The Promise Institute for Human Rights

We’re excited to join the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission in announcing the release of a pivotal new report authored by our Human Rights in Action Clinic students, led by Prof. Joseph Berra.

Los Angeles County is home to the largest population of American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States, and due to the legacy of systemic racism and genocide, this population endures disproportionate homelessness – a risk that is increasing with each passing year. 

Together with our co-organizers, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, the eighth Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity was awarded to Dr. Denis Mukwege, a world-renowned gynecological surgeon and human rights activist from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the Aurora Prize Ceremony at UCLA on May 9, 2024, Dr. Mukwege received a $1,000,000 award in support of the Panzi Hospital and Foundation which he founded in 1999. To date, the hospital and its staff have cared for more than 80,000 survivors of sexual violence.

The hospital not only treats survivors with physical wounds, but also provides legal aid, socio-economic reintegration, and psychosocial services to its patients. Dr. Mukwege has been fearless in his efforts to increase protections for women and to advocate that those responsible for sexual violence be brought to justice, including the Congolese government and militia groups laying siege to eastern DRC. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018.