Witness (human rights group)
Encyclopedia
WITNESS is a human rights non-profit organization based out of Brooklyn, NY. Their mission statement is "WITNESS uses video to open the eyes of the world to human rights violations. WITNESS empowers people to transform personal stories of abuse into powerful tools for justice, promoting public engagement and policy change." The organization was founded in 1992 by Peter Gabriel
, along with the help of Human Rights First
(then known as the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights) and its founding executive director Michael Posner (lawyer)
, and has since worked with over 300 organizations in over 70 countries.
, traveled with Amnesty International
’s Human Rights Now! Tour. Gabriel brought along a Sony Handycam, one of the first small camcorders marketed to consumers, to record the stories he heard. In 1991, a bystander captured on videotape the beating of Rodney King
, Jr. by Los Angeles police. The images galvanized an international conversation about police brutality
and racial discrimination. They demonstrated the power of video to capture the world’s attention and viscerally communicate human rights abuses.
With the momentum generated by reactions to the King video, Gabriel was able to realize his visionary idea. With a one million dollar seed grant from the Reebok Human Rights Foundation and a partnership with the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (now Human Rights First
), WITNESS was born in 1992.
In 2001, WITNESS became an independent nonprofit organization. WITNESS has worked in over 70 countries to advance human rights through the use of video for change. Today, WITNESS has a staff of 30 and a $3.9 million budget.
2009: In March 2009, Mexico’s Attorney General and Minister of Interior committed to personally follow-up on the cases of Neyra Cervantes, who was brutally murdered in 2003, and her cousin, David Meza who spent three years in jail after being tortured into confessing to her murder. This agreement was the outcome of a meeting between Peter Gabriel, actor Diego Luna
, Jaguares’ Saúl Hernández, Patricia Cervantes (Neyra’s mother) and Mexico’s President Calderón, asking him to end feminicide in Ciudad Juárez
and Chihuahua, Mexico
. Since the meeting, WITNESS partner Comisión Mexicana has met twice with government officials, who are reviewing the status of the proceedings of Neyra/David’s cases and studying the list of priority policies related to ending feminicide. Neyra’s story is the focus of the film, “Dual Injustice,”” co-produced by WITNESS and Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humano (CMDPDH). The video was part of a successful international WITNESS campaign in 2006 calling for Miguel David Meza’s release and a further investigation into Neyra’s case to ensure that justice will be served for all families suffering similar fates.
2009: A major advocacy drive by AJEDI-Ka/PES and WITNESS to stop the recruitment of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC) and bring to justice those responsible played a part in international efforts that led to war crimes charges confirmed by the International Criminal Court
(ICC) against Thomas Lubango Dyilo, a Congolese warlord in 2007. “A Duty to Protect” was screened at a high-level panel discussion at U.N. Headquarters in November 2007 following the arrest by the ICC of a second DRC warlord for the use of child soldiers. The trial against Mr. Dyilo begun in January 2009. Three more warlords have been arrested and are currently awaiting trial at the ICC for the use of child soldiers in the DRC.
2008: Following screenings to decision-makers in Chechnya
and globally, Human Rights Center Memorial achieved significant advocacy success by securing the Chechen government’s funding for rebuilding homes and other infrastructure in the Zumsoy, Chechnya.
2007: “Bound by Promises,” about modern-day slavery in rural Brazil
, was screened before the Brazilian Congress’ Human Rights Commission, and has proven instrumental in getting the Mobile Inspection Squads to resume the investigation of claims made by runaway slaves. “Bound by Promises” has also led to greater investments in programs for workers.
2007: Footage from Burma Issues was used to buttress a critical BBC Newsnight item that criticized the Labor administration in the UK for its minimal levels of funding to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Burma. This broadcast helped push the UK government to conduct an official review that, in July 2007, recommended a four-fold increase in aid to IDPs in Burma.
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
, along with the help of Human Rights First
Human Rights First
Human Rights First is a nonprofit, nonpartisan human rights organization based in New York City and Washington, D.C....
(then known as the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights) and its founding executive director Michael Posner (lawyer)
Michael Posner (lawyer)
Michael H. Posner is an American lawyer, the Founding Executive Director and later the President of Human Rights First , and the current Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor of the United States.- Early years :Posner received a B.A...
, and has since worked with over 300 organizations in over 70 countries.
History
In 1988, musician and activist Peter GabrielPeter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
, traveled with Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
’s Human Rights Now! Tour. Gabriel brought along a Sony Handycam, one of the first small camcorders marketed to consumers, to record the stories he heard. In 1991, a bystander captured on videotape the beating of Rodney King
Rodney King
Rodney Glen King is an American best known for his involvement in a police brutality case involving the Los Angeles Police Department on March 3, 1991...
, Jr. by Los Angeles police. The images galvanized an international conversation about police brutality
Police brutality
Police brutality is the intentional use of excessive force, usually physical, but potentially also in the form of verbal attacks and psychological intimidation, by a police officer....
and racial discrimination. They demonstrated the power of video to capture the world’s attention and viscerally communicate human rights abuses.
With the momentum generated by reactions to the King video, Gabriel was able to realize his visionary idea. With a one million dollar seed grant from the Reebok Human Rights Foundation and a partnership with the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (now Human Rights First
Human Rights First
Human Rights First is a nonprofit, nonpartisan human rights organization based in New York City and Washington, D.C....
), WITNESS was born in 1992.
In 2001, WITNESS became an independent nonprofit organization. WITNESS has worked in over 70 countries to advance human rights through the use of video for change. Today, WITNESS has a staff of 30 and a $3.9 million budget.
Campaigns
WITNESS has worked with over 300 organizations in over 70 countries since its founding. Campaigns have resulted in measurable impact, including:2009: In March 2009, Mexico’s Attorney General and Minister of Interior committed to personally follow-up on the cases of Neyra Cervantes, who was brutally murdered in 2003, and her cousin, David Meza who spent three years in jail after being tortured into confessing to her murder. This agreement was the outcome of a meeting between Peter Gabriel, actor Diego Luna
Diego Luna
Diego Luna is a Mexican actor known for his childhood telenovela work, a starring role in the film Y tu mamá también, and supporting roles in American films. He is also known for his roles in Rudo y Cursi and Milk. Luna also had minor roles in Frida and Before Night Falls...
, Jaguares’ Saúl Hernández, Patricia Cervantes (Neyra’s mother) and Mexico’s President Calderón, asking him to end feminicide in Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez , officially known today as Heroica Ciudad Juárez, but abbreviated Juárez and formerly known as El Paso del Norte, is a city and seat of the municipality of Juárez in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Juárez's estimated population is 1.5 million people. The city lies on the Rio Grande...
and Chihuahua, Mexico
Chihuahua, Mexico
Chihuahua, Mexico, may refer to:* The State of Chihuahua in Mexico* The City of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, its capital...
. Since the meeting, WITNESS partner Comisión Mexicana has met twice with government officials, who are reviewing the status of the proceedings of Neyra/David’s cases and studying the list of priority policies related to ending feminicide. Neyra’s story is the focus of the film, “Dual Injustice,”” co-produced by WITNESS and Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humano (CMDPDH). The video was part of a successful international WITNESS campaign in 2006 calling for Miguel David Meza’s release and a further investigation into Neyra’s case to ensure that justice will be served for all families suffering similar fates.
2009: A major advocacy drive by AJEDI-Ka/PES and WITNESS to stop the recruitment of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
(DRC) and bring to justice those responsible played a part in international efforts that led to war crimes charges confirmed by the International Criminal Court
International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court is a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression .It came into being on 1 July 2002—the date its founding treaty, the Rome Statute of the...
(ICC) against Thomas Lubango Dyilo, a Congolese warlord in 2007. “A Duty to Protect” was screened at a high-level panel discussion at U.N. Headquarters in November 2007 following the arrest by the ICC of a second DRC warlord for the use of child soldiers. The trial against Mr. Dyilo begun in January 2009. Three more warlords have been arrested and are currently awaiting trial at the ICC for the use of child soldiers in the DRC.
2008: Following screenings to decision-makers in Chechnya
Chechnya
The Chechen Republic , commonly referred to as Chechnya , also spelled Chechnia or Chechenia, sometimes referred to as Ichkeria , is a federal subject of Russia . It is located in the southeastern part of Europe in the Northern Caucasus mountains. The capital of the republic is the city of Grozny...
and globally, Human Rights Center Memorial achieved significant advocacy success by securing the Chechen government’s funding for rebuilding homes and other infrastructure in the Zumsoy, Chechnya.
2007: “Bound by Promises,” about modern-day slavery in rural Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, was screened before the Brazilian Congress’ Human Rights Commission, and has proven instrumental in getting the Mobile Inspection Squads to resume the investigation of claims made by runaway slaves. “Bound by Promises” has also led to greater investments in programs for workers.
2007: Footage from Burma Issues was used to buttress a critical BBC Newsnight item that criticized the Labor administration in the UK for its minimal levels of funding to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Burma. This broadcast helped push the UK government to conduct an official review that, in July 2007, recommended a four-fold increase in aid to IDPs in Burma.