The organization was created in 2010 by human rights advocates who felt that there is a need to create an institution that will address the gross human rights violations perpetrated by the State and other non-state actors. At the time, peasants claiming their rights under the CARP were killed or charged with criminal cases to weaken their resolve in availing of their claims under the law.

The goals of the organization are: a) ensure equitable and secure access to and control over productive land and water resources, b)democratization of governance in the country, c) sustainable management of natural resources, d) rights conscious, just, and assertive citizenry. It envisions “A just, free, abundant, and democratic Philippine society, where people are adept, have secure and equitable access to productive resources, are stewards of nature and able to sustainably manage natural resources, and lives in peace and harmony together.” RIGHTS recognizes the value of communities and individuals to effect change and overcome the structures that hamper their collective growth. Central to RIGHTS advocacy campaigns and philosophy are the use of active non-violent actions to highlight the burning social inequality issues and engage the State to provide viable, responsive and participatory solutions to the issues. The use of non-violent means provides high ground to the issue, generates broader support from the public, lessen human suffering, facilitates the healing of divided communities, and is powerful tool against the naked use of force and impunity. Against countless human rights violations and abuses, RIGHTS has been consistent in engaging through nonviolent actions and demonstrated successfully its effectiveness, replicability, scalability, and sustainability. It started to incorporate the tactical and responsible use of social media in its campaigns and as a tool in providing protection to its human rights defenders and communities. The gender dimension of our advocacy campaigns are evident in many women-led local organizations and movements with women leaders and members playing dominant roles in the planning of strategies, tactics and activities the organization under took. Grassroots women’s role to the campaigns were crucial in defusing hostilities during high-tension encounters with armed anti-reform actors, creating spaces for dialogues and mediation, strengthening community protection, and sustain the advocacy for their right over the land.

The project aims to create solidarity between rural and urban communities in the production, distribution and exchange of products, goods, services and knowledge that enhance their well-being, generate income and contribute to their local economies. Urban poor communities act as the hub in the promotion, distribution and exchange of products, goods and services from and to rural communities. Rural communities are usually at the losing end in the exchange of their products, with traders buying them at very low prices. They are not fairly and adequately compensated of their produce resulting them to be economically marginalized, dependent on traders and loan sharks on the marketing of goods and on the provision for credit. Urban communities have to bear on high prices of agricultural products like vegetables, fruits thereby forcing them to buy processed products, which have short and long-term effects on their health and economic well being. This proposal aims to connect the urban and rural communities in the spirit of solidarity to address the pressing issues on unemployment, high cost of food, lack of investments and access to credit to both communities, and inequalities both faced perennially. Crisis in the market system, whether local or international, brought by financial crunch, pandemic, political upheaval and current setup of exclusion in the economy grossly affect the poor both from the urban and rural communities. Urban and rural communities directly collaborate with