Role Of Non-Governmental Organization In The Promotion And Protection Of Human Rights
This research work on “Role Of Non-Governmental Organization In The Promotion And Protection Of Human Rights” is available in PDF/DOC. Click the below button to request or download the complete material
Civil society, represented by non-governmental organizations, has become an important factor in world society. Of particular relevance are groups concerned with development, human rights and the environment. They increasingly influence and even shape international politics. Although concern for human rights dates back to antiquity, through the various stages of socio-economic formations up to the modern era, and there are many international human rights instruments to which many nations across the globe are signatories, it is lamentable that all over the world egregious human rights violations have not abated. This is because of lack of fidelity to human rights goals by governments and the virtual failure of executive agencies established to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights. This study therefore examines the imperative need for NGOs in human rights protection. The paper also provides historical sketch of human rights NGOs and highlights their challenges. It concludes by charting an agenda to surmount the challenges with a view that human rights NGOs in Nigeria will be able to optimally fill the gap created by the failure of executive agencies.
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background To The Study
The increasing number and participation of NGOs in both domestic and international policy making in recent times has made it imperative to define them and differentiate them from international organisations and other non-state actors. In fact, the multitude of NGOs and the variety of causes and concerns that they promote have even made it more complicated to define them. Attempts aimed at providing a definition ended up describing them through their various activities and involvements. Some have hitherto argued that it is often better to define NGOs by describing their roles and function in the society. But this argument is flawed because the role and function of NGOs is neither defined in any statute book of international law nor set out in any official document; moreover, most NGOs arrogate roles to themselves based on their interests and concerns. Unlike international organisations which are focused and defined by their articles of agreement or the charters that constitute them, NGOs are primarily individual initiatives that are not essentially constituted in law, but which in response to their proliferation and undeniable input in the society, the law has come to conceptualize and accommodate them as a social imperative which cannot be overlooked. In international law, recent scholarship has focused on the legal personality of NGOs and the consideration that is uppermost is their official recognition as actors in many international treaties and conventions. The EU convention on the recognition of their legal personality constituted a remarkable effort to facilitate the work of International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) at the regional level and also represents a subtle acknowledgment of NGOs’ contribution to state, interstate and regional policy making and this partnership has continued to expand on all fronts.
The term ‘NGOs’ is a modern term used in describing age old charitable and community organisations which have been in existence in history, but which today have taken various shapes and dimensions that they are no longer just charitable organisations. Apparently then, the concept of NGOs may be said to be a modern phenomenon. The term NGO is a privative concept in the sense that they exercise some privity by their non-alignment with any national government in respect of their foundation, establishment and activities. By ascribing ‘non- governmental’ to the organisations, it merely designates them as groups not affiliated to any government or not under the influence of the government, and nothing more. But NGOs as we understand them mean much more than that. This explains why the NGOs themselves are not very supportive of that acronym. In most cases, they prefer to be referred to as civil society groups or civil rights movement. Perhaps the reason for that term NGO was an attempt to differentiate them from states which are the official actors in the Westphalia system of international legal system, and thus cleverly make them ineligible partners or actors in the international law making. On the difficulty of giving a` comprehensive definition of NGOs, an author comments, “the NGO- sector has been described as extremely diverse, heterogeneous and populated with hugely varied goals, structure and motivations. It is therefore not an easy task to find a common definition of the term ‘non-governmental organisation.”4 Given therefore the variety of NGOs’ activities and interests, the same author chooses to identify them by the common characteristics which they share, namely:
1) NGOs are not created to generate personal profit. Although they may have paid employees and engage in revenue-generating activities they do not distribute profits or surpluses to members or management;
2) NGOs are voluntary. This means that they are formed voluntarily and that there is usually an element of voluntary participation in the organisation;
3) NGOs are distinguished from informal or ad hoc groups by having some degree of formal or institutional existence. Usually, NGOs have formal statutes or other governing document setting out their mission, objectives and scope. They are accountable to their members and donors;
4) NGOs are independent, in particular of government and other public authorities and of political parties or commercial organisations;
5) NGOs are not self-serving in aims and related values. Their aim is to act in the public arena at large, on concerns and issues related to the well-being of people, specific groups of people or society as a whole. They are not pursuing the commercial or professional interests of their members.
Chapter one continues
A 150–300 word synopsis of the main objectives, methods, findings, and conclusions of the Role Of Non-Governmental Organization In The Promotion And Protection Of Human Rights should be included in the abstract.
Every chapter, section, and subsection in the research work should be listed in the Table of Contents, including the page numbers that correspond to each one.
The background, research question or hypothesis, and objective or aim of the Role Of Non-Governmental Organization In The Promotion And Protection Of Human Rights should all be presented in the introduction, which is the first section.
A survey of previously conducted research on Role Of Non-Governmental Organization In The Promotion And Protection Of Human Rights should be included in the literature review, together with an overview of the main conclusions, a list of any gaps, and an introduction to the current study.
The conclusion part should address the implications of the study, provide an answer to the research question and summarize the key findings.
The reference of Role Of Non-Governmental Organization In The Promotion And Protection Of Human Rights, which should be formatted following a particular citation style (such as APA, MLA, or Chicago), is a list of all the sources cited in the title.
Other important sections of the Role Of Non-Governmental Organization In The Promotion And Protection Of Human Rights should include the Title page, Dedication, Acknowledgments, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Appendices, Glossary, or Abbreviations List where applicable.