Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch is a Non- governmental organization that concerned with various human rights issues. As it stands out the mission of the organization is to protect and defend human rights by focusing international attention in areas where such rights are violated to give make those who oppress the rights pay for their wrong deeds and to give a voice to the oppressed.  In essence, has greatly succeeded in its mission largely through the use of objective investigations in identifying areas where human rights are being abused and through exerting strategic intense pressure on the governments concerned and the international community in general in an effort to make them take the necessary actions. In this context, the organization has to a large extent been able to lay the moral and legal foundation needed in many countries and regions for positive change that is deeply rooted. In general, the organization has helped in bringing security and justice to many people around the world in regard to human rights (Claude, 1995, 67).

Since it began it operations in the year 1978 in Helsinki, Human Rights Watch has continually expanded it operations around the world in an endeavor to fight for the human rights all over the world. The organization has operation branches in Africa, America, Britain, Asia among other places thus is able to effectively carry on with its operations, identifying clearly areas in which human rights are abused.

In its operations, the organization has adopted many strategies to identify and bring to lime light violations of human rights by various governments, groups and individuals all over the world. For example, in Helsinki, the organization has been known for naming and shaming through the governments which abuses human rights. Such was the situation that saw the attainment of democracy in Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in the earlier 1980s. In addition, the organization through the American Watch which was founded on the basis of civil wars that had engulfed Central America in 1980s have reportedly used international humanitarian law in investigating and bringing to the light cases of human right abuse. Moreover, the organization raises concern to the governments concerned and puts pressure on them to take effective action to stop human rights violations and to prosecute those behind the abuse.

During 1990s, the world experienced many human rights challenges such as the Rwandan genocide, the gulf war among others. Human Rights Watch group was much involved in campaigning for the upholding of human rights during this period. In essence, the organization adopted reporting strategies to inform the international community of the bombing campaigns during the gulf war leading to the exertion of pressure on America by this community to exercise respect of human rights.

 In addition, during the Rwanda genocide, the organization played a very big role in giving attention to various regional groups such as the African Union and the European Union and United States in an effort to ask this groups to take the necessarily action needed for restoring peace and respect for human rights. Still, the organization with the help of objective investigation strategies did a lot of reporting and documentation of the whole situation a move that later helped in the prosecution of those behind the genocide. In essence, it has played a greater role in prosecution of leaders involved in human rights abuse not only in Rwanda but also in other countries all over the world. For example, the organization through corroboration with the international tribunals sought the prosecution Hissene Habre of Chad among other abusive leaders (Shale, 2004, 58).

Over the years, the Human Rights Watch has increased its scope of human rights to include fights for the rights of children and women around the world. Moreover, the organization in its operations is also concerned with the rights of refugees, those of migrant workers and above all the rights of lesbians and gays. In essence, the organization has played a great role in bringing human rights perspectives to such aspects as child labor, domestic violence, rape, child trafficking among others. A good example is the continued fight against child solders used in many conflicts in Africa. In other cases, the organization has been successful in spotlighting abuse of human rights in places such as in mining places, meat and oil industries (Shelly, 2001, 78).

Moreover, Human Rights Watch has helped in the fight against illegal and irresponsible usage of arms by both the governments and other conflicts groups. In this context, the organization has deeply examined international arms trade through studies that have helped in providing relevant information to various government and international bodies. In the year 1997, the organization shared in Nobel Peace Prize in recognition for its leading role in fight against the use of landmines. In the year 2008, the organization played another leading role that saw the signing of a treaty by a hundred and seven and which was aimed at banning and restricting the use and sale of cluster munitions on the basis that the associated humanitarian costs outweighs the benefits achieved by the military when using them.

Presently, the organization is still active in fighting and defending human rights issues. It has and continues to put pressure on various governments and groups to stop violating human rights. For example, in line with the current economic crisis in Zimbabwe and the abduction of human rights activists in the country, the organization together with Open Society Institute upon the government to stop the abductions and to realize all those who are abducted. Another example is that of the Los Angeles Police Department where after studies carried out the organization proved that the number of untested rape kits is continuously growing despite the fact that the federal government has offered large grants to the department. In this regard, the organization has argued the LAPD to prioritize reducing the current backlog that it has in testing rape cases evidence.

The organization has also been able to publish various publications that have helped in informing governments and the international community on various human rights issues. These publications have been very much helpful in decreasing or in terminating cases of human rights abuse (Rebecca, 1994, 46).

In conclusion, the organization has had many breakthroughs in its operations and has helped in bringing many cases of human rights abuse in spotlight. In essence, Human Rights Watch has and continues to be one of the most important organizations in regard to fighting for human rights in the international community. It has helped the world to be aware of the various human rights issues and to take the necessarily actions to uphold human rights in all other future situations.

Work Cited

Claude Welch, Protecting Human Rights in Africa: Roles and Strategies of Non-Governmental Organizations. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1995, pp. 67

Rebecca Cook, Human Rights of Women: National and International Perspectives. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1994, pp. 46

Shale Horowitz, Human Rights and Societies in Transition: Causes, Consequences, Responses. New York: United Nations University Press, 2004, pp. 58

Shelly Wright, International Human Rights, Decolonization and Globalization: Becoming Human. London: Routledge, 2001, pp. 78