Two recently released reports, one by the UK-based Henry Jackson Society and the other by Jerusalem’s NGO Monitor, allege that leading human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Congolese coalition CNPAV, face credibility concerns tied to political bias and selective advocacy.
Dr. Helena Ivanov, author of the Henry Jackson Society’s Human Rights NGOs: A Crisis of Trust, argues that selective criticism, political positioning, and lack of transparency have eroded public trust. She cites increased scrutiny since the October 7 Hamas attacks, with some groups accused by critics of avoiding condemnation of acts such as mass sexual violence and hostage-taking.
The reports also draw connections between NGOs active in criticism of Israel, including HRW, and those engaged in long-running campaigns against Israeli businessman Dan Gertler in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). NGO Monitor’s May 2025 analysis claims the CNPAV coalition’s anti-Gertler efforts, supported by international partners, have at times discouraged investment and harmed the Congolese economy.
As part of its rebuttal to the most recent CNPAV report, Gertler’s company Ventora Development published a formal response to the report, which included an April 2, 2010 valuation by BNP Paribas for Gécamines. The evaluation concluded that Gertler paid above market value for certain mining assets, a conclusion absent from CNPAV’s account.
Past legal proceedings also factor into the debate. A decade-long UK Serious Fraud Office investigation into Gertler was closed without charges. In a separate Israeli arbitration spanning over ten years, retired judge Eitan Orenstein reportedly found no evidence of bribery or misconduct.
Reports link NGOs to campaigns targeting Gertler
Prominent Congolese journalist Litsani Choukran criticized the coalition’s focus.
“Five of the last six articles on CNPAV’s site are about one man… it’s become a political crusade, not a human rights campaign,” Choukran said. This data suggests a pattern that some observers say could indicate a disproportionate focus on Gertler.
Some CNPAV partners have also drawn political scrutiny. For example, in October 2023, Global Witness, listed by CNPAV as a member, signed a joint statement calling for a Gaza ceasefire without condemning the Hamas attacks of October 7.
HRW responded that it “does not align with any party in armed conflict and has never called for a ceasefire, in any context,” adding it is not a CNPAV member. An Amnesty International spokesperson stated it is an impartial and independent global movement guided by human rights and international law, rejecting any suggestion of political motivation.
Amnesty International said its participation in the CNPAV coalition reflects its commitment to defend activists’ rights. It noted that it had repeatedly condemned the war crimes committed by Hamas and other armed groups on October 7, 2023. Amnesty said the October 26 ceasefire statement, signed by 290 organizations, called for the preservation of life in Gaza and Israel, the release of all civilian hostages, and urgent action to end what it described as Israel’s genocide against Palestinians.
Global Witness has issued the following response: "Throughout Global Witness’ history, the organization has reported on stories involving environmental destruction and alleged corruption without fear or favor. In relation to Gaza, Global Witness has called on all parties to the conflict to agree to a humanitarian ceasefire, to prioritize the preservation of human life above all else, and to unconditionally free all civilian hostages. Its investigations into the business activities of Dan Gertler, who was sanctioned in 2017 by the US Treasury Department for allegedly 'amassing his fortune through hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of opaque and corrupt mining and oil deals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo' are the result of rigorous research and on matters of clear public interest."
CNPAV did not respond to request for comment. Gertler declined to comment.
Ivanov’s recommendations include stronger funding transparency, deeper engagement with local partners, and region-specific advocacy strategies. “NGOs can and should play a vital role in civil society,” she writes, “but that role depends on regaining public trust.”