Matt Easton directs the Human Rights Defender program at Human Rights First. The Defenders Program conducts research and advocacy in support of advocates who come under attack for defending human rights. Matt supervises campaigns that include urgent actions, trial monitoring, public education, and dialogue with the U.S. and foreign governments. His own work focuses primarily on the countries of Southeast Asia. Prior to joining Human Rights First, Matt worked in both human rights and international development, as a U.S.-based consultant and while living in Indonesia, Timor Leste, India, and Zimbabwe. He has been a long-term and a short-term election observer for six elections in Indonesia, Timor Leste, and Nepal. Matt has B.A. in Anthropology from Haverford College and an M.A. in International Relations from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, DC.