Human rights and democracy
Discover the importance of human rights and democracy. Together with 11.11.11 we fight for a world in which everyone enjoys equal rights and freedoms.
NO MATTER WHAT COLOR, IDENTITY, POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS BELIEF YOU HAVE, WE ALL HAVE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
What are Human Rights?
The right to education, freedom of expression, the right to protection or freedom of religion: human rights are universal and non-negotiable. Everyone can claim them, regardless of gender, skin colour or belief. To ensure that the horror of the Second World War would never be repeated, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
Yet human rights violations are still commonplaceAnti-gay laws in Uganda, Europe that does not respect asylum rights or pushes people back illegally across its external borders, anti-abortion laws in the United States or the oppression of women in Iran: people are still not treated equally everywhere. When it comes to human rights, we must continue to campaign.
What is Democracy?
Human rights and democracy go hand in hand. In a democracy we ensure that all citizens are involved in the process of political decision-making. And that every citizen has an equal opportunity to participate in this process.
Democratic rights, civil rights and political rights, such as freedom of expression or freedom of religion, are therefore mentioned in the same breath as human rights. Civil society, including civil organisations ranging from trade unions to organisations such as 11.11.11, bundles the voices of individuals and plays a crucial role in the democratic process. They provide oxygen, inspire and form the core of a healthy democratic society: the debate on how we want to shape our society. Together we put pressure to safeguard the free, public debate and the democratic space.
What does 11.1111 do?
We fight for a world in which human rights are respected for everyone. And we prefer to do that together with you. Because that way everyone gets the chance to live a dignified life.
To achieve this:
- Let us put pressure on our policymakers to ensure that human rights are enshrined in international policy.
- We support human rights activists and organizations worldwide
- We run campaigns that put human rights first.
What solutions are we pushing for?
- Basic rights for all: universal access to health care, education, food security, decent work and social protection.
- Investing in initiatives that support and protect human rights defenders, and in particular women human rights defenders.
- Investing in proper protection of refugees in conflict areas, and active diplomacy for better protection of people on the run.
- Corporate Duty of Care: Binding rules in Belgium, the EU and the UN that oblige companies to respect human rights.
- Rules for the exploitation of natural resources so that human rights (and respect for the environment and climate) are respected.
Join us in action
Join the fight for a world in which human rights are respected and give everyone the chance to live a dignified life. Make a donation, support our campaigns or become a volunteer. Together we put pressure on policymakers and build a fairer world with our partners.
