Human Rights
![Jacir José de Souza (right) and Pierlângela Nascimento da Cunha from the Makuxi and Wapixana tribes. Jacir is also founder of CAFOD partner the Indigenous Council of Roraima [Joelle Hernandez/CAFOD]](/var/storage/images/about-cafod/where-we-work/brazil/images/jacir-and-pierlangela-from-the-makuxi-and-wapixana-tribes/6602-4-eng-GB/jacir-and-pierlangela-from-the-makuxi-and-wapixana-tribes_1column50_12space_landscape.jpg)
Human rights is the true test of a fair society - and human rights groups are crucial in protecting ordinary people and promoting development
Freedom of expression and of association are essential components of human rights, as are the principles of equality and diversity, and non-discrimination.
Such universal standards transcend cultural and national boundaries, reflect principles and teachings from all the major faiths, and are encapsulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Countries which respect the rights of their citizens are safer places in which to live and work, trade with or visit, and are more likely to settle disputes peacefully. Promotion of human rights is not only the right thing to do, but tangibly in our own best interests.
The indigenous territory of Raposa Serra do Sol in Roraima continues to be occupied illegally by a group of powerful rice farmers. Jacir José de Souza, a founding member of our partner CIR (Indigenous Council of Roraima), says: “For us our land is our Mother. It gives us a home, soil, fruit, vegetables, fish. Without our land we would starve - this is why we defend our rights."
![Father Mauricio Garcia is director of CAFOD partner CINEP [CAFOD]](/var/storage/images/about-cafod/where-we-work/colombia/images/father-mauricio-garcia/904438-1-eng-GB/father-mauricio-garcia_0column75_06space_landscape.jpg) | Colombia: Defending human rights together Father Mauricio García, a peace campaigner for more than 20 years in war-torn Colombia for our partner CINEP, tells us why a major shift in UK foreign policy is a huge step forward for human rights |
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Secondary school teachers: Materials and resources for the classroom |
 | World Food Day: Catholic development organisations call for ‘urgent solutions’ to world hunger In advance of World Food Day on Sunday 16 October, an alliance of Catholic development agencies demands governments ‘guarantee the right to food for all human beings’. |
 | Bangladesh floods: our response August 2011: Severe monsoon rains in Bangladesh have caused several major rivers to burst their banks, affecting nearly one million people. |
For every £1 given to our Give it up! appeal this Lent, including Lent Fast Day, the government will donate another £1 – doubling your donation and changing even more lives |
884 million people do not have access to clean, safe water. Pray with us this Lent that waters may flow and injustice may be washed away. |
Help us turn the tide on water poverty. Join our Thirst for change campaign and ensure world leaders hear our call: taps and toilets for all. |
