Solidarity

Posts Tagged ‘Solidarity’

UNHCR’s Blue Ribbon was a success at the Oscars 2023

March 18, 2023

UNHCR reported proudly on 16 March 2023 that more than 40 nominees and presenters wore UNHCR’s #WithRefugees blue ribbon, culminating in strong support at 2023 Oscars ceremony. Star power can help [see also: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2014/02/28/and-the-nominees-are-oscars-for-human-rights/]

In an initiative spearheaded by UNHCR Goodwill Ambassadors Cate Blanchett and Yusra Mardini, those wearing the ribbon at the ceremony included members of the cast and crew of “All Quiet on the Western Front”, which won four awards including Best International Feature. The film’s director, Edward Berger, said: “Today there are many people who suffer from the trauma of war, robbing them of their hope and their dreams. They have had to experience terrible things through war and then displacement. These people deserve our solidarity and support. Everywhere and all the time.

The blue ribbons worn by the stars were made by refugees at Knotty Tie, a US company that helps refugees resettled in the Denver, Colorado, area achieve self-sufficiency through employment, training and education.

There was a moving moment during the award presentations when Best Supporting Actor winner Ke Huy Quan referenced his own refugee background in his acceptance speech.

“My journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp, and somehow I ended up here on Hollywood’s biggest stage,” he said. “They say stories like this only happen in the movies. I cannot believe it’s happening to me.”

Actor Jamie Lee-Curtis wearing a blue ribbon in solidarity with refugees at the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2023. © UNHCR/Andy Hall

The Oscars were the culmination of an awards season in which more than 40 nominees, presenters and other attendees sent a message of solidarity and unity to viewers across the world by wearing the ribbon at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the BAFTAs and related events including the TIME Women of the Year awards and the Green Carpet Fashion Awards.

Beyond the awards themselves, many of the films nominated tackled human themes of displacement, separation and loss, including ‘The Swimmers’ (based on the story of Yusra Mardini and her sister Sara Mardini) – see: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2022/09/15/the-swimmers-netflix-film-about-syrian-refugee-swimmers/, ‘Bad Axe’, ‘Avatar’, ‘Argentina 1985’, ‘Wakanda Forever’ and ‘Marcel the Shell’. Through effective storytelling, these films help to combat discrimination and misunderstanding, build compassion and offer new perspectives.

Full list of those wearing #WithRefugees ribbons across events during awards season 2023 and 2022, with thanks from UNHCR:

Aimee Lou Wood
Alberto Iglesia
Albrecht Schuh
Angela Bassett
Bill Nighy
Brendan Gleeson
Cate Blanchett
Charlotte Wells
Christian Goldbeck
Colin Farrell
Daniel Bruhl
Daniela D’Antonio
Daryl McCormack
Diane Warren
Dolly De Leon
Edward Berger
Emma Thompson
Ernestine Hippe
Felix Kammerer
Filippo Scotti,
Florence Pugh
Frank Kruse
Gina Prince Bythewood
Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Guillermo del Toro
James Krishna Floyd
Jamie Lee Curtis
Javier Bardem
Jean Todt
Kat Graham
Lars Ginzel
Laura Bailey
Luisa Ranieri
Markus Stemler
Mary Maker
Michael Ward
Michelle Yeoh
Nicholas Britell
Nicole Lecky
Paolo Sorrentino
Paul Mescal
Pedro Almodovar
Penelope Cruz.
Sally El Hosaini
Samuel L Jackson
Sheila Atim
Sophie Turner
Theo James
Viktor Prasil
Volker Bertelmannr
Yuh-Jung Youn
Yusra Mardini

https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/2023/3/6412eb884/film-world-shows-solidarity-refugees-oscars-beyond.html

Posted in awards, films, UN | Leave a Comment »
Tags: #WithRefugees ribbon, BAFTA, Cate Blanchett, Jamie Lee-Curtis, Oscars, Solidarity, UNHCR, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Yusra Mardini

Policy response from Human Rights NGOs to COVID-19: ISHR

April 3, 2020

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, many human rights organisations have been formulating a policy response. While I cannot be complete or undertake comparisons, I will try and give some examples in the course of the coming weeks. If there are special ones you would like to draw my attention to, please do not hesitate. Here is one from Phil Lynch, the Director of the International Service for Human Rights:

Staying true to our values is never more important than during times of hardship or crisis. At ISHR, there are five values driving our response to the COVID-19 global pandemic: solidarity, dynamism, alertness, wellbeing and hope.

…Solidarity is an essential value at this time. At ISHR this means showing solidarity with colleagues – with a number of staff volunteering to help and alleviate the workload of others who may have reduced capacity – as well as solidarity with human rights defenders, with our programme staff reaching out to national and regional-level partners to discuss their wellbeing, situation, priorities and needs. Please do reach out to us if there are any ways we can provide support to you at this vital time. In addition to showing solidarity, we’ve also greatly appreciated receiving solidarity. I’ve personally benefited from the wisdom, insights and advice of other NGO directors in terms of their response to this crisis, and discovered the musical talents of neighbours as we’ve gathered on our balconies every evening to clap and sing our gratitude to the doctors, health care professionals and sanitation workers on the frontlines of this crisis.

Dynamism

This crisis has highlighted the importance of dynamism, adaptability and planning for uncertainty, as well as the limitations of log frames, tightly earmarked funds, and donor restrictions on building organisational reserves.

At ISHR we are determined to use this crisis as an opportunity to innovate and to test and expand new ways of working. Last year, thanks to the support of several donors – including the United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland and the Netherlands – we launched the ISHR Academy – an interactive, online platform to build the capacity and skills of human rights defenders to leverage the UN human rights system to contribute to national level change. With a significantly increased demand for online training and strategic advocacy support, we’re currently working on new modules for the Academy, as well as translation into Spanish. With further financial support we’d love to develop even more modules and in additional languages. This would increase access to resources, strategic advice and tailored advocacy support for human rights defenders from all regions. The suspension, postponement and cancellation of a significant number of meetings and sessions of international and regional human rights mechanisms has starkly exposed the need for such bodies to develop means by which human rights defenders can more effectively engage and participate remotely. This is relevant not only now in response to the COVID-19 crisis, but in the longer term in response to the climate crisis and the imperative of reducing travel-related emissions. Effective means of virtual participation are also critical for defenders who lack the resources to travel to Geneva or New York, as well as those for whom travel may be restricted or banned by repressive governments. ISHR programme staff are actively engaged on these issues – leading and participating in strategic discussions and the formulation of practical recommendations as to how to use this crisis as an opportunity to make human rights mechanisms more accessible, effective and protective for defenders worldwide.

Alertness

ISHR is not the only body looking at ways to use this crisis as an opportunity. Unfortunately, some governments will use this emergency as a subterfuge to more permanently increase surveillance, as well as restrict fundamental rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly, protest and movement. Alertness is therefore a critical value at this time. We must be vigilant to ensure that any laws or regulations enacted in response to COVID-19 are for the legitimate purpose of protecting public health, and that any restrictions they impose are reasonable, proportionate and strictly time bound….With persons in detention at particular risk, ISHR staff are also using the opportunity to push for the release of arbitrarily detained human rights defenders, including several with underlying health conditions in States including China, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Wellbeing

..All ISHR staff have worked remotely since at least 13 March, with exceptions only for staff that need to attend the Geneva office for short periods for essential functions. Staff are working from various locations and states of confinement in Switzerland, France, New York, London, Brussels, Abidjan and Jakarta. We have agreed a complete restriction on work-related travel, with both this restriction and the work from home arrangements remaining in place for the indefinite future.

….Financial security is imperative at this time and I am so impressed and thankful for the initiative of major donors such as the Sigrid Rausing Trust and the Open Society Foundations to proactively reaffirm their funding commitment, to indicate that they will be highly flexible in the use of funds and reporting requirements, and to invite us to reach out if we need further support. Best practice at this time of unprecedented uncertainty is to enable the conversion of project or earmarked funds to core or unrestricted funds. I am working with the Board to evaluate and prepare for a range of scenarios, ensuring the long term sustainability of ISHR. Your contributions as private donors will be vital in this regard – every donation helps!

Hope

The final value motivating ISHR at this time is that of hope, which we draw from many places.

We take hope from the doctors, health care professionals and sanitation workers who bravely and tirelessly provide vital care and support.

….

I wish you, your families, your loved ones and your colleagues are and remain healthy, safe and well.

—-

http://www.ishr.ch/news/covid-19-focusing-wellbeing-solidarity-dynamism-alertness-and-hope

Posted in human rights, Human Rights Defenders, ISHR | Leave a Comment »
Tags: Corona virus, Covid-19, funding, international human rights movement, ISHR, NGOs, Phil Lynch, Policy response from Human Rights NGOs to COVID, Solidarity

In search of novel ideas to support Human Rights Defenders? What about a dinner?

September 26, 2018

On October 3rd, Justice and Peace Netherlands together with Juni Café in Het Nutshuis will host the first edition of JUSTdish (or geRECHT in Dutch), a series of storytelling dinners featuring human rights activists from around the world.

The storytelling dinner, a 6-course meal prepared by environmentally-conscious Juni Café, will take the audience on a journey to Colombia and Venezuela through the eyes of two journalists working on the front line of human rights. Throughout six courses, the audience will learn about the important work of human rights defenders, their lives, and their countries of origin through stories and the food served.

About JUSTdish / geRECHT

The vision behind JUSTdish stems from the idea to bring people together, not only to enjoy food from countries around the world, but to learn more about human rights. By offering human rights defenders an informal platform to talk about their work, we hope to create more awareness and respect for the valuable work of human rights activists here in the Netherlands and bring to light the risk and dangers these brave activists encounter while defending the rights and freedoms of others.

You can find out more via our Facebook page here.

https://www.justiceandpeace.nl/the-first-edition-of-justdish-a-storytelling-dinner-with-human-rights-defenders/

Posted in Human Rights Defenders | 1 Comment »
Tags: dinner, Human Rights Defenders, Juni Café in Het Nutshuis, JUSTdish, Justice and Peace Netherlands, Netherlands, Solidarity, story telling

#ForFreedom – worth a visit

May 19, 2015

This is an interesting website by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) which allows you to quickly contact decision makers and other persons with influence to help free at least some arbitrarily detained human rights defenders.

http://en.freedom-defenders.org

Right here, call upon the decision-makers who can speed up their release.

Posted in FIDH, human rights, Human Rights Defenders | Leave a Comment »
Tags: #ForFreedom, arbitrary arrest, campaign, decision-makers, detention, FIDH, harassment, Human Rights Defenders, International Federation for Human Rights, Solidarity, website

Amnesty releases today long-awaited ‘Panic Button’ for human rights defenders

May 2, 2014

(AI is now working with HRDs in 16 countries on how to use “Panic Button”. © Amnesty International)

As this blog testifies, across the globe, individuals suspected of posing a threat to state authority are routinely kidnapped, arrested and forcibly disappeared, often without any warning.Amnesty international launches today the easy-to-use app launched by Amnesty International. “Panic Button”, a mobile app for Android, transforms a user’s smart phone into a secret alarm which can be activated rapidly in the event of an emergency, alerting fellow activists and enabling them to respond faster.

“Defending human rights is an incredibly dangerous job in large parts of the world, with activists facing anything from threats to imprisonment and even torture as punishment for their legitimate work,” said Tanya O’Carroll, Technology and Human Rights Officer for Amnesty International. “By introducing technology to the fight for human rights ‘Panic Button’ is bringing them a new tool to alert others about the danger they may be facing with a simple click.”

AI is are currently working with HRDs in 16 countries on how to use the tool and on the growing and omnipresent threat of surveillance so they are clear on the risks they take when using a mobile phone in their work,but the official website for the “Panic Button” app is up and running.

[Amnesty International hopes that activists and members of the public will help to improve the tool by downloading and testing Panic Button in their country as part of the beta – or testing – phase. Authorities know that campaigners coordinate meetings, protests and other activities using mobile phones and have ramped up their surveillance capabilities to monitor and track activists, journalists and campaigners. In a bid to mitigate some of these dangers, the “Panic Button” tool uses a screen disguise feature and requires users to enter a pin number before accessing the application. The alarm itself is triggered by rapidly pressing the phone’s power button, after which an SMS message is sent to three pre-entered contacts chosen by the user, alerting them of the distress call. When a GPS function is enabled, this message includes a map link showing the user’s coordinates and the user can pre-set regular location updates so their network is updated every few minutes when active.]

via New ‘Panic Button’ app provides safety net to human rights activists | Amnesty International.

Posted in AI, Amnesty international, human rights, Human Rights Defenders | 1 Comment »
Tags: AI, alarm, Amnesty International, applications, digital security, human rights activists, Human Rights Defenders, information technology, mobile phone, mobile phones, Panic Button, protection, SMS, Solidarity

American Bar Association Writes to Nigerian Justice Minister about HRDs

September 21, 2013

In the Guardian of Nigeria of 21 September, Joseph Okoghenun writes that the American Bar Association [ABA] yesterday expressed their disappointments on the inability of the Nigerian Government to enforce rule of law and respect the rights of Nigerians, especially of those defending human rights in the country. In letter specifically addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, the Center for Human Rights of the ABA, said it was deeply “concerned at recent events in Nigeria that threaten the rights and activities of human rights defenders and undermine the rule of law.” The letter cited several reports it received from Nigerian NGO Civil Liberties Organisation [CLO] about conduct that “reflect a pattern of ongoing human rights abuses by security forces in Nigeria, including extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary arrests, and extortion”. The ABA strongly but respectfully urged the minister of justice to look into this matter.

via American Lawyers Write Justice Minister, Seek Enforcement Of Human Rights.

Posted in human rights, Human Rights Defenders | Leave a Comment »
Tags: ABA, American Bar Association, attorney general, compensation, human rights, Human Rights and Liberties, Human Rights Defenders, law enforcement, lawyers, minister of justice, Nigeria, Solidarity, United States

Canadian Lawyers write for detained Human Rights Defender Asma Ahmed in Sudan

May 21, 2013

Canada LRWC is a committee of Canadian lawyers and law professors who campaign internationally for advocacy rights and advocates in danger and on rule of law issues. The following is both an illustration of professional solidarity and giving information on a Sudanese woman human rights lawyer, Asma Ahmed: Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in human rights | Leave a Comment »
Tags: Amnesty International, Asma Ahmed, Canada, Human right, human rights, Human rights defender, Jalila Khamis Koko, lawyer, lawyers, Lawyers Rights Watch Canada, legal profession, National Security Service, Solidarity, Sudan

Yoga and Human Rights: stretching for human rights defenders

May 2, 2013

Sometimes my eyes fall on more esoteric contributions to the protection of human rights defenders. Let me share with you Mark Laham’s blog post for the Huffington Times of the 1st of May 2013 which calls for a “borderless” one-hour live online yoga class in honour of Nasrin Sotoudeh, the Iranian lawyer in jail, recipient of the Sakharov Award and Nominee of the MEA 2012. Mark got inspired – through AI – by what he read about Nasrin’s struggle and other brave human rights defenders around the world. “How does Nasrin’s story make you feel?” he asks, ” Me, I…I feel the need to do something that will create positive change for this woman and countless others like her. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in AI, human rights, Human Rights Defenders | Leave a Comment »
Tags: Amnesty International, blog, campaign, Huffington Post, Human right, human rights, Human rights defender, Human Rights Defenders, Iran, Mark Laham, MEA, MEA 2012 nominee, mental-health, Nasrin, Nasrin Sotoudeh, Sakharov Prize, Solidarity, Yoga

Colombia: Assassination of Elver Cordero Oviedo, well-known human rights defender in Córdoba

April 22, 2013

NGOs as well as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemn the murder of Ever Cordero, chairman a participatory dialogue process for victims of displacement in the department Córdoba, Colombia.

Ever Cordero was a community leader who worked to bring about the restitution of lands for victims of the armed conflict. On April 9, 2013, Ever Cordero was traveling toward the urban area of Valencia, in Córdoba, when two individuals on a motorcycle intercepted him and shot him to death. Ever Cordero was going to Valencia to attend ceremonies and marches commemorating the National Day of Memory and Solidarity with Victims.

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders issues a text in Spanish:

via Colombia: Assassination of Mr. Elver Cordero Oviedo, well-known human rights defender in Córdoba / April 16, 2013 / Urgent Interventions / Human rights defenders / OMCT.

Posted in human rights, Human Rights Defenders | Leave a Comment »
Tags: Colombia, Cordero, Evert Cordero, Human rights defender, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, killing, land rights, local communities, murder, Non-governmental organization, Solidarity, World Organisation Against Torture

Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards