Thousands of human rights groups exist across the world, and most can be located via Internet search engines. This list provides a sampling of some of the more prominent organizations to explore, covering a wide variety of human rights activities. This list is offered as a research tool only: inclusion on it does not imply recommendation, representation, or warranty. Please see our full Disclaimer and Terms of Use.

AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS

Nature of Work: Any person or group may submit a communication alleging a violation of human or people’s (group) rights, either for injury to themselves or on behalf of a third party. The commission will consider a case only after local remedies, if any, have been exhausted; the commission will also consider a case if the complainant shows that use of local procedures would be unduly prolonged or futile.
The rights protected under the African Charter include civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.

The commission investigates complaints of violations. It then makes a proposed recommendation to the affected state, which is submitted to the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU for adoption. The decision of the Assembly is final.

Size: There are 11 elected members of the commission, supported by a Secretariat and administrative staff.

When founded: 1986 by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Address: 48 Kairaba Ave., P.O. Box 673, Banjul, The Gambia
Phone: (220) 4392-962
E-mail: achpr@achpr.org
Web site: www.achpr.org

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AFRICAN UNION

Nature of Work: The African Union grew out of the work and initiatives of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The African Union states it is the premier institution and principal organization for the promotion of accelerated socio-economic integration of the African continent.

Among its objectives are the promotion and protection of human and people’s rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, encouragement of international cooperation consistent with the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and the promotion of peace, security, and stability on the African continent.
Size: 53 member countries

When founded: 1999, the Sirte Extraordinary Session decided to establish the African Union. 2002, the Durban Summit convened the 1st Assembly.
Address: P.O. Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Phone: (251) 11-551-77-00
Web site: www.africa-union.org

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AMAZON WATCH

Nature of Work: Amazon Watch supports organizations in the Amazon Basin that protect environmental interests and indigenous peoples’ rights when threatened by industrial “mega-projects” such as oil and gas drilling and pipelines. Initiatives include communications training; monitoring of mega-projects; and the provision of technical, financial, and legal support. Active in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador. The organization provides a monthly newsletter.

When Founded: 1996
Headquarters address: One Hallidie Plaza, Suite 402, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA. Branch offices in Malibu, California; and Washington, D.C.
Phone: (415) 487-9600 (San Francisco)
Web site: www.amazonwatch.org

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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Nature of Work: Amnesty International’s work originally focused on the rights of prisoners of conscience. Its worldwide advocacy for human rights now extends to concerns including torture, hostage taking, disappearances, political killings, discrimination for sexual orientation, and women’s rights. More recently the organization also advocates for economic, social, and cultural rights, and for arms control. It conducts investigations, observes trials, and mobilizes the public; it also publishes reports and several newsletters.

Amnesty International was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977. The organization advocated for the creation of the International Criminal Court, which became operative in 2002 after ratification of the Rome Statute. Amnesty International’s Web site contains an archive of more than 50,000 documents on human rights.

Size: Greater than 2.2 million members in more than 150 countries. Offices in 80 countries.

When Founded: 1961 by British lawyer Peter Berenson, who wrote a widely distributed article seeking amnesty for two Portuguese students sentenced to seven years in prison for making a toast to freedom.

Address: U.S. headquarters is located at 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA. There are several branch offices throughout the U.S. International headquarters is in London, England.
Phone: (212) 807-8400 (New York)
E-mail: admin-us@aiusa.org (United States)
Web site: www.amnestyusa.org (United States)

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COUNCIL OF EUROPE

Nature of Work: Composed of 47 member states, the Council of Europe seeks to develop within Europe the principles contained in the European Convention on Human Rights, and to further Europe’s cultural identity and diversity. Its focuses include the following areas: race and ethnic discrimination, bioethics, terrorism, human trafficking, organized crime, corruption, cybercrime, and violence against children.

The council consists of a Committee of Ministers, a Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, and a large secretariat headed by a Secretary General. The council’s mandate was last revised at the 2005 Warsaw Summit of Heads of State and Government. The council’s budget exceeds 200 million euros a year.

Council of Europe’s human rights programs include the following:

• Commissioner for Human Rights. The commissioner, created in 1999, is an independent institution of the Council of Europe. The commissioner conducts official country missions and then prepares reports — including analyses and recommendations — related to human rights conditions in those countries. The commissioner and his office coordinate with national ombudsmen and various national and international human rights organizations. The commissioner does not take on individual cases.
• European Court of Human Rights. For additional information on this court consult the separate tab for International Courts.

When founded: The Council of Europe was founded in 1949. The office of the Commissioner for Human Rights was created in 1999.
Address:

• Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, France
• Council of Europe, Avenue de l’Europe, 67075 Strasbourg Cedex, France

Phone:

• Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights: +33-(0)3-88-41-34-21
• Council of Europe: +33-(0)3-88-41-20-33

Web site: www.coe.int

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DOCTORS OF THE WORLD — USA (DOW)

Nature of Work: Doctors of the World — USA is active in many countries worldwide. Believing that “health is a human right,” DOW has embarked on missions by American health professionals in various parts of the world; initiated tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS-related projects; provided medical training and community mobilization; reconstructed health facilities destroyed by natural disasters; and assisted abandoned children of HIV-positive women.

DOW founded the Human Rights Clinic in the United States in 1984 to help torture survivors obtain asylum in the U.S. Their Web site reports that they have assisted more than 1,200 survivors from more than 75 countries.

When Founded: 1990. In 1980 several founders of MSF (“Medecins sans Frontieres,” translated as “Doctors without Borders”) undertook to form MDM (“Medecins du Monde,” translated as “Doctors of the World”) to enable them to take public positions on health and human rights. In 1990 Doctors of the World — USA (DOW) was formed as an autonomous part of the MDM/DOW network.

Address: 80 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038, USA
Phone: (212) 226-9890
E-mail: info@dowusa.org
Web site: www.dowusa.org

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EARTHJUSTICE

Nature of Work: Earthjustice states it is the leading nonprofit environmental law firm in the United States. It has actively litigated significant environmental cases for more than 25 years, originally as the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund. Past cases have included protection of the Mineral King Valley, protection of wildlife under the Endangered Species Act, protection of wilderness areas, and enforcement of pollution laws under the Clean Water Act and the Clear Air Act. It also focuses on the expansion and protection of environmental laws that are under attack. Its motto is “Because the earth needs a good lawyer.”

Earthjustice has taken up the issue of global warming, in part by seeking to limit construction of new coal plants. Its international office deals with issues of human rights, trade, and the environment.

Earthjustice states that in addition to representing the Sierra Club, it has represented more than 700 clients, including the Wilderness Society, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the National Audubon Society.

Size: 55 attorneys in its various offices. It reports more than 70,000 supporters.
When Founded: 1971 as the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund. Its name changed to Earthjustice in 1997 to reflect its work as advocate for hundreds of clients, not only the Sierra Club.

Address: National headquarters is at 426 17th Street, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612-2820, USA, with numerous regional offices. Its international office is located at the Oakland headquarters.
Phone: (510) 584-6460 (Oakland)
E-mail: info@earthjustice.org
Web site: www.earthjustice.org

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EARTHRIGHTS INTERNATIONAL (ERI)

Nature of Work: ERI advocates worldwide for human rights and protection of the environment. Methods used encompass litigation in U.S. courts, including claims under the Alien Tort Claim Act; documentation of abuses in reports and articles; community organizing; and training. ERI has brought cases against major multinational corporations for abuses of human rights and the environment. Legal briefs from various cases are available on its Web site; and it files amicus curiae briefs in significant cases where it is not counsel of record.

ERI created EarthRightsSchools to provide grassroots training in human rights and environmental activism in the Amazon and Southeast Asia. It partners with local organizations and private lawyers. And it produces a monthly e-newsletter.

When founded: 1995
Address: Offices in the United States and Southeast Asia
E-mail: infousa@earthrights.org
Web site: www.earthrights.org

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GLOBAL RIGHTS
Nature of Work: Global Rights (formerly, “International Human Rights Law Group”) works worldwide for human rights through both field offices in various countries and alliances with local organizations. It seeks justice for human rights victims, promotes racial and gender equality, and trains and supports local activists. It is operating in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East / North Africa. Global Rights selects legal cases that will have maximum strategic impact.

Address: 1200 18th St. N.W., Suite 602, Washington, D.C. 20036, USA. Field offices include Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
Phone: (202) 822-4600 (Washington, D.C.)
Web site: www.globalrights.org

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HUMAN RIGHTS INTERNET (HRI)

Nature of Work: HRI’s programs focus on conflict prevention, minority rights, migration issues, and women’s rights. Its largest program is the Initiative on Conflict Prevention through Quiet Diplomacy, which employs cooperative problem solving and seeks to address the underlying causes of conflict. HRI hosts a Visiting Speakers Series and e-publishes the Human Rights Tribune three times a year. HRI collaborates on the Human Rights Human Think Tank, available by subscription. It coordinates numerous international internships in conjunction with various Canadian agencies.

HRI has assembled a large microfiche database of documents on human rights, including a Human Rights Organizations database with more than 10,000 documents.
When Founded: 1976 in Chicago. Housed for a time at the Harvard Law School, it is now based in Ottawa, Canada.

Address: 1 Nicholas St., Suite 301, Ottawa, ON, K1N 7B7, Canada
Phone: (1-613) 789-7407
E-mail: info@hri.ca
Web site: www.hri.ca

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HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH (HRW)

Nature of Work: HRW is active globally in a broad range of areas, including treatment of prisoners; discrimination; censorship; and war-related abuses. HRW also addresses rights of women, children, workers, gays, lesbians, and those living with AIDS. The organization states that its primary strategies for advocacy are as follows: to conduct local fact-finding investigations, to produce books and reports on those findings, and to utilize public media and influential institutions to exert public pressure and require accountability from those responsible. HRW also monitors court proceedings; it rarely uses court litigation for advocacy. Provides monthly updates by e-mail.

Size: Web site reports an annual budget greater than $30 million; a staff of more than 200; and 39,000 recipients of its monthly e-mail updates.

When Founded: In 1978 as the “Helsinki Watch” to monitor compliance with the 1975 Helsinki Accords

Address: Headquarters is in New York. 350 Fifth Ave., 34th Floor, New York, NY 10118-3299, USA. Numerous offices worldwide (listed on Web site).
Phone: (212) 290-4700 (New York)
Web site: www.hrw.org

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INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (IACHR)

Nature of Work: The IACHR accepts petitions from individuals, groups, and organizations concerning human rights violations alleged to have occurred in one of the OAS member states, which rights are protected by either the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man (1948) or the American Convention on Human Rights (1969).

The IACHR responds to a claim with an investigation, which may involve an on-site visit to the country in question. The commission’s protocol is to prepare a first report, not released to the public, in which it makes recommendations; and if a violation is found, it gives the affected member state a specified period of time to resolve the matter. If the matter is not resolved within that time, the commission may elect to either prepare a second, published, report, or take the case to the Inter-American Court.

The IACHR is an organ of the Organization of American States (OAS). The other human rights organization of the OAS is the Inter-American Court of Human Rights located in Costa Rica; it was created by the American Convention on Human Rights.

When Founded: 1959
Address: 1889 F St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006, USA
Phone: (202) 458-6002
E-mail: cidhoea@oas.org
Web site: www.cidh.org

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INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR TIBET (ICT)

Nature of Work: The ICT supports human rights in Tibet, monitoring the region’s environmental and socio-economic conditions. It undertakes fact-finding missions to Tibet and works with the U.S. Congress and other governments to support Tibet with political and developmental assistance. ICT provides advocacy for imprisoned Tibetan human rights leaders and assists Tibetan refugees in exile.

Size: Web site reports 80,000 supporters as of 2004
When Founded: 1988
Address: Headquarters is at 1825 Jefferson Place N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, USA. Also has offices in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Berlin, Germany, and Brussels, Belgium.
Phone: (202) 785-1515 (Washington, D.C.)
Web site: www.savetibet.org

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INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS (ICJ)

Nature of Work: Founded in 1952, the ICJ states that it is “dedicated to the primacy, coherence and implementation of international law and principles that advance human rights,” and that it employs an “impartial, objective and authoritative legal approach.”
Its operations include the following:

• The ICJ’s Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (CIJL), established in 1978, which relies upon the U.N. Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary and the U.N. Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers
• Eminent Jurists Panel on Terrorism, Counter-terrorism and Human Rights

• Ongoing programmes concerning respect for the rule of law, the independence of judges and lawyers, corporate accountability, and the evolution of international law

The ICJ requests it be alerted to situations where lawyers or judges are attacked or otherwise prevented from performing their work in defense of human rights. The ICJ seeks lawyers and judges to serve as trial observers where the independence of the bench or bar is under attack, and to undertake fact-finding missions.

The commission itself is composed of 60 eminent lawyers and judges from various parts of the world. Membership is available in the 82 autonomous national sections. Internships are also available.
When Founded: 1952 in Berlin
Address:

• American Association for the ICJ, 280 Madison Ave., Suite 1102, New York, NY 10016, USA
• International Secretariat: P.O. Box 91, 33, rue des Bains, 1211 Geneva 8, Switzerland

Phone:

• U.S. national section: (212) 972-0883 (New York)
• International headquarters: +41-22-9793800 (Switzerland)

E-mail: info@icj.org
Web site: www.icj.org

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INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS (ICRC)

Nature of Work: The ICRC provides neutral assistance to both combatants and civilians affected by armed conflicts — during wars between nations or during internal violence — to protect people’s lives and dignity. It was initiated by Henry Dunant, a Swiss, who, after observing 40,000 dead and wounded lying on a battlefield in Italy, wrote in 1859 A Memory of Solferino in which he appealed for the establishment of relief societies. The predecessor of the ICRC was formed in Geneva in 1863.

The following is a list of the key assistance ICRC provides:

• Protects civilians in areas of conflict
• Visits prisoners of war and other detainees to ensure they are treated in compliance with international standards, including a prohibition on torture, and it registers these prisoners to help protect against disappearances
• Helps reunite family members separated by conflict and to trace missing persons
• Provides basic health care, food, safe water, sanitation, and shelter
• Promotes and protects the application of international humanitarian law (IHL), “the law of war,” to lessen excessive force by armed combatants
• Works to limit harm from land mines and other explosive remnants of wars (ERW)
• Promotes corporate social responsibility on the part of private companies

The ICRC’s legal mandate derives from both the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols, and from ICRC’s statutes that are adopted by the member states. It has observer status at the United Nations. The ICRC has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize three times.

The original ICRC emblem was the red cross, the reverse image of the Swiss flag. Subsequently the red crescent, and in 2005 the red crystal (diamond), have also been recognized to avoid religious or cultural connotations.

Size: The ICRC has offices in 80 countries and a staff greater than 12,000 worldwide. It is a founding member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, composed of the ICRC, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Movement as a whole has more than 100 million members. In armed conflict the ICRC takes the lead in coordinating efforts of the affiliated relief organizations.

When Founded: 1863
Address: 19 Avenue de la Paix, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Phone: +41-22-734-60-01
E-mail: shop.gva@icrc.org
Web site: www.icrc.org

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INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (FIDH)
Nature of Work: FIDH encompasses 155 human rights NGOs operating in approximately 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and North Africa and the Middle East. The federation works to protect the rights defined in the U.N.’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its activities include fact-finding missions, publication of findings and reports, observation of trials, advocacy, and litigation. It initiates cases on behalf of victims in both domestic courts and before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Through its Action Group for Women’s Rights, it combats gender discrimination. It advocates for corporate social responsibility through both dialogue and litigation with transnational corporations. FIDH organizes training and programs to build the capability of local NGOs.

FIDH is led by a triennial World Congress, an International Board, and its International Secretariat.

When Founded: 1922
Address: 17, Passage de la main d’or, 75011 Paris, France
Phone: +33-1-43-55-25-18
Web site: www.fidh.org

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INTERNATIONAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE CONSORTIUM (ILAC)

Nature of Work: ILAC is an umbrella organization of more than 40 NGOs dedicated to rebuilding damaged justice systems after war or armed conflict. It seeks to increase efficiency and prevent duplication through coordination of donor efforts and by assembling teams of legal experts.

Legal system rehabilitation projects are undertaken with the cooperation of the host government. ILAC begins a country project with an initial assessment and recommendations; reports and analyses are prepared. Its work includes training of judges and lawyers in the areas of legal best practices, international law, human rights law, and the importance of an independent bar and judiciary. ILAC also is active in supporting gender justice, addressing women’s right to protection against violence through the rule of law.

ILAC has conducted legal reform projects in Afghanistan, Algeria, Haiti, Iraq, Liberia, Morocco, and the Palestinian Territories.

Member organizations include the American Bar Association and the International Bar Association.
When Founded: 2002
Address:

• ILAC U.S. Office: 11405 Waples Mill Road, Oakton, VA 22124, USA
• ILAC head office in Sweden: Post Box 22082, SE-104 22 Stockholm, Sweden

Phone:

• USA Office: +1-703-715-21-11
• Head Office, Sweden: +46-8-545-714-20

Web site: www.ilac.se

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INTERNATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR TORTURE VICTIMS (IRCT)
Nature of Work: IRCT is an umbrella organization of approximately 136 worldwide professional centers and programs for torture rehabilitation. Rehabilitation centers provide multidisciplinary assistance to torture victims and their families, including medical, psychological, legal, and financial aid. IRTC works to eliminate torture through programs engendering public awareness, pooling information, sharing expertise among members, and developing funding sources. The IRTC seeks international ratification of the U.N. Convention Against Torture. It publishes the Torture Journal, which it offers free of charge.

The General Assembly of the IRTC meets every three years and is open to all members.

The General Secretariat manages daily operations.

When Founded: The first meeting of the General Assembly was held in 2003
Address: Borgergade 13, P.O. Box 9049 DK-1022, Copenhagen K, Denmark
Phone: +45-33-76-06-00
E-mail: irct@irct.org
Web site: www.irct.org

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INTERNATIONAL TIBET SUPPORT NETWORK (ITSN)

Nature of Work: ITSN is a coordinating organization for approximately 150 nongovernmental Tibet support groups worldwide. It was formed to provide integrated goals and strategy, and to maximize the most efficient use of the combined resources of the various support groups. Its two primary goals are to end human rights violation in Tibet and to restore to the Tibetan people their rights under international law to determine their own political, economic, social, religious, and cultural status.

The ITSN operates independently from the Tibetan Government in Exile, although the Tibetan Government in Exile appoints a two-person liaison. ITSN recognizes the Tibetan Government in Exile as the sole legitimate government of Tibet.

ITSN works by building the capacity of member organizations through training and fundraising, and through strategic campaigns. Member organizations may join Campaign Working Groups devoted to a particular issue. Currently there are three Campaign Working Groups: Olympics, Human Rights, and Economic Rights.

The ITSN states it is committed to nonviolence, and only organizations sharing that commitment are eligible to join.

ITSN does not accept individual members; however individuals may join one of the member organizations, which are listed on the ITSN Web site. The member organizations elect the Steering Committee. Its day-to-day operations are conducted by the Secretariat.

When Founded: 2000 at an international conference of Tibet groups
Address: c/o Free Tibet Campaign, 28 Charles Square, London, N1 6 HT, United Kingdom
Phone: +44-(0)20-7324-4605
E-mail: itsn@tibetnetwork.org
Web site: www.tibetnetwork.org

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NATIONAL CONSORTIUM OF TORTURE TREATMENT PROGRAMS (NCTTP)
Nature of Work: The NCTTP is a U.S.-based consortium that coordinates among its member nonprofit organizations to address the needs of torture victims by developing the quantity and quality of specialized treatments. Members share knowledge and expertise, and they provide medical and mental health services, interpretation and translation, and social services. Some member organizations additionally provide education, job training, and access to legal services. Consortium members endeavor to provide culturally appropriate services.

Approximately 23 full member organizations in various states Comprise the NCTTP. Organizations that apply are accepted as provisional members for one year, then reevaluated for either full or associate membership.

When Founded: 1998
Address: See Web site for contact information
E-mail: webadmin@cvt.org
Web site: ncttp.westside.com

The full Web site is restricted to member organizations. However, member organization information can be browsed by the public.

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NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS FUND (NARF)

Nature of Work: NARF cites it is the oldest and largest nonprofit law firm dedicated to defending and promoting the rights of Indian tribes, organizations, and individuals. It provides legal representation and technical assistance, emphasizing the application of existing laws and treaties. NARF also serves as a consultant to policy makers who draft new legislation. NARF focuses its efforts in five areas:

• Preservation of tribal existence
• Protection of tribal natural resources
• Promotion of Native American human rights
• Accountability of governments to Native Americans
• Development of Indian law and public education about Indian rights

NARF mentions it has worked for more than 250 tribes. Examples of issues for which it has advocated include the following: the sovereignty of tribes; protection of tribes’ rights to hunt, fish, and use water on historic lands; religious freedom; return of buried remains; and voting rights. NARF maintains a public National Indian Law Library in Boulder, Colorado. Its current cases and projects are listed on its Web site.

NARF is also involved in international projects such as the OAS Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. NARF’s global warming project addresses climate change in Alaska and its multiple effects on the lives of Alaska natives.

Size: Fifteen staff attorneys handle approximately 50 major cases at a time
When Founded: 1970
Address: Headquarters is at 1506 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302-6296, USA. Branch offices are located in Washington, D.C., and Anchorage, Alaska.
Phone: (303) 447-8760 (Colorado)
Web site: www.narf.org

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THE CENTER FOR JUSTICE & ACCOUNTABILITY (CJA)

Nature of Work: CJA is a nonprofit law firm that specializes in cases related to torture and serious human rights violations. It brings civil lawsuits in U.S. courts on behalf of survivors of torture and their families, to hold perpetrators accountable. CJA provides legal, medical, and psychological support. It utilizes the Alien Tort Statute and the Torture Victim Protection Act to sue in U.S. courts. CJA files amicus curiae legal briefs in significant cases, and it advocates for new human rights legislation. It assists in the prosecution of criminal cases in foreign courts by obtaining extradition from the United States to a forum where the perpetrator can stand trial. CJA works with the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security to identify human rights abusers living in the U.S. Founded with a one-time grant from Amnesty International, it receives ongoing funding from the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.

Size: Six staff members and various volunteers and interns as of March 2008
When Founded: 1998
Address: 870 Market St., Suite 688, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA
Phone: (415) 544-0444
Web site: www.cja.org

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THE PACHAMAMA ALLIANCE

Nature of Work: The Pachamama Alliance assists indigenous people in the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador and Peru, in particular the Achuar people, to protect their historic lands from industrial encroachment and preserve their cultural traditions and plant medicines. In North America, the Alliance promotes education and awareness for sustainable living, seeking to “change the dream of the North” into one of successful coexistence with nature. It is a clearinghouse of ideas and information.

The Pachamama Alliance sponsors various programs, symposiums, and monthly gatherings. It publishes a monthly newsletter, the Awakening the Dreamer Community Newsletter.

Size: Web site estimates 25,000 participants by the end of 2007
Address: P.O. Box 29191, Presidio Building, #1009, Ground Floor, San Francisco, CA 94129-9191, USA
Phone: (415) 561-4522
E-mail: info@pachama.org
Web site: www.pachamama.org

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UNITED NATIONS (U.N.)

Nature of Work: Since its inception in 1945, the United Nations (U.N.) has been a leader in global human rights. In 1948 the U.N. adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has become a norm of human rights law. The U.N. has been instrumental in many important treaties and conventions on human rights, including the following:

• Convention on the Rights of the Child (1959)
• International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1969)
• Declaration Against Torture (1975)
• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (known collectively with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the “International Bill of Rights”) (1976)
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) (1979)
• United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (1981)
• Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1987)
• Declaration on the Protection of all Peoples from Enforced Disappearance (1992)
• Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (1999)
• Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1999)
• Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (2002)
• U.N. Norms, adopted by the Sub-Commission on the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights, which address corporate responsibility for human rights (2003)
• International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (2006)
• Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007)

The principal United Nations’ entities concerned with human rights are the following:

• The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

OHCHR is the primary office of the United Nations charged with the promotion of human rights. It is a part of the United Nation Secretariat and reports to the Secretary-General. OHCHR has a staff of more than 900. It provides expertise and support to charter-based bodies, such as the Human Rights Council and Special Procedures, and to seven human rights treaty bodies that monitor states’ implementation of international human rights treaties.

Recognizing that local governments necessarily have primary responsibility for enforcement of human rights, OHCHR assists governments with training and technical support in the areas of administration of justice, legislative reform, and electoral procedures.

OHCHR focuses on standard-setting, monitoring, and implementation. It works in the field through numerous Country Offices that provide monitoring, reporting, training, and local organization capability building. Its Rapid Response Unit can quickly deploy personnel to the field. It also has eight regional offices for various regions of the world. OHCHR supports various U.N. Peace Missions, U.N. Country Teams, and other U.N. organizations, and it works in partnership with numerous international groups. The OHCHR Web site lists human rights by country.

OHCHR can take up individual complaints of human rights abuse.

OHCHR publishes A Handbook for NGOs, fact sheets, special issue papers, reference materials, and training materials — they are listed on its Web site.

• Human Rights Council

In 2006, the Human Rights Council replaced the 60-year-old Commission on Human Rights. A political body consisting of state representatives, the council is the primary intergovernmental body at the U.N. for human rights. It reports to the General Assembly.

Among other activities, the council operates Special Procedures, which are mechanisms to address conditions in a particular country or a thematic issue worldwide. Currently there are 28 thematic mandates and 10 country mandates. Special Procedures can be staffed by individuals, such as a special rapporteur, representative, or independent expert, or a Special Procedure can be staffed by a working group.

When Founded: 1945
Address: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: Palais Wilson, 52 rue des Pâquis, CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland
Phone: +41-22-917-90-00
E-mail: webmanager@ohchr.org
Web site: www.ohchr.org

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WORLD ORGANISATION AGAINST TORTURE (OMCT)

Nature of Work: The OMCT (“Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture”) is a network of international NGOs that combat torture, summary executions, disappearances, and other degrading treatment. It consists of a network of approximately 282 organizations in 92 countries, spanning every continent. OMCT quotes that network members must be politically independent and capable of providing reliable information on torture incidents; they must not seek political power or the overthrow of a regime; and they must be willing to help all victims without discrimination.

Through its SOS-Torture Network the OMCT receives reports of torture from local NGOs in the field and acts as an alert system to provide widespread notification through urgent appeals. It applies pressure on the relevant authorities for fair treatment and release of victims.

OMCT provides logistical and legal support to local human rights NGOs and victims of torture. Some of these projects are as follows:

• Providing legal assistance to individuals and organizations who desire to initiate a proceeding within the United Nations’ human rights programs, including filing of amicus curiae briefs
• Training local leaders
• Its Urgent Assistance to Victims of Torture program
• An Economic, Social and Cultural Rights program that addresses the socio-economic conditions that underlie human rights violations
• A Children’s Rights program
• It’s Violence Against Women program
• Creation of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, in partnership with the Federation of Human Rights

An International Secretariat coordinates the SOS-Torture Network and acts as spokesperson. An Executive Council is the executive body. The Assembly of Delegates is the legislative body, meeting annually. Internships are available.
OMCT Europe represents the OMCT before the European Union to promote human rights.
When Founded: 1986 in Geneva

Address:

• International Secretariat headquarters: P.O. Box 21; 8, rue du Vieux-Billard; CH-1211 Geneva 8; Switzerland
• OMCT Europe office: Rue du Marteau 19, B-1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Phone:

• International Secretariat: +41-22-809-4939
• OMCT Europe: +32-2-218-3719

E-mail:

• International Secretariat: omct@omct.org
• OMCT Europe: omcteurope@omct.org

Web site: www.omct.org

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WORLD ORGANIZATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS USA

Nature of Work: Human Rights USA is a nonprofit organization that supports human rights litigation in U.S. courts for criminal and civil redress. Litigation is its primary tool. It often sues under the Alien Tort Claims Act and the Torture Victims Protection Act, and it files amicus curiae briefs in significant cases. Human Rights USA is a member of the World Organisation Against Torture.

Human Rights USA’s current areas of emphasis are as follows:

• Protecting habeas corpus rights
• Protecting refugees from torture and gender-based violence
• Holding human right abusers accountable, including corporations accountability
• Preserving access to courts for victims

Human Rights USA relies heavily on pro bono contributions from private law firms on large cases, and it invites pro bono involvement. Internships are available.

When Founded: 1996
Address: 2029 P St. N.W., Suite 301, Washington, D.C. 20036, USA
Phone: (202) 296-5702
E-mail: info@humanrightsusa.org
Web site: www.humanrightsusa.org

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BAR ASSOCIATIONS CONCERNED WITH HUMAN RIGHTS

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION (ABA)

Nature of Work: The ABA is the largest and most powerful bar association in the world, with more than 400,000 members worldwide. Its sections and activities that are relevant to international human rights include the following:

• The ABA Human Rights Committee produces an excellent weekly e-newsletter which is free of charge and available to the general public. To subscribe visit:   

http://w3.abanet.org/abanet/common/email/listserv/
listcommands.cfm?parm=subscribe&listgroup=inthumrights

Or, e-mail russell@kerrlawfirm.com.

• World Justice Project (WJP):

The WJP is a multinational, multidisciplinary project to globally strengthen the rule of law. WJP’s central premise is that effective rule of law is essential for personal safety, jobs, health education, and sound social infrastructure. Its definition of rule of law encompasses four “universal principles”:

1. The government and its officials and agents are accountable under the law;
2. The laws are clear, publicized, stable and fair, and protect fundamental rights, including the security of persons and property;
3. The process by which the laws are enacted, administered and enforced is accessible, fair and efficient;
4. The laws are upheld, and access to justice is provided, by competent, independent, and ethical law enforcement officials, attorneys or representatives, and judges who are of sufficient number, have adequate resources, and reflect the makeup of the communities they serve.

The WJP has four program areas: (1) mainstreaming the rule of law into multiple disciplines such as architecture, engineering, public health, and public safety; (2) promoting new scholarship on the rule of law, for which it has assembled teams of scholars; (3) development of a Rule of Law Index to create a methodology to identify principal factors and indicators to measure the rule of law in a particular country; (4) convening a World Justice Forum for world leaders in politics, business, labor, and NGOs. www.abanet.org/wjp/.

• ABA Center For Human Rights:

The center assists in developing ABA policy and projects concerning human rights. The center’s Web site contains a summary of ABA human rights policies in the following areas: terrorism; capital punishment; children’s rights; civil and political rights; economic, social and cultural rights; good governance; immigrants, migrant workers, and refugees; international tribunals and jurisdiction; the justice system; racial discrimination; regional and country-specific issues; sexual orientation and conduct; women’s rights; and human rights in general. The Web site also contains a chronology of significant human rights documents. www.abanet.org/humanrights/

Another ABA Center project is the Rule of Law Letters sent by the President of the ABA to governments of countries where human rights violations are alleged to have occurred, requesting the facts of the reported incident. The ABA conducts its own research before sending a Rule of Law Letter, and various sections of the ABA review the letters. Copies of the letters are sent to the U.S. Secretary of State.

• ABA Section of International Law:
• Business Regulation Division:
• International Environmental Law Committee
• Disputes Division
• International Courts Committee
• International Criminal Law
• International Judicial Affairs Committee
• Committee International Litigation
• Public International Law (Treaty) Division I
• International Health Law Committee
• Private International Law Coordinating Committee
• UN & International Institutions Coordinating Committee
• Public International Law (Treaty) Division II
• Corporate Social Responsibility Committee
• International Human Rights Committee
• Rights of Child Subcommittee
• Human Rights and Corporate Responsibility

Subcommittee

• African Human Rights Law Subcommittee
• European Human Rights Laws Subcommittee
• Inter-American Human Rights Laws Subcommittee
• International Humanitarian Law Subcommittee
• Rights of Women Subcommittee
• Trial Observations Subcommittee
• ABA Litigation Section:
• Class Actions & Derivative Suits Committee
• International Litigation Committee
• Pro Bono & Public Interest Litigation Committee
• ABA Individual Rights and Responsibilities Section:

Projects include human rights advocacy and international rule of law activities.

• ABA-UNDP International Legal Resource Center (ILRC):

Established in 1999, the ILRC supports the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in international legal assistance projects. The ILRC helps to identify candidates, who usually work pro bono, who can provide legal advice in the following areas: reform of legal institutions, electoral law, legislative drafting, public sector processes, anticorruption laws, strengthening of local institutions, capability building of independent bar associations, legal education, judicial training, and legal services to the indigent and underrepresented. www.abanet.org/intlaw/ilrc

• ABA International Rule of Law Initiative:

Several separate initiative programs were consolidated into the Rule of Law Initiative in 2003. The Initiative has an annual budget of more than $30 million, with primary funding from the United Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of State, and the Department of Justice. It has a professional staff of more than 400, including volunteers who often spend from three months to two years abroad. The Initiative concentrates its legal assistance efforts in seven areas: anticorruption; criminal law reform and human trafficking; gender issues; human rights and conflict mitigation; judicial reform; legal education reform; and legal profession reform. The Initiative’s view is that lack of the rule of law is the root of many of the world’s pressing social and economic problems and that promotion of the rule of law is the antidote. www.abanet.org/intnat

Size: The ABA has more than 400,000 members. It is open to members from all countries.
When Founded: 1878 by 100 lawyers from 21 states
Address: American Bar Association, 740 15th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005-1009, USA
Phone:

• ABA: (800) 285-2221
• Center For Human Rights: (202) 662-1030

Web sites:

• The ABA: www.abanet.org
• World Justice Project: www.abanet.org/wjp/ or www.worldjusticeproject.org
• Center For Human Rights: www.abanet.org/humanrights/

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INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION (IBA)
Nature of Work: Founded in 1947, the IBA is the largest international bar association. It is a leader in the advancement of human rights by developing the rule of law.
In 1995, the IBA founded the Human Rights Institute (HRI) under the Honorary Presidency of Nelson Mandela. HRI works to secure fundamental rights through advancement of the rule of law. It conducts human rights training for lawyers and judges, undertakes fact-finding missions in various countries, observes trials to ensure the fairness of the proceedings, and works to protect the independence of the judiciary. The Institute is active in Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. It publishes various country reports, listed on its Web site.

The IBA was active in support for and implementation of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Continuing its involvement, the HRI maintains a full-time representative at The Hague to monitor proceedings at the ICC, and it publishes reports on issues including fair trial of the accused, implementation of the Rome Statute, and rules of procedure. The HRI is also active in outreach programs to expand global understanding of the work of the ICC.

A Human Rights Law Committee Newsletter is published monthly by the Section on Legal Practice.

The IBA offers several professional education programs, such as its LL.M in Professional Legal Practice, its Legal Internship Programme, and its International Practice Diploma Programme. It has created the IBA Charitable Trust and the IBA Foundation Inc. for international law-related projects.

The IBA publishes a broad variety of magazines, journals, books, newsletters, and conference papers. Its Web site allows a search of thousands of publications.

Size: 30,000 lawyers and 195 bar associations and law societies
When Founded: 1947 by representatives of 34 national bar associations, inspired by the founding of the United Nations
Address: London headquarters is at 10th Floor, 1 Stephen St., London, W1T 1AT, United Kingdom
Phone: +44-(0)20-7691-6868
Web site: www.ibanet.org