Human Rights Organizations

Human rights and humanitarian aid are closely intertwined. In humanitarian crises around the world the most basic human rights are threatened: the right to live, the right to health. More often than not human rights violations are the cause of a crisis or at the center of it. Humanitarian organizations also must respect the rights of people in need and must pay attention to them in the provision of emergency relief.

While humanitarian support focuses on providing immediate assistance and disaster relief with the aim of saving lives and alleviating human suffering, protecting human rights and promoting universal respect for them is a long-term challenge. More human rights defenders are needed around the world. DONARE has selected twelve international human rights organizations that you can support with a donation.

Amnesty International (AI)

Amnesty International (AI) is a leading international non-governmental organization (NGO) that promotes human rights worldwide. Founded in 1961, Amnesty International’s vision is to create a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights treaties. Amnesty International’s mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of these rights. The NGO’s headquarters are based in London, United Kingdom. Amnesty International is active in more than 150 countries worldwide.

https://www.amnesty.org/

Donate now to Amnesty International
https://www.amnesty.org/en/donate/

Please note: You may be redirected to the donation site for your country of residence. Your donation might be not tax-deductible, if you contribute via the international donation website. Amnesty International is a global movement of country organizations. For tax purposes it is easier to donate to the donation site in your country of residence.

Country organizations

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is an international human rights organization that investigates and reports on abuses of human rights around the world. Human Rights Watch was founded in 1978 as “Helsinki Watch,” when it began investigating human rights violations in countries that signed the Helsinki Accords. HRW researchers currently work in the field in 100 some countries. The non-governmental organization (NGO) is headquartered in the United States.

https://www.hrw.org/

Donate now to Human Rights Watch
https://donate.hrw.org/

Please note: You may be redirected to the donation site for your country of residence.

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights Office, OHCHR) is the leading UN entity on human rights. The mission of the UN Human Rights Office is to work for the protection of all human rights for all people, to help empower people to realize their rights, and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented. The office was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 and is headed by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, who co-ordinates human rights activities throughout the United Nations System and acts as the secretariat of the UN Human Rights Council. OHCHR is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

https://www.ohchr.org/

Donate now to the UN Human Rights Office
https://www.ohchr.org/en/donation

International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) – French: Fédération internationale pour les droits humains - is an international human rights body bringing together 192 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from 117 countries. Since 1922, FIDH has been defending civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A pioneer in fighting for human rights, the International Federation for Human Rights turns 100 in 2022. FIDH headquarters are located in Paris, France.

https://www.fidh.org/en

Donate now to the International Federation for Human Rights
https://www.fidh.org/en/com/make-a-donation/

International Society for Human Rights (ISHR)

The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) is an independent non-governmental organization (NGO) that advocates for people who are non-violently engaged in the realization of human rights in their countries or who are persecuted for claiming their rights. Though the NGO began as a single organization in Germany, over the years it expanded into a network of affiliated civil society groups and partner organizations located in over 40 countries, who defend the Universal Declaration of Human Rights worldwide. The organization is based in Frankfurt, Germany. In 2022 ISHR celebrated its 50th anniversary.

https://ishr.org/

Donate now to the International Society for Human Rights
https://ishr.org/donate/

Survival International

Survival International is an international human rights organization that campaigns for the rights of indigenous tribal and un-contacted peoples. The non-governmental organization’s (NGO) vision is a world where tribal peoples are respected as contemporary societies and their human rights protected. Survival International was founded in 1969. Its international headquarters are based in London, United Kingdom.

https://www.survivalinternational.org/

Donate now to Survival International
https://donate.survivalinternational.org/

Please note: Your donation might be not tax-deductible, if you contribute via the UK / international donation website. Survival International has offices in several countries. For tax purposes it is easier to donate to the donation site in your country of residence.

Country offices

Anti-Slavery International

Founded as the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society in 1839, Anti-Slavery International (ASI) is the oldest international human rights organization in the world. The non-governmental organization (NGO) works to eliminate all forms of slavery and slavery like practices throughout the world. The NGO is focused on forced labor, debt bondage, forced and early marriage, human trafficking, descent-based slavery, child slavery, slavery in supply chains, and the exploitation of migrant workers in conditions amounting to slavery. Anti-Slavery International is based in London, United Kingdom.

https://www.antislavery.org/

Donate now to Anti-Slavery International
https://www.antislavery.org/donate/

Walk Free

Walk Free is an international human rights group focused on the eradication of modern slavery. The non-governmental organization (NGO) works to create and agitate for mass systems change, to address the root causes of slavery and dismantle its core drivers through a combination of direct implementation, grassroots community engagement, and working in partnership with faiths, businesses, academics, NGOs, and governments around the world. The non-governmental organization is based in Australia and funded by Minderoo Foundation.

https://www.walkfree.org/

Make a difference
https://www.walkfree.org/#make-a-difference

Please note: At this time, you cannot support Walk Free with a donation.

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA)

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) is a worldwide federation of 1,869 organizations from 169 countries and territories campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex human rights. Established in 1978, the non-governmental organization (NGO) has ECOSOC consultative status at the United Nations. ILGA’s vision is a world where the human rights of all are respected and where everyone can live in equality and freedom, a world where global justice and equity are assured and established regardless of people’s sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics. The NGO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

https://ilga.org/

Donate now to ILGA
https://crm.ilga.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=13

Regional organizations

Minority Rights Group International (MRG)

Minority Rights Group International (MRG) is an international human rights organization that campaigns worldwide to ensure that disadvantaged minorities and indigenous peoples can make their voices heard. Minorities that are of concern to MRG are defined as disadvantaged ethnic, national, religious, linguistic or cultural groups which are fewer in number than the rest of the population and which may wish to maintain and develop their identity. The non-governmental organization (NGO) was founded in 1969; its headquarters are based in London, United Kingdom.

https://minorityrights.org/

Donate now to Minority Rights Group International
https://minorityrights.org/about-us/donate/

Protection International (PI)

Protection International (PI) is an international a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to the protection of human rights defenders (HRDs). The NGO’s vision is a world in which everyone has the right to defend fundamental human rights and freedoms without fear of threats or attack. Formally established in 2007, Protection International’s mission is to support HRDs through comprehensive protection programs. The human rights organization is based in Brussels, Belgium.

https://www.protectioninternational.org/

Please note: At this time, you cannot support Protection International with a donation.

Refugees International

Refugees International (RI) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that advocates for lifesaving assistance, human rights, and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises. Founded in 1979, the organization does not accept any government or United Nations funding, ensuring the independence of its work. The advocacy group focuses on refugee, displacement, humanitarian, and human rights issues that need urgent attention and action. The NGO is based in Washington D.C., United States.

https://www.refugeesinternational.org/

Donate now to Refugees International
https://www.refugeesinternational.org/#donate

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Founded in 1985 in France as “Reporters sans frontières”, Reporters Without Borders (RSF or RWB) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that defends the right of every human to have access to free and reliable information. The NGO’s mission is to act for the freedom, pluralism and independence of journalism and defend those who embody these ideals, in line with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. RSF’s international headquarter are based in Paris.

https://rsf.org/en

Donate now to Reporters Without Borders
https://donate.rsf.org/b/my-donation

Please note: Your donation might be not tax-deductible, if you contribute via the international donation website. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is comprised of six international sections (Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Sweden, Finland). For tax purposes it is easier to donate to the donation site in your country of residence.

Sections

International Service for Human Rights

The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) is an independent, non-governmental organization (NGO) promoting and protecting human rights. ISHR’s mission is to support human rights defenders, strengthen human rights systems, and build coalitions for human rights change. Founded in 1984, the NGO has offices in Geneva (Switzerland) and New York (United States), as well as a permanent presence in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).

https://ishr.ch/

Donate now to the International Service for Human Rights
https://ishr.ch/donate/

Please note: As a registered non-profit association in Switzerland, and recognized as tax exempt in the US under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, your donation to ISHR may be tax deductible in Switzerland and the United States.

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