Topics we work on

HURICAP assists human rights organizations in Africa and the Middle East, focusing on communities where governments often fail to uphold human rights. We provide training, coaching, resources, and financial support to local activists and groups. These are the main topics we work on.

Monitoring, documenting and reporting on civil and political rights violations

One of HURICAP’s key topics is strengthening partners in monitoring, documenting and reporting human rights violations and abuses – also called MDR. Important elements are the difference between human rights violations, abuses and regular infringements of the law as well as methods to collect the right, factual information to make credible claims for redress and ending the violations. This includes raising public awareness as well as advocacy for changes in laws, policies, and the behavior of state agents.

Partners strengthen their skills to approach and interview victims and witnesses of violations, to safely store their collected data, and to write reliable reports. HURICAP offers basic as well as more advanced MDR training, coaching and advice. Advanced thematic MDR training includes documenting and reporting on cases of torture and ill-treatment, of sexual and gender-based violence, and of enforced disappearances. See Ukweli publications.

Economic, social and cultural rights

Economic, Social and Cultural rights refer amongst others to the right to work, social security, adequate food, housing, health, education, and the right to water and sanitation. Countries that signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights committed themselves to realizing these rights. In collaboration with HURICAP, partner organizations identify the obligations of their governments and subsequently collect specific information and evidence where such obligations have not been upheld. This informs campaigns and actions to hold governments accountable. See ESCR publications.

Business and human rights

The role of businesses with respect to human rights has become an increasingly important issue due to the growing awareness of the negative impacts that businesses – in particular international businesses – can have on people’s lives. Examples are the forced evictions of villages or the pollution of the environment. HURICAP helps partners in designing actions that aim to prevent or mitigate harm or that seek to obtain adequate remedy. See publications on business and human rights.