Tactics

All over the world people are using innovative tactics to help ensure human rights are preserved. In many cases, other human rights advocates would benefit from learning about these experiences. The New Tactics online database is a growing collection of such tactics, described in a way to be useful and even inspirational for others who can apply them to their own situation as is, or modify and combine tactics to form their own.

We encourage you to browse these tactics, search for specific ones, ask questions, or start a discussion about them, and share your own experiences and innovative ways you approach in addressing a human rights issue close to your heart. We are actively seeking to add to this growing resource of new ways to foster a better world.

NEW: Find tactics that correspond to Gene Sharp's 198 Methods of Nonviolent Action!

Title Country or Region Tactic Purpose Keywords
Engaging civil society and international allies to build a united front to lobby for legal amendments Iraq Building constituencies
Using parallel international and national lobbying channels to address discrimination Morocco Removing opportunities for abuse
Engaging local level monitors to document cases of slavery to be used as legal documentation in courts Yemen Sharing critical information
Using international lobbying leverage to advance national lobbying for adoption of international policy mechanisms Lebanon Building awareness
Creating local level shadow committees to promote women’s rights Yemen Building capacity
Building grassroots support to develop a law and lobby decision makers Morocco Building constituencies | Building awareness
Engaging victims to develop a community education user friendly guide “know your rights” titled “Detainees Guide” Palestinian Territory Building capacity | Building awareness
Using surplus space to showcase artistic expression South Africa Collaboration
Building allies with government institutions and port communities to prevent human trafficking and protect victims Philippines Collaboration | Removing opportunities for abuse
Engaging Women for bike rides to raise awareness of violent conflict, and change perceptions Jordan Building awareness
Using illustrated children’s literature to educate children and adults of their rights and to foster a culture of human rights Egypt Building awareness
Re-writing Traditional Stories to Gain a Gender-Sensitive Perspective Egypt Strengthening individuals and communities
Using zero rupee notes to protest prevalence of bribery in public service sectors India Removing opportunities for abuse
Using humor to put an oppressive government in a lose-lose situation Serbia Resistance
Using a comprehensive training approach to persuade police officers to transform their relationships with communities Brazil Building constituencies
Protecting freedom of thought and the right to privacy by destroying records that could be demanded by the government United States of America Removing opportunities for abuse
Demanding Compensation: Convincing the government to compensate victims of abuse by police, military, and armed forces personnel India Seeking redress
Workers Saving their Factories and Saving their Jobs: Using an expropriation law to ensure economic rights are protected Argentina Removing opportunities for abuse
Holding an international tribunal to raise awareness of and seek reparations for sexual war crimes Japan Remembering abuses
Informing potential victims of their rights when there is a time limit on protecting those rights Canada Sharing critical information
Using Living Newspapers to bring world events into the classroom United States of America Building awareness | Building Human Rights Cultures and Institutions
Using peaceful marches to raise awareness of domestic violence United States of America Building awareness
Using international monitoring bodies to pressure government to address violations and establish mechanisms for protection United Kingdom Sharing critical information | Building awareness
Operating a Temporary Restaurant to Raise Funds and Awareness Netherlands Building capacity
Using government budgets to monitor its legal obligations, commitments, and progress in advancing child-specific rights South Africa Sharing critical information