network brings people together to grow a people-powered human rights movement rooted in community leadership. We believe change begins on the ground — in neighborhoods, faith spaces, classrooms, union halls, and organizing tables — where everyday people are standing up for dignity and justice.
Our network reflects the richness of that work. USHRN members include small community-based groups, regional coalitions, national organizations, and issue-focused advocates working on everything from housing and health to labor, education, land, and racial justice. Some focus deeply on one issue; others organize across many. What unites us is a shared commitment to human rights as a living practice, not just a principle.
Individual members are organizers, elders, youth leaders, scholars, cultural workers, and advocates who are building human rights from the ground up — in their communities and alongside their neighbors.
Why Now
Why this moment matters
Communities across the country face increased state violence, attacks on racial justice and bodily autonomy, erosion of democratic participation, and threats to immigrant and Muslim communities.
This moment calls for coordinated, people-centered leadership and national collective action grounded in human rights principles.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
The US Human Rights Network is officially in a Relaunch Phase, designed to restore programs, rebuild capacity, and re-engage our national community after an operational hiatus. This document reflects the current structure of USHRN member engagement as of 2025–26. Working Group co-chairs, IMCC membership, and MIAT rosters are being actively rebuilt. Positions marked [OPEN] are actively recruiting. Members and partners are encouraged to apply via info@ushrnetwork.org.
Our Core Principles
The US Human Rights Network is guided by these core principles:
- Human rights are universal, interdependent, indivisible, and inalienable.
- Human rights movements must be led by those most directly affected by human rights violations.
- Human rights advocacy and organizing should prioritize the struggles of the poor and most marginalized groups in society.
- Human rights movements must be inclusive and respect and reflect the diversity within communities.
- Human rights encompass civil, political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, sexual, and development rights for individuals, Peoples, and groups.
Universality & Indivisibility — Human rights are universal, interdependent, indivisible, and inalienable.
Impacted-People Leadership — Human rights movements must be led by those most directly affected by human rights violations.
Impacted-People Leadership — Human rights movements must be led by those most directly affected by human rights violations.
Inclusivity & Diversity — Human rights movements must be inclusive and respect and reflect the diversity within communities.
Breadth of Rights — Human rights encompass civil, political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, sexual, and development rights for individuals, Peoples, and groups.