Minority Rights Group (MRG) is a United Kingdom-based human rights advocacy charity that produces reports on discrimination against ethnic and religious minority groups and supports efforts to create more inclusive societies around the world. MRG receives funding from European governments; from the United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor; and from George Soros’s Open Society Foundations.  ^{1  2}

History and Activities

Minority Rights Group was founded in 1969 by the editor of the Observer newspaper in the United Kingdom, David Astor backed by a major grant from the Ford Foundation. MRG was founded with the goal of publishing reports about discrimination and human rights violations from governments around the world and advocating for changes to respect the human rights of minority populations. ³

MRG devoted its early years to researching examples of discrimination and advocating for reforms. In the 2000s, MRG also began supporting litigation on behalf of minority communities. Beginning in 2023, MRG began a grant program in the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern and Central Europe to support minority rights. Additionally, MRG conducts media training and supports grassroots activists. ³

Overall, MRG offers six services: aid in legal cases; support for programs and projects; training and coaching for human rights activists, journalists, and other professionals; advice for international and government bodies, evaluations of the positive impacts of including minority communities within society; and reports on the challenges facing minorities and solutions to those problems. ¹

MRG is an official consultant of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, has observer status in the African commission for Human and People’s Rights, and is registered with the Organization of American States.  ³

Minority Rights Group has two regional offices: Minority Rights Group Africa formed in 2023 in Kampala, Uganda, and Minority Rights Group Europe formed in 1996 in Budapest, Hungary. ⁴

Partners

MRG regularly partners with the following human rights-focused organizations: the Anna Lindh Foundation, the Civic Solidarity Platform, Coalition of European Lobbies for Eastern Africa, Coalition for Human Rights Development, Coalition for Religious Equality and Inclusive Development, Eastern Partnership Minorities Network, European Union Fundamental Rights Agency, Human Rights and Climate Change Working Group, Human Rights and Democracy Network, United for Intercultural Action, the UK Freedom of Religion Or Belief Forum, and the World Organisation Against Torture. ⁵

People

As of 2025, the co-executive director of Minority Rights Group was Claire Thomas. Thomas began as the deputy director of Minority Rights Group in 1996. ⁶

In January 2025, co-executive director of MRG Joshua Castellino announced his resignation to take effect in March 2025 ] to become the founding executive dean for the College of Arts, Law, and Social Sciences at Brunel University in London. As of February 2025, MRG had not named a new co-executive director to replace Castellino. ⁷

Financials

According to the Charity Commission for England and Wales, in 2023 Minority Rights Group reported £6,207,679 ($7,718,00) in income, including £6.19 million ($7.7 million) from donations and legacies. That same year, MRG spent £6,658,322 ($8,278,000), including £6.42 million ($7.98 million) on charitable activities and £239,710 ($298,000) on fundraising. MRG also reported having 82 employees, with only three employees earning over £60,000 ($74,600). ⁸

MRG reportedly receives funding from the Central European Initiative; Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust; the European Union; the Evan Cornish Foundation; the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs; the Foundation for International Law for the Environment; the International Development Research Centre; the International Research and Exchanges Board; Irish Aid; the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation; the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; George Soros’s Open Society Foundations; the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency; the Blanes Trust; the Miaan Group; the United Nations Democracy Fund; the United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor; the United Nations Population Fund; and Wellcome Trust. ²

1. “About Us.” Minority Rights Group. Accessed February 6, 2025. https://minorityrights.org/about-us/#OurActivities.
2. “Funders and Annual Reports.” Minority Rights Group. Accessed February 6, 2025. https://minorityrights.org/about-us/funders-and-annual-reports/.
3. “Our History.” Minority Rights Group. Accessed February 6, 2025. https://minorityrights.org/about-us/#OurHistory.
4. “About Us.” Minority Rights Group. Accessed February 6, 2025. https://minorityrights.org/about-us/#OurOffices
5. “Coalitions and Networks.” Minority Right Groups. Accessed February 6, 2025. .
6. “Claire Thomas (She/Her).” LinkedIn. Accessed February 6, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-thomas-94789a3b/.
7. “Joshua Castellino to step down from role at MRG.” Minority Rights Group. January 20, 2025. Accessed February 6, 2025. Joshua Castellino to step down from role at MRG – Minority Rights Group.,
8. “Minority Rights Group.” Charity Commission for England and Wales. Accessed February 6, 2025. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/282305.