ABSTRACT

This chapter presents the work of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the area of human rights, as it has been manifested over the past 50 years –that is, since the end of the Second World War and the creation of the United Nations. It presents a multiplicity of fora, international and regional, in which to address human rights issues. The chapter presents treaty-body oversight committees, the Technical Assistance Programme of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and local human rights offices of the OHCHR in over 20 countries, which can be used to protect and promote human rights. In the area of human rights promotion and protection, NGOs have performed – and continue to perform – a myriad roles or functions: agenda-setting; legislation; fact-finding and analysis; witnessing, denunciation or the mobilization of shame; international solidarity and support to human rights defenders; education; expertise and policy analysis; and keeping the political system open.