PERSONAL INFORMATION
Profession: Lawyer
Date of Birth: Year, 1969
Age (as of 2025): 56 Years
Birthplace: New York, US
Nationality: American
Hometown: New Delhi
Caste: Khatri; Kohli (sub-caste; Kukrain) [2] Hindustan Times
Age: 56 Years
EDUCATION
College/University: • University of Cambridge, England • University of Oxford, England • Yale Law School, Connecticut, US
Educational Qualification(s)[1]LinkedIn: • BA (Hons) in Economics at University of Cambridge, England (1989-1991) • MPhil in Economics at University of Oxford, England (1991-1993) • Juris Doctor (JD) from Yale Law School, Connecticut, US (1998-2001)
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): in centimeters – 163 cm in meters – 1.63 m in feet & inches – 5’ 4”
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Black
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Married
Husband/Spouse: Barton Beebe (a professor of law at New York University School of Law)
Parents: Father – Manmohan Singh (died on 26 December 2024) (politician) Mother – Gursharan Kaur (homemaker)
Siblings: Sister(s) – 2 • Daman Singh (Writer) • Upinder Singh (Historian)
Husband: Barton Beebe
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Amrit Singh, a prominent Indian-American human rights lawyer, has carved out a formidable career focused on national security and counterterrorism. Currently serving at the New York-based Open Society Justice Initiative, Singh gained significant attention for her candid and vigorous opposition to the Bush administration’s disregard for civil liberties. Her advocacy and legal expertise have positioned her as a key figure in the fight for human rights, particularly in the context of post-9/11 America, where she has been instrumental in challenging government overreach and advocating for the rights of marginalized communities.
Born into the family of Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India, Amrit is one of three daughters who chose to marry outside the Sikh faith. This decision initially met with hesitation from her parents; in Daman Singh’s memoir, “Strictly Personal: Manmohan and Gursharan,” it is revealed that Manmohan and Gursharan Singh were initially apprehensive about their daughter Upinder’s marriage to Vijay Tankha, who was not Sikh. However, as time passed, they embraced him as a son-in-law. By the time it was Amrit’s turn to marry, her parents were fully supportive, reflecting a shift in familial attitudes toward cultural integration.
Amrit’s academic journey began with a Judicial Law Clerk position at the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York from September 2001 to August 2002. Shortly thereafter, in July 2002, she became a licensed attorney with the New York State Bar Association. She soon joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as a Staff Attorney for the Immigrants’ Rights Project, where she dedicated her efforts to litigate cases concerning civil liberties and national security, particularly in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Her work included landmark litigation that revealed systemic abuses of detainees, which not only garnered her acclaim but also positioned her as a prominent advocate for human rights.
Throughout her career, Singh has made significant contributions to the field of human rights law. She gained notable recognition for her role in the Ali vs. Rumsfeld case, which involved torture allegations against U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on behalf of detainees. Her book, “Administration of Torture,” co-authored in 2009, documented the Bush administration’s complicity in torture, further cementing her status as a leading voice in human rights advocacy. Singh’s work with the Open Society Foundations began in September 2009, where she has since risen to the position of Director of the Accountability Division. Her focus remains on issues of economic justice, anti-corruption, and accountability in government actions, as she continues to challenge practices that threaten civil liberties and promote impunity.
In addition to her impactful reports, such as “Globalizing Torture” and “Death by Drone,” Singh has engaged in litigation to hold governments accountable for human rights violations, including the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Her efforts extend globally, as she has successfully challenged Egypt’s oppressive emergency laws before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Despite facing scrutiny and allegations regarding her family, Singh remains steadfast in her commitment to justice and accountability, exemplifying the dedication of a lawyer who stands at the intersection of law, policy, and human rights advocacy.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.