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Human Rights Law

Amnesty international

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By: Sanad Zumot

What are Human Rights?

Human rights are the fundamental liberties and rights that every person on the planet enjoys from birth to death. These rights extend to every single human being, regardless of their occupation or background. The legislation and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, protect the human rights of all persons. These rights, however, may be curtailed if someone breaks the law or if national security is at issue.

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Examples of Human rights;

  • Freedom of expression, freedom of association and assemble

  • Right to education-adequate stand or living health

  • Right to a healthy environment.

International Framework

The international system imposes broad duties on nations to safeguard human rights. 

 

The United Nations General Assembly approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, ensuring the legal and moral protection of all people's human rights. However, these liberties may be limited if necessary for national security or if someone violates the law.

The regional framework of Human Rights

There are three important regional human rights instruments that have developed regional human rights legislation; 

 

  • The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights for Africa was adopted in 1981 and has been in force since 1986. 

  • The American Convention on Human Rights for Americans of 1969, which has been in effect since 1978

  • The European Convention on Human Rights for Europe of 1950, which has been in effect since 1953.

European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

The European convention (formally known as the convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms) on Human Rights is an international convention to protect Human Rights and political freedom in Europe.  

 

The European Convention on Human Rights is made up of 18 articles, which are as follows:

  • Article 1- Obligation to respect Human Rights

  • Article 2- Right to life

  • Article 3- Prohibition of torture and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment

  • Article 4- Prohibition of slavery and forced labor

  • Article 5- Right to liberty and security

  • Article 6- Right to a fair trial

  • Article 7- No punishment without law

  • Article 8- Right to respect privacy and family life

  • Article 9- Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

  • Article 10- Freedom of expression

  • Article 11- Freedom of assemble and association

  • Article 12- Right to marry

  • Article 13- Right to an effective remedy

  • Article 14- Prohibition of discrimination

  • Article 15- Derogation in time of emergency.

  • Article 16- Restriction on political activity of non-nationals

  • Article 17-Prohibition of abuse of rights

  • Article 18- Limitations on use of restriction of rights.

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Injustices around the world 

Injustice is defined as a lack of justice; a violation of what is considered fair and just, or of another person's rights. There are many injustices in the world, and some of them are as follows:

 

  • Slavery

  • Death penalty

  • Discrimination

  • Gender violence

  • Trafficking/ Sex trafficking

  • Labor exploitation

  • Persecution of minorities

  • Child labor

Human Rights organization

Campaigning

What are campaigns?

Campaigning is the active pursuit of a certain goal, typically with a political or social justice focus, via organizing, mobilizing, and raising awareness of a specific cause.  Campaigns can be centralized, with one primary group steering the ship, or decentralized, with multiple small organizations pursuing similar aims. They have the potential to escalate and expand into national or global movements.

Types of Campaigns

  • Video campaign

  • Creative campaign

  • Letter writing campaign

  • Call campaign

  • Social media campaign

  • Fundraising event campaign

  • Lobbying campaign

  • Active/stunt campaign

 

Famous World-Wide Campaigns

 

1. Ni una menos- Argentina, 2015

Ni una menos is a Latin American fourth-wave grassroots feminist movement

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2. End SARS- Nigeria, 2018

End SARS is a decentralized social movement and series of large-scale demonstrations in Nigeria opposing police brutality.

 

3. Black lives matter- United States, 2013 & 2020-present.

A decentralized political and social movement called Black Lives Matter aims to draw attention to the racism, prejudice, and racial inequity that black people face.

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4. Farmer protests- India, 2020-2021

The three agricultural acts that were enacted by the Indian Parliament in September 2020 were the target of the 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest. The farm acts were;

  • Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020.

  • Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020.

  • Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

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5. Democracy movement- Hong Kong,2019

The 2019 Hong Kong demonstrations, also known as the 2019-2020 Hong Kong protests, began on March 15, 2019, in response to the Hong Kong government's ratification of the Fugitive Offenders Amendment Bill on Extradition. The purpose of the fugitive offender's amendment bill on Extradition is to provide a framework for transferring fugitives not only to Taiwan, but also to Mainland China and Macau, which are now barred under existing regulations.

What Makes an Effective Campaign?

  • Informative

  • Well thought-out

  • Sustainable

  • Clear goals

  • Creative and unique

What do Campaigns/Protests achieve?

Protesters can choose to organize a demonstration to influence public opinion or government policy, or they can choose to join in direct action to actively achieve the desired changes. A campaign/principal protest's purpose is to influence and drive change.

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