International Federation For Human Rights - Priorities

Priorities

Protecting human rights defenders: The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, FIDH’s joint program with the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT), works for the implementation of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, and supports the mandates of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and the Special Rapporteur of the African Commission. The Observatory advocates for the establishment of new mechanisms for the protection of human rights defenders, for example, within the Council of Europe and the OSCE. In 2004, the FIDH/OMCT Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders addressed 1,154 cases, in over 90 countries, with the collaboration of approximately 200 Human Rights organisations. In 2005, the Observatory dealt with almost 850 cases, in approximately 60 countries, with the collaboration of about 400 human rights organizations, and sent 11 fact-finding and trial observation missions.

Justice for victims: fighting impunity: FIDH provides support and assistance to victims throughout their search for justice actions FIDH made a significant contribution to the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and in 2004 opened a permanent office at the ICC in The Hague. Currently, FIDH is involved in approximately 20 cases before domestic courts and the ICC, as well as in transitional justice processes in several countries. In 2005, FIDH transmitted the first applications by victims to participate in proceedings before the ICC, in relation to the investigation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This led to the first decision of the ICC in January 2006 focusing on the regime for the participation of victims before the Court, in which all the applications transmitted by FIDH were accepted.

Advocating respect for human rights in the context of globalization: FIDH seeks to ensure the protection of economic, social and cultural rights, the primacy of human rights over trade law and the participation of civil society in international economic organizations. FIDH aims to strengthen the social responsibilities of corporations through dialogue with transnational corporations as well as through litigation. In 2005, FIDH obtained public commitments from Carrefour (the second largest retailer worldwide) to comply with and promote international human rights law.

Defending women’s rights: FIDH campaigns against discrimination against women through its newly created Action Group for Women’s Rights, headed by Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Prize winner. The core aim of the movement is to work towards the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). In this context, in 2005, FIDH organized fact-finding missions, submitted alternative reports to the CEDAW Committee, and launched a regional campaign in the broader Middle East and North Africa.

Promoting respect for human rights in the context of counter-terrorism: Since 2002, FIDH has initiated and supported key proceedings before domestic courts, regional and international mechanisms, in cases concerning arbitrary measures and practices in the ‘fight against terrorism’. FIDH campaigns within IGOs for the implementation of procedures to prevent human rights abuses. In 2005, FIDH reinforced its cooperation with the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) through supporting actions initiated by CCR, in particular in relation to Guantánamo and Abu Ghraib. FIDH also contributed significantly to the finalization of the draft of International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.