The Human Rights Industrial Complex
THE ACTORS: Who defines 'human rights'? The primary actors in this unfolding drama include Human Rights Watch, its senior leadership, and several researchers who have reportedly resigned or been pushed out. The New Arab article, citing sources, points to former HRW staff members such as Sarah Leah Whitson, who has publicly stated that restrictions were placed on work concerning Israel/Palestine.
Notably, Whitson, who served as HRW's Middle East and North Africa director for two decades, now heads Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), an organization that has been decidedly more outspoken on Israeli policies. This suggests a pattern of dissent within the professional human rights community, where those with institutional backing face different pressures than independent voices. THE
FUNDING: Where does 'neutrality' come from? Major human rights organizations like HRW operate on substantial budgets, with millions of dollars in annual funding. In its 2022 Annual Report, HRW declared revenues exceeding $111 million (Human Rights Watch, 2022). A significant portion of this funding comes from foundations and high-net-worth individuals, many with vested interests or political
leanings that can indirectly, or directly, influence organizational priorities. For instance, the US-based Carnegie Corporation of New York, a long-term HRW donor, also funds initiatives promoting 'dialogue' and 'coexistence' in the Israeli-Palestinian context, often implicitly sidestepping issues like the right of return. When organizations depend on a donor base sensitive to certain geopolitical