Cynthia-Brown-Obituary

Cynthia Brown

Obituary

NEW YORK (AP) - Activist Cynthia Brown, one of the guiding forces at the international advocacy group Human Rights Watch, has died at age 60 after fighting cancer.

Brown started with Human Rights Watch as a researcher in 1982, focusing on the Americas. In 1990, she went to Chile for two years for the organization. In 1993, she became its first program director, overseeing every report it published.

Human Rights Watch, which said Brown died Sunday in Manhattan, describes its mission as striving to protect human rights worldwide by focusing attention where those rights are violated and giving voice to the oppressed.

Executive Director Kenneth Roth said Thursday that Brown "played a central role in establishing the high standards that have come to define Human Rights Watch."

"She was principled and uncompromising - and played a big part in making Human Rights Watch that way," he said.

The organization credited Brown with helping to create its strategy of putting together documentation of abuses along with advocating in Washington, D.C., for the U.S. government to withhold military and political support of governments in other nations accused of violations.

Brown also was instrumental in the formation of Human Rights Watch's division dedicated to women's rights, involved in putting together the framework and helping get money for it and finding the staff for it.

She remained in the position until 1999 and then continued to work with the organization in roles on the policy committee and elsewhere.

Human Rights Watch said Brown is survived by her daughter and two sisters.


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Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

We need more Cynthia Browns.

We were neighbors, friends, our children grew up together, we each moved away, we lost touch. Time passed. I just found out today that she had died. I am stunned. I loved her, admired her. She was noble, the worthiest person I have ever known. She could have had an easier life but had a purposeful one instead.

To the family,

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss and I pray you find peace in the God of all comfort. 2 Corinthinas 1:3-


Cynthia Beloved,
Brave warrior, tender heart
You were as vulnerable as you were fierce
which is what made you so lovable
Thank you for being a true friend, all the rich warm funny times we shared that began in childhood. ( Little did you know you were saving my life..).
All the singing we did, all the laughing and the tears too
You made your presence known here in your time on Earth. You really made it count!
Thank you for being a freedom fighter for...

Sorry to hear of your loss.
Soon God promises a grand time when " No resident will say i am sick" - Isaiah 33: 24

J. Brooks & Children. From Northern indiana

in God's care rest in peace

My condolences to your family during this time of grief.