The credibility - trustworthiness and reliability - of a human rights organization will in large part determine its effectiveness, especially if you work on lobbying for legal and political change, and publish case studies or opinions. Here are some factors of credibility:

1. Accuracy of information Documentation is the foundation of all human rights activity whether the research/data is used to organize citizen pressure, to persuade governments or others to adopt a particular policy or cease an abusive practice, to provide a service such as legal aid, or educate about human rights. Your documentation should be clear and accurate.

2. Independence, impartiality and objectivity To be credible, a human rights organization must strictly adhere to its human rights agenda, no matter whose political interests that agenda is likely to serve or harm. Maintaining impartiality is not the same as being apolitical. Human rights activities do have a political impact, both intentional and unintentional, and may involve participation in the broader political process. Demonstrations and other forms of active dissent against abusive government policies are sometimes necessary. Such actions do not compromise impartiality so long as their purpose is not to exploit the cause in question on behalf of a political party and their agenda.

3. Accountability An organization is accountable when it is answerable for its actions to the communities it was established to serve, the national and international communities that may receive information from it, and its funders.

4. Transparency Transparency, or the willingness to open one's organization to scrutiny, is another component of credibility. When an organization is willing to reveal its financial dealings, research or project methodologies, and internal procedures (including how it makes decisions and why certain decisions were made), it sends a message to its potential critics that it is confident in its undertakings and has nothing to hide. Some of these information can also be published on the organization's website.