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Human rights

BACK IN 1948, the United Nations issued the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It said that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. This noble sentiment hasn’t always been upheld. But it’s not just tyrants who have been in its breach. Some of the world’s most powerful countries – including Britain – have been found lacking too.


> The big players
> Something a little different
> Women and children
> Refugees
> Racism and minorities
> Peace


The big players
These organizations highlight where rights are being broken and campaign against governments and companies alike. It’s not an easy job.

They often lose out to the big international aid outfits in the battle for cash. And the charities which promote human rights in this country are even worse off. Also, much campaigning work doesn't count as 'charitable' under UK law, meaning that a lot of these charities’ work doesn't qualify for tax breaks or Gift Aid.

If you want to help promote human rights worldwide, you should support a big organization. The largest of all is Amnesty International (see profile), which investigates abuses, lobbies governments and carries out high-profile public campaigning.

Although it might seem dull, Amnesty’s complex legal structure is also important to understand if you want to control where your donation is spent. This short article explains all.

Amnesty is also perfect for those who want to lend support but can’t make a cash donation. Their famous letter-writing campaigns, amongst other things, have apparently been successful.

The British Red Cross (see profile) is part of the international Red Cross/Red Crescent movement. Its main purpose is to provide emergency relief worldwide, but it also promotes the rights of prisoners and prisoners of war in far-flung places.

International Alert (see profile) spun off from Amnesty International twenty years ago. It works in twenty countries and aims to “lay the foundations for lasting peace and security in communities affected by violent conflict”. It works with people directly affected by conflict and also lobbies governments and international bodies such as the UN.

One World Action (see profile) believes that the protection of people’s rights in poor countries is critical to the development process. It works from the top down, lobbying governments, and from the bottom up, educating poor people.

It might be worth casting your eye over out International Development section if you are interested in the international aspect of these organizations’ work.

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Something a little different
Although these charities might not seem concerned with human rights, they all see promoting rights as the key to their success.

The Down’s Syndrome Association (see profile) thinks that people with Down’s Syndrome often have their rights ignored. It provides a helpline for people with the condition and runs campaigns to alert both the public and politicians to their cause.

Anti-Slavery International (see profile) is the world’s oldest human rights charity. Committed to abolishing all forms of slavery – from bonded labourers and prostitutes to child camel jockeys – it does most of its work in poor countries. It estimates that there are 20 million slaves worldwide, and that some of them even live in the UK.

Medical Foundation For The Care Of Victims Of Torture Torture is one of the most violent ways of infringing a person’s rights. This charity works with those who have been tortured, providing them doctors, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, complementary therapists and legal advisers. They helped around 2,000 people in 2006.

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Women and children
Women and children are particularly likely to have their human rights infringed, across the world.

Domestic violence is a crime, and if you witness an assault then you should call the police directly on 999.

If you are affected by domestic abuse contact The National Domestic Violence Helpline for advice, it’s a free 24-hours helpline on 0808 2000 247.

Refuge (see profile) supports women and children who are the victims of domestic violence, and their children. It helps 900 people every day in the UK. It provides counselling, advice and safe places where women and children can stay.

Divorce Aid (a not-for-profit company that accepts donations, rather than a charity) advises people in England and Wales on how to get a divorce. It also provides a lot of information about domestic violence and how children are affected by abuse.

Women's Aid works to end domestic violence against women and children. It supports a network of over 500 domestic- and sexual-violence services across the UK.

NSPCC (see profile) Children have rights too, and the NSPCC tries to protect them. It offers advice, support and help to children and parents whilst also lobbying the government and running awareness campaigns. It also now runs ChildLine which provides help and advice to children.

Womankind worldwide (see profile) thinks that women are critical to the success of development projects in poor countries. They tend, we’re told, to spend money more responsibly than men. Womankind Worldwide funds small organizations in poor countries that work to improve women’s prospects.

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Refugees
There are 33 million refugees in the world today. They are often particularly vulnerable to having their rights abused. This means that there are many charities that work with them. If you don’t know your refugee form your asylum seeker this will clear things up for you.

Refugee Action (see profile) works in the UK with refugees trying to settle in Britain. It provides emergency accommodation and gives advice to refugees. It also works with the wider community to encourage integration and run campaigns on refugee rights.

The Refugee Council (see profile) helps both refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. It provides practical advice, training and informs them of their rights when they are in the UK. It also seeks to improve the situation of refugees by lobbying at the highest level.

Student Action for Refugees (STAR) (see profile) works with university students to raise the profile of refugees, integrate them into the local community and provide education and training. It also provides an important link between refugees and official services.

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Racism and minorities
Survival International (see profile) supports tribes that have shunned the outside world. Since these people live in some of the world’s most remote areas, they’re particularly vulnerable to human rights abuses. This outfit work closely with the tribes informing them of their rights and fights whoever threatens them. It also has a very snazzy website, which even includes some decent videos.

Kick it Out (see profile) works with British footballers to kick racism out of football.

The Minority Rights Group (MRG) (see profile) works internationally to secure the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples, and promotes cooperation and understanding between communities.

The Community Security Trust (see profile) aims to eliminate anti-Semitism in the UK. It protects the Jewish community by liaising with the police, lobbying the government and researching anti-Semitism.

The Iraqi Welfare Association (see profile) works with Iraqis in the UK to prevent rights-abuses.

The Kurdish Human Rights Project (see profile) aims to protect the human rights of Kurds in Kurdistan and elsewhere.

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Peace
Amnesty International (see above) works extensively in this sector.

Concordis International (see website) helps people affected by armed conflict around world. It aims to create lasting peace and hope. Today it is helping out in some of the world’s trouble hotspots including Sudan, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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