NGOFILE :: APDHE ~ Human Rights Association of Spain

Share now:

• Asociación Pro Derechos Humanos de España (APDHE) ~ Human Rights Association of Spain •

apdheThe Asociación Pro Derechos Humanos de España, or Human Rights Association of Spain (APDHE), is the oldest organization in Spain specifically devoted to the defense and promotion of human rights. Founded in secrecy in 1976, when the remnant laws of the Franco-era dictatorship still did not guarantee the legal status or right to assembly of independent associations, the APDHE was legally recognized only after Spain’s Constitution of 1978 guaranteed the right of association to political parties and independent non-governmental organisations.

Since its founding, the APDHE has devoted itself to the growth and development of democratic institutions in Spain, promoting education and community outreach around the issues of human rights and peace, cooperation with academic institutions and associations of lawyers in the promotion of human rights, creation and dissemination of periodic reports and publications and participation in legal action to promote and defend human rights in Spain, Latin America and worldwide.

As part of its work, the APDHE holds a general congress each year at which it presents its annual Human Rights Awards to individuals and organisations in Spain and from around the world for their work in the promotion and defense of human rights and peace.

The APDHE also works closely with a broad range of groups in Spain and abroad in support of human rights, peace, democracy, the basic rights of access to shelter and healthcare, freedoms of expression and information, and the right of refugees to seek and be granted asylum.

► Learn more about the APDHE at the following links online:




► Read Progressive Spain news coverage of the APDHE, here …

Updated as of 07/2016

Share now: