We give hope to those suffering human rights abuse and empower those witnessing widespread rights violations to become champions of justice. We hold those in positions of power to account, by highlighting human rights violations and calling for the protection of the rights of refugees, migrants’ asylum, seekers and forcibly displaced people. We look to those in the field, witnessing this daily attrition of our most basic rights to play a part in preventing further violation.
Our mission is to ensure that all those seeking protection throughout Europe are given access to their rights, and the means to speak out when these rights are violated.
The Humans for Rights network is a project focused on documenting incidents where the human rights of Asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants in Europe are violated. Our intention is to expose and evidence that this is a situation characterised by widespread human rights violations.
We work closely with organisations and individuals on the ground to provide training in testimony taking, documenting using film and photography, and the ethics of witnessing human rights violations.
We are developing an digital documentation system for use by witnesses and victims of these violations. The system will allow the individual or organisation to accurately and ethically record testimony as given by victims, or of incidents they have witnessed or experienced themselves. It will also allow asylum seekers, migrants and refugees to bear witness themselves to the horrific and damaging rights violations that they are themselves suffering. By ensuring that the system is translated into multiple languages, and accessible to all, we will give power to individuals and allow them to take control of bring about the justice so they so deserve. (see what we do for further info on the system).
We intend to use film and photography to shed light on hard to reach issues and locations, either ourselves, or by giving those the tools they need to record what they are witnessing or experiencing.
We aim to give a voice to the voice less, to provide a place where they are able to speak freely about what they are enduring.
We will use the information collected to inform decision makers in improving the situation faced by asylum seekers and migrants within Europe. We will also release information into the public domain, where appropriate, to shape public opinion and shed light on the situation faced by those seeking protection in Europe. Where needed, the information collected will be assessed by lawyers and used for legal challenges if appropriate. How we use this information will be determined but the most immediate and effective way of improving the situation, and holding those responsible accountable. Bringing about Justice for those effected is at the forefront of our work.
By training and providing resources to volunteers, grass roots groups and displaced people themselves, witnesses will gather evidence of these abuses. The more information we gather, the more powerful will be our message that human rights abuse among migrants and asylum seekers is systemic, currently showing no sign of cessation, and is causing untold damage to millions of lives.
Our aim is to force the EU and its member states to meet their obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to ensure the proper and timely functioning of the European asylum system, and to ensure adequate living conditions, education, and health care for all displaced people.