As the director of the Crimes Against Humanity program, Betsy Apple leads Human Rights First’s efforts to address mass atrocities at every stage of conflict, utilizing a combination of legal, political, legislative, and public advocacy strategies.

Betsy has extensive experience as an international human rights lawyer, focusing on issues at the intersection of human rights, environmental abuse and gender justice. Before joining Human Rights First, Betsy served as deputy director of the Women’s Environment and Development Organization, based in New York. Also, as managing and legal director of EarthRights International, she focused upon government and corporate accountability for human rights violations and environmental abuse. She is currently an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, where she teaches Human Rights Advocacy.


As program officer in the Crimes Against Humanity program, Eric designs and implements research and advocacy projects that address mass atrocities—including genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes—at all stages of conflict.

Before joining Human Rights First, Eric worked for five years at Amnesty International USA (AIUSA). Most recently he managed AIUSA's program working to stop human rights abuses in the U.S.-led "war on terror," which included directing the organization's public advocacy, responding to emerging policy issues, and acting as a spokesperson. During his tenure at AIUSA, Eric also helped to build the organization's capacity to respond to complex human rights emergencies, served on the organization's Iraq Crisis Response Team, and coordinated public advocacy around issues such as stopping violence against women and ending the death penalty.

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