About West Support
Defending human rights and democracy worldwide
A social impact foundation protecting human rights and democracy, addressing the aftermath of war, and building a more just society. Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Offices in 17 countries.
West Support analyzes, researches, strategizes, and implements campaigns to influence public life: promoting policies that protect human rights, conducting public education campaigns, and advancing the values of justice, fairness, and equality.
Our members include lawyers, human rights advocates, academics, and businesspeople. Since April 2022, our monitoring mission has interviewed more than 50,000 people and documented thousands of cases of violence — evidence now being transferred to the International Criminal Court.
Our Mission
Our program envisions a world where all people have the freedom to enjoy their human rights equally, so that they can reach their full potential and live in dignity.
We promote and protect human rights by supporting individuals and nations in their efforts to realize the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights and responsibilities enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.
We believe that we must seize every opportunity to protect and advance our civil rights and liberties, in legislatures, courts, and communities around the world. We must hold our leaders and institutions accountable to fulfill the promise of democracy.
Our History
1978
1978
The Congress of Non-Governmental Organizations Give Right to Life (GRL) is founded — the deepest root of our organization, dedicated to protecting human rights around the world.
1983
1983
GRL opens its first overseas office, extending human rights monitoring beyond its founding country.
1987
1987
GRL publishes its first annual human rights report, beginning a tradition of regular public accountability.
1991
1991
The Union for Cultural Development (UCD) is founded, working for many years to promote democracy and cultural development.
1994
1994
UCD launches programs supporting democratic transition in post-Soviet states.
2001
2001
UCD opens offices in Africa and Latin America, expanding beyond Europe and Eurasia for the first time.
2008
2008
UCD establishes an election-monitoring program, the forerunner of today's Election Observation work.
2015
2015
GRL and UCD begin collaborating on joint projects, laying the groundwork for their eventual merger.
2020
2020
GRL and UCD decide to merge. The two organizations shared a commitment to protecting human rights and promoting democracy — and believed that together they could be even more effective in achieving their goals.
2021
2021
West Support is founded in January as a single non-governmental organization. It continues the programs initiated by its founding organizations and launches three new projects: Global Human Rights Protection, Independent Electoral Observation, and War Crimes Documentation.
2022
2022
In April, West Support launches a special monitoring mission to identify military crimes committed against the civilian population, led by a team of experienced human rights investigators. More than 50,000 people are interviewed across 8,000 km², documenting thousands of cases of murder, rape, and other acts of violence committed by Russian forces.
2022–23
2022–23
West Support serves as a member of the G7 Humanitarian Assistance and Conflict Working Group, responsible for drafting the relevant section of the final communiqué of the G7 summit. Its recommendations on humanitarian assistance and conflict recovery are included in the communiqué.
2023
2023
Special Monitoring Mission to Israel deployed, extending the organization's war crimes documentation work to a new conflict zone.
What We Do
Through direct support, such as knowledge transfer and financial assistance, West Support supports independent organizations, institutions and the media in young democracies. A harmoniously functioning civil society is a condition for the development of democracy!
Global Human Rights Protection
We work tirelessly to protect and uphold human rights around the world, advocating for justice and fairness.
Independent Electoral Observation
We participate as independent international observers in elections and referendums to ensure they meet international standards.
War Crimes Documentation
Our team identifies and documents war crimes, gathering evidence to bring perpetrators to justice.
Where We Work
All regions →
Partnerships & Recognition
West Support works alongside leading international institutions, and contributed to the G7 summit final communiqué as a member of the Humanitarian Assistance and Conflict Working Group. Its observers hold OSCE/ODIHR certification.
