What We Do
EarthRights challenges the injustices of the legal, economic, and political systems that favor wealthy and powerful institutions at the expense of local communities and sensitive ecosystems around the world.
When people are excluded from the decisions that affect their rights and homelands, they face violence, exploitation, and loss of land and livelihood, often with little recourse.
We identify the links between global corporate and financial elites and activities and local human rights and environmental harms; we train community leaders, stakeholders, and lawyers to challenge power and demand a seat at the table; we go to court to demand justice.
EarthRights focuses on the following global human rights and environmental abuses that most urgently threaten the communities where we work:
Setting Global Litigation Precedent
Doe v. Unocal
A pioneer in establishing the Alien Tort Statute as a tool for addressing transnational corporate misconduct—ie. charging in the U.S. for complicity in human rights abuses abroad.
Jam v. IFC
Landmark U.S. Supreme Court victory that ended absolute immunity that once shielded international finance institutions from responsibility for projects that harm people.
Doe v. Chiquita
First ever U.S. jury verdict holding a major American corporation liable for overseas human rights violations which also included historic settlements that benefit frontline communities.
An Alumni Network of 700+ grassroots activists and community leaders.
We strengthen movements by committing to community leaders deeply and for the long term.
Our school and training initiatives harness local power, strengthen civil society and transnational solidarity, and create lasting, community-driven change.
Through transformative education initiatives, including the seven-month residential program at the EarthRights School, we now support an alumni network of over 700 grassroots activists and community leaders. Programs such as the EarthRights School and Mekong Legal Advocacy Institute in the Mekong, Seminario JurÃdico IndÃgena Latinoamericano (Seminario) in the Amazon, and École du Fleuve Congo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo equip advocates with the skills, knowledge, and support systems to address community harms.
We protect, defend, and stand beside environmental and human rights defenders.
EarthRights provides critical legal counsel and defense, extends security trainings and emergency support, and creates trusted regional and international support networks for environmental and human rights defenders.
We also co-lead efforts to shape global norms that influence the way that governments and businesses treat defenders, resulting in stronger standards within the United Nations, OECD, Inter-American system, World Bank Group, United States Government, and multiple business-led initiatives.
Impact Stories: Holding Powerful Actors to Account
How Honduran farmers held an international financial institution accountable for funding a palm oil company linked to violence
30 years challenging Big Oil in Myanmar: Pioneering corporate accountability litigation and cutting off revenues to Myanmar junta
U’wa Victory Signals Turning Point for Environmental and Indigenous Justice
IN 2025:
Amplifying Community Voices for Justice
See All
Colombia Victims Win Historic Verdict Over Chiquita
Inter-American Court Links Climate Emergency to Human Rights Obligations
How a Cambodian Community Is Defending Its Land and Future
Brunswick County Commits Millions to Expand Water Access After Community Pressure in Historically Black Neighborhoods
IN 2025:
The reach of our campaign and advocacy support for communities is global.
Standing with and Protecting Defenders Against Intimidation and Criminalization
IN 2025:
Help us fight for justice
In a world where climate disruption is accelerating, corporate harm often goes unchecked, and threats against advocates continue to rise, our victories remind us where we’re most needed and most effective.