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!

Engaging civil society and international allies to build a united front to lobby for legal amendments

The Iraqi Civic Action Network (ICAN) led a large civil society movement by engaging national and international stakeholders to put pressure on the Iraqi parliament to integrate amendments agreed upon by the broad alliance to the law on the establishment and functioning of Iraqi non-governmental organizations (NGOs). As a result, a second draft law, based on the recommendations of the civil society organizations and reviewed by the parliament was sent to the presidency to integrate the suggested recommendations.

Engaging local level monitors to document cases of slavery to be used as legal documentation in courts

The National Organization for Defending Rights and Freedom (HOOD) trained local monitoring teams in communities to document cases of slavery in Yemen in order to be used by the victims as a legal document in the courts. Utilizing a documentation form that is signed by the interviewer and three additional witnesses who expressed their willingness to testify in the court at a later stage, HOOD was able to document more than 100 cases of slavery in three Yemenite governorates. As a result, the issue of slavery was brought up into public awareness, facilitating a breakthrough in overcoming the cycle of fear. In addition, one “slave” was able to get a sentence in his favor setting him free. However, the other members of his family are still captured as slaves by other individuals.

Using parallel international and national lobbying channels to address discrimination

AZETTA used international lobbying to leverage national lobbying channels in a timely manner in order to address discrimination targeting the Amazigh community in Morocco, making it possible for Moroccan citizens to use the Amazigh language to name their children.

Using international lobbying leverage to advance national lobbying for adoption of international policy mechanisms

In September 2008, ALEF-act for human rights (The Association Libanaise pour l’Education et la Formation) launched an international lobbying campaign at the European Union (EU) & United Nations (UN) institutions in order to push the Lebanese state to ratify the Optional Protocol of the Convention against Torture (OpCAT). ALEF conducted eighteen (18) meetings within a period of two weeks prior to a visit by Lebanese representatives. These meetings leveraged international concern and served to influence the Lebanese state representatives and the respective Lebanese institutions and resulted in the Lebanese state ratifying the OpCAT.

Creating local level shadow committees to promote women’s rights

The Civic Democratic Initiatives Support Foundation (CDF) created local level “shadow committees” to promote issues related to women’s rights and women’s participation in development. The capacity building process not only enhanced the ability of local women to advance their issues in their local public political sphere but resulted in local level NGOs promoting women’s rights.

Engaging victims to develop a community education user friendly guide “know your rights” titled “Detainees Guide”

The Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (TRC) developed a user friendly guide to raise awareness about the rights of detainees in Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) through a process of engaging people whose rights had been violated in order to understand what the broader community actually needs to know about their rights in order to claim them.

Building grassroots support to develop a law and lobby decision makers

Association el Amane pour le Développement de la Femme (EL AMANE) in Morocco organized 161 consultative meetings in 35 cities and villages that engaged over 1800 women in order to collect the recommendations that were included in a draft law to prevent domestic violence. Based on the statistics of civil society organizations working in support centers for women, nine out of ten women are subject to violence perpetrated by their husband. This incredible level of abuse experienced by women resulted in EL AMANE’s decision to lobby law makers to institute a law criminalizing domestic violence.

Using surplus space to showcase artistic expression

The Cape Creative Exhibition was the brainchild of Patrick Schofield and the Indalo Project in Cape Town, South Africa. The multi-disciplinary exhibition showcased the creative talent of Cape Town during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and brought together selected ranges of craft, design, fine art, film and performing art in a refurbished empty building. Mr. Schofield stated, “We had an empty building, a whole country in celebration for a month, visitors from all over the world; together, a fantastic opportunity to showcase creative Cape Town. This is the first public exhibition we’ve undertaken and we planned to raise a brow or two. Our mandate is to push the creative edge in Cape Town and South Africa, what better way than turning a whole building into an exhibition space, and to tip it off – on the Greenpoint fan mile!”

Building allies with government institutions and port communities to prevent human trafficking and protect victims

Visayan Forum, Inc. (VF), in co-operation with the Philippine Ports Authority, runs eight unique halfway house facilities in strategic ports throughout the country’s archipelago. In addition to providing center-based services to vulnerable migrants, this partnership helps to intervene to combat human trafficking in these seaports by intercepting potential victims of trafficking and apprehending suspected traffickers.

Engaging Women for bike rides to raise awareness of violent conflict, and change perceptions

Women cycling together can create a powerful message. To date, over 1,075 women from over 30 countries have pedaled for peace in the Follow the Women for Peace (FTW) bike rides through Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and into Palestine to raise awareness for the urgent need for peace and human rights for all. Its core purpose is to empower women to take action for peace and an end to violence. Outreach and mobilizing activities like women-only bike rides expand their political and public space, increase women participation and legitimacy to play a role on a local, national, regional and international level.