Latvian Centre for Human Rights
Encyclopedia
Latvian Centre for Human Rights (LCHR) (until 2005—Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies, LCHRES) is a non-governmental organization
which seeks to promote human rights
in Latvia
, founded in 1993. Acting director, as of 2011, is Anhelita Kamenska (earlier heads of the centre were Nils Muižnieks and Ilze Brands Kehris).
's project RAXEN and member of the European Network Against Racism
) and mental disability advocacy (LCHR is member of European Coalition for Community Living). Besides, LCHR was a member of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights
.
award, awarded in recognition of extraordinary and outstanding achievements aimed at improving the position of national minorities by a jury chaired by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
.
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
which seeks to promote human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
in Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, founded in 1993. Acting director, as of 2011, is Anhelita Kamenska (earlier heads of the centre were Nils Muižnieks and Ilze Brands Kehris).
Activities and international affiliation
Areas of LCHR activities include social integration, closed institutions, legal assistance in human rights cases, tolerance and anti-discrimination (LCHR is a National Focal Point of EU FRAEuropean Fundamental Rights Agency
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights is a Vienna-based agency of the European Union inaugurated on 1 March 2007...
's project RAXEN and member of the European Network Against Racism
European Network Against Racism
The European Network Against Racism is a coalition of over 600 EU NGOs working to promote equality of treatment within the member states...
) and mental disability advocacy (LCHR is member of European Coalition for Community Living). Besides, LCHR was a member of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights
International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights
The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights was a self-governing group of non-governmental, not-for-profit organizations that act to protect human rights throughout Europe, North America and Central Asia...
.
Awards
In May 1998, LCHRES has received the EU-US Democracy and Civil Society Award. In 2003, LCHRES has got the first Van der StoelMax van der Stoel
Max van der Stoel, KCMG was a Dutch politician and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. He served as the first High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe....
award, awarded in recognition of extraordinary and outstanding achievements aimed at improving the position of national minorities by a jury chaired by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
High Commissioner on National Minorities
Created on July 8, 1992 by the Helsinki Summit Meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the High Commissioner on National Minorities is charged with identifying and seeking early resolution of ethnic tension that might endanger peace, stability or friendly relations between...
.