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Human Rights Now

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Areas of expertise & Fields of activity:	Economic and Social: Children Human Rights Justice Women/gender Equality Gender Issues and Advancement of Women: Human rights of women Violence against women
Geographic scope:	International
Country of activity:	Thailand Cambodia India Philippines Japan State of Palestine
Millennium Development Goals:	Promote gender equality and empower women
Mission statement:	Purpose of Establishing Human Rights Now In countries outside Japan, not only in Europe and the United States but also in Asia, Africa and Latin America, there have emerged many professional NGOs in which human rights experts undertake work crucial to the improvement of the human rights situation in their societies. These NGOs engage in litigation, advocate for the implementation of international human rights standards in domestic legal systems, contribute to the establishment of new human rights standards by utilizing international institutions such as the United Nations, and investigate and expose human rights violations occurring in other countries, especially those in the developing world. In Japan, there are also many lawyers’ groups, civil groups, and NGOs that have significantly contributed to domestic human rights by means of litigation and/or political advocacy. Still, Japan has few organizations addressing human rights from an international perspective and/or dealing with human rights issues across borders. Accordingly, we have decided to establish a new human rights NGO in which lawyers, academics, journalists, and activists will raise awareness and pursue the implementation of international human rights standards inside and outside Japan with a special focus on Asian countries. We also will be engaged in human rights advocacy in global fora such as the United Nations. Such an organization is needed to address serious human rights abuses occurring all over the world. In order to achieve the goal of “Human Security” called for by the UN Human Security Commission to the 21st century world, it is crucial to improve compliance with human rights norms as a prerequisite to development and peace building. Therefore, with the cooperation of other development, peace building and human rights NGOs, we intend to contribute to the quest for “Human Security,” specifically in the human rights field in the Asian region, by establishing and working through a new NGO called “Human Rights Now.” Our Mission 1. Taking action to make an international contribution Conducting field investigations of massive human rights violations and publicizing our findings. Empowering and supporting the development of legal system in countries of focus. 2. Taking action through international institutions Contributing to the enforcement of human rights standards and norms through monitoring, lobbing, and providing recommendations at United Nations human rights bodies such as the Human Rights Council. Providing input to ASEAN and other Asian regional human rights bodies from the human rights perspective. 3. Taking domestic action to promote human rights Introducing relevant international standards in public debate over domestic human rights issues. Advocating for internal implementation of recommendations made by UN treaty bodies to the Japanese government. Calling for action by the Japanese government and corporations to redress massive human rights violations in other countries.
Year established:	2006
Year of registration:	2008
Organizational structure:	President Secretary General 12 Board members 4 honorable advisors 25 secretariat at Tokyo headquaters 10 secretariat at Osaka division
Number and type of members:	Regular members 409 individuals and 2 organizations Supporting members 79 individuals Student members 68 individuals
Affiliation with NGO networks:	Various kind of human rights NGOs in Asia and other region
Funding structure:	Membership fees or dues Donations and grants from domestic sources
Funding structure other:	More than 50% of income comes from membership fee and donation.

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