From 1995-98, People’s Watch (A Program Unit of the Centre for Promotion of Social Concerns) concentrated its activities on monitoring of human rights violations. This was the mandate of its governing body and the Program Advisory Board. It was soon realized that monitoring alone was insufficient. In 1998, People’s Watch began legal intervention on behalf of victims. By 2000, this work had grown and more field monitoring associates were hired at both zonal and regional levels. By 2001, People’s Watch was working in 11 areas of Tamil Nadu. Soon after, the need to launch a full-fledged awareness building Campaign for Human Rights became clear, and this was followed, soon afterward, by the realization that victim rehabilitation was also essential. Monitoring, intervention and even winning compensation from the courts was not enough for those who had survived torture, abuse and imprisonment. They desperately needed medical, psychological and vocational help as well. Preceding the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, People’s Watch began a vigorous training and education program.

VISION
A society free from human rights violations and discrimination to be built through cultivating a human rights culture and building a participatory democracy.
MISSION
Protection of human rights through monitoring human rights violations, intervention and building solidarity with peoples’ struggle for human rights.
Promoting human rights culture through education and conscientising the larger community.