The New Tactics in Human Rights project is a vital component of the Center for Victims of Torture. CVT’s mission is to heal the wounds of torture on individuals, their families and their communities and to stop torture worldwide. New Tactics plays a key role in the movement to end torture by strengthening human rights efforts around the world.

Torture is an issue that is connected to many human rights – the right to free speech and association, the right to a lawyer, the right to be free of cruel and inhumane treatment – and preventing torture requires effective human rights advocacy.  In its relationships with activists from more than 120 countries, New Tactics strengthens their work by sharing with them new ideas and resources, training them on strategic thinking, and connecting them with other activists for advice and support.  By helping activists evaluate possible outcomes and plan for any reprisals, strategic thinking is the first step to carrying out more effective and safer campaigns

Many of CVT’s clients are human rights activists, and for some, the healing process includes finding safe and meaningful ways of participating in the human rights movement again.  New Tactics provides hundreds of examples of ways that activists have implemented successful human rights activities.  Our project opens the door to activism by providing ideas for anyone interested in defending human rights – on any level. 

Those who support CVT are also human rights activists; we want to stop torture.  New Tactics provides a network of allies and new ideas for action.

By joining the New Tactics online community, you have the opportunity to:

• learn from other people's innovative tactics, 
• build and adapt effective strategy and tactics, and
• share your challenges and success; and find new allies.

Explore the New Tactics Resources and Tools to find innovative tactics that have been used by human rights practitioners working on many different issues from all over the world.  Learn about how to build and adapt effective strategies and tactics, and how to train your colleagues and networks on this process.  Join our online community and participate in our online dialogues where you can learn from your peers doing similar work in other countries, reflect on your own work, and share your challenges and success.

For a visual introduction to our website, watch our presentation - Introduction to New Tactics - on Prezi.