Resources for Undergraduates

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS

• AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
  Amnesty International is a non-profit organization that campaigns for universal human rights. They undertake research initiatives in countries to expose human rights violations. They have 1.8 million volunteers from over 150 different countries. Historically, Amnesty International has focused on freeing prisoners of conscience, ensuring fair trials for political prisoners, abolishing the death penalty and torture, ending extrajudicial executions and "disappearances," and fighting to assure human rights violators are held legally accountable for their actions. Their campaigns are broad and cover many different issues. Current appeals for human rights activism include: addressing the degrading practices of detention in Greece, universal abolishment of the death penalty, releasing Saidzhakhon Zainabitdinov, and a campaign for child rights. For current job opportunities please visit their website. Unpaid internships are available at the International Secretariat offices in London, Geneva, and New York. To apply for an internship with Amnesty International visit the website at http://web.amnesty.org/jobs/internships. They do cover travel and lunch expenses on days that you work. For general information please visit the Amnesty USA's website, call, or write to the USA office.

• COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS
  The Committee to Protect Journalists was founded in 1981. It is an independent nonprofit founded to promote press freedom worldwide. It actively defends the rights of journalists to report the news without persecution. Without free press fundamental human rights are jeopardized. Currently positions in Asia and American offices are open. For more information email or visit the website.

• THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION
  The Electronic Frontier Foundation works to protect information freedoms and Civil Liberties associated with new technologies. This nonprofit organization champions consumer rights in high profile cases involving filesharing, bloggers' rights and intellectual properties. EFF offices are located in San Francisco, CA. They are currently jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities available. Internship and Volunteer positions are unpaid. For more information visit their website.

• GLOBAL EXCHANGE
  Global Exchange champions international human rights issues through people-to-people ties. They are dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world. They currently have programs for traveling and working in Africa, Americas, Middle East, and Europe. Volunteers and Interns work in the San Francisco, CA office or as advocates and guides on the worldwide programs. For more information visit the intern information website.

• HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
  Human Rights Watch employs over 150 journalists, lawyers, academics, and country specialists. As the largest human rights organization based out of the United States, HRW conducts fact finding investigations throughout the world. They publish their material in extensive reports and work with the governments of nations to alleviate the human rights abuses. They are based out of New York but have offices in Brussels, London, Moscow, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tashkent, Toronto, and Washington. For more information on who HRW is and what they have done visit their website. For employment opportunities please visit their website. HRW offers extensive benefits to their employees including medical and dental care for you, your dependents and domestic partner (same or opposite sex) as of first day of employment, 20 vacation days as of your first year of employment, "bankable" sick days, and an outstanding pension plan (a 10% employer contribution after two years of employment, no employee match required, fully vested). In addition, we offer opportunities for professional development to all staff, including comprehensive in-house training programs, tuition reimbursement up to $1,000 per year, flexible spending accounts, pre-tax transit reimbursements, and free auditing at a local university. HRW provides parental leave, and 3-month paid sabbaticals each 7 years. In addition, flexible schedules and telecommuting can often be arranged. For general information please visit Human Rights Watch's website.

• INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE (ICTJ)
  ICTJ is a non-profit organization that assists countries in addressing human rights abuses, and past mass atrocities. ICTJ works in societies emerging from repressive rule or armed conflict, as well as in established democracies where historical injustices or systemic abuse remain unresolved. It aids in reconciliation processes in these countries. Contact ICTJ for information on fellowship programs at their website.

• INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO BAN LANDMINES
  International Campaign to band Landmines is a nonprofit organization striving to ban antipersonnel landmines globally. Landmines indiscriminately kill or injure children, women, and men as well as soldiers. 80 countries are currently affected by the landmines. It is impossible to know how many landmines exist globally. To receive emails with information about landmines-related job openings please subscribe to the ICBL Job Vacancies Yahoogroup by sending a blank email to icblvacancies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. For more information visit their website.

• INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS
  Established in 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) improves humanitarian conditions through protecting the dignity and lives of victims of warfare and internal violence. It directs and coordinates international relief to these victims. It also promotes prevention of human suffering through strengthening international humanitarian law. For a list of current job vacancies visit their website.

• LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
  The Lutheran World Relief works in 50 countries battling poverty and the indignity impoverished people face. They are a non-profit relief agency founded in 1945. Through championing fair-trade and educational programs, they help local people combat the effects of natural and man-made disasters. For a list of job opportunities visit their website.

• OXFAM AMERICA
  Oxfam America is an international development and relief agency and an affiliate of Oxfam International. Through coalitions with local partners, Oxfam provides development programs and emergency relief services, and campaigns for change in global practices and policies that keep people in poverty. Oxfam America offers student internships and volunteer positions. Interns may work for credit or a university provided stipend. For job opportunities visit the website.

• PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
  Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) advances health issues by protecting human rights. PHR believes that human rights are essential for the health and well-being of all people. PHR exposes human rights violations through medical and scientific methods. PHR educates health professionals, medical, public health, and nursing students, and members of the public to become activists for human rights. For current job opportunities visit the PHR website.

• SAVE THE CHILDREN
  Save the Children strives to make lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Their programs educate and encourage self-sufficiency to address health, education, and survival of youth populations in the United States and the world. It is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, comprising 27 national Save the Children organizations working in more than 100 countries to ensure the well-being of children. For a list of current job listings and volunteer opportunities visit their website.

UN AND GOVERNMENT HUMAN RIGHTS SITES

• BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR (DRL)
  DRL conducts human rights investigations, reports on country conditions, speeches and votes in the UN, and asylum profiles. DRL annually submits to Congress a report on human rights conditions. DRL provides relevant information on country conditions to the Immigration and Naturalization Service and immigration judges in asylum cases. Along with conducting investigations, DRL takes stands on current and past humanitarian abuses. For employment opportunities with the DRL visit the US Department of State's website.

• INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA (ICTY)
  Security Council resolution 827 established ICTY in May of 1993. ICTY is located in Hague, Netherlands. Its mission is to bring to justice persons allegedly responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law, to render justice to the victims, to deter further crimes, and to contribute to the restoration of peace by promoting reconciliation in the former Yugoslavia. It has authority to prosecute when grave breaches of the 1949 Geneva Convention occur, when countries violate the laws or customs of war, in cases of genocide, and in crimes against humanity. For information on employment visit their employment website. For information on internships visit their internship website. Applicants must have written and oral knowledge of English and/or French and are strongly encouraged to have written and oral knowledge of Bosnian, Croatian, or Serbian. For more information about ICTY visit their website.

• IPAS
  IPAS strives to increase women's ability to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights and to reduce deaths and injuries of women from unsafe abortion. Ipas's global and country programs include training, research, advocacy, distribution of equipment and supplies for reproductive-health care, and information dissemination. For information on how to get involved in country programs email Ipas at programs@ipas.org.

• OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
  The High Commissioner for Human Rights is responsible for overseeing human rights issues for the UN. This position was created in 1993 by the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. Ms. Louise Arbour, a Canadian national, is the current High Commissioner for Human Rights. For current issues OHCHR is addressing visit their website.

• UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR)
  The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was created in 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. This international agency coordinates international action to protect refugees. It is primarily a humanitarian agency that strives to protect the rights of refugees and ensure them the right to seek asylum and safe refuge. It addresses refugee situations multilaterally. Currently, UNHCR has more than 570 sister organization that it works with individually to solve refugee conflicts. If you are seeking a career at the UNHCR please visit their website. You must take an entry exam, show working knowledge of English and a second UN language. For recent graduates, the Junior Professional Officer Programme allows young University graduates exposure to UNHCR. The average age range for this program is 25-32 years old. A bachelor's degree and a minimum of 2 years experience in the field is required to apply. Please visit their website to learn more about these positions. UNHCR also offer internships. Visit the website to learn more. They are currently not accepting any internship applications.

OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS RESOURCES

• IDEALIST.ORG
  This is a great website that allows you to search for activist jobs in any state, province, or country. Categories are divided into specific issues allowing you to closely match your interests with your career path. They offer resources for kids, teens, teachers, and people seeking volunteer positions. The website also has a helpful list of upcoming dates for career fairs and graduate school fairs. Visit their Career Center for more information on job searches visit their website.

• REEBOK HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD
  Reebok Human Rights Award recognizes activists younger than 30 ages for their non-violent efforts with a $50,000 grant. For more information visit Reebok Human Rights Award's website.

REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS

AFRICA

• SAVEDARFUR.ORG
  The Save Darfur Coalition is an alliance of over 140 diverse faith-based, humanitarian, and human rights organizations, assembled to raise public awareness and to mobilize efforts to help end the atrocities and reduce the suffering in Darfur and nearby refugee camps. Send emails for further information to info@SaveDarfur.org.

• WASHINGTON OFFICE ON AFRICA
  The Washington Office on Africa (WOA) is a religiously-sponsored, non-profit advocacy organization seeking a just American policy toward Africa.
  
  WOA monitors Congressional legislation and executive policies to advance progressive policy for US involvement in Africa. For internship opportunities visit their website.

ASIA

• INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR TIBET
  This campaign seeks a political solution to disagreements between the Dalai Lama and the People's Republic of China. For employment opportunities visit their website.

• HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA (HRIC)
  HRIC is an international, Chinese, non-governmental organization with a mission to promote universally recognized human rights and advance the institutional protection of these rights in the People's Republic of China (China). For employment opportunities visit their website.

EUROPE

• THE HELSINKI CITIZENS' ASSEMBLY
  The Helsinki Citizens' Assembly accepts applications from university students interested in working on human rights in Turkey. The hCa is a non-governmental organization that works on issues of fundamental rights and freedoms, peace, democracy and pluralism. hCa acts with the basic premise that citizens should have a say on the actions and decisions that are directly affecting their life. It takes special care to create a space where differing sides can discuss their problems and produce solutions in the resolution of social problems. It tries to constitute a chain of contact, dialogue and mutual understanding, leading to cooperation and peaceful co-existence. The ability to speak Turkish is preferred, but not necessary. For more information or to apply for an internship, please contact Emel Kurma or Ozlem Dalkiran.

• PAX CHRISTI
  Pax Christi is an international Catholic organization that promotes peace. It has a strong presence in Europe and is involved in human rights investigations in Europe and internationally. Two year internships are available in the Brussels' office.

MIDDLE EAST

• THE IRAN HUMAN RIGHTS DOCUMENTATION CENTER (IHRDC)
  The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC) is an independent and nonpartisan scholarly undertaking to establish a comprehensive and objective historical record of the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran since the 1979. Visit their website for information on internships.

• HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST
  This organization seeks to protect the victims of the War in Iraq. They also filed a suit against Donald Rumsfield for abuses in Iraq. For information on job opportunities, fellowships, and internships please visit their website.

LATIN AMERICA

• LATIN AMERICA WORKING GROUP
  The Latin America Working Group lobbies to influence positive US policy in Latin America to promote human rights. For information on internships and employment visit their website.

• WASHINGTON OFFICE ON LATIN AMERICA (WOLA)
  WOLA works to promote positive human rights policy in Latin America through lobbying for conditioned US military aid. For information on employment or internships visit their website.

NORTH AMERICA

• AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION (ACLU)
  The ACLU strives to protect the rights granted to Americans by the Constitution. They work to expose instances of civil liberty abuse through watchdog and investigatory methods. For more information on employment opportunities visit the ACLU website.

• CENTER FOR DEATH PENALTY LITIGATION (CDPL)
  

• HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (HRC): Working Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights
  HRC is America's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights organization. It gives the LGBT population a voice on issues and strives to provide equal opportunities for the LGBT community. For information on volunteering visit their website.

• US PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP (PIRG)
  The US PIRG is a non-profit, state-based organization that seeks to improve participation in democracy, triumphs environmental campaigns, and improve consumer awareness. They offer a two-year fellowship position and a one-year campus organizer position to recent graduates. They also have positions available for graphic design and political writers. For more information on employment visit their website.

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