Assist victims of human rights violations

Alkarama brings assistance to those who are subjected to, or at risk of being subjected to extra-judicial executions, disappearances, torture and arbitrary detention. The organisation uses the international human rights mechanisms as a priority. This entails in particular documenting individual cases of violations, usually in direct contact with the family and lawyers of the victim, and submitting this information to the UN Special Procedures and to the Treaty Bodies (especially the Committee against Torture, Human Rights Committee and Committee on Enforced Disappearances). Alkarama also uses any other tools useful (media, lobbying, campaigns, collaboration with other NGOs and civil society) to ensure the protection of these individuals.

Advocate for practical reforms to protect human rights in all Arab countries

We use the individual cases which we documented and the wide network of contacts with families, lawyers and activists as the basis for more in depth reports on the human rights situations in these countries – be it alternative reports to the Treaty Bodies or contributions to the Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review. We also work with civil society to participate in the reviews of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from the Arab region by the International Coordinating Committee of NHRIs.

Increase reach of information of human rights in the Arab world

We also bring media attention to the cases and situations we cover, by helping local human rights defenders and NGOs to increase their reach. We issue press releases about these cases, sometimes jointly with other NGOs, as well as Public Reports bringing together the research we have done. Since 2009, we have run the Alkarama Award, to highlight the work of those defenders who have contributed most significantly to the promotion and protection of human rights in the region. We also produce video clips on training and information on human rights.