Human Rights in Retreat? Kenneth Roth Weighs In
Human Rights Day arrives as norms fade, and pressures such as inequality and disinformation are rising. Kenneth Roth explains what’s really at stake.
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About the Episode
Human Rights Day lands as conflict is rising and accountability is fading. Big-power tensions are shaking old norms, and new technologies are changing the rules. So, are human rights in retreat—or is this just a familiar cycle? Kenneth Roth, former head of Human Rights Watch, helps us make sense of it.
About the Speakers
Charles and Marie Robertson Visiting Professor, Princeton University, Former Executive Director, Human Rights Watch
Kenneth (Ken) Roth is the Charles and Marie Robertson Visiting Professor at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. Until August 2022, he served for nearly three decades as the executive director of Human Rights Watch, one of the world’s leading international human rights organizations.
President & Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri joined the Council in 2025 as the president and chief executive officer, after previously serving as director of the US and the Americas program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, in London. She brings nearly 30 years of experience working at the intersection of international affairs, research, policy, and public engagement.
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