Here in Los Angeles…

Welcome! Explore our website to learn more about our programs, events, faculty, and why we’re the home for human rights at UCLA.

…and in Europe

Looking for our European office?
Head to The Promise Institute (Europe) website to learn more about their programs, events, and student opportunities.

Spines of law books

Education

Latest News:
The Inter-American Court’s Advisory Opinion on Climate

On July 3, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued its landmark Advisory Opinion on the Climate Emergency and Human Rights (OC 32-25).

The Opinion marks a major step forward in articulating the ways the climate emergency is related to human rights harms. Crucially, the Opinion also establishes obligations and standards which States must meet in response to the climate emergency — obligations set according to the standards of international human rights law.

From the Opinion’s application of a racial justice lens, to the development of climate and environmental legal frameworks, we were encouraged to find the Court’s Opinion aligned significantly with our brief’s racial justice emphasis, particularly on issues addressing Indigenous and Afro-descendent peoples’ rights.

Explore Our Full Analysis, along with the Brief and Opinion

Latest News:
Garífuna Territorial Reparation – Report from the Field

Our newest report from the Human Rights in Action Clinic and Prof. Joseph Berra comes nearly a decade after an Inter-American Court of Human Rights decision ruled that Honduras had failed to implement key provisions of the Court’s order.


In addition to not returning clear title for 1,022 hectares to the Garífuna people, the state’s failure to comply has further dispossessed the Garífuna by allowing third parties to take advantage of the land for tourism and residential development.

Co-authored by student Mollie Cueva-Dabkoski ’25 and in coordination with Organización Fraternal Negra de Honduras (OFRANEH) the report not only addresses the systemic and political factors in play, but charts a path forward towards restoring Garífuna human rights and seeking accountability in the wake of Honduras’ disregard of Court’s order. 

Lea el Informe Ahora en Español

Read the Report Now (English)

Court Cases

A valuable resource hub for information related to our publicized cases — including context, court documents, and more

Dive into Our Ongoing Cases

Output

We engage our students and our research to drive positive real-world impact.

How We’re Impacting Human Rights

Our Origin Story

The Promise Institute owes its founding to Dr. Eric Esrailian, producer of the film The Promise. As the first feature film to tell the story of the Armenian Genocide, The Promise is a powerful example of the way art can connect history to action.ts and our research to drive positive real-world impact.

See What Started It All

Press/Media Appearances

See why The New York Times, NPR and ABC News are just a few of the outlets reaching out to our experts for their insights

Take Me to Press/Media Page

Faculty/Experts

Our professors, lecturers, speakers, fellows and researchers represent the vanguard of human rights thinking.

Meet The Promise Experts

Your support powers our human rights education, research, and advocacy.