John Sifton

John Sifton is the Asia Advocacy Director at Human Rights Watch. He has previously served as a researcher and as Acting Deputy Washington Director. He focuses on South and Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Middle East, and terrorism and counter-terrorism issues worldwide. Sifton began working at Human Rights Watch in 2001, first as a researcher on Afghanistan and Pakistan, and then as the senior researcher on terrorism and counterterrorism. He founded a public interest investigation firm, One World Research, which he directed from 2007 to 2010. In 2000 and 2001, Sifton worked for the International Rescue Committee, primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and in 1999 at a refugee advocacy organization in Albania and Kosovo. He holds a law degree from New York University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from St. John's College, Annapolis.