Human rights

This topic speaks about human rights, what it is, how human rights are related to us and how to protect them

Human rights and civil society’s role in it

"The world is a dangerous place to live! Not so much because of those who make evil, but because of those who look on and allow them to do it." Albert Einstein

As a victim of human rights abuse or someone who cares about others being abused, you can turn upon some human rights civil society organisations or even activate yourself in one. A dynamic civil society is crucial for a functioning democracy and strongly contributes towards respecting of human rights by governments.

Social and political activism is naturally inherent to civil society organisations, regarding human rights as such they are active either in the field of activism and advocacy, or education and awareness raising, or watchdogging, or combination of all of them contributing to the protection of human rights in their own specific ways.

They can do the following:

  • Fighting individual violations of Human Rights
  • Providing direct assistance to those whose rights have been violated
  • Lobbying for changes to national or international law
  • Contributing to the development of the substance of those laws
  • Promoting knowledge of and respect for human rights among the population

Though if you were Balli Marzecova, you could visit NGO providing assistance to get legal help, most often provided by pro bono publico, and enabling you to complain or sue at higher bodies. Then you could offer your story to a lobbying organisation. It could further use it in their campaigns pushing government to keep its commitments.

And why is civil society important for human rights? Simply, on one hand, it is closer to people and their problems than any state institution or organisation, and on the other hand, its organisations are equipped with know-how which ordinary people usually do not have. Thus, they are able to defend rights of ordinary people against their violators more effectively than people alone and their services are relatively widely available.

There are many various NGOs working in the field, varying from international NGOs to locally performing organisations or associations, varying according to the field of interest.

International and regional:

National:

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Questions to reflect on

  • Do you know any NGOs dealing with human rights in your surroundings?
  • What exactly is their work?
  • Would you address it if your rights were violated?
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