HRDN – Human Rights and Democracy Network Human Rights and Democracy Network
A universal movement
FIDH was established in 1922, and today unites 164 member organisations in more than 100 countries around the world. FIDH coordinates and supports their activities and provides them with a voice at the international level, including the United Nations and the European Union.
A mandate: the protection of all rights
FIDH is an international NGO defending all civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It acts in the legal and political field for the creation and reinforcement of international instruments for the protection of Human Rights and for their implementation. FIDH takes action for the protection of victims of human rights violations, for the prevention of violations and to bring perpetrators to justice.
An ethic: independence and objectivity
FIDH is a non-partisan, non-religious, apolitical and non-profit organisation, and it enjoys public interest status (“reconnue d’utilité publique”) in France, where its International Secretariat is based. Its independence and objectivity are the very foundation of its credibility.
An organisation to serve its members
FIDH is a federalist movement that acts through and for its national member and partner organisations. This principle of governance shapes its decision-making processes, its mode of action and the way it operates. It is what makes FIDH truly representative of its member and partner organisations and gives it legitimacy. By remaining in permanent interaction with local civil societies, FIDH can rapidly identify local obstacles to the work of defenders and take the necessary steps to mobilise support for them.
Embodying a world movement for Human Rights
FIDH action priorities are:
- Freedom and capacity to act of human rights defenders
- Universality of rights, in particular those of women and migrants, whose inequitable treatment constitutes a major obstacle for the progress of mankind
- Effectiveness of Human Rights, to put an end to the impunity of authors of violations, who are not called to account, be they individuals, States or business enterprises
- Respect for Human Rights and the Rule of Law in times of conflict, emergency or political transition
For more information please contact the FIDH Delegation to the EU.
News from FIDH
- Oral statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar
Mister President, Madam Special Rapporteur, FIDH and its member organization ALTSEAN-Burma thank you for your oral update. We remain concerned over the Myanmar government’s ongoing unwillingness to address human rights violations in the country. We are disappointed by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi’s repeated criticism of the international Fact-Finding Mission mandated by the Human […]
- Bahrain: Harassment of various human rights defenders, including excessive use of force, ill-treatment and torture in custody
BHR 002 / 0617 / OBS 063 Judicial harassment / Arbitrary detention Ill-treatment / Torture / Intimidation / Killing Bahrain June 13, 2017 The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Bahrain. Description of […]
- African Commission Working Group on Extractive Industries to consider improper mine closure impacts following the LHR and FIDH Blyvooruitzicht Gold Mine report
During the 60th Ordinary Session of the African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights in Niamey, Niger, the Chairperson of the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations, Commissioner Solomon Dersso, acknowledged in his Working Group Activity Report the negative human rights impacts of improper mine closure on individuals and communities. He […]
- Bahrain: UN Member and Observer States should call on Bahraini authorities to free human rights defender Nabeel Rajab
We, the undersigned, express our deep concern over the continued detention of prominent Bahraini human rights defender Nabeel Rajab, on the first anniversary of his arrest. We urge you to call for his immediate release and for all charges against him to be dropped. Nabeel Rajab was arrested on 13 June 2016. He remains detained […]
- AZERBAIJAN/NETHERLANDS: Open letter to INTERPOL on Leyla Yunusova and Arif Yunus case
Dear Secretary General, We, the undersigned organisations call on INTERPOL, and all other relevant bodies and authorities to act with due diligence in accordance with INTERPOL’s constitution to prevent the misuse of INTERPOL alerts against Leyla Yunusova and Arif Yunusov, two prominent human rights defenders from Azerbaijan. The couple currently resides in exile in the […]
- Tanzania: Attemps to hinder book launch event and arbitrary arrest of Messrs. Onesmo and Baraka
TZA 002 / 0617 / OBS 062 Arbitrary Arrest / Release on bail / Judicial Harassment / Obstacle to freedom of peaceful assembly Tanzania June 9, 2017 The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and FIDH, requests your urgent intervention in the following situation […]
- Tanzania: Judicial harassment of Mr. Maxence Melo and Mr. Mike William
TZA 001 / 0617 / OBS 060 Judicial harassment / Release on bail Tanzania June 9, 2017 The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Tanzania. Description of the situation: The Observatory has been […]
- HUNGARY: OPEN LETTER TO THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
Paris-Geneva, June 8, 2017 Re: Call to vote down the proposed “Law on the Transparency of Organisations Receiving Support from Abroad” (Hungarian Parliament Bill T/14967) Excellencies, The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), expresses concerns over the draft “Law on the Transparency […]
- FIDH-ICJ organise a side event for the HRC35 to mark the 6th anniversary from the adoption of the UNGPs
Business responsibility to respect human rights Challenges and opportunities six years after the adoption of UNGPs A dialogue to move forward Thursday 8 June 2017, 15.30-17.00 Meeting Room VIII Palais des Nations, Geneva After the adoption of the UNGP in 2011, standards on business responsibility to respect human rights and business human rights due diligence […]
- The UN must demonstrate its capacity to react: FIDH’s advocacy at the 35th session of the Human Rights Council
Facing criticism once again, the Human Rights Council must demonstrate its relevance at its June session which opened yesterday. Belarus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, among others… FIDH and its members voice their priorities for this 35th session. A necessary mandate renewal on the Belarusian issue As pointed out on several occasions by […]