Our six fundamental values, which we embody with diligence in all our actions, are: justice, solidarity, cooperation, commitment, integrity and independence.
These values are interconnected and guarantee a healthy collaboration within the framework of international cooperation projects based on respect, listening, and equality between partners.
Respecting and promoting these values allows us to harness the power of indignation to fight against resignation in the
face of injustice. It changes lives by using the law to make a difference, at the right place and at the right time.
Justice
Justice is at the heart of LWBC’s activities. We understand it in the broadest possible sense, through a humanistic perspective of social justice and fairness. More specifically, LWBC works to uphold the rule of law and the human rights of vulnerable groups, particularly through the strengthening of justice systems. LWBC concentrates its actions on the implementation of civil and political rights, while considering them indivisible from economic, social and cultural rights.
Solidarity
LWBC is an organisation that works in global solidarity with the victims of human rights violations, vulnerable groups, lawyers (particularly human rights advocates), actors in the justice system generally, and civil society organizations. The role of LWBC’s representatives, among other things, is to support human rights advocates in their work. LWBC focuses on human relations by acting in a spirit of fraternity, empathy, respect, humility, openness to others, and listening. The reward for this engagement is that participating in LWBC’s activities constitutes an opportunity for human enrichment.
Cooperation
LWBC accomplishes its fundamental mission by carrying out international cooperation projects in accordance with management principles that focus on creating concrete and long-lasting results for the beneficiaries. Through its employees at headquarters and in the field, the organisation ensures the professional, efficient, and innovative management of LWBC’s interventions and projects. The implementation of these is also supported by expert volunteers.
LWBC’s projects are designed to meet needs identified by local partners and stakeholders, in situations where LWBC believes its contribution would be useful, respecting its values and methods of intervention. They are devised as collective projects, in that they involve working together in a synergistic, complementary manner to further human rights. They are based on a goal defined with LWBC’s partners, and take into account LWBC’s mission and the context in which the activities take place. This international cooperation is intended to be a bilateral or multilateral mutual exchange of knowledge, expertise, and experience, with a view to sustainable development.
Engagement
LWBC’s work involves a threefold commitment: to human rights, to the beneficiaries of LWBC’s interventions (victims of human rights violations and vulnerable groups), and to the organization and its partners. The organization was founded on the principle of voluntary commitment and this remains at the heart of LWBC’s actions, even if the programs are now managed by a team of professionals based at the headquarters and in the field. In the spirit of self-giving, the commitment is a voluntary one which takes place within a structured framework and forms part of a perspective of long-term solidarity, without pursuing personal gain.
Integrity
The organization, its volunteers, employees, and contractors must demonstrate honesty and transparency at all times in their actions and exchanges. Similarly, LWBC will not compromise on respecting the applicable laws, regulations and standards, particularly with regard to ethics and corruption. To the end of ensuring organizational integrity, LWBC does not claim to be what it is not, or do what it does not do, or know what it does not know. LWBC strives to be realistic regarding its potential contribution, and to respond to the needs of the beneficiaries of its interventions, those of its partners, and its own team, in such a way as to avoid committing to more than the organization is capable of delivering.
Independence
LWBC’s cause is that of justice and human rights. In defending this cause, LWBC aims to improve access to justice by protecting the right to legal representation and a fair trial, or by supporting the fight against impunity. LWBC may therefore find itself on the side of victims, the defence, or the prosecution, vulnerability being the criterion for its involvement. Lawyers are bound by ethical duties, of independence to their client and impartiality in their actions. LWBC applies this logic to its own relationships and activities, by avoiding being equated with the beneficiaries of its actions or with the cause of said beneficiaries. LWBC thus does not speak for anyone other than itself and is not bound by the wishes, opinions, or positions of any third party.