Question 1:
Which of the following may an HRD work on (you can choose more than one):
a) women’s rights to equality before the law
b) the rights of indigenous persons to land
c) the rights of sexual minorities
d) leading protests against corruption which have been banned by the state
Question 2:
Which of these may be an HRD?
a) someone who works in a national human rights organisation documenting abuses of human rights
b) a person with a disability who voluntarily helps others with disabilities to claim their rights
c) someone who says that women do not have equal rights to men
d) someone who carries a weapon
Question 3:
What are the benefits of being known as an HRD? You can choose more than one answer:
a) increased funding
b) being covered by the UN Declaration of Human Rights Defenders
c) being able to apply for protection measures from regional mechanisms such as the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights
d) the possibility of being nominated for prizes, eg the Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at risk
Personal declarations:
At the end of this session, ask each participant to make a statement:
“I am an HRD because I work to/for……” to personalise the session and own the term HRD.
Answers
Question 1:
All of them. For (d) if a right is in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or other international standards including the International Covenants such as freedom of association, working for it, regardless of national law, is deemed human rights work. Note that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that laws against expression of gender identity and sexual orientation are a violation of human rights.
Question 2:
(a) and (b).
For (c), anyone who speaks against the universality of human rights – including for women and sexual minorities – would not be seen as an HRD. An HRD does not need to work for all the rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but they should accept the principle of universality. For (d) HRDs are non-violent. Carrying a gun, even for self-protection, is a threat. In very dangerous situations, HRDs may consider having bodyguards, as well as taking other precautions to reduce risks.
Question 3:
(b), (c) and (d)
Although the Declaration is not a legally binding instrument, it contains rights that are based on other legally binding standards. Its adoption by consensus at the UN General Assembly gives it strong moral power.
For (a), being known as an HRD will likely raise your profile, may improve protection and bring the possibility of more funding opportunities.
