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The relevance of human rights
SAID ALOUD
The relevance of human rights
Aim. To introduce human rights and their value for those working with trauma.
In this training, we will examine what happens to women who are survivors of violence, including sexual violence, the effects of violence on women, and how we can assist women who survive to recover their strength and hope and self-esteem.
PART II: THE TRAINING
Human rights for women are an important starting point. Adopting a human rights-based approach requires us to be very attentive to the dignity and humanity of every person. It is about always showing respect to others and about the need to restore self-respect after violations or humiliation. It is about recovering control over your own life and activity after violations. It implies resisting all forms of abuse and violation, and all forms of disrespect and humiliation, in accordance with principles of justice and fairness. It means doing everything possible to prevent abuses and protect and assist survivors of human rights violations.
A human rights-based approach takes full account of international human rights, bears these in mind at all times, and respects human rights in all that is done. One of its objectives is to enable people to understand and claim their rights, and act in ways that ensure rights are enjoyed. In addition, those who adopt a human rights-based approach speak out against abuse and violations, highlight the prohibition of severe human rights abuses, and emphasise that individuals should be protected against violations of rights and are entitled to reparations if they occur. Accountability and justice are highly important. A human rights-based approach seeks to make those who are responsible for human rights violations accountable for their actions. Several principles are of fundamental importance when applying a human rights-based approach in practice.
• Participation. Everyone has the right to participate in decisions that affect their own lives and human rights.
• Accountability is the requirement that governments and public institutions should hold officials responsible for their actions, in accordance with their human rights obligations. Individuals who seek help or who report violations or the conduct of officials must have information made available to them that clearly states the response they are entitled to expect.
• Non-discrimination and equality. Discrimination is prohibited under al circumstances. All forms of discrimination with respect to the realization of rights must be prevented and sanctioned.
• Empowerment. Human rights law does not affirm empowerment is a right. It states that individuals and communities are entitled to know and understand their rights and how to access them. It further states that individuals and groups are entitled to engage and participate in developing policy and practices that affect their lives, and that governments have a duty to secure this entitlement.
• Legal obligations to respect human rights. All persons should understand and recognise that their rights are enforceable, through the national and international system of human rights agreed by the world’ s states.
Write down these principles and post them on the wall for everyone to remember.