The right to equality and the right to life, liberty, and personal security. Freedom from discrimination, slavery, and from torture and degrading treatment. The right to recognition as a person before the law and equality under the law. The right to a remedy from a competent tribunal and to a fair public hearing. Freedom from arbitrary arrest and exile and from interference with privacy, family, home, and correspondence. The right to be considered innocent until proven guilty. The right to free movement in and out of one’s own country and the right to asylum from persecution in other countries. The right to a nationality and the freedom to change it. The right to marriage and family, and to own property. Freedom of belief and religion. [3] X Trustworthy Source United Nations Official site for the United Nations, an intergovernmental organization devoted to maintaining peace and building relationships between all nations. Go to source
Freedom of opinion and expression and the right to information. Freedom of peaceful assembly and association. The right to participate in government, equal access to public service in his or her country, and the right to vote in free elections. [5] X Trustworthy Source United Nations Official site for the United Nations, an intergovernmental organization devoted to maintaining peace and building relationships between all nations. Go to source
The right to social security. The right to participate in desirable work and to join trade unions. The right to rest and leisure and an adequate living standard for one’s health and well-being. The right to education, which is free during elementary and fundamental stages of development. [7] X Trustworthy Source United Nations Official site for the United Nations, an intergovernmental organization devoted to maintaining peace and building relationships between all nations. Go to source
Take a course at a local college on human rights. Depending on the course you choose, you may get an introduction to human rights and the law, the way that rights are monitored and protected and the steps that are taken to respond to human rights violations. [10] X Research source There are a number of free online courses on human rights that you can take. You can find some of these courses at: https://www. humanrightscareers. com/courses/.
Attend a local event sponsored by human rights organizations such as Amnesty International. By participating in a local event against a human rights violation, such as protesting the death penalty, your actions are part of a larger collective action against injustice. You can find local events on Amnesty International’s website: http://www. amnestyusa. org/get-involved. [12] X Research source Sign or create a petition related to human rights issues. You may feel passionate about adequate housing for all or food for children living in poverty and there are likely other people who share your passion. By creating a petition to support local, state, or national legislation, you are actively promoting and protecting human rights. Amnesty International has a number of human rights-related petitions at http://www. amnestyusa. org/get-involved/take-action-now. Support politicians with a demonstrated commitment to human rights issues. [13] X Research source
Identify the specific article of the UDHR that was violated. Set forth all of the facts related to the human rights abuse in a detailed manner, and if possible, in chronological order. Provide the date, time and place of the incident(s); name and position of the perpetrator(s); place of detention if applicable; names and addresses of any witnesses and any other important details. [14] X Research source
Amnesty International at: https://www. amnesty. org/en/about-us/contact/. Human Rights Action Center at: http://www. humanrightsactioncenter. org/about/. Human Rights Watch at: https://www. hrw. org/contact. Children’s Defense Fund at: http://www. childrensdefense. org/contact/. You can find links to additional organizations at: http://www. humanrights. com/voices-for-human-rights/human-rights-organizations/non-governmental. html. [15] X Research source
Your name or the name of the organization making the complaint and a clear statement as to whether you want to remain anonymous. The complaint must clearly state and uncover a consistent pattern of significant and documented human rights violations. You must identify the victims of the human rights violations as well as the perpetrators and provide a detailed description of the violations. Include evidence such as a statement by the victim, medical reports, or any other information that can support your complaint. Clearly state which rights, as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, were violated. Give the reason you are seeking UN intervention. Show that you have exhausted any other remedies. Your complaint can be sent to: Commission/Sub-Commission Team (1503 Procedure), Support Services Branch, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Office at Geneva, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland. The complaint can also be faxed to + 41 22 9179011 or emailed to: CP(at)ohchr. org. [17] X Research source
The Indigenous Fellowship Program, which is for members of indigenous groups who seek human rights training. The Minorities Fellowship Program is for persons belonging to national, ethnic, religious, or linguistic minorities who wish to receive human rights training. The Human Rights LDC Fellowship Program is a program for graduate students from the least developed countries who want to participate in training on the United Nations and human rights. The Fellowship for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) Staff provides staff members from NHRIs training on international human rights and the work of OHCHR with NHRIs. [18] X Research source You can find application information and instructions at: http://www. ohchr. org/EN/AboutUs/CivilSociety/Documents/Handbook_en. pdf
Trying to get internships and volunteering as much as possible as a way to get a better sense of the work that these organizations do and whether you are really interested in it. Reading about human rights and thinking about how you can contribute to the movement. Studying or interning abroad while you are in college and learning another language. Learning how to write grants, fundraise, research, and write, which are all essential skills for working at a non-governmental organization (NGO). You can review a list of human rights organizations, with contact information, at: http://www. humanrights. com/voices-for-human-rights/human-rights-organizations/non-governmental. html.
