What is advocacy?

Arguing in favor of a cause, raising awareness and influencing decision-makers: this is what advocacy means to TRIAL International. It advocates for the rights of the victims of international crimes, their families and their defenders, making sure their voices are heard before national authorities and international bodies.

To do so, TRIAL International uses a combination of methods, such as research, reports and meetings with decision-makers. Our legal staff, often in partnership with local actors, NGOs and/or lawyers, compiles and analyses the information submitted by the organization.

TRIAL International advocates, among others, before national Ministries and/or Parliaments, the Council of Europe and the United Nations.

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Why does TRIAL International engage in advocacy?

Advocacy activities serve the double purpose of to give visibility to the fight against impunity, ensuring it remains on the domestic and international agenda, and to provide the decision-makers with a sound and impartial analysis of these issues.

At the national level, advocacy is also crucial to ensure that decisions issued by international human rights bodies are well implemented. They would often be doomed to remain dead letter otherwise, resulting in no substantial change for victims.