# The Advocates for Human Rights *Minneapolis-based nongovernmental human rights organization* The Advocates for Human Rights is a nongovernmental organization headquartered in [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]]. It works on human rights questions both within the state and abroad and relies heavily on volunteers. Wikipedia lists research, advocacy and community engagement as its three areas of operation. Its programs include free legal help for asylum seekers of limited means and for survivors of human trafficking.[^1] In the Minnesota record, *The Instrument No One Will Name* (2026-06-18) identifies the organization as a vendor and, citing paragraph 4 of Executive Order 26-05, as vice-chair.[^2] The same source quotes a [[Minnesota Truth Council]] page attributed to the organization. That page states that the body "is not a court" and has "no power to prosecute, convict, or impose penalties, or provide compensation."[^2] A CourtListener docket search lists a federal case captioned *The Advocates for Human Rights v. U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security*, No. 0:26-cv-00749, filed in the District of Minnesota on January 27, 2026. The complaint and the case's current status are not part of the record assembled here.[^3] ## Background A group of lawyers founded the organization in 1983 to take up human rights issues in Minnesota and internationally. It was originally called Minnesota Lawyers International Human Rights Committee and at first served to educate its members, the legal profession and the public about human rights. It became Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights in 1992. It took its present name in 2008, a change Wikipedia describes as reflecting the local, national and international reach of its work.[^1] Wikipedia describes the organization as pairing advocacy for systemic change with direct services. According to that account, its migrant-rights casework has included asylum seekers held in ICE detention, survivors of human trafficking and unaccompanied migrant children.[^1] It operates the Human Rights Defender Project together with the James H. Binger Center for New Americans at the [[University of Minnesota Law School]] and the law firm Robins Kaplan LLP.[^1] ## Issues and initiatives Wikipedia credits the organization with developing and publishing the *Minnesota Protocol*, formally the *Manual on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-Legal, Arbitrary, and Summary Executions*. According to that account, the United Nations adopted the manual as guidance on forensic investigation and autopsy practice in cases of politically motivated killings. The same account states that this work underlay the UN *Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary, and Summary Executions*, adopted in 1989.[^1] In 2008, George Boley filed a defamation suit against the organization. Boley led the former Liberia Peace Council, a group accused of crimes against humanity during Liberia's civil war. Wikipedia reports that the suit was dismissed at a hearing in 2010.[^1] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - *The Instrument No One Will Name* (densified, 2026-06-18) identifies the organization as a vendor.[^2] - The same source identifies the organization as vice-chair, citing paragraph 4 of Executive Order 26-05. The record assembled here does not name the body it vice-chairs or the contract under which it is a vendor.[^2] ### What - The same source quotes a Minnesota Truth Council page attributed to the organization. That page states that the body "is not a court" with "no power to prosecute, convict, or impose penalties, or provide compensation."[^2] ### When - January 14, 2026: The [[United States Department of Justice]] announced a lawsuit against the State in Office of Public Affairs release No. 26-21, titled *United States Department of Justice Files Lawsuit Against Minnesota's 'Affirmative Action' Regime*. Attorney General Pamela Bondi certified the case as a matter of general public importance.[^4] The record assembled here does not connect the organization to that suit. - January 27, 2026: *The Advocates for Human Rights v. U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security*, No. 0:26-cv-00749, was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. This is the filing date shown in a CourtListener docket search; no complaint, order or status is in the record.[^3] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *The Advocates for Human Rights* (revision 1378016620, retrieved 2026-10-26) — organization description, founding, name changes, Human Rights Defender Project, Minnesota Protocol, Boley defamation suit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Advocates_for_Human_Rights [^2]: *The Instrument No One Will Name* (densified, 2026-06-18), passage [44] — identifies the organization as vendor and vice-chair per EO 26-05 ¶4; quotes the Minnesota Truth Council page. Validated passage; no URL for this source is in the record. [^3]: CourtListener, *docket search results for "Advocates for Human Rights"* — lists *The Advocates for Human Rights v. U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security*, No. 0:26-cv-00749 (D. Minn., filed 2026-01-27); docket reference only. https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/search/?q=%22Advocates+for+Human+Rights%22&type=r [^4]: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, *United States Department of Justice Files Lawsuit Against Minnesota's 'Affirmative Action' Regime*, release No. 26-21 (Jan. 14, 2026) — announces the suit and Attorney General Pamela Bondi's certification of general public importance. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-department-justice-files-lawsuit-against-minnesotas-affirmative-action-regime