research dossier

CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS INC DBA THE CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

BROOKLYN, NY · EIN 275305580 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE Q037 · International Affairs · Small ($100K-$1M) · iranhumanrights.org

revenue

$298K

expenses

$1.4M

net assets

$1.1M

employees

volunteers

program ratio

87%

mission · from form 990

TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS TO ENSURE A CULTURE OF RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY AND RIGHTS OF ALL AND TO HOLD IRANIAN STATE ACTORS ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) is an independent nonprofit organization founded in 2008 that documents and advocates against human rights violations in Iran. Based in New York, it conducts research, produces reports and multimedia content in English and Persian, and engages in international advocacy with governments and the United Nations. CHRI amplifies the voices of Iranian civil society and works to hold Iranian authorities accountable to international human rights standards.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

What they reported doing

#1 primary $214K

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL OUTREACH & CAPACITY BUILDINGTHE ORGANIZATIONS WORK INCLUDED SOCIAL AND CULTURAL PROJECTS THAT AIM TO REACH, INFORM, AND SENSITIZE A BROADER AUDIENCE TO HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES. THE ORGANIZATION WORKED WITH A BROAD SPECTRUM OF PROMINENT PERSONALITIES FROM A RANGE OF DISCIPLINES, INCLUDING THE ARTS, CULTURE, AND MUSIC TO HIGHLIGHT MAJOR HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES AND GENERATE SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY AMONGST A WIDE AUDIENCE. THROUGH THESE PROJECTS THE ORGANIZATION REACHED NEW AUDIENCES AND PROMOTED HUMAN RIGHTS DISCOURSE MORE BROADLY. THE ORGANIZATION POSTED WEEKLY EDITORIAL CARTOONS ON HUMAN RIGHTS THEMES BY A RENOWNED ARTISTS ON ITS WEBSITE AND PRODUCED AND POSTED AUDIO PODCASTS FEATURING FILMMAKERS, MUSICIANS, SATARISTS, LAWYERS, DOCTORS, AND ACADEMICS.
#2 $107K

INSTITUTIONAL ADVOCACYTHE ORGANIZATION ENGAGED IN INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY THROUGH SUCH FORUMS AS THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS TO FOREIGN POLICY EXPERTS AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS WORDLWIDE ENCOURAGING THEM TO FOCUS ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN IRAN.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Arts, Culture & Society

Amplifies repressed artistic voices and promotes freedom of expression through cultural projects, including curated art exhibitions and public discussions.

International Advocacy

Engages with governments and UN bodies to advance human rights initiatives; submits reports, briefs policymakers, and advocates for accountability on Iran’s human rights record.

Media Outreach

Provides information and commentary to global media outlets; produces op-eds and interviews to raise awareness of human rights issues in Iran.

Research & Documentation

Investigates and documents human rights violations in Iran using primary sources and a network within Iranian civil society; publishes findings in articles, press releases, and multimedia content in English and Persian.

Thought Leadership and Policy Guidance

Produces analytical articles, policy briefings, and reports for governments, think tanks, and international organizations to inform effective responses to human rights abuses in Iran.

activities · 5 groups

What they do

Human Rights Advocacy and Public Education 5 activities
- Conducts Farsi-language outreach to support civil society in Iran
  
  Engages in outreach in Persian to expand public discussion of human rights within Iran and support local civil society actors.
- Documents human rights conditions through collaboration with on-the-ground sources
  
  Collaborates with independent investigators, civil society activists, and human rights defenders inside Iran to report on and document real-time human rights conditions.
- Issues public statements and media outreach on human rights violations
  
  Publishes hundreds of articles and press releases in English and Persian annually, distributed to over 4,000 government, UN, NGO, and media leaders worldwide, and issues public condemnations of human rights abuses including threats to civilians during war.
- Produces fact sheets and concise publications on human rights issues in Iran
  
  Creates accessible fact sheets summarizing key human rights issues in Iran, as well as other publications aimed at broad dissemination of information.
- Produces in-depth research reports on human rights in Iran
  
  Produces detailed reports providing comprehensive analysis on critical human rights issues in Iran, including documentation of state violence against protesters and detainees.
Human Rights Advocacy & Accountability 3 activities
- Advances legal and policy reforms related to human rights in Iran
  
  Contributed to reforms in Iran's death penalty laws, advocated for legislation protecting women's and children's rights, and launched initiatives promoting the rights of people with disabilities.
- Advocates before international bodies and policymakers on Iran’s human rights record
  
  Engages in direct advocacy with global decision-makers, including through submissions to UN bodies, briefings for UN expert teams, and participation in forums such as the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council.
- Secures humanitarian outcomes for political prisoners
  
  Advocates for political prisoners in Iran, resulting in secured releases, access to medical care, and family leave.
Public Awareness and Educational Outreach 1 activity
- Briefs media and expands public awareness through public engagement
  
  Briefs journalists and policymakers and increases public understanding through print and broadcast media interviews, reaching up to one million people per month via Persian and English social media platforms.
Nonprofit Investigative & Community Journalism 1 activity
- Disseminates human rights findings through multiple media formats
  
  Shares research and reporting through comprehensive reports, briefing papers, news articles, press releases, blogs, videos, podcasts, and interactive online projects.
Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Organizes cultural exhibitions and events to promote human rights
  
  Organized the 2019–2020 art exhibition "A Bridge Between You and Everything" in New York City, featuring over 100 works by 14 Iranian women artists and a panel discussion on artistic freedom at NYU's Grey Art Gallery.

financials · form 990 · fy2024

revenue

Total revenue$298K

Contributions & grants$273K91%

Program service revenue$00%

Investment income$23K8%

Other revenue$2K

expenses

Total expenses$1.37M

Program expenses87%

Admin / overhead11%

Fundraising2%

Salaries & benefits$1.04M

Grants paid out$80K

Largest expense lineCompensation

balance sheet

Total assets$1.13M

Cash$802K

Investments$0

Liabilities$36K

Net assets$1.10M

Liquid reserves7.0 mo

4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -85.8%

leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2

Name	Title	Hours/wk	Compensation
HADI GHAEMI	Executive Dir.	40	$224K
KAREN KRAMER	CFO/Treasurer	40	$144K

board members · 4

ELHAM YOUSSEFFIAN — BOARD MEMBER
ELIZABETH SEULING — Secretary
MEHRANGIZ KAR — BOARD MEMBER
MINKY WORDEN — chairperson

relationships · 10

Who they work with

Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook to share information and raise awareness about human rights issues in Iran.
Human Rights Council Government — Engaged in international advocacy at the Human Rights Council.
Instagram Partner — Uses Instagram to share information and raise awareness about human rights issues in Iran.
International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran Network — Former name of the Center for Human Rights in Iran, indicating organizational evolution within the same network.
Twitter Partner — Uses Twitter to share information and raise awareness about human rights issues in Iran.
United Nations Government — References and aligns with UN fact-finding missions calling for Iran to halt executions.
United Nations Government — Regularly submits reports to UN bodies, briefs UN expert teams, and is the most cited organization in UN reports on Iran.
United Nations Government — Target audience for CHRI's advocacy and information dissemination.
United Nations General Assembly Government — Engaged in international advocacy at the United Nations General Assembly.
activists around the world Partner — Partners with global activists to inform the international community about human rights in Iran.

strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

Cultural Engagement for Public Sensitization and Solidarity

methodology: cultural_engagement
By collaborating with artists and cultural figures, we use social and cultural projects to reach broad, diverse audiences and generate public support for human rights, because cultural narratives make abstract issues relatable and emotionally resonant, increasing public engagement.
International Advocacy and Coalition-Based Pressure

methodology: international_advocacy
By building strategic international coalitions and engaging governments and global institutions, we amplify pressure on Iran to uphold human rights standards, because coordinated cross-border advocacy increases diplomatic and reputational costs for violators.
Primary-Source Documentation and Research for Accountability

methodology: primary-source_documentation
By collecting and verifying human rights violations through primary sources inside Iran, we produce credible research and multimedia content that informs global audiences and drives accountability, because evidence rooted in on-the-ground testimony increases legitimacy and impact in international advocacy.
Rights-Based Legal Framework as Foundational Lens

methodology: rights-based_approach
By grounding all research, advocacy, and outreach in international human rights law, we ensure legitimacy and coherence in accountability efforts, because anchoring activism in established legal norms strengthens persuasive power with policymakers and global institutions.