VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES IN THE SPHERE OF HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION

Anastasiia Demidenko

doi:10.23856/4321

Abstract

The article is devoted to the volunteer movement in the sphere of human rights protection and cooperation of volunteers with non-governmental human rights organizations. It is pointed out that due to the activization of civil society and the growing number of violations of human rights on the international arena, this issue needs to be studied in more detail. In order to study the nature of volunteer organizations, a retrospective historical analysis of the phenomenon of volunteering since its appearance has been conducted. Several directions of historical development of the volunteer movement are compared. In order to understand the role of volunteer movements in the protection of human rights, the definition of the concept is proposed and explained, their functions and features as well as the main directions of activity are singled out. The comparison of concepts, functions and roles of volunteer and non- governmental human rights organizations is made. Also, the definition of the concept of “non-governmental human rights organizations” is given, on the base of which the common features of the above elements of civil society are defined. Examples of state regulation of volunteering activities in European countries, as well as the activities of volunteers in the sphere of human rights protection and cooperation of the latter with non-governmental human rights organizations are analyzed. The importance of cooperation between volunteer organizations and NGOs is also emphasized, as well as the mutual benefit for these organizations.

Highlights

In order to understand the expediency or, more precisely, the needs of activities of volunteers, in particular, in the sphere of human rights, it is necessary to find out in exactly what way and for which issues they provide assistance
In recent years, the volunteer movement has gained considerable popularity, and its intensification and expansion of spheres of activity is due to two main factors: internal political crisis, which led to the imbalance of public administration, lack of quality management decisions, lack of resource opportunities, and external aggression, which deepened the imbalance between the state’s ability to effectively perform its functions and meet the basic needs of citizens
The cooperation between the volunteer movement and NGOs is quite effective, given the identity of the features, which is primarily manifested in the following ways: free basis of activity; independence from state bodies; voluntary association

Summary

Introduction

In order to understand the expediency or, more precisely, the needs of activities of volunteers, in particular, in the sphere of human rights, it is necessary to find out in exactly what way and for which issues they provide assistance. We can say that in the process of realization of rights and freedoms between the state and civil society there are certain relations, which, are not always harmonious This is due to the expansion (and in some cases even transformation) of the worldview of citizens and their awareness that in the modern world they have significant opportunities (certain levers) to influence developments in the world community in general and the state in particular. In present conditions, the role of NGOs in strengthening the legal culture of society and restoring social justice by means of combating violations of legal rights of citizens by government officials has increased significantly, which, is litmus paper and an important indicator of democratization These organizations provide public control over the activities of both public authorities, their officials and private law entities and this, in its turn, strengthens the position of civil society in the state. The theoretical basis for the study of the outlined topic were the works of Bondarenko Z.P., Matvienko G.M., Ignatusha A.L., Pavlyuk K.S

The history and formation of the volunteer movement

Volunteering today

Conclusion