Today, the world enjoys relative stability and peace. However, there are certain injustices that are still being perpetrated. For example, hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee their homes in Myanmar following a government operation (Khalid, 2017). In such European countries as Europe, far-right groups that have expressed hate against religious minorities are gaining ground. In the US, racial tensions and hateful rhetoric is mounting. These crises make it clear that the world must act. Various humanitarian organizations are taking action to address these crises. Human Rights Watch (HRW) is among these. For years, this organization has pursued justice and defended the rights of all across the world. HRW represents the group of organizations that desire a world where all people are respected and their rights are honored.
Mission
Human Rights Watch brings together hundreds of professionals and ordinary individuals who work tirelessly in their pursuit of social justice and human rights. The organization’s primary mission is to “defend the rights of people worldwide” (About, n.d). In its pursuit of this mission, the organization routinely conducts investigations in an attempt to unearth abuses and injustices. The organization also reminds authorities of the need to respect human rights (About, n.d). This organization maintains its independence and leverages on the experience and insight of lawyers, academics and journalists to achieve its agenda. HRW also publishes reports in which it details abuses and shed light on the progress that the world is making as regards human rights.
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Recent work
Human Rights Watch has launched a number of initiatives and programs that it hopes will promote its mission of pushing for human rights. Advocating for Rohingya refugees is among the works that the organization has carried out recently. This organization criticized the Indian government for mistreating these refugees (Singh, 2017). The organization argues that the mistreatment of the refugees amounts to a violation of international law and humanitarian principles. Apart from the situation in India, HRW has also intervened in the Syrian crisis. Recently, the organization released a report in which it detailed the atrocities being committed in the country. The report mentions that the airstrikes aimed at defeating ISIS have led to civilian casualties (“All Feasible Precautions?”, 2017). In the report, the organization urges all parties to endeavor to preserve human life and to respect the rights of the Syrian people. These two examples of HRW’s initiatives highlight the important function that the organization serves in its advocacy for human rights and vulnerable populations.
Necessity of work
That the work that HRW does is necessary is not in question. Thanks to the intervention of this organization, many communities have been shielded against abuses. The organization lists a number of achievements that have resulted from its work. For example, thanks to its intervention, legal reform has been carried out. The launching of investigations to probe abuses and convincing the international community to impose pressure are other goals that the organization has achieved through its work (“Impact”, n.d). The other important role that the organization performs is that it keeps governments accountable. As observed earlier, this organization reminds governments that they need to respect the human rights of their people.
Challenges
In the pursuit of its mission, HRW has encountered a number of challenges. Unfair and unhelpful criticism is among these challenges. HRW has been criticized for some of the issues that it has highlighted. For example, the organization was recently criticized for shedding light on the conflict between Israel and Palestine (Neier, n.d). Lack of cooperation from concerned stakeholders is another challenge that the organization has encountered. For instance, HRW recently released a report that highlighted the abuses that are taking place in Venezuela. Instead of receiving support, the organization was subjected to criticism (“Human Rights Watch”, n.d). These challenges hinder the efforts of HRW to create a world where fairness and respect for human rights prevail.
HRW remains one of the bravest organizations that do not shy away from calling governments out for any violations of human rights that they carry out. Since its establishment, this organization has strived to safeguard the rights of vulnerable groups. It has intervened in numerous crises and secured commitments from governments to protect human rights. Unfair criticism and lack of support threaten to derail the progress that the organization has made. It is important for the organization to avoid being distracted and focus on its mandate.
References
About. (n.d). Retrieved 25th September 2017 from
https://www.hrw.org/about
All Feasible Precautions? (2017). Retrieved 25th September 2017 from
https://www.hrw.org/report/2017/09/24/all-feasible-precautions/civilian-casualties-anti-isis-coalition-airstrikes-syria
Human Rights Watch Responds to Criticism of Venezuela Report. (n.d). Retrieved 25th
September 2017 from https://nacla.org/news/human-rights-watch-responds-criticism-venezuela-report
Impact. (n.d). Retrieved 25th September 2017 from
https://www.hrw.org/impact
Khalid, S. (2017). Untold Stories of most Vulnerable Rohingya Refugees. Retrieved 25th
September 2017 from http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/09/untold-stories-vulnerable-rohingya-refugees-170924135233112.html
Neier, A. (n.d). Human Rights Watch should not be Criticized for doing its Job. Retrieved
25th September 2017 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aryeh-neier/human-rights-watch-should_b_342680.html
Singh, N. (2017). India to Deport 40,000 Rohingya Refuges despite Protest from UNHCR, Human Rights Bodies. Retrieved 25th September 2017 from
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/NewsDetail/index/1/11526/India-to-Deport-40000-Rohingya-Refugees-Despite-Protest-From-UNHCR-Human-Rights-Bodies
