Underlying all human rights work in the United States is a commitment to challenge the belief that the United States is inherently superior to other countries of the world, and that neither the US government nor the US rights movements have anything to gain from the domestic application of human rights. Network members believe that the US government should no longer be allowed to shield itself from accountability to human rights norms and that the US civil, women's, worker, immigrant, LGBTQ, prisoner and other rights movements that stand to benefit, perhaps now more than ever, from an end to US impunity in this regard.

The US Human Rights Network was formed to promote US accountability to universal human rights standards by building linkages between organizations and individuals. The Network strives to build a human rights culture in the United States that puts those directly affected by human rights violations, with a special emphasis on grassroots organizations and social movements, in a leadership role. The Network also works towards connecting the US human rights movement with the broader US social justice movement and human rights movements around the world.

Presently, the Network is governed by a Board of Directors composed of leading human rights organizers, lawyers, policy analysts, educators, researchers and scholars. The leadership also includes individuals directly affected by human rights violations. The Board of Directors meets regularly to identify the ongoing needs and functions of the network and its members.