Establishing the facts
Investigative and trial observation missions
Through activities ranging from sending trial observers to organising international investigative missions,
FIDH has developed, rigorous and impartial procedures to establish facts and responsibility.
Experts sent to the field give their time to FIDH on a voluntary basis.
FIDH has conducted more than 1 500 missions in over 100 countries in the past 25 years. These activities
reinforce FIDH’s alert and advocacy campaigns.
Supporting civil society
Training and exchange
FIDH organises numerous activities in partnership with its member organisations, in the countries in
which they are based. The core aim is to strengthen the influence and capacity of human rights activists
to boost changes at the local level.
Mobilising the international community
Permanent lobbying before intergovernmental bodies
FIDH supports its member organisations and local partners in their efforts before intergovernmental
organisations. FIDH alerts international bodies to violations of human rights and refers individual
cases to them. FIDH also takes part in the development of international legal instruments.
Informing and reporting
Mobilising public opinion
FIDH informs and mobilises public opinion. Press releases, press conferences, open letters to authorities,
mission reports, urgent appeals, petitions, campaigns, website… FIDH makes full use of all means of
communication to raise awareness of human rights violations.
17 passage de la Main-d’Or - 75011 Paris - France
Tel: + 33 1 43 55 25 18 / Fax: + 33 1 43 55 18 80 / www.fidh.org
Created in 1985, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) is today the main coalition of international non-governmental organisations (NGO) fighting against torture, summary executions, enforced
disappearances and all other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. With 311 affiliated organisations
in its SOS-Torture Network, OMCT is the most important network of NGOs working for the protection
and the promotion of human rights in the world.
Based in Geneva, OMCT’s International Secretariat provides personalised medical, legal and/or social
assistance to victims of torture and ensures the daily dissemination of urgent interventions across the
world, in order to prevent serious human rights violations, to protect individuals and to fight against
impunity. Moreover, some of its activities aim at protecting specific categories of vulnerable people, such
as women, children and human rights defenders. OMCT also carries out campaigns relating to violations
of economic, social and cultural rights. In the framework of its activities, OMCT also submits individual
communications and alternative reports to the United Nations mechanisms, and actively collaborates in
the respect, development and strengthening of international norms for the protection of human rights.
OMCT has either a consultative or observer status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC), the International Labour Organisation, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’
Rights, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, and the Council of Europe.
CP 21 - 8 rue du Vieux-Billard - CH-1211 Geneva 8 - Switzerland
Tel: + 41 22 809 49 39 / Fax: + 41 22 809 49 29 / www.omct.org
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