What can we do?

Instructions

• Start the activity with a brainstorm, asking the participants who has the main responsibility for implementing human rights in a country. Write all the suggestions that come up on the blackboard.
• Use the opinions stated to conclude that it is the international human rights law that lays down obligations which the states are bound to respect.
• Afterwards, show different pictures in the plenary that illustrate various human rights. For each picture, ask these questions:
  • What should the state authorities do to implement this right?
  • What can I, or what can we do?

Reflection

• Was it difficult to identify the authorities’ responsibility in securing each human right? And your own role?

Debriefing

By becoming parties to the legally binding treaties, it is the state authorities that assume obligations and duties to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights. The most important duty is to see that the national laws are in harmony with the articles in the human rights convention. The authorities can also do many other things to implement human rights: build schools and hospitals, educate the teachers and the police, inform the population, organize elections, etc.

However, even if the legal obligations belong to the state, we all have a duty to respect other peoples’ rights, to participate actively in the society, and speak out if we see somebody being discriminated. We must go to school, vote in elections, use our freedom of expression, be member of or establish organisations, discuss with family and friends and many other things. Ordinary people people can do a lot!

The saying of Margaret Mead can be an inspiration:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”

Tips for the facilitator

• The activity is more involving if you find pictures that illustrate each human right in your own context and reality, such as children at school, patients at a hospital, a church, a synagogue, a mosque or a priest, an elections procedure, women, children or refugees, food (or the lack of it), public demonstrations, media or individuals who speaks out, journalists writing.
• You can also show pictures of ordinary people and human rights activists that have influenced society and tell their story.

(English translation: John Anthony)