The American Human Rights Council (AHRC) is an advocacy organization that works to identify instances in which the articles of the United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) are breached and address them through legislative work, advocacy, and collaboration with other organizations. It has focused on the rights of prisoners in the past but has condemned Israel for actions associated with the Israel-Hamas war which began in October 2023. ¹

AHRC was an endorser of the January 2024 March on Washington for Gaza which was organized or endorsed by several radical-left groups, including American Muslims for Palestine, Muslim Students Association, Communist Party USA, Democratic Socialists of America, Green Party of the United States, and American Party of Labor. ^{2 3}

Background

The American Human Rights Council (AHRC) was founded in 2013 by Imad Hamad. ⁴ It works to protect and defend human rights as defined in the United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It does this through legislative work, advocacy, and collaboration with other civil and human rights groups. ⁵ The UDHR contains 30 articles that describe the rights every human should have and was approved by the United Nations in 1948. ⁶

AHRC focuses on rights for prisoners. It claims that “many individuals, including thousands of American Muslims, have been the victims of government prosecutorial overreach and exaggerated sentences.” ⁷

Programs

American Human Rights Council programs include the AHRC Prisoners and Family Gift Program which provides gift cards to inmates and works with prison administrators on addressing inmate needs. ⁸

AHRC organizes an annual gala for fundraising. The 2023 event was scheduled for October 20, but was canceled due to the fallout from Hamas’s attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023. Its cancellation announcement indicated that a celebration was not appropriate at a time when it alleged “a most tragic and catastrophic industrial-scale violation of human rights is ongoing in Gaza.” ⁹

Israel-Hamas War

Since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, started a major war in the Gaza Strip, American Human Rights Council has expressed its support for the Palestinians, declaring, “It is Israel, after all, that is accused of genocide at the World Court.” ¹⁰ It published a statement condemning the Israeli attacks in Gaza and calling for a permanent armistice. ^{11 12}

In February 2024 AHRC issued a statement in response to criticisms by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) against Arab-American News and its publisher Osama Siblani who has expressed support for the Palestinians. AHRC’s statement indicated support for Siblani and his right to express his views. It also communicated its support for the Palestinians. ¹⁰

In April 2024 the AHRC communicated its support for protests taking place at universities across the country and the creation of the “encampments for Gaza,” asking the universities to support these students and “not cave in to pressure from the Zionist lobby and Zionist donors.” ¹³

AHRC was an endorser of the January 2024 March on Washington for Gaza which demanded an immediate and permanent armistice in Gaza, an end to the United States “funding of Israel’s genocide against Gaza,” and an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity by Israel. ¹⁴ It was endorsed by several radical-left and socialist groups, including American Center for Justice,  American Party of Labor, Communist Party USA, Democratic Socialists of America, Global Alliance of Muslims for Equality, Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, UAW Labor for Palestine, and Workers World Party. ¹⁵

Funding

American Human Rights Council ’s 2022 revenues were $80,061 and expenses were $96,328. Executive compensation made up over 50 percent of its expenses. ¹⁶

Good360 has donated to AHRC every year since 2015. Good360 is a product philanthropy organization that distributes essential goods to nonprofits and people in need. It is supported by several corporate donors including Amazon and Walmart. ¹⁷

Leadership

Imad Hamad is the American Human Rights Council founder and executive director. He was born in Lebanon as a Palestinian refugee and came to the United States as a student in 1980. ¹⁸ then took on social work and counseling. In 1997, he became the regional director then senior national advisor for public affairs at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), an organization that works to advance the interests of people of Arab descent. ¹⁹ After leaving ADC he founded AHRC in 2013. ⁴

Saleh Muslah was listed as board president as of the filing of the AHRC 2022 tax return. ²⁰ Muslah is an internal medicine specialist in Dearborn, Michigan, originally from Yemen. He was co-founder and president of the Yemeni American Association, a board member of the Arab American and Chaldean Council, and a former member of the Community Advisory to the Governor of Michigan. ²¹

Scandals

In 2013, Hamad was suspended as regional director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) due to allegations of sexual harassment which were submitted by then-state Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). He was cleared due to “insufficient evidence” and returned to the organization to help with the search for a new director. ²² Earlier in the year several women claimed that Hamad sexually harassed or assaulted them over the years. Two months later he left ADC as hundreds of Arab Americans signed petitions calling for Hamad’s resignation. ²³

1. “About AHRC.” American Human Rights Council. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://ahrcusa.org/about-ahrc/
2.  March on Washington for Gaza homepage. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://march4gaza.org/
3. “Endorsers.” March on Washington for Gaza. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://march4gaza.org/endorsers/
4. “Staff.” American Human Rights Council – About Us. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://ahrcusa.org/staff/
5. “About Us.” American Human Rights Council. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://ahrcusa.org/about-ahrc/
6. “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” United Nations. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
7. “Support.” American Human Rights Council. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://ahrcusa.org/support/
8. “Our Programs.” GuideStar Profile – American Human Rights Council. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/46-4398596
9. Jackie Martin. “Human rights council cancels major event due to ‘catastrophic violations’ in Gaza.” News-Herald. October 17, 2023. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://www.thenewsherald.com/2023/10/17/human-rights-council-cancels-major-event-due-to-catastrophic-violations-in-gaza/
10. Ray Hanania. “American Human Rights Council condemns ADL attacks against Arab Americans.” The Arab Daily News. February 16, 2024. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://thearabdailynews.com/2024/02/16/american-human-rights-council-condemns-adl-attacks-against-arab-americans/
11. Imad Hamad. “AHRC Condemns the Israeli barbaric attack on the Baptist Hospital in Gaza.” AHRC. October 17, 2023. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://ahrcusa.org/ahrc-condemns-the-israeli-barbaric-attack-on-al-madmadani-hospital-in-gaza/
12. Imad Hamad. “AHRC Calls for a Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza.” AHRC. November 30, 2023. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://ahrcusa.org/ahrc-calls-for-a-permanent-ceasefire-in-gaza/
13. “AHRC Salutes Students Protesting Against the Genocide in Gaza, Calls for Respect of First Amendment Rights.” The Nigerian Voice. April 24, 2024. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/334087/ahrc-salutes-students-protesting-against-the-genocide-in-gaz.html
14. “What We Want.” March on Washington for Gaza. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://march4gaza.org/what-we-want/
15. “Endorsers.” March on Washington for Gasa. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://march4gaza.org/endorsers/
16. American Human Rights Council. Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990 – Part IX). 2022.
17. 40 Years Good 360. 2023 Impact Report. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://good360.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Good360-2023-Annual-Impact-Report.pdf
18. “Imad Hamad: Arab-American rights.” CNN.com. December 6, 2001. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://us.cnn.com/2001/COMMUNITY/12/06/hamad/
19. “About the ADC.” ADC. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://adc.org/about/
20. American Human Rights Council. Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990 – Part VII). 2022.
21. “About Dr. Muslah.” DM Medical Center. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://drsalehmuslah.com/meet-dr-muslah/
22. Joe Slezak. “DEARBORN: Former ADC leader Hamad cleared of sexual harassment allegation, will serve as adviser.” Press & Guide. September 29, 2013. Updated June 17, 2021. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://www.pressandguide.com/2013/09/29/dearborn-former-adc-leader-hamad-cleared-of-sexual-harassment-allegation-will-serve-as-adviser/
23. Niraj Warikoo. “Arab rights group official retires after allegations.” USA Today. November 22, 2013. Updated November 23, 2013. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/22/arab-rights-group-official-resigns-after-allegations/3683663/