A broad mandate

FIDH’ s mandate is to contribute to the respect of all the rights defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. FIDH aims at obtaining effective
improvements in the protection of victims, the prevention of Human Rights violations and the sanction of their perpetrators. Its priorities are set by the triennial World. Congress and the International Board (22 members), with
the support of the International Secretariat (30 staff members).

“Our ambition: To embody a universal movement for universal rights”

“In these times of paradox and uncertainty for human rights, FIDH aims to embody a renewed ambition: to successfully complete its transformation from a credible and recognised INGO into a strong universal movement for the effectiveness of universal human rights: a unique gathering of actors from the field capable of influencing in a unique manner the course of events leading to tragedy, preventing the perpetration of international crimes, and consolidating the indivisible paths of peace, democracy and development.

Human rights are the basis of a society which guarantees equality, freedom and dignity of each human being.

FIDH, through its legitimacy, its experience, its methods and its credibility, has a unique rôle to play in contributing to their realisation.
In the current complex international context, priority issues have emerged for the three years to come, during which FIDH must renew and deepen its multiform action.

These issues, representing FIDH’s 7 priorities for action, may be summed up as follows:

• The challenge of freedom and capacity for action: effective mechanisms and techniques for the protection of human rights defenders, as well as the permanent reinforcement of their capacities for action and influence, are evident preconditions for their action.
• The challenge of the universality of rights, embodied by an essential mobilisation for the rights of women and migrants: the majority group and a minority group that continue to suffer from such an inequality of treatment that it represents a major obstacle to the progress of humanity.
• The challenge of effectiveness: impunity and lack of accountability of actors influencing human rights or responsible for their violation encourage the perpetration of international crimes and other human rights violations and are long-term obstacles to processes of political transition and progress. States, individuals responsible for international crimes – be they officials or members of armed groups, multinational corporations, financial and trade institutions are monitored by FIDH, with a view to influencing their actions or holding them to account. Legal tools to hold these actors responsible must be strengthened, so that victims may claim their rights. Political processes that enable peaceful actors for political transition to be integrated and criminals to be excluded must be developed and supported.

FIDH has legal expertise and experience of legal proceedings. FIDH also benefits from proven political credibility which, I believe, it is essential to make use of systematically, whether through bilateral contact or within multilateral organisations.

Taking a lead on these complex priority issues, ensuring concrete results together with member and partner organisations and contributing to the effective implementation of human rights in the field, require FIDH to further strengthen its capacities.

In order to renovate and reinforce its action, four challenges need to be met:

• The challenge of the interaction with and proximity to FIDH member and partner organisations working in the field, which justifies the opening of new de-centralised offices in the field; the acquisition of up-todate internal and secure communication techniques; and to move FIDH headquarters in Paris to new premises which would constitute a ‘House of human rights defenders’, whom our movement represents.
• The challenge of increasing professionalism: which justifies the strengthening of the International Secretariat and increased recourse to external professional services.
• The challenge of building capacity for public and political mobilisation, important conditions for the effectiveness of FIDH’s action. This justifies the acquisition and increased use of modern techniques of external communication.
• The challenge of securing sustainable and increased financial ressources is also a prerequisite to the realisation of our ambitions. This justifies efforts towards the diversification of sources of funding and the increase in core and pluri-annual funding.

In order to meet these challenges, this ambition must be shared by us all. Our mobilisation must be accompanied by an objective and realistic assessment of our strengths and capacities and the continuous prioritisation and evaluation of our activities.

I am convinced, and I have experienced it with you, that FIDH draws the essential part of its strength and effectiveness in a simple word: together!
‘Together’ against fear and want: this is the project we intend to realise over the next three years.”

Souhayr Belhassen
December 2008