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The International Bill of Human Rights
On the 10th of December 1948, the world was forever changed by the foundation of the 'Human Rights Declaration', also known as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The 30 articles in the UDHR, affirmed the rights of an individual, which covered issues such as slavery, torture, the law and justice, asylum, and freedom of thought. None of these articles were legally binding, but represented a clarification of the “human rights” and “fundamental freedoms” that are mentioned in the United Nations Charter, that is legally binding to all member states.
It as the UDHR that paved the way the for 1966 International Bill of Human Rights, which came into force in 1976, once ratified by a sufficient number of countries. It is made up of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Bill of Human Rights is not legally binding, however it is based on basic human rights standards that are revered in legally binding international instruments, such as the aforementioned International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights.
Today, human rights is an issue that is particularly relevant. Wars around the globe result in the deaths of many innocent civilians; women are still being treat as second class citizens, being denied education, independence, and control over their own bodies, and children all over the world are not receiving access to proper healthcare. Thankfully, there are many non-profit human rights organisations that are campaigning for better world for all, protecting the rights of individuals, no matter where or who they are.
Top Ten Human Rights Organisations
There are many human rights organisations across the world, and they each have their own value. However , there are some larger organisation that have a real impact of the human rights movement. These include the following top ten human rights organisations:
| 1 | Amnesty International |
Probably the best known human rights organisation, Amnesty International was founded in London in 1961 by barrister Peter Benenson. He was inspired to start a human rights movement, after reading an article about two Portuguese students who had spent 7 years in prison, simply to raising a toast to freedom. In their 50 year history, Amnesty Internation has worked tirelessly to protect men, women and children, whenever they are denied their freedom, truth, dignity, and justice. It is arguably the largest grass roots human rights organisation in the world, with offices in 80 countries, a huge social media following, and million supports spread across the globe. In 1977, Amnesty International received the Nobel Peace Prize, a testament to the life saving work they do, throughout the globe. This non-profit organisation “take injustice personally” and aims to expose abuses, as well as to educate and mobilise the public, to create a world where everyone can enjoy basic human rights. They pay a particular interest to the rights of women and children, a well as the rights of all people to have access to proper healthcare. But, there is no human rights issue that they will tackle, and as a result many countries and human rights organisations, consult them or ask for assistance in human rights issues. Official website: Amnesty International |
| 2 | World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) |
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Organisation Against Torture was founded in 1985 to fight against the physical and emotional torture of vulnerable or otherwise, individuals. The non-profit organisation is also known for fighting against enforced disappearances, summary executions, and any other kind of dehumanising or degrading treatment. With a SOS Torture network, consisting of 311 affiliated organisations, and tens of thousands of correspondents throughout the world, the OMCT is a human rights organisation on a huge scale. Furthermore, the OMCT regularly consults with the likes of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the International Labor Organisation. Each year, the OMCT provides social, medical and/or legal assistance to hundreds of torture victims, as well as carrying out urgent interventions across the world on a daily basis. Specific programmes have been developed by the OMCT to provide targeted and specialist care to different categories of victims, such as human rights defenders, women, and children. Official website: World Organisation Against Torture |
| 3 | Child Rights Information Network (CRIN) |
Formally founded in 1995, the Children's Rights Information Network is a London-based non-governmental organisation, fighting specifically for the rights of children. Their main goal is working towards a world where the rights of every child is recognised and enforced. And where there is a swift resolutions to any violation of these rights. They are also advocates for change, by challenging any violations of children's rights through campaigns, as well as encouraging policy discussions. A human rights organisation supported by the United Nations, and has over 2100 members in around 150 countries, with a great proportion being African Nations. They keep the world informed by circulating relevant information concerning children's rights, and any violations they have discovered. They believe that information is power, and it should be accessible to all, and that organisations should by transparent and accountable in their actions. Official website: Child Rights Information Network |
| 4 | Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) |
Founded back in 1982, for the last 35 years, the Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) has been committed to achieving gender equality and protecting the rights of women, around the world. They envision a world where environmental sustainability, gender justice, and human rights and freedoms, are a reality for every individual and for the planet. To achieve this, they endeavour to be a driving force in the worldwide community of women's rights organisations and activations, and feminists. By coming together and working towards a shared goal, the collective voice of women from all over the world, can influence policy makers to advance the causes of gender equality and justice. The AWID supports women's rights and feminist organisations all over the world, to work in collaboration across a number of issues, and regions. They work to support and strengthen women's rights organisation, so they can be more effective in their work and struggles. To ensure that all organisations get the information they need, they work globally and locally, and have a multilingual online platform, which features all the latest information of women's rights. Official website: Association for Women's Rights in Development |
| 5 | International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) |
Established way back in 1922, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) is the second oldest human rights organisation, only beating by Anti-Slavery International. Over the last century, the non-governmental organisation (NGO), has grown to 184 member organisations, from 122 countries. From their headquarters in France, the FIDH has a long history of defending the cultural, civil, economic, political and social rights or individuals and groups, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Through help from partner organisations and volunteers around the globe, they work on numerous projects to address human rights abuses, as well as, promote the rights of migrants, women, and children. The FIDH believes passionately in the freedom for human rights activists to act, and for the universality of human rights for all. The organisation is fully committed to hold those that violate human rights, accountable for their actions through the criminal justice system. This can only be successfully achieved via the joint regional, national, and international actions of the FIDH and their member organisations. Official website: International Federation for Human Rights |
| 6 | Anti-Slavery International |
Founded way back in 1839, Anti-Slavery International is the world's oldest and longest serving human rights organisation. Back in the mid-19th Century, slavery was a big human rights issue affecting the world, and whilst the problem is not what it once was, slavery still exists throughout the world in a number of forms. Anti-Slavery International draw on their vast experience to rid the world of all slavery and controlling practices. They are currently the only British charity that exclusively tackles slavery throughout the world, campaigning against the likes of: debt bondage, forced labour, forced and early marriage, exploitation of migrant workers, human trafficking, slavery in supply chains, and the worst forms of child labour. The organisation knows that there are no easy solutions to this problem They know that to address the problem, they need to dead with the root causes of slavery, and the consequences to those affected, to achieve that long-lasting change. They tackle the inhumanity of slavery in a number of different ways by campaigning, engaging with governments and organisations, and support individuals and communities that have been affected by slavery by giving them justice and compensation. Official website: Anti-Slavery International |
| 7 | United for Human Rights (UHR) |
Established in 2004, United for Human Rights is a Los Angeles-based organisation that is dedicated to implementing the conditions of the Universal of Declaration of Human Rights from local to international levels. The UHR is made up of educators, individuals, groups, and communities throughout the globe, who are passionate about spreading knowledge and the protection of human rights, for every man woman and child. The organisation was founded as a response to the lack of education in human rights, after surveys had found that the majority of individuals, only had a limited understanding of what is meant by human rights, and of the conditions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The UHR provides activities and educational resources to individuals, groups, educators, organisations and governmental bodies, to improve the knowledge and encourage implementation of the Universal Declaration, at all levels of society. A better education in human rights, will help contribute to a world where every person on the planet, can enjoy the freedoms and fair treatment, to which they are entitled. Official website: United for Human Rights |
| 8 | Human Rights Foundation (HRF) |
The Human Rights Foundation was founded in 2005, to protect and promote human rights, across the globe, with a particular focus on closed societies (cultures in which there is a defined and rigid structure, limited freedom, and little tolerance of belief). It was initially founded by Venezuelan film producer, Thor Halvorssen Mendoza, a passionate human rights activist. The headquarters in located in New York City and its current chairman of the HRF (and its International Council) is Garry Kasparov, the former chess grandmaster. The International Council that guides the HRF has many other notable members, including former political prisoners, Ramon Jose Velasquez the former president of Venezuela, and noted Law Professor Kenneth Anderson. Their focus on closed communities has led to the Human Rights Foundation working in many of the world's more underdeveloped and underprivileged countries including the likes of Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, Haiti, and China,amongst others. They aim to hep create a world, where all individuals have the right to speak freely, the right to associate freely with those of like mind, the right to acquire and dispose of property, the right to worship in a manner of their choosing, and the right of of equal treatment and due process under the law, amongst others. These are principles that are stated in the 1976 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Official website: Human Rights Foundation |
| 9 | Protection International (PI) |
Initially founded in 1998, the non-profit Protection International has its global headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, and is dedicated to the protection of human rights defenders and activists. Over the past two decades, Protection International has made major advances and contributions in the tools and strategies, for the protection of human rights defenders throughout the world. They believe strongly, that Human Rights Defenders t(such as defenders of the LGBT community, journalists, trade unionists, activists etc.) that fight for the legitimate right of others, deserve to be protected, so they can feel secure in their vital work. Protection International runs projects throughout the world, in the likes of Thailand, Nepal, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda, as well as many conflict-stricken zones. As a vital part of these projects, PI provides knowledge, training and tools, like the Protection Manual for Human Rights Defenders, so they can develop effective protection strategies, whilst carrying out their work. They also strive to spread the word, of the work human rights defenders do, around the world, so it can be recognised what they do as contributors ro positve social change. Official website: Protection International |
| 10 | Human Rights Information and Documentation Systems, International (HURIDOCS) |
Non-government organisation, HURIDOCS was founded in 1982, and from its base in Geneva, supports human rights defenders and activists, by using innovative documentation methods and information technologies, to present up-to-date data about human rights violations. HURIDOCS is passionate about providing human rights organisations with simple, effective and efficient techniques and tools, to help them work towards their goals. This organisation of information helps human rights workers to form effective strategies, and gives them the tools to boost the impact of their work on a worldwide scale. HURIDOCS provides their tools free of charge; they can be viewed or downloaded from their website. Additionally, the team (which is spread throughout the world in the likes of Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East) organise workshops and training courses on the handling of human rights information, in collaboration will partner organisations. Furthermore, HURIDOCS provides NGOs with support and advise on the creation and maintenance of their own human rights information systems. Official website: Human Rights Information and Documentation Systems, International |
Why are Human Rights So Important?