The International Observatory for Documentation of Human Rights Violations is founded on the firm conviction that human rights are universal, indivisible and may not be diminished or subjected to discrimination, and that safeguarding human dignity is a shared responsibility of states, international institutions, civil society organizations and human rights defenders.

The Observatory bases its vision and work on the principles established by the Charter of the United Nations, the International Bill of Human Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the 1998 United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, as well as the rules of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

On the basis of these frameworks, the Observatory carries out its work as an independent international non-governmental institution engaged in monitoring and documentation, research and analysis, preparation of studies and reports, capacity-building, promotion of a culture of human rights, support for human rights defenders, and international cooperation, in a manner consistent with national laws, the principles of international law, respect for state sovereignty and the competences of national institutions.

The Observatory believes that combating impunity begins with establishing the truth, and that truth cannot be established without professional monitoring, independent documentation, verification of information, and the collection of evidence and data in accordance with international standards. Accordingly, the Observatory places particular emphasis on investigative human rights work, fact-finding missions, and the documentation of serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Documentation may include situations that, under applicable international legal standards, could amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide. The Observatory may prepare human rights files and reports capable of contributing to efforts toward justice and accountability, while fully respecting the jurisdiction of competent national and international judicial authorities and the presumption of innocence.

The Observatory also believes that defending human rights is not limited to documenting violations. It includes supporting human rights defenders, journalists and media professionals, researchers, opinion leaders, activists, institutions and humanitarian figures who have dedicated their efforts to serving humanity and promoting the values of justice, freedom and peace.

From this perspective, the Observatory attaches particular importance to recognizing such individuals and institutions through international humanitarian awards, certificates of appreciation, honorary distinctions and commemorative shields granted according to transparent professional and human rights standards, in recognition of their contributions to advancing human rights and serving humanity.

The Observatory further believes that human rights violations do not recognize geographical or political boundaries, and that protecting victims and defending fundamental rights and freedoms require an independent international network capable of professional follow-up, information exchange, partnership-building, provision of expertise and technical support, and promotion of a culture of human rights across different regions of the world.

For this reason, the Observatory maintains an international scope of work covering all continents, countries and communities, with particular attention to areas affected by armed conflict, humanitarian crises, serious or systematic human rights violations, restrictions on public freedoms, or the targeting of human rights defenders, journalists, media professionals, researchers and opinion leaders.