Links to Human Rights Organizations
LEST WE FORGET:
World Food Programme
With so much media attention focused on Iraq and hurricane
relief, it is easy to overlook other desperate human needs. For a tiny
fraction of what has already been spent on the war in Iraq, the UN
World Food Programme could save millions of people in Africa and other
parts of the world from starvation. International aid from nations,
organizations, and individuals is needed.
American Civil Liberties Union
Founded in 1920 when civil liberties we take for granted
today were often thoroughly trampled upon, this organization works to
preserve individual rights and liberties under the Constitution, with
particular attention to the Bill of Rights. ACLU advocates for respect
for civil liberties at all times, including times of national emergency.
Amnesty
International
Large and highly influential organization devoted to
promoting human rights, political freedom, and fair labor practices
around the world. Organizes campaigns to free political prisoners and
end torture.
Amnesty
International China
AI's page detailing human rights in China. Since China is
huge in terms of population, exports of consumer goods, impact on the
world economy, and land mass, it is a major focus of
ResponsibleConsumer.net.
Anti-Defamation League
Founded in 1913, the ADL works to combat anti-Semitism and
bigotry in all forms.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, enumerated on the website of Cornell University's Legal Information Institute. Links to other ammendments to the Constitution, Table of Contents and Amendments, and Overview of Full Constitution.
Co-op
America
Non-profit organization that provides information and news
about sweatshops and workplace conditions, as well as the environment
and socially responsible investing, personal finance, products and
businesses. A link to Responsible Shopper
allows you to compare many companies and industries on the bases of
workplace, environment, and willingness to disclose information to the
public. Responsible Shopper also notes things companies have been
criticised and praised for, such as environmental practices, sweatshop
labor, community and labor relations, diversity in the workforce, and
charitable contributions.
Human
Rights Watch 
Human Rights Watch is a nongovernmental organization (NGO)
that provides a wealth of
information and breaking news on human rights around the world. Here
are some areas of the site of particular interest to conscientious
consumers:
Corporations and Human Rights: Corporate Social Responsibility
Letter to Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, about ways to strengthen and enforce the UN Global Compact on corporate social responsibility.Business and Human Rights
Reports, briefing papers, and news on human rights issues as they relate to corporations.Corporations and Human Rights: Backgrounders
Short descriptions of current issues around the world, with links to full reports..Corporations and Human Rights: Special Issues and Campaigns
Focuses on apparel and footware industry, energy industry, and role of the international community.
Institute of Race
Relations
London based organization devoted to research and analysis
that informs the international struggle for racial justice. Publishes
the quarterly journal Race and Class, the quarterly
European Race Bulletin, and numerous articles on
black history, contributions, and experience in Britain. Maintains a
large library of print and multimedia materials on race relations
throughout the world. Current projects include research on the rise of
racism and fascism in Europe, research on racial violence in London,
development of multimedia library resources, and use of multimedia
software in a program to raise self esteem of young black children.
International
Committee of the Red Cross
English version, with links to French and Spanish versions.
Relief agency founded in 1863 to provide aid to victims of war and
violence on a strictly humanitarian, impartial basis. Also promotes
humanitarian law and principles.
National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People: Industry Report Cards
Report cards based on surveys of five major industries are
summarized. Unfortunately, there is no description of the methodology
or survey contents, and no link to methodology. More detailed
information is available in PDF documents, but you have to dig to find
it: enter keyword "methodology" in the Search box at the top of the
page.
National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People: News, Action Alerts,
etc.
NAACP Home page includes excerpts from featured news stories
about civil rights issues, with links to complete stories. Also links
to action alerts, a forum, a photo gallery, Crisis Magazine,
and information about structure and activities of the organization.
U.S. Fund for Unicef
News about how this United Nations agency is helping children affected by poverty, natural disasters, etc.; links to ways to donate or buy gifts that support UNICEF projects; updates on successes and challenges of the agency.
United
Nations Home Page
Links to editions in six languages.
United Nations NewsCentre
Brief descriptions of current news, with links to full stories. These stories give vital information that is not always widely covered in major news media. They enable readers to understand world events from a point of view that is much more broadly based than that of a single country.United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Links to full text of the resolution in many languages. The Declaration was adopted by the General Assembly on December 10, 1948, which is now celebrated as Human Rights Day.
United
Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights Simplified
BBC summary, in plain language, of the UN Declaration of
Human Rights.
United Nations News and Commentary in the New York Times
Current and past articles about the United Nations published in the New York Times. Can be sorted to show oldest first or newest first.
United States Government Accountability Office
Independent, nonpartisan agency that evaluates for the U.S. Congress the effectiveness and appropriateness of executive branch agencies in spending taxpayer dollars. Human rights issues are often involved in the GAO's reports.