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Kenneth Roth

Executive Director, Human Rights Watch

Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch since 1993, has investigated human rights abuses around the globe, with special expertise on issues of justice and accountability for atrocities committed in the quest for peace; military conduct in war under the requirements of international humanitarian law; counterterrorism policy including resort to torture and arbitrary detention; the human rights policies of the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations; and the human rights responsibilities of multinational businesses. Mr. Roth has published more than 100 articles and chapters on a range of human rights topics. Before joining HRW as deputy director in 1987, Mr. Roth was a federal prosecutor for both the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York and the Iran-Contra investigation in Washington. He is a graduate of Yale Law School and Brown University.

Re: Technology and Human Rights

Better communication gives us a greater global perspective and a greater ability to empathize with those in danger.

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Re: Whom would you like to interview, and what would you ask?

It would not be a traditional global leader.

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Re: How will this age be remembered?

By the overreaction to terrorism.

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Re: What are today's greatest human rights crises?

Darfur, Eastern Congo, North Korea, Burma to name a few.

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Re: Is climate change a human rights issue?

Roth does not necessarily see it as an advantage.

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China and Human Rights

While there has been evolution in China, tremendous growth is needed.

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Global Governance

Roth, on the significance of the Charles Taylor trial.

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7 min

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Re: How can the U.S. regain its standing the world?

The U.S. must reestablish its moral authority.

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Re: What is the legacy of the Iraq War?

The fear of intervention, says Roth.

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Re: Where are we?

Roth talks about terrorism, human rights and war.

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Re: How has America changed?

After WWII, the US was on of the foremost proponents of human rights.

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Re: What is human nature?

We are adaptable and instinctive, Roth says.

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Re: Is democracy a prerequisite for human rights?

The two go hand in hand, says Roth.

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Re: What is justice?

Beyond what is in the U.S. Constitution, economic and social rights.

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Re: What makes a right universal?

It is up to the human rights movement to build the ethical constraints, says Roth.

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Re: What do you believe?

A basic sense of fairness.

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A New Kind Of War

The impact of 9/11 on how we view our own rights.

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3 min

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Re: How do you contribute?

The human rights movement as a check against governments.

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4 min

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Re: How is technology changing the campaign for human rights?

Rapid dissemination of information is changing the human rights world.

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Re: Does the media do enough for human rights?

Shaming government leaders into doing the right thing.

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Re: What is the human rights movement?

Roth talks about the dangerous work of human rights workers.

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Re: Who are you?

Learning about Nazism at an early age.

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