Throughout history, nations and civil society itself have used various institutions to ensure the protection and enforcement of these rights. Below, we will look at some of the main institutions that protect Human Rights around the world.

The main institutions that protect human rights

Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, education and work, among many others. These rights are inherent to all people, without distinction of race, sex, nationality, ethnic origin, language, religion or any other condition, according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948.

Let’s see which organizations are in charge of monitoring and controlling the fulfillment of these rights.

Amnesty International

This global non-profit organization, present in more than 150 countries, works for the right to truth, justice and reparation of the victims of abuses , such as unfair trials, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial executions or gender violence.

In addition, Amnesty International defends the human rights of migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, displaced persons and victims of trafficking. We also defend civilians in armed conflicts and victims of violence by states and other political and business actors.

This civil organization often campaigns against torture and ill-treatment, and for sexual and reproductive rights, against the death penalty and for effective arms control.

2. Transparency International

Transparency International is a non-governmental organization, founded in Germany in 1993, that promotes measures against corporate crime and political corruption at the international level . It consists of more than 100 delegations in different countries.

This organization usually publishes every year since 1995 the Corruption Perception Index, which measures the levels of corruption in the public sector, based on surveys of experts and companies. This index has been criticised for its poor reliability.

In Spain, Transparency International began working in 2000 and is currently managed by the José Ortega y Gasset Foundation. At the state level, also has indexes that measure corruption in town halls, autonomous communities and provincial councils .

3. Ombudsman

The Ombudsman is the institutional figure who is responsible for defending the fundamental rights and public freedoms of citizens , by supervising the activity of public administrations.

In Spain, it is elected by the Congress of Deputies and the Senate by a three-fifths majority. It is an institution without executive powers, so its strength is rather persuasive and political. It has the capacity to issue reports to the Cortes Generales, although they are not binding.

4. United Nations Human Rights Council

The Human Rights Council, established in 2006, is an intergovernmental institution of the United Nations which is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide , as well as addressing situations of violations of human rights and making recommendations thereon.

This body has the capacity to discuss all human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. It meets at the United Nations Office in Geneva.

The Council is composed of 47 States Members of the United Nations that are elected by the General Assembly of the United Nations. The Human Rights Council replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

5. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

UNICEF is a United Nations organization based in the United States and present in more than 190 countries, whose objective is to provide humanitarian aid to children and families in developing countries .

With the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959, UNICEF became an indispensable actor in responding to children’s needs and protecting their rights. In 1965, it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Its priorities include helping children and families in areas of extreme poverty in Africa and other parts of the world. UNICEF also works in health, water, sanitation and nutrition programmes, as well as in the promotion of education and social participation of children.

6. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

UNDP was established in 1958 by the United Nations General Assembly to help improve the quality of life of nations and their citizens. Currently, it is present in 178 countries and is the agency responsible for implementing the objectives of Sustainable Development , which include aspects such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, promotion of peace or justice.

Its priorities are poverty reduction, prevention and recovery from the economic crisis, energy and the environment, information technologies and HIV/AIDS. Since 1990, UNDP has published the Human Development Report or Human Development Index (HDI), an indicator of achievements in key aspects of people’s development, such as living a long and healthy life, acquiring knowledge and enjoying a life of dignity.

7. Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch is a non-profit, non-governmental, human rights organization with some 400 members from countries around the world. It was founded in 1978 and is recognized for its rigorous fact-finding, impartial reporting, effective use of the media, and advocacy of clear rights objectives.

This organization opposes violations of basic human rights, including capital punishment and sexual discrimination . It is also known for its defence of civil liberties and fundamental rights, such as freedom of religion and the press.

Each year, Human Rights Watch awards the Human Rights Defenders Award to activists around the world who have shown leadership and courage in defending human rights.

8. Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF)

This non-governmental organization was created in 1989 as a non-profit association in Belgium. Its main objectives are to shape European and international policy to strengthen democracy; to defend the rule of law; and to protect human rights around the world.

HRWF seeks to strengthen the culture of human rights through the exchange of information, the publication of reports, and the organization of seminars and events that educate policy makers and inform the general public.

Other priorities are: addressing violations of religious freedom, reporting trafficking in women for sexual exploitation or protection of ethnic and linguistic minorities, as well as human rights violations in countries such as China, Korea or Russia.

9. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

UNESCO is an institution founded in 1945 that promotes human rights and the rule of law, with special emphasis on the right to education, information, freedom of opinion and expression , cultural rights and the right to participate in scientific progress and to share in technological and social progress.

This organization has a pacifist vocation and, among other issues, particularly supports literacy .

In education, this body prioritizes the achievement of elementary education adapted to current needs. It also promotes collaboration with teachers, family planners, educational administrators, and encourages the construction of schools and the provision of equipment necessary for their start-up and operation.

10. International Labour Organization (ILO)

The ILO is an agency of the United Nations, founded in 1919, which is responsible for matters relating to labour and industrial relations . Its main objectives are: promoting labour rights, fostering decent work opportunities, improving social protection and strengthening dialogue on work-related issues.

Its functioning is based on a tripartite structure , in which workers and employers have the same voting rights as governments during the deliberations of its principal organs. Each year, they meet in Geneva for the International Labour Conference. In 1969, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his achievements in social justice.

Bibliographic references:

  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, (p. 5).