Human Rights

Resources in this category:

American Civil Liberties Union
http://www.aclu.org/

³The American Civil Liberties Union is the nation's foremost advocate of individual rights -- litigating, legislating, and educating the public on a broad array of issues affecting individual freedom in the United States. The ACLU is not a public defender like Legal Services or Legal Aid. It does not handle criminal cases or civil disputes or choose sides according to financial criteria. Nor do we take political sides; we are neither liberal nor conservative, Republican nor Democratic. The ACLU is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 275,000-member public interest organization devoted exclusively to protecting the basic civil liberties of all Americans, and extending them to groups that have traditionally been denied them. In its almost seven decades in existence, the ACLU has become a national institution, and is widely recognized as the country's foremost advocate of individual rights.² This site provides current new and events, position papers, current cases, online membership regitration, and congressional information on pending issues.

Amnesty International
http://www.amnesty.org/

"Amnesty International is a worldwide campaigning movement that works to promote all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international standards. In particular, Amnesty International campaigns to free all prisoners of conscience; ensure fair and prompt trials for political prisoners; abolish the death penalty, torture and other cruel treatment of prisoners; end political killings and 'disappearances'; and oppose human rights abuses by opposition groups." This site provides recent campaign information, international country reports, news releases, and recent Amnesty Publications information.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/

"The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is an international bill of rights for women. Acknowledging that the mere fact of women's humanity had been insufficient to guarantee women protection of their rights under existing human rights standards and mechanisms, it brings together in a single comprehensive human rights treaty, the provisions of previous United Nations instruments concerning discrimination on the basis of sex and extends them further, so as to create a tool dedicated to the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women."

Freedom House
http://www.freedomhouse.org/

Analysis and rankings of civil freedoms in countries world-wide. Free, searchable reports. Non-profit, non-partisan organization.

The Global Fund for Children
http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/

"The Global Fund for Children promotes the human rights of children and youth by placing their best interests at the center of each activity - from finding creative ways to promote literacy to giving them a stage where their voices can be truly heard." Website includes information about the organization, their activities and publications.

Hong Kong Human Rights Commission
http://www.hkhrc.org.hk/

"We are a non-governmental, community based organization which promotes human rights through monitoring and public education, by advocating law reforms, improvements in complaints channels and networking with others who share our concern over human rights in Hong Kong. A federation of human rights organizations in Hong Kong. The site contains the NGO submissions to United Nations and other updated information about the human rights condition in Hong Kong."

Human Rights Watch
http://www.hrw.org/

Human Rights Watch is dedicated to the universal protection of human rights. Their site offers an online version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, research on human rights infractions around the world, links to other human rights sites, information about how you can get involved, and updates on various Human Rights Watch campaigns.

International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights
http://www.ihf-hr.org/

"The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights is a self-governing group of non-governmental, not-for-profit organizations that act to protect human rights throughout Europe, North America, and the Central Asian republics formed from the territories of the former Soviet Union. A primary specific goal is to monitor compliance with the human rights provisions of the Helsinki Final Act and its Follow-up Documents. A secretariat based in Vienna, commonly referred to as 'the IHF', supports and provides liaison among thirty-four member 'Helsinki committees', and represents them at the international political level. The IHF also has direct links with individuals and groups supporting human rights in countries where no Helsinki committees exist. In addition to gathering and analyzing information on human rights conditions in OSCE participating States, the IHF acts as a clearing house for this information, disseminating it to governments, inter-governmental organizations, the press and the public at large. The IHF is even-handed in its criticism of human rights violations with respect to the political systems of states in which these abuses occur. Particularly since 1989, the IHF has also been active in promoting and supporting human rights in formerly totalitarian countries by organizing education projects, seminars, and international projects. Many of these have been implemented by Helsinki committees and other local human rights organizations." Website includes information about the federation and its activities, press releases, and links to and contact information for affiliated organizations.

Japanese American Citizens League
http://www.jacl.org/

"The Japanese American Citizens League was founded in 1929 to fight discrimination against people of Japanese ancestry. It is the largest and one of the oldest Asian American organizations in the United States." The organization's national homepage includes information on memberships, upcoming events, and educational resources, as well as contacts for regional offices.

National Coalition Against Censorship
http://www.ncac.org/

"The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC), founded in 1974, is an alliance of over 40 national non-profit organizations, including literary, artistic, religious, educational, professional, labor, and civil liberties groups. United by a conviction that freedom of thought, inquiry, and expression must be defended, we work to educate our own members and the public at large about the dangers of censorship and how to oppose it. NCAC strives to create a climate of opinion hospitable to First Amendment freedoms in the broader community." Website includes information about the organization, briefing papers, letters, press releases, and links to Internet resources.

Newfoundland-Labrador Human Rights Association
http://www.nlhra.org/

"Our mandate is to promote respect for, and increase awareness of, human rights for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and the world." This website presents material of interest to human rights researchers. While much of the content is specific to Newfoundland and Labrador, general material on human rights issues is also available. Additional resources are provided specifically for young people.

PEN American Center
http://pen.org/

PEN is a "fellowship of writers working for more than seventy-five years to advance literature, to promote a culture of reading, and to defend free expression." Site includes announcements of upcoming events, news, and information on membership.

Support Coalition International
http://www.MindFreedom.org/

"Support Coalition is an alliance of more than 70 grassroots groups in 11 countries united to win human rights in the 'mental health system.'"

Human Rights Campaign
http://www.hrc.org/

"The Human Rights Campaign, the largest national lesbian and gay political organization, envisions an America where lesbian and gay people are ensured of their basic equal rights -- and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community. HRC has more than 175,000 members, both gay and non-gay -- all committed to making this vision a reality. With a national staff, and volunteers and members throughout the country, HRC: lobbies the federal government on gay, lesbian and AIDS issues; educates the public; participates in election campaigns; organizes volunteers; and provides expertise and training at the state and local level."

United Nations Children's Fund
http://www.unicef.org/

UNICEF was created to the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. This site contains information about current UNICEF activities, publications, news involving UNICEF, and youth involvement.