As human rights professionals, we share an unwavering dedication to human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments and hold to values of human dignity, equality and non-discrimination, justice, rule of law, international solidarity, mutual understanding and tolerance, and respect for the capabilities and values of others.
Our vision is a world in which every man, woman and child may live in dignity and freedom. We contribute to the attainment of this vision through strong personal commitment and the highest degree of professional integrity. We must undertake our work with truthfulness, humility and compassion. We shall at all times uphold the highest ethical standards.
As human rights professionals, we work in a variety of institutional settings. Irrespective of our affiliation and location, we affirm this statement of the main ethical principles and standards that guide us in our work:
- The primary commitment of human rights professionals is to the human rights of the individuals, communities and peoples they serve; in cases of professional dilemma or uncertainty, this commitment shall be the fundamental consideration.
- In all of their actions, human rights professionals shall promote and protect human rights on the basis of the international standards.
- Human rights professionals are obliged to recognise and respect the dignity of every human being and to honour the principles of equality and non-discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, opinion, national or social origin, disability, age, property, birth or other status.
- Human rights professionals recognise their special responsibility towards the most vulnerable members of society, in particular regarding the protection, as a matter of the highest priority, of individuals who face immediate risk of grave human rights violations.
- Human rights professionals in all their acts and expressions shall demonstrate and ensure respect for the dignity of victims and others affected by human rights violations. They shall act with a sense of propriety and cultural sensitivity.
- Human rights professionals shall seek to anticipate any risks of harm to others that may arise in connection with their work and shall take every possible measure to avoid exposing individuals, communities or peoples to undue risks of harm.
- Human rights professionals in all their activities shall respect the principle of participation that empowers individuals, communities and peoples. Human rights professionals shall strive to ensure the participation of the most marginalised and vulnerable members of society in activities and decisions that affect them.
- Human rights professionals, both in their personal and official capacities, shall demonstrate respect for all individuals, irrespective of their cultural, religious and other values. This does not preclude the legitimacy of candid dispute, disagreement or action regarding practices that may affect human rights.
- Human rights professionals are committed to be impartial in the promotion and protection of human rights irrespective of the identity or status of perpetrators and victims. They shall endeavour to ensure that their impartiality is evident to all relevant actors.
- Human rights professionals have a duty to react to actual and impending human rights violations that they confront and to alert their own organisations and, where appropriate, government authorities and other relevant actors.
- Human rights professionals shall recognise the primary and fundamental importance of effective local human rights protection structures, governmental and otherwise, and shall seek to strengthen them.
- Human rights professionals shall engage with colleagues and other counterparts, regardless of position and contractual status, in a just, respectful and constructive manner.
- Human rights professionals shall be aware of any power or privilege that their position commands and refrain from abusing their status, especially in relations with members of the local community.
- Human rights professionals shall work loyally and in conformity with the aims and regulations of their organisation. They bear a responsibility to bring to the attention of the organisation any of its policies or practices that they consider to be incompatible with human rights.
- Human rights professionals have a duty to react appropriately to any serious ethical misconduct or human rights abuse, including sexual exploitation, that comes to their knowledge. This duty extends to acts committed by persons contracted by their own and partner organisations. The reaction may include reporting the misconduct to the competent authorities.
- Human rights professionals shall be guided under all circumstances by the need to accomplish the objectives of their mission. This includes the avoidance of unnecessary and/or disproportionate risks to themselves and people working with them in the conduct of their professional activities.
- Human rights professionals are obliged to stay informed about developments in international human rights standards and mechanisms, and to practice their profession accordingly.
- Human rights professionals, in particular those in managerial positions, shall expend every effort to foster a work environment in which these ethical principles can be upheld.
This Statement should not be interpreted as restricting or limiting any ethical commitments made in the context of specific institutional employment.