Human rights violations – including mass killing, torture, ethnic- and gender-based violence, and the suppression of freedom of expression – occur worldwide.
PsySR’s Program on Human Rights and Psychology challenges the psychological processes that initiate, maintain, and legitimize these transgressions. We work to change the institutional policies and practices that perpetuate state-sponsored abuses. As part of this effort, we aim to hold the health and mental health professions accountable to international human rights standards and to our joint ethical commitment to “do no harm.”
The program's co-coordinators are Stephen Soldz and Jean Maria Arrigo, and they can be reached at ssoldz@bgsp.edu and jmarrigo@cox.net respectively.
Program Projects
PsySR's Program on Human Rights and Psychology engages in activism, advocacy, research, and educational projects. Project descriptions are available HERE, and we encourage members to participate in these efforts.
Join the Program Listserv
One of the valuable benefits of PsySR membership is the opportunity to join any of our program email listservs. Becoming a member of a program listserv enables you to (1) receive regular updates on program activities, projects, and related opportunities, (2) engage in topical discussions and learn from fellow members who share your interests, and (3) participate in planning and carrying out projects.
If you are a PsySR member, you can join the Program on Human Rights and Psychology listserv in either of two ways. You can sign up online HERE (if you don't have a Google Groups account, you'll be asked to create one -- this is easy to do with any email address, and please include your first and last name as well). If you prefer, you can sign up by sending an email (please include your first and last name) to humanrights@psysr.org and we will add you to the listserv. In either case, please allow 48 hours for your request to be processed.
PsySR Issues Statement on Catholic Church and Child Abuse
PsySR has issued a statement emphasizing the need for dialogue and justice in response to growing revelations about child abuse within the Catholic Church. Read the Statement »
Program Resources
PsySR's Program on Human Rights and Psychology offers a range of resources developed by PsySR and its members, including educational and advocacy materials. These resources are available HERE.
Links to Learn More
An alphabetical listing of organizations focused on human rights is available HERE.
PsySR's Former End Torture Action Committee
As the End Torture Action Committee, a group of PsySR members have been extensively involved in anti-torture actions in the U.S., including key efforts to change the policies of the American Psychological Association in regard to psychologists' participation in national security settings such as Guantanamo Bay and CIA "black sites." A chronology of highlights from their work is is available HERE. These members are now continuing their efforts through projects that are part of the Program on Human Rights and Psychology.