Human rights. Fighting for the rule of law and universal rights
Human rights are for everyone and everywhere. That message has been sent out across the world. Yet in many places it still has to be realised. Hivos advocates fair and affordable administration of justice for citizens and protection of human rights campaigners and organisations. This will allow them to successfully enforce national and international laws governing equality and availability of justice.
Wherever lawlessness rules or the power of the law is subordinate to everyday practices, human rights campaigners – individually or in organisations – fight to condemn those responsible for human rights violations. They are also the voice of excluded groups such as gays, ethnic minorities and casteless people in society. Hivos views it as its task to offer protection to those campaigners, many of whom are threatened and attacked.
Often working under difficult conditions, partner organisations ensure that the rule of law functions properly and that universal human rights are ratified and observed. Wherever the law allows for inequality or totalitarianism, they try to push through legislative or constitutional amendments.
The Hivos approach in a nutshell:
- Hivos supports campaigns for ratification and implementation of international human rights conventions;
- Hivos reinforces instruments and mechanisms for monitoring the human rights situation and compliance with minimum standards;
- Hivos supports legal proceedings that create case law;
- Hivos offers protection to campaigners;
- Hivos confronts governments about their responsibility to offer opportunities for and safety to human rights campaigners.




















