Human Rights USA

Unfortunately, this site is aimed at people living in the USA but some of the actions are interesting. With a bit of research, you can find some contact addresses to take part.

www.humanrightsfirst.org/
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Unseen UK (Sex Trafficking)

Once again I am revisting a topic since the link sent to me below has shocking evidence of what is happening in the UK. Although there are not that many actions, it does give information about buying ethically and gives facts and figures.

http://www.unseenuk.org/
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Iran Revisited

I covered Iran last year but I have found another site dealing with human rights formed by Iranians or people of Iranian decent. Again there are no actual actions but by contacting the appropriate authorities you can use the information here to try and make a difference.

http://iranhr.net/
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Anti-Slavery Day

I was unaware until recently that last week was Anti-Slavery Day. My search uncovered this site which gives plenty of information as well as campaigns and actions for you to join in with. The figures are staggering!

http://www.antislavery.org/english/

You may also want to have a look at the site below since they have a related action:

http://www.avaaz.org
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Women's Rights: MADRE

The organization below works in collaboration with many smaller groups and therefore highlights a variety of different campaigns. Unfortunately, the fact that it is based in the United States actually means that it can be difficult to take part in some of their actions. However, it has links to other organizations and as ever you can always use the information from these sites to take your own action.

http//www.madre.org/index.php
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End Water Poverty

I usually do not use blogs since often they are more centred around an individual's ideas rather than those of an organized group. However, this week I have decided to include what looks like a blog because it does seem linked to other organizations and its campaign happening in September is worth looking at. The site is quite simple and straightforward but it does have quite a lot of information.


http://www.endwaterpoverty.org/


http://www.endwaterpoverty.org/take_action/215.asp
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Protecting Human Rights Defenders

Often those protecting the rights of others become targets themselves. This site highlights several worldwide cases whereby "Human Rights Defenders" have been attacked, threatened, persecuted or killed. This Irish based organization is uncomplicated and makes it easy to find information and to take part in actions.

http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/
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Refugees Part 2

The site below compliments well the last post and was also part of my blog last November but it is worth revisiting. By clicking the "Campaign with us" link on the left hand side of their home page, you can find out how to take action as well as access links to other organizations and their campaigns.

http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/

The second link has no actions but is a UN site with detailed information about refugees in most countries.

http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/
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Refugees

Although I have referred to this site in November last year, I feel it is still a major issue so I have revisited it. Some of the British media portrays refugees in a negative manner and hence the issues facing people fleeing or leaving their home countries due to human rights abuses do not receive the attention it requires.

The site below attempts to highlight the plight of many refugees and asylum seekers in the UK whom often have to endure further difficult and often unaccepible circumstances in Britain. Have a good look at the sections available since there are various actions you can take part in.

http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/
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Sex Trafficking Part 2

Although this site is designed for the United States and it's action section relies on you putting a lot of effort into finding out about this issue, it does give you some interesting ideas and links to other organizations. The rest of the site is designed at improving the lives of women and children throughout the world.

http://www.soroptimist.org/trafficking/stopping.html

http://www.soroptimist.org/trafficking/trafficking.html
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Stop Sex Trafficking

In my blog, I try to signpost you to sites that have no political or religious agendas. Today, I've decided to give a link to Chaste, which is a Christian organiazation, since it's section against sex trafficking, the information and action it suggests are all very good. I'll leave you to decide whether you wish to partake in their action or discover more about the organization.

http://www.chaste.org.uk/sextrafficking/legal.html

http://www.chaste.org.uk/takeaction/
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Stop Stoning

Recently, Amnesty International has been leading a campaign to stop the stoning of a woman in Iran for adultery. This site gives information on this case and many others throughout the world and allows you to take action.

http://www.stop-stoning.org/
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Action for Young People

This next site is designed for young people but also has some good ideas for adults. Take a look and see what action young people or yourselves can take. I have not investigated all the projects they recommend but as usual you can check out their validity yourselves.

http://www.junction49.co.uk/
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End Child Poverty

This UK based project finished in April but I thought that it gave some good information about child poverty in London. It's main action was for you to contact your local MP and discuss the issues mentioned in the site. If you wish to still take part in this action, I suggest it is done fairly quickly since the information will soon be out of date.

http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/
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Spinwatch and Criticisms against it

During the election, I referred to a site called "Spinwatch" which tried to expose what was behind political "spin". I subsequently received a comment claiming that this site was "biased" and so I did some investigations. I have found that there are ongoing criticisms and allegations (many of which are political) between an individual and the website. My site is not aimed at being political and I do not wish to be involved in such campaigns. Therefore I am removing the link but it is very easy to find the website and the criticism of it through search engines.

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No More Violence Against Women

The Women’s Institute in the UK is responsible for organising all types of activities from local events to nationwide events. Last year they decided to start a campaign to pressurise all forms of media to regulate themselves and not promote the sale of women's services which often involved the trafficking of women into the sex trade. Although I believe this campaign has stopped there are other ones that they are involved with particularly the "No More Violence Against Women" campaign.

www.thewi.org.uk/
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Defending Women's Rights

This site highlights human rights abuses happening to women but unfortunately does not have any direct actions for you to participate in. However, it has a good source of information and does have links to other campaigns (although please note I have not yet been able to check these out).

If these issues make you want to do something then I suggest you use a search engine to find your local Embassy or the authorities in the particular country and write a letter or email using the information from this site.

http://www.defendingwomen-defendingrights.org/index.php
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Back to British Human Rights

I have decided to include the campaigns' section of this site although I am not sure all readers of this blog will necessarily agree with the overall aims of the organization. From what I gather, Humanists want fair representation for people who do not have a spiritual belief. Known for their publicity campaign on London buses that challenged religion, one criticism could be that they are merely acting in a similar way to the religious groups they are trying to question. Whatever your view, the campaigns seem to pursue equality for everyone which fits in with the criteria of my blog.

http://www.humanism.org.uk/campaigns/human-rights
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How to Complain

Although the site below is for general complaints, it still can be useful if you wish to tackle certain human rights issues or attempt to make organizations comply with British Law. The section on regulatory bodies will allow you to contact the relevant departments.

http://www.howtocomplain.com/
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Discrimination against homosexuality in Uganda

During the next few weeks, the Ugandan Parliament is debating whether to introduce legislation whereby the death penalty could be used for people caught doing homosexual acts. In the first link, Avaaz is leading a campaign to try and prevent this whilst in the second link there is some more information on the subject.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/15/uganda-anti-homosexuality-bill-threatens-liberties-and-human-rights-defenders
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Stop Child Poverty

Following on from last week, you can get involved in trying to reduce child poverty in the world with the site below. To take action look under the "Live It" section and look at "Direct Action".

http://www.stopchildpoverty.org/
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End Child Poverty

The site I have found this week concentrates on improving the lives of children by trying to eradicate child poverty. There is plenty of information about their goals and a section where you can take action.

http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/
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Abuses against Falun Gong

My last piece on China concerns the abuses against the Falun Gong belief of some people. I have not done much research on this since I am not a great follower of religion and spiritual matters. However, I think some people have called this group a cult but many organizations believe that followers of Falun Gong have the right to their beliefs and that the Chinese authorities have often abused human rights to prevent the spread of their views. The site below supports heavily Falun Gong and gives some information but it also documents abuses on which you can act.

http://www.flghrwg.net/
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Tibet Part 2

Following on from last week there is another Pro-Tibet website that is aimed mainly at citizens from the United States but there is a European element to it. The site has regular updates as well as a small action area and other sections such as fundraising and volunteer opportunities.

http://www.savetibet.org/
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Tibet

One of the most reknowned global criticisms of China is the situation in Tibet. Before the Olympics, the whole issue re-entered the spotlight with various demonstrations following the route of the Olympic flame. Whatever your political view is on the situation, there seems to be an agreement from a number of organizations that there are human rights abuses in the region. The website below is campaigning to free Tibet from the Chinese authorities and has many actions on a number of levels including human rights that you can participate in if you wish.

http://www.freetibet.org/
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China Part 3

This week I am continuing my focus on China with information from Human Rights Watch. Last year the international media highlighted the unrest in the Urumqi region between Uighurs and Han chinese and criticized the action taken by officials. The consequences of those actions are still being felt and are addressed in this web site along with other issues that are not so widely known. Although Human Rights Watch currently has no specific actions about China that you can participate in, you could always contact Chinese or local politicians regarding the issues mentioned. You may find inspiration by looking under the "letters" section where you can see what previous actions have been taken by Human Rights Watch.

http://www.hrw.org/asia/china
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