It is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law...?

This is the third paragraph of the preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 without a dissenting vote. It is the first multinational declaration mentioning human rights by name, and the human rights movement has largely adopted it as a charter.

Human rights activists work for a world in which the human rights of all are fully respected and enjoyed in conditions of global peace. Their role is to alert governments and the world community to the fact that these standards are too often ignored or unfulfilled, and to be a voice for the victims of human rights violations everywhere. Moreover, they press the international community to take the steps necessary to prevent violations.

Most nations have agreed that basic human rights must be protected, not only for the sake of the individuals and countries involved, but in order to preserve the human race.

What do I have to do?

Human rights activists campaign against discrimination, uphold political freedom, protect people from inhuman conduct in wartime, and bring offenders to justice. They investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable. They also enlist the public and the international community to support the cause of human rights for all. The rights of refugees are also taken up against the backdrop of war or any other economic and social upheaval.

What should I study?

For most of the courses, a graduate degree in any subject stream is required. The study of human rights includes: human rights theory, international human rights law, human rights and civil liberties, human rights of women and children, human rights of tribal and indigenous groups, international humanitarian and refugee law, etc.

What next?

You can work in NGOs or the government in various capacities such as programme officer and manager, social policy researcher and consultant. Human rights law is a new area of specialisation. You can also join the departments of political science/international relations/law in colleges and universities as a faculty member. Human rights will continue to grow in influence and play an increasingly significant role in the protection of civil and political rights throughout the world.

Mounting pressure of public opinion in the years to come will continue to have a positive effect in persuading governments, which systematically violate human rights laws to improve their behaviour. NGO groups like Amnesty International, the International Commission of Jurists, the International League for the Rights of Man and the International Institute of Human Rights, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, WHO, Red Cross etc, are organisations that work in the field of human rights.

Where should I study?

1. National Law School of India University, Bangalore. Course: PG diploma in human rights law (correspondence course). You should be a graduate to qualify

2. NALSAR, Hyderabad 500027. Course: PG diploma in international humanitarian law.

3. University of Pune, 411 007. Course : BLS (bachelor of social legal science/social legislation) ? this is a three-year course

4. Calcutta University. Course: MA in human rights

5. Centre for Human Rights, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. Course : LLM in human rights.

6. Indian Institute of Human Rights, Maidangarhi Marg, New Delhi. Course :PG (distance learning) in human rights

7. Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi- 110067. Course : PhD in law and governance.