GOVERNMENTS TODAY REGULARLY violate their pledges to uphold human rights within their countries and to promote human rights for all people worldwide. Thus, over the past fifty years, those concerned with human rights have tried many strategies to push governments to uphold these pledges. Some people use protests and street demonstrations to call attention to human rights issues. Others work as politicians or public servants within governments to change laws or public policies. And many people work for nonprofit organizations that focus on human rights issues at the local, national, or international level.

Human Rights Activists

At the heart of all efforts to promote human rights are the people who dedicate their own time and energy to enact change. People who do so are generally called human rights activists. Human rights activists work on many issues, from government...