Our Work

Human Rights Now combines aspects of investigations, advocacy, campaigns, education, and technical cooperation with other organisations. HRN prioritizes the most serious human rights violations, such as extrajudicial killings and military attacks against civilians. HRN also prioritizes human rights violations against those who are more vulnerable, such as women and children.

Fact  Finding

HRN conducts fact-finding missions in places where people suffer from serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law. Specifically, HRN conducts field investigations, publicizes the reports, and calls for international attention. Past investigations include the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines (2007), human rights violations in the course of the crackdown against a peaceful demonstration in Myanmar (Burma, 2008), investigating the situation in the Occupied Palestine Territory (2009), hazardous child labour in North East India(2010) and human rights situation of affected people after The Great Earthquake in Japan (2011,2012)

Advocacy

HRN has urged the UN and the international community to take appropriate measures to stop ongoing serious human rights violations and to bring justice to those responsible for such serious violations. HRN also conducts awareness-raising campaigns to mobilize public attention to solve the serious human rights situation in the world. HRN’s past campaign and advocacy areas include the situation in Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines, Cambodia, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, as well as the situation in the Guantanamo detention facility operated by the United States. HRN advocates for UN bodies, such as the UN Human Rights Council and General Assembly, to pass effective resolutions on ongoing human rights violations. HRN also advocates stakeholders who are relevant to the human rights situations. Currently, HRN is working extensively on advocacy to protect people’s right to life and health from radioactive hazards following the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in Japan.

Empowerment

HRN believes that grassroots efforts by civil society can make a real difference. Thus, HRN supports grassroots efforts of civil societies for human rights on the ground. Building networks with local NGOs, HRN contributes to the capacity building and empowerment of human rights defenders. Since 2008, HRN has been involved with human rights education for Myanmar’s youth around the Thai-Myanmar border with the local civil society groups.

Technical Cooperation

As an NGO comprised of legal professionals, HRN is engaged in technical cooperation to promote human rights based on its expertise and knowledge of various Asian countries. For example, HRN made significant contributions in Cambodia by making concrete policy proposals for the introduction of a victims’ participation system in the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. HRN has also made policy proposals regarding the legal reform related to the violence against women in several countries in Asia based on international standards.