Soros donates $100m to Human Rights Watch

BILLIONAIRE FINANCIER George Soros is giving $100 million (€78

BILLIONAIRE FINANCIER George Soros is giving $100 million (€78.8 million) to the leading US human rights group in a move that will enable it to expand its operations around the world.

Human Rights Watch will increase its staff of 300 by about a third as a result of the five-year Soros grant, using its new firepower to increase its advocacy in emerging regions. The donation, the largest in the group’s history and bigger than any previous single grant from Mr Soros to a US organisation, aims to help the group fulfil its ambition to boast a global reach.

The New York-based group has built its reputation as a leading watchdog on governmental abuses around the world. It has tended to focus its energies on western capitals, believing the best way to improve human rights is to persuade developed countries to use their muscle to effect change.

Increasingly, though, it has become aware of the strength of developing nations such as Brazil, South Africa and India, who may now hold more sway in their regions than Washington, London or Berlin. The Soros grant will be used to strengthen operations in those countries.

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Mr Soros said he was drawn to helping the group to extend its global influence as part of his philanthropic mission to use his huge wealth to forward the cause of open societies. “Human Rights Watch must be present in capitals around the globe, addressing local issues, allied with local rights groups and engaging with local government officials.”

So far this year Mr Soros (80) has handed out about $800 million through his Open Society Foundations. Despite the economic downturn, which has caused a dip in philanthropic giving, he has been increasing his largesse recently, partly, he said, out of recognition of his age and a desire to distribute much of his wealth during his lifetime.– ( Guardianservice)