Many organizations around the world dedicate their efforts to the pr-
otection of human rights and bringing an end to human rights abuses. Major human rights organizations document violations and call for remedial action, both at a governmental and grass-roots level. Public support and condemnation of abuses is important to success, as human rights organizations are most effective when their calls for reform are backed by strong public advocacy. United for Human Rights encourages everyone to visit the following websites and to become active in one or more of these organizations’ programs. The descriptions of the organizations below are taken from their own sites. Amnesty Inter National Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for all. With more than 2.2 million members and subscribers in more than 150 countries, they conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated. amnesty.org national Associations for the Advancement of colored People (NAACP) The mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. naacp.org human rights Watch Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. They investigate and expose human rights violations, hold abusers human rIghts organIzatIons And Intergovernment And government BodIes concerned wIth human rIghts Human rights organizations accountable, and challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law. hrw.org human rIghts wIthout frontIers (hrwf) HRWF focuses on monitoring, research and analysis in the field of human rights, as well as promotion of democracy and the rule of law on the national and international level. hrwf.net unIted natIons educatIonal, scientIfIc And cultural organIzaion (unesco) uesco’s goal is to build peace in the minds of men. Its work in the field of human rights aims to strengthen awareness and act as a catalyst for regional, national and international action in human rights. unesco.org chIldren’s defense fund (cdf) The Children’s Defense Fund is a child advocacy organization that works to ensure a level playing field for all children. CDF champions policies and programs that lift children out of poverty, protect them from abuse and neglect, and ensure their right to equal care and education. childrensdefense.org unIcef—unIted natIons chIldren’s fund UNICeF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICeF mobilizes political will and material resources to help countries, particularly developing countries, ensure a “first call” for children. unicef.org sIMon WIesenthAl center The simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization dedicated to repairing the world one step at a time. The Center generates changes by confronting anti-semitism, hate and terrorism, promoting human rights and dignity, standing with Israel, defending the safety of Jews worldwide, and teaching the lessons of the Holocaust for future generations. wiesenthal.com Human Rights Organizations united nation’s office of the highs commissioner for human rights The United Nations office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ mission is to work for the protection of human rights for all people; to help empower people to realize their rights; and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented. ohchr.org offIce of the united nations high commissioner for refugees The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees.
gee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. unhcr.org/cgi us stare department Bureau of democracy, human rights And labor The state Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor strives to learn the truth and state the facts in all of its human rights investigations, annual reports on country conditions, etc. The bureau takes action to stop ongoing abuses and maintains partnerships with organizations committed to human rights. state.gov office for democratic Institution And human rights of the orga
tIon for securIty And co-operatIon In Eu Rope (osce) The office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the osCe, comprised of 56 participating states from Europe, Central Asia and North America, is engaged in human rights activities focusing on freedom of movement and religion, preventing torture and trafficking in persons. osce.org/odihr commissioner for human rights, council of Europe The Commissioner for Human Rights is an independent institution within the Council of Europe, mandated to promote the awareness of and respect for human Human Rights Organizations rights in 47 Council of Europe Member states. The Commissioner’s work thus focuses on encouraging reform measures to achieve tangible improvement in the area of human rights promotion and protection. As a nonjudicial institution, the Commissioner’s office cannot act upon individual complaints, but the Commissioner can draw conclusions and take wider initiatives on the basis of reliable information regarding human rights violations suffered by individuals. continent/commissioner European ombudsman The European ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration in the institutions and bodies of the European Union. The ombudsman is completely independent and impartial. ombudsman/home/en/default.htm European com Mission employment, social Affairs And equal opportunities The European Commission’s Directorate-General for employment, social Affairs and equal opportunities works toward the creation of more and better jobs, an inclusive society and equal opportunities for all. Europa/social African commissions on human And Peoples’ rights The Commission is officially charged with three major functions: the protection of human and peoples’ rights, the promotion of human rights.
man and peoples’ rights and the interpretation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ rights. achpr.org Asian human rights commission The Asian Human Rights Commission works to achieve the following priorities, among others: to protect and promote human rights by monitoring, investigating, advocating and taking solidarity actions. ahrchk.net