Non-governmental organizations and human rights: A study within the scope of the European Union countries

In order to understand non-state institutions' impact on human rights, comprehending the relation between human rights and non-governmental organizations (NGO) is key. It is valuable to have NGOs in direct-contact with public in cases where the state fails to protect human rights. The aim of the study is to examine the relation between the existence of civil society and human rights in the European Union. Human rights variables are discussed within the scope of political and socio-economic rights. Applying a cluster analysis method, selected countries were classified into groups based on NGO indexes. Additionally, a T-test was used to determine differences between these groups' means. Primary data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires and content analysis methodology was used to analyze the data. The results illustrate that while the countries in the same cluster are similar to each other, the countries in different clusters diverge from each other as per NGO index. In countries with a high NGO index, the health variable diversifies. Other socio-economic variables do not vary according to the difference in NGO index. However, countries with high NGO index have high civil liberties and political rights indexes. As a result, the presence of NGOs is related with civil liberties and political rights. The interview results supports the strength of the relation between human rights and civil society, and draws attention to current issues and obstacles in protecting human rights. All interviewed institutions discussed human rights in a holistic approach which supports the fact that human rights are inseparably related.