ABSTRACT
Nongovernmental organization (NGO) reports and surveys are used to describe the public assessments. Depending on the organization, annual reports, issue or country reports, and even the house newsletter will reveal general, and sometimes specific assessments. Human rights mean different things to different people. Values, general theories, and ideologies result in certain notions of how the world works. Nongovernmental efforts can stem from the needs and interests of peoples rather than of governments. While governments tend to view human rights in ways that accord with their national goals, NGOs face fewer constraints. It is worth reiterating that the comments made about NGO assessment do not constitute condemnation, they are certainly as good as or better than social scientific and government assessments. NGOs, governments, and the public have a need for valid and reliable information. The need is for practical, meaningful information about the needs and conditions of individual human beings.
