Human Rights, Global Governance, Democracy, Populism, & Domestic Politics, International Law Kenneth Roth on the state of human rights today

Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, has been named the inaugural Thakore Family Global Justice and Human Rights Visiting Fellow at Perry World House.

The fellowship is part of a gift announced in the spring from alumni Hemal N. Mirani and Paritosh V. Thakore. 

“Ken’s time on campus presents a phenomenal opportunity for Perry World House to more formally launch its human rights work,” said LaShawn R. Jefferson, senior executive director of Perry World House. “Almost 75 years after the establishment of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, its principles, goals, and moral force remain inextricably linked to efforts to achieving a more just world.”

Roth’s first event on campus will be a discussion on Nov. 16 entitled “Democracy vs. Autocracy in Ukraine and Beyond.” Moderating will be Colum Lynch, senior global correspondent at Devex, who covers the intersections of development, diplomacy, and humanitarian relief, especially at the United Nations.

Penn Today talked with Roth about the plans for his time on campus, the changes that he has seen in human rights work during the three decades that he led Human Rights Watch, and the state of human rights in the world today.

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