International Federation of Human Rights
Encyclopedia
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) is a non-governmental federation for human rights organizations. Founded in 1922, FIDH is the oldest international human rights
organisation worldwide and today brings together 164 member organisations in over 100 countries.
FIDH is nonpartisan, nonsectarian, and independent of any government. Its core mandate is to promote respect for all the rights set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
.
FIDH co-ordinates and supports the actions of its members and is their contact with intergovernmental organisations. The FIDH has a consultative status with the United Nations
, UNESCO
and the Council of Europe
, and the status of observer with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
.
(LDH) and the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights
. FIDH coordinates and supports the activities of its member organizations, at the local, regional and international levels. Like its members, FIDH is not linked to any party or religion, and is independent. FIDH has a consultative status before the United Nations
, UNESCO
and the Council of Europe
, and observer status before the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie and the International Labour Organization
.
FIDH also has “regular contact” with the European Union
, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Organization of American States
, United Nations Development Programme
, World Trade Organization
, International Monetary Fund
, World Bank
, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
.
FIDH's mandate “is to contribute to the respect of all the rights defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” It aims to make “effective improvements in the protection of victims, the prevention of Human Rights violations and the sanction of their perpetrators.” Its priorities are established by its World Congress and International Board (22 members) with the support of its International Secretariat (30 staff members).
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 UN Convention against Enforced Disappearances.
Mobilizing the international community: FIDH provides guidance and support to its member organizations and other local partners in their interactions with international and regional inter-governmental organizations (IGOs). To ensure the effective implementation of these activities, FIDH has established delegations at the UN in Geneva and New York, at the European Union in Brussels and, since 2006, at the League of Arab States in Cairo. From 2004 to 2005, FIDH filed and supported over 500 cases before international IGOs. FIDH participates in standard-setting processes and promotes the establishment of monitoring mechanisms.
Supporting national NGOs and increasing their capacity: FIDH, together with its members and partners, implements cooperation programs at the national level, aimed at strengthening the capacity of human rights organizations. FIDH provides training and assists in creating opportunities for dialogue with authorities. From 2004 to 2005, FIDH undertook such programs in 32 countries in Africa, 16 in Latin America, 3 in Asia and 10 in the North Africa/Middle Eastern region.
Raising awareness: informing, alerting, bearing witness: FIDH draws public attention to the outcomes of its missions, its research findings and eyewitness accounts of human rights violations, by means of press releases, press conferences, open letters, mission reports, urgent appeals, petitions, and the FIDH website. In 2005, internet traffic on www.fidh.org amounted to approximately 2 million pages visited, and 400 references to FIDH per day were calculated on websites based in over 100 countries.
Every three years, the FIDH Congress gathers together member organizations to elect the International Board, fix the priorities of the organization and decide whether to grant membership to new partners or to exclude member organizations which no longer satisfy the requirements laid down in the organization’s statutes.
The FIDH International Board reflects the diversity if its constituent organizations. It is composed of a President, Treasurer, 15 Vice-presidents and 5 Secretaries General, all of whom work on a voluntary basis and represent all regions of the world. Honorary Presidents have consultative status on the International Board. The International Board meets 3 times per year to define FIDH’s political and strategic orientations and to draw up and approve the budget.
The Executive Board is composed of the President, the Treasurer and the 5 Secretaries General, and is responsible for the management of FIDH on a daily basis. It also draws on the particular expertise of mission delegates. The Deputy Secretaries General, elected by the International Board, sit on the Executive Board with consultative status. This body meets once per month to take decisions on current concerns and requests submitted by member organizations.
The two Boards call on the expertise of other collaborators in FIDH’s activities, including the permanent delegates to intergovernmental organizations and the mission delegates. The team of mission delegates gathers together several hundred individuals from all regions.
The International Secretariat is based in Paris. It implements decisions taken by the International and Executive Boards and ensures regular support to member organizations. The Secretariat employs 30 permanent staff, assisted by interns and volunteers.
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
organisation worldwide and today brings together 164 member organisations in over 100 countries.
FIDH is nonpartisan, nonsectarian, and independent of any government. Its core mandate is to promote respect for all the rights set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly . The Declaration arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled...
, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 16, 1966, and in force from March 23, 1976...
, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 16, 1966, and in force from January 3, 1976...
.
FIDH co-ordinates and supports the actions of its members and is their contact with intergovernmental organisations. The FIDH has a consultative status with the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
and the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
, and the status of observer with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights is a quasi-judicial body tasked with promoting and protecting human rights and collective rights throughout the African continent as well as interpreting the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and considering individual complaints of...
.
Overview
FIDH was established in 1922, when it united ten national organizations. It is a federation of 164 human rights organizations in nearly 100 countries. Among which are the French Ligue des droits de l'hommeHuman Rights League (France)
The Human Rights League of France, is a Human Rights NGO founded on 4 June 1898 by the republican Ludovic Trarieux to defend captain Alfred Dreyfus, a Jew wrongly convicted for treason - this would be known as the Dreyfus Affair...
(LDH) and the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights
Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights
The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment was "dedicated to preserving human rights through legal advocacy." Also known as LAW , this legal society is an affiliate to the International Commission of Jurists , The World Organization Against Torture and the...
. FIDH coordinates and supports the activities of its member organizations, at the local, regional and international levels. Like its members, FIDH is not linked to any party or religion, and is independent. FIDH has a consultative status before the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
and the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
, and observer status before the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights is a quasi-judicial body tasked with promoting and protecting human rights and collective rights throughout the African continent as well as interpreting the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and considering individual complaints of...
, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie and the International Labour Organization
International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that deals with labour issues pertaining to international labour standards. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. Its secretariat — the people who are employed by it throughout the world — is known as the...
.
FIDH also has “regular contact” with the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
, United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to...
, World Trade Organization
World Trade Organization
The World Trade Organization is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization officially commenced on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade , which commenced in 1948...
, International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
, World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is an international economic organisation of 34 countries founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade...
.
FIDH's mandate “is to contribute to the respect of all the rights defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” It aims to make “effective improvements in the protection of victims, the prevention of Human Rights violations and the sanction of their perpetrators.” Its priorities are established by its World Congress and International Board (22 members) with the support of its International Secretariat (30 staff members).
Funding
FIDH’s total income in 2005 was €3,503,106 (nearly US$4.5m), of which €2,803,294 (over US$3.5m) came from “grants and donations,” comprising approximately 80% of its income. FIDH’s finances lack transparency, as funding sources are not itemized on its website or in financial statements, and no response was received to letters requesting this information. Instead, FIDH lists general figures and provides a financial summary: “FIDH relies heavily on donations from the public and from private businesses, contributions from its member organizations and on the commitment of its voluntary workers. It also receives grants from international and national bodies, and from foundations...”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 RapporteurSpecial Rapporteur
Special Rapporteur is a title given to individuals working on behalf of the United Nations within the scope of "Special Procedures" mechanisms who bear a specific mandate from the United Nations Human Rights Council....
of the African Commission. The Observatory advocates for the establishment of new mechanisms for the protection of human rights defenders
Human Rights Defenders
Human rights defender is a term used to describe people who, individually or with others, act to promote or protect human rights. Human rights defenders are those men and women who act peacefully for the promotion and protection of those rights....
, for example, within the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
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
International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court is a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression .It came into being on 1 July 2002—the date its founding treaty, the Rome Statute of the...
(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
Carrefour
Carrefour S.A. is an international hypermarket chain headquartered in Levallois-Perret, France. It is one of the largest hypermarket chains in the world...
(the second largest retailer worldwide) to comply with and promote international human rights law
International human rights law
International human rights law refers to the body of international law designed to promote and protect human rights at the international, regional and domestic levels...
.
Defending women’s rights: FIDH campaigns against discrimination against women through its newly created Action Group for Women’s Rights, headed by Shirin Ebadi
Shirin Ebadi
Shirin Ebadi is an Iranian lawyer, a former judge and human rights activist and founder of Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran. On 10 October 2003, Ebadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her significant and pioneering efforts for democracy and human rights, especially women's,...
, 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
Center for Constitutional Rights
Al Odah v. United States:Al Odah is the latest in a series of habeas corpus petitions on behalf of people imprisoned at the Guantanamo Bay detention center. The case challenges the Military Commissions system’s suitability as a habeas corpus substitute and the legality, in general, of detention at...
(CCR) through supporting actions initiated by CCR, in particular in relation to Guantánamo
Guantánamo
Guantánamo is a municipality and city in southeast Cuba and capital of Guantánamo Province.Guantánamo is served by the Caimanera port and the site of a famous U.S. Naval base. The area produces sugarcane and cotton wool...
and Abu Ghraib
Abu Ghraib
The city of Abu Ghraib in the Baghdad Governorate of Iraq is located just west of Baghdad's city center, or northwest of Baghdad International Airport. It has a population of 189,000. The old road to Jordan passes through Abu Ghraib...
. FIDH also contributed significantly to the finalization of the draft UN Convention against Enforced Disappearances.
Activities
Monitoring and promoting human rights, assisting victims: These activities, including fact-finding and trial observation missions, research, advocacy and litigation, are implemented by independent human rights experts from all regions. Between 2004 and 2005, FIDH published over 550 press statements and organized approximately 90 international fact-finding and trial observation missions in over 60 countries.Mobilizing the international community: FIDH provides guidance and support to its member organizations and other local partners in their interactions with international and regional inter-governmental organizations (IGOs). To ensure the effective implementation of these activities, FIDH has established delegations at the UN in Geneva and New York, at the European Union in Brussels and, since 2006, at the League of Arab States in Cairo. From 2004 to 2005, FIDH filed and supported over 500 cases before international IGOs. FIDH participates in standard-setting processes and promotes the establishment of monitoring mechanisms.
Supporting national NGOs and increasing their capacity: FIDH, together with its members and partners, implements cooperation programs at the national level, aimed at strengthening the capacity of human rights organizations. FIDH provides training and assists in creating opportunities for dialogue with authorities. From 2004 to 2005, FIDH undertook such programs in 32 countries in Africa, 16 in Latin America, 3 in Asia and 10 in the North Africa/Middle Eastern region.
Raising awareness: informing, alerting, bearing witness: FIDH draws public attention to the outcomes of its missions, its research findings and eyewitness accounts of human rights violations, by means of press releases, press conferences, open letters, mission reports, urgent appeals, petitions, and the FIDH website. In 2005, internet traffic on www.fidh.org amounted to approximately 2 million pages visited, and 400 references to FIDH per day were calculated on websites based in over 100 countries.
Structure
FIDH has its headquarters in Paris. It relies primarily on a pool of dedicated volunteers. The organizational structure consists of elected boards and a small body of permanent staff who support the activities of the board members and the mission delegates.Every three years, the FIDH Congress gathers together member organizations to elect the International Board, fix the priorities of the organization and decide whether to grant membership to new partners or to exclude member organizations which no longer satisfy the requirements laid down in the organization’s statutes.
The FIDH International Board reflects the diversity if its constituent organizations. It is composed of a President, Treasurer, 15 Vice-presidents and 5 Secretaries General, all of whom work on a voluntary basis and represent all regions of the world. Honorary Presidents have consultative status on the International Board. The International Board meets 3 times per year to define FIDH’s political and strategic orientations and to draw up and approve the budget.
The Executive Board is composed of the President, the Treasurer and the 5 Secretaries General, and is responsible for the management of FIDH on a daily basis. It also draws on the particular expertise of mission delegates. The Deputy Secretaries General, elected by the International Board, sit on the Executive Board with consultative status. This body meets once per month to take decisions on current concerns and requests submitted by member organizations.
The two Boards call on the expertise of other collaborators in FIDH’s activities, including the permanent delegates to intergovernmental organizations and the mission delegates. The team of mission delegates gathers together several hundred individuals from all regions.
The International Secretariat is based in Paris. It implements decisions taken by the International and Executive Boards and ensures regular support to member organizations. The Secretariat employs 30 permanent staff, assisted by interns and volunteers.