1. Presentation 5.2: Actions for Human Rights This presentation is self-paced. Use the navigation bar below to go to the next slide. Pause Previous Next Use the tabs on the right to jump from one slide to another. Click the “Next” button to begin Presentation 5.2
2. Actions for Human Rights What comes to mind when you think of taking action for human rights? Protest marches? Letter writing? Court action? There are many different ways to take action for human rights that range in domain and scope. In this presentation you will learn about five main action areas with examples of projects developed in partnership with Rights & Democracy, the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development .
3. Actions leading to change Human Rights Education Human Rights Research Monitoring Human Rights Legal Standards Advocacy
4. Human Rights Education Human rights education is a process of social transformation that begins with the individual and branches out to encompass society at large. The goal of human rights education is empowerment. The result is social change. Human rights education involves actions that explore human rights principles and values and the promotion of critical reflection and inquiry. Ultimately, human rights education inspires people to help realize their rights and the rights of others. For example… In partnership with a human rights education organization, camp counsellors in a community have been trained to introduce a series of games to play with their campers that promote the underlying values of human rights. The games are not only fun to play, but they provoke discussion amongst the campers about human rights values such as respect and tolerance.
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7. Advocacy Advocacy means actively supporting an issue or disadvantaged group in order to raise awareness among the public and decision makers. It involves actions that help bring about changes in public perceptions and improvements to the situation , such as through public policy or government funding priorities. For example … To raise awareness about the rights of indigenous people’s access to adequate health care, a local student group produces a public service announcement and puts it on YouTube. The video includes a link to a website with an on-line petition asking the government to change its priorities with respect to the issue.
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9. Monitoring Monitoring is the active process of collecting, verifying and putting to use information that addresses human rights problems. It involves actions such as gathering information about incidents , observing events (elections, trials, demonstrations, etc.), visiting sites (places of detention, refugee camps, etc.), and discussions with Government authorities to ensure they remain dedicated to fulfilling their obligations to respect human rights. For example… A humanitarian non-governmental organization (NGO) has been asked to monitor the conditions at a refugee camp and verify that the basic needs of the refugees are being met. As there is a limited supply to food, clothing, and adequate health care in the region, it is important that the camp administrators are not controlling the distribution. The NGO’s report will be sent to the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees and will include a list of recommendations on how to improve the living conditions in the camp.
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11. Human Rights Legal Standards The practice of human rights law entails upholding international legal standards to ensure that States protect, promote, respect, and fulfill human rights. It includes actions such as implementing international human rights standards into domestic law , ensuring that human rights are practiced in law enforcement as well as the judgements and verdicts issued by a court of law. For example… There is a significant housing shortage for low-income families in your community. The government is working to put into place a number of new legislative measures that will help improve the situation. The National Housing Act will promote the construction of new homes, repair and modernize existing homes, and improve housing and living conditions across the country.
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14. Human Rights Research Human rights research is the careful study of a topic in order to inform future practice related to human rights and human rights education. It involves actions that examine the trends and shifts of a particular area that result in the development of guidelines , strategies , and tools that help in the protection and promotion of human rights. For example… A research paper on human rights education for law enforcement officials is published describing the successes and challenges of various programs across North America. The research is being used to help design a three-day workshop about human rights for the local police department.
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16. For more information about each project: Rights and Democracy www.dd-rd.ca In which domain do you see yourself taking action for human rights? End of presentation Close the window to continue Module 5
