Philanthropist George Soros is granting Human Rights Watch USD100 million to help expand the organization’s operations. The group, which does not accept government funding, aims to match the funds through private contributions.
The 10-year contribution will support the internationalization of Human Rights Watch, allowing the organization to staff advocacy offices in key regional capitals and deepen its research. The group documents abuses against and advocates for human rights in about 90 countries.
Human Rights Watch intends to hire 120 more staff members, primarily researchers and advocates, and establish new offices, The Associated Press reports.
The funding will enable the organization to scale up its annual budget from USD48 million to USD80 million within five years. It also aims to help the group attract more international support. Plans urge Human Rights Watch to source at least half of its income and draw its board members from outside the U.S. within five years, AP reports.
“They’re basically an American organization advocating human rights all over the world. But the United States has lost the moral high ground, during the Bush administration, and, therefore, it runs into opposition because there’s resentment of American interference,” Soros said in an interview with AP.
Human Rights Watch believes itself to be perceived as independent of the U.S. government.
“But it is helpful for our organization to personify the global values we promote,” HRW Executive Director Kenneth Roth said.
