Knowledge is power. Your contribution counts.

When I tell people I work for a human rights watchdog, sometimes I’m met with confused expressions. But what does your organisation actually do?

I’m glad you asked.

There is a misconception that democracy can function in cruise control. Particularly in Europe, decades of consistent peace and progress lulled people into a false sense of security. Following recent events in Europe and globally, people are waking up and realising that if we take democracy for granted, it will erode away right from under us.

This year saw the election of the most right-wing European Parliament in history, whose first official duty saw them approve a right-leaning EU Commission. In this new era, none of us can afford to be idle. Whether you attend protests, write emails or support the work of human rights organisations, together we can rebuild a robust democracy when we join forces.

But in today’s attention-deficit economy, finding the time to research and speak up about the many important issues you care about is impossible - protecting democracy is a full-time job.

That's where Liberties come in.

We do the donkey work, so you don't have to

We know you have a busy life, so we do the grunt work - like reading lengthy draft legislation or following tedious legislative trilogues between lawmakers in Brussels (which can last into the wee hours of the morning).

Take the AI Act for example. At each stage of the process, Liberties reviewed the draft version and urged lawmakers to change the parts of the text where we believed your human rights were being weakened. These tussles over words have a profound impact on our lives, like whether our governments are allowed to spy on us in public spaces or use intrusive technology to surveil journalists.

But behind closed doors, Big Tech pushed back against our proposals because it threatened their bottom line. Corporate lobbying is on the rise in the EU. Although this is an important source of expertise for lawmakers, it becomes undemocratic when those with the deepest pockets have the most influence.

Despite these challenges, Liberties succeeded in convincing lawmakers to ban the most intrusive technology. This means you can continue to enjoy leisurely walks in public spaces without fearing your face is being captured and stored in a database, or worrying that your employer will use technology that tracks your emotions. Although we're still concerned about loopholes and will continue advocating to ensure they don't undermine the Act's protections, these were important wins to preserve your dignity and privacy.

A firewall to protect your rights

Through our advocacy work, Liberties acts as a firewall against attempts by Big Tech and politicians to weaken your human rights. Whether we’re protecting your privacy, trying to make elections fairer or pushing the EU to stand up against authoritarians, Liberties follows developments in Brussels closely and speaks up when your rights are in danger. And every step of the way, Liberties keeps you informed by sharing our insights and progress.

If it gives you peace of mind knowing that Liberties is safeguarding your rights, now is the time to do your part for democracy.

Whether you donate on behalf of a human-rights enthusiast as a gift this Christmas, make a one-time contribution or become a monthly donor, we need you to make our work possible.

By strengthening democracy today, you are fighting for a brighter tomorrow. Your support makes all the difference.

Wishing you a happy holidays,

Eleanor and the Liberties Team