About
Early history
“Droits de l’homme sans frontières” began as a bi-monthly magazine that was first published in June 1988 by Willy Fautré with some EU staff and teachers. In December 1988, a legal entity named Bruxelles – Droits de l’Homme / Brussels – Human Rights/ Brüssel – Menschenrechte, which was the publisher of “Droits de l’homme sans frontières”, registered its statutes. They were officially published in January 1989 in Le Moniteur, the Official Gazette in Belgium.
In 1997, the original legal entity was renamed “Droits de l’homme sans frontières – Human Rights Without Frontiers” because its activities were increasingly taking place both in French and in English. In November 2014, it was renamed “Droits de l’homme sans frontières/ Belgique” and registered by Le Moniteur with its seat in Wallonia.
In January 2001, a new legal entity “Human Rights Without Frontiers International” having its base in Brussels was registered by Le Moniteur in Belgium because an increasing number of foreign NGOs wanted to join us as partners and some independent branches started to be created in Nepal and the US.
Both entities in Belgium are mainly financed by foundations and donations. Other financial sources: non-governmental projects, research works, fact-finding missions, conferences, organising events…
Current organisation
Human Rights Without Frontiers International (HRWF Int’l) is a non-profit association that seeks to shape European and international policy in ways that strengthen democracy, uphold the rule of law and protect human rights globally. The organisation works with associated member organisations in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Denmark, France, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Pakistan, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, South Korea, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the US.
Since its inception, the executive director has been Willy Fautré, a long-standing human rights activist.
HRWF Int’l conducts research, field missions, analysis and monitoring of a wide range of human rights concerns in many countries around the world. An international network of correspondents provides the NGO with first-hand information.
HRWF Int’l works to strengthen the culture of human rights by sharing information, publishing reports and organising seminars and events that educate policy makers and inform the general public. HRWF Int’l focuses particular attention on freedom of religion or belief, women’s rights and gender equality, LGBTQI people and human rights, and human rights violations in China, North Korea, Ukraine, Russia and Iran.
The foundation for HRWF Int’l advocacy is the body of international covenants and treaties that bind its parties to the respect of fundamental rights and freedoms. These instruments include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European Charter of Fundamental Rights and legal precedents set by decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.
The organisation addresses its advocacy primarily through EU institutions, the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
HRWF runs a global Database of over 6000 cases of FoRB prisoners of all faiths.
Some of our reports include: In Prison For Their Faith 2020 – Religious & Belief Communities Under Oppression / Annual World Report 2017 – Religion, LGBT People & Human Rights – Women’s Rights & Religion – Coercive Change of Religion in South Korea. See more here
Funding
HRWF Int’l obtains funding through donations and micro-projects. HRWF Int’l operates with grant-projects for specific campaigns and commissioned research throughout the year. HRWF Int’l annually participates in the European Commission transparency register and annually submits financial reports to the Belgian “Tribunal d’Entreprise”, as prescribed by law.