About Us
OUR BACKGROUND
Human Rights Now (HRN) is an international human rights NGO based in Tokyo, Japan with UN special consultative status. HRN was established in 2006 by a group of human rights professionals, including lawyers, scholars, and journalists, as the first international human rights NGO based in Japan. With over 700 members comprised of various human rights specialists, HRN works for the promotion and protection of human rights for people in the world, with a special focus on Asia.
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In 2012, HRN obtained UN special consultative status, and we have actively engaged in the UN decision-making process to protect and promote human rights. Currently, HRN has a presence in Tokyo, Osaka, New York, Geneva, and Myanmar and our activities extend throughout Asia and to conflict areas of the Middle-East.
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Human Rights Now-NY was incorporated in 2019 as a nonprofit charitable organization in New York. HRNNY shares the same vision and goals with its partner organization Human Rights Now: "Protection and promotion of human rights for all."
HUMAN RIGHTS & SGDS
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of international objectives to be achieved between 2016 and 2030 that was adopted in September 2015 at the United Nations summit as part of the 2030 Agenda. As the successor to the Millennium Development Goals established in 2001, the SDGs aim to realize a sustainable world and “leave no one behind” by achieving 17 goals which are further divided into 169 targets.
In support of these goals, the human rights NGO Human Rights Now (HRN) aims to contribute toward their achievement and create a society in which no one is left behind. HRN conducts its activities with six visions in mind that correspond with the SDGs established by the UN:
NO WAR VICTIMS
War gives birth to the gravest of human rights violations. Since obtaining special consultative status at the UN in 2012, HRN has been actively participating in discussions at UN meetings in New York and Geneva.
To limit the use of inhumane weapons, ensure compliance with human rights and humanitarian law, and prevent the loss of innocent lives, HRN works to influence the rule-making process for the benefit of humanity. Furthermore, HRN strives to realize a conflict-free society by eliminating exploitation, violence, discrimination, persecution, and oppression, which are major causes of conflict.
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WHAT WE DO:
Advocacy as a member of the International Network on Explosive Weapons.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
16.1 "Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere."​
In order to bring about positive social change through the elimination of child pornography, human trafficking, and the sexual exploitation of women and children, HRN has launched numerous investigations and campaigns.
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Additionally, vulnerable groups such as women, children, and immigrants are frequently subject to exploitation through low-wage hard labor within the supply chains of global businesses in what has been referred to as “modern slavery." HRN is actively pressuring the global business sector and promoting regulations that would prevent abuses such as child labor, forced labor, and modern slavery within businesses.
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WHAT WE DO:
Initiatives to eliminate child pornography and forced appearances in pornographic films; campaigns to prevent child labor and inhumane working conditions in the Japanese apparel industry.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
5.2 "Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation."
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8.7 "Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms."
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8.8 " Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment."
NO EXPLOITATION
NO VIOLENCE
HRN is taking action to eliminate violence against vulnerable groups such as women and children.
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WHAT WE DO:
Participation in global partnerships to end violence against children; initiatives for legal reform concerning sexual violence against women in Japan.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
5.2 "Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation."
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16.2 "End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children."
NO DISCRIMINATION
HRN is taking action to eliminate discrimination based on characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation, disability, and race.​
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WHAT WE DO:
Campaigns to eliminate hate speech in Japan; initiatives to abolish gender discrimination
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
5.2 "End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere."
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10.2 "By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status."
NO OPPRESSION
HRN objects to the suppression of freedom of expression and the oppression of human rights activists and members of civil society who are pursuing democracy. Accordingly, we aim to support those individuals who raise their voices in the pursuit of freedom.
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WHAT WE DO:
Support for human rights activists and civil society in the Asian region.
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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
16.10 "Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements."
EDUCATION
Many individuals who live in countries and regions that suppress human rights are not granted the opportunity to learn about the meaning of human rights. By supporting human rights education for the younger generation, we hope to give the people and especially the youth of those countries the power to change society.
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WHAT WE DO:
Educational support in Myanmar.
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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
4.7 "By 2030 ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development."