Many organisations around the world dedicate their efforts to protecting Human Rights and ending Human Rights abuses. Major Human Rights organisations maintain extensive websites documenting violations and calling for remedial action, both at a governmental and grass-roots level. Public support and condemnation of abuses are important to their success, as Human Rights organizations are most effective when their calls for reform are backed by strong public advocacy. Below are some examples of such groups.
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS
Globally, the champions of human rights have most often been citizens, not government officials. In particular, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) have played a primary role in focusing the international community on Human Rights issues.
NGOs monitor the actions of governments and pressure them to act according to Human Rights principles.
Some of these groups are listed alphabetically below with descriptions based on their website information:
Amnesty International:
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 International: www.amnesty.org Amnesty International Australia: www.amnesty.org.au
Human Rights Action Center:
The Human Rights Action Center is a nonprofit organisation based in Washington, DC, headed by Jack Healey, world-renowned Human Rights activist and pioneer. The Center works on issues of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and uses the arts and technologies to innovate, create and develop new strategies to stop Human Rights abuses. They also support growing Human Rights groups all over the world. www.humanrightsactioncenter.org
Human Rights Watch Australia:
Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the Human Rights of people around the world. They investigate and expose Human Rights violations, hold abusers accountable, and challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international Human Rights law.
Human Rights Without Frontiers:
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 levels.
Australians Together:
Australians Together is a not-for-profit that believes better outcomes for Indigenous Australians begin with a change in our perspective. Australians Together is privately funded through philanthropists with a heart to see change in this country.
https://australianstogether.org.au/
INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AND GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights:
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ mission is to work for the protection of Human Rights for all people; to help empower people to realise their rights; and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented.
Human Rights Council:
An intergovernmental body with membership encompassing forty-seven states, the Human Rights Council has the task of promoting and protecting Human Rights internationally. Its mechanisms to forward these ends include a Universal Periodic Review which assesses situations in all 192 UN Member States, an Advisory Committee which provides expertise on Human Rights issues, and a Complaints Procedure for individuals and organisations to bring Human Rights violations to the attention of the Council.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
UNESCO’s goal is to build peace in the minds of men. Its work in the field of Human Rights aims to strengthen awareness and acts as a catalyst for regional, national and international action in Human Rights.
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees:
This office directs and coordinates international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee 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.
Australian Human Rights Commission:
The Australian Human Rights Commission was established in 1986 by an act of the federal Parliament. The Commission is an independent statutory organisation and reports to the federal Parliament through the Attorney-General.
Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE):
The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the OSCE, comprised of fifty-six participating states from Europe, Central Asia and North America, is engaged in Human Rights activities focusing on freedom of movement and religion and preventing torture and trafficking in persons.