Human Rights Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

1. What are the categories of human rights NGOs identified in the readings? What explains the prominent role and importance of NGOs in the human rights movement? Are they more relevant than States in the promotion and protection of human rights? What is the utility of Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society? (Claude & Weston, pp. 414-420; Weston & Grear, pp. 367-369; Alston & Goodman, pp. 1503-1504) 2. What are the nine functions of human rights NGOs that Claude discusses in the readings? Which of these is/are the most important? Is it acceptable for human rights NGOs to seek to influence domestic and foreign policy of target States through lobbying efforts in their home countries? (Weston & Grear, pp. 371-380) 3. What are the elements of the debate on issues of the growing influence, legitimacy, accountability and transparency of human rights NGOs? What are the specific points of criticisms (and recommendations) offered by Anderson and Jacques on the work/nature of INGOs? What are the ways accountability is achieved in Global Politics, according to Grant and Keohane? (Alston & Goodman, pp. 1503-1512) 4. Does the INGO Accountability Charter effectively respond to claims by Anderson and Jacques? Would the Charter be an acceptable mechanism to Grant & Keohane? Should human rights NGOs be regulated? In the absence of regulations, is there some way to promote accountability for their actions? Given that human rights NGOs are established to promote/advance particular causes, are there any dangers associated with the unregulated nature of their work? What are the challenges faced by human rights NGOs? Should these groups be concerned about the unending debate on their legitimacy and accountability for their actions? (Alston & Goodman, pp. 1507-1514)          

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