Human Rights Organizations
The Advocates for Human Rights Documents human rights abuses, advocates on behalf of victims, educates on human rights issues, and provides training and technical assistance to address and prevent human rights violations. American Civil Liberties Union Works to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the U.S. guarantee everyone in this country.
American Friends Service Commitee Carries out service, development, social justice, and peace programs throughout the world. Amnesty International USA Investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and helps transform societies to create a safer, more just world.
The Anti-Defamation League Fights all forms of bigotry in the U.S. and abroad through information, education, legislation, and advocacy.
The Carter Center Committed to advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human suffering. Works to create a world in which everyone has the opportunity to be healthy and live in peace.
Center for Constitutional Rights A non-profit legal and educational organization committed to the creative use of law as a positive force for social change.
Children’s Defense Fund Advocates for policies and programs that lift children out of poverty, protect them from abuse, and ensure their access to health care, quality education, and a moral foundation. Freedom House Dedicated to promoting free institutions worldwide. Publishes surveys detailing the state of civil liberties, political rights, and economic freedom in every country.
Global Rights A human rights advocacy group that partners with local activists to challenge injustice and amplify new voices within the global discourse.
Heartland Alliance Provides comprehensive, innovative programs to help the most vulnerable among us to improve their lives and realize their human rights.
High Road for Human Rights Founded to stop the cycle of complacency, to elevate understanding by people in communities throughout the nation, and to organize them so they will be empowered to help make a difference.
Human Rights Campaign The largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where LGBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights and can be open, honest, and safe at home, at work, and in the community.
Human Rights Education Associates (HREA) Supports human rights learning; the training of activists and professionals; the development of educational materials and programming; and community-building through on-line technologies.
Human Rights First Exists to protect and defend the dignity of each individual through respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Human Rights Watch Dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. Known for their accurate fact-finding, impartial reporting, effective use of media, and targeted advocacy, often in partnership with local human rights groups. Human Rights Without Frontiers Focuses on monitoring, research, and analysis in the field of human rights and promotes democracy and the rule of law.
Legal Momentum The nation’s oldest legal defense and education fund dedicated to advancing the rights of women and girls.
MercyCorps Focuses on disaster response, sustainable economic development, and health services. In the U.S., mobilizes youth to help fight against hunger, poverty, and social injustice.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Works to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic quality of rights of all persons and eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty Works to abolish the death penalty in the U.S. and support efforts to abolish the death penalty worldwide.
National Economic and Social Rights Initiative Promotes a human rights vision for the U.S. that ensures dignity and access to the basic resources needed for human development and civic participation.
The Justice Project The Justice Project is a non-partisan organization dedicated to fighting injustice and creating a more humane and just world.
Oxfam In the U.S., partners with local groups to tackle the causes of poverty and foster social change to alleviate it.
Physicians for Human Rights Investigates the health consequences of human rights violations and works to stop them. The Public Justice Center A nonprofit legal advocacy organization that seeks to enforce and expand the rights of people who suffer injustice because of poverty or discrimination.
Reporters without Borders Fights for press freedom and denounces violations of human rights all over the world.
Rights Working Group A coalition working to restore the American commitment to protect civil liberties and human rights for all people in the U.S.
Southern Poverty Law Center Dedicated to promoting civil rights and fighting harmful prejudices since 1971.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Works for the protection of human rights for all people; helps empower people to realize their rights and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Leads and coordinates international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems.
Urban Justice Center’s Human Rights Project Documents, monitors, and reports on economic human rights violations in the U.S.
U.S. Human Rights Network Works to increase the visibility of the U.S. human rights movement, build the capacity of U.S. groups, strengthen links between U.S. activists, and connect them with the global human rights movement.
WITNESS Uses video and online technologies to empower people to transform personal stories of abuse into tools for justice, promoting public engagement and policy change.