Human Rights Observers (HROs) are Amnesty International trained representatives, who will be deployed to protests, rallies, and other public situations where there is a significant risk that human rights violations may occur. HROs objectively and impartially observe, document, and report back on incidents that may occur which infringe on the freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
Become A Human Rights Observer
Key responsibilities of a Human Rights Observer
- Complete online training to become a Human Rights Observer
- Attend protests in your region where Amnesty Human Rights Observers are deployed
- For the duration of protests, impartially observe and document any human rights abuses or potential human rights abuses you see
- Liaise with police, media, event organisers and marshals to ensure safety of protesters
- Represent Amnesty by abiding by our Values and Behaviours charter, and comply with the law
*We are currently in the process of reviewing the structure of this program, so are not currently taking Expressions of Interest*
Please note: This program requires existing knowledge of human rights and Amnesty International values. If you are not yet involved with Amnesty as an activist, please sign up here to attend our next GetActive induction session.
How To Deploy Your Human Rights Observer Team
Human Rights Observers are deployed in specific circumstances – large rallies with a significant number of participants, where human rights, including the right to protest, are likely to be at risk. Police and participant relations may already be tense, and police overreach may have occurred or is likely to occur. Human Rights Observers help protect the right to protest by witnessing interactions and preventing police overreach.
If you’re an HRO team looking to deploy, please check over the below criteria and complete this form for approval.
Criteria:
- Significant risk of police overreach and human rights violations
- Values of organisers and event align with AIA values
- AIA staff and activists are not attending as participants
- We have been invited by the organisers
- We have a minimum of six HROs, including one coordinator, media liaison, and police liaison
- HRO team have the capacity, availability, and interest to deploy
Please note: Our Movement Manager Sarah Gooderham will review and we will respond to your request as soon as possible. If you have any questions in the meantime, you can direct them to Rachel at communityorganising@amnesty.org.au
Request Human Rights Observers At Your Event
Human Rights Observers are deployed in specific circumstances – large rallies with a significant number of participants, where human rights, including the right to protest, are likely to be at risk. Police and participant relations may already be tense, and police overreach may have occurred or is likely to occur. Human Rights Observers help protect the right to protest by witnessing interactions and preventing police overreach.
If you’re a group or organisation looking to partner and have HROs present at your protest or rally, please complete this form.
When courageous people protest, they make the world a better place. We must protect the right to protest wherever it is restricted and whenever it is at risk.
For Write for Rights 2022, we are taking action for brave individuals from 10 different countries, who have all paid a great price for speaking truth to power. We run Write for Rights every year because it works – real change happens when ordinary people come together to take action.
Learn more about Write for Rights. Write a letter, change a life – including yours.
