Case 4 space 2.2. presentation aanas ali_amnesty international.pptx

Youth at the Heart of the 2030 Agenda: The Case For Space

YOUTH ACTIVISTS & YOUNG HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS (HRDs) IN ASIA

#Case4Space #WeAre2030

30 November 2016 l United Nations ESCAP

WHO ARE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS.(HRDs)?

Activism & Young Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Asia

• Activists vs Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) • Young HRDs, Environmental HRDs, Women’s rights activists, SOGI/LGBTI, Social workers, etc.• ‘Identity’ & ‘Intersectional diversity’ >> intersecting risks linked to their other identities:

2

Age Sex Gender

Language Ethnicity

Sexual Orientation

Gender Identity Religious BeliefsCaste Class

Disability

Political Opinions

Minority groups

Indigenous peoples

WHERE ARE YOUNG HRDs.SITUATED?

Activism & Young Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Asia3

Globally…HRD Declaration (1998) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 16

Key features:▪ Repressive legal/administrative mechanisms ▪ Restrictive or ‘copy cat’ legislations▪ Control over movement and travel ▪ Gendered violation & intersectional impacts▪ Misuse of criminal law/ national security legislation ▪ More…

WHERE ARE YOUNG HRDs.SITUATED?Regionally…

Issues concerning young HRDs in the region: o Mass/targeted surveillance and censorshipo Restriction on freedom of assembly/association (both offline & online) o Control over movement and travel o Persecution through prosecution o More…

Attacks on HRDs are being legitimised in the name of:o National security/ National sovereignty o Economic security and social development o Traditional and religious norms/practiceso Counter terrorism or extremism



DISSENTS CONTINUE… “ Asian students have long taken inspiration from activism in other countries. “We have seen some evidence that activists are inspired by other instances of nonviolent movements in the region,” Alexander Dukalskis, Lecturer at University College Dublin

“Many people in this region are becoming aware that the young activists, the younger generation, are influential…We’re starting to think about how maybe we can analyse or identify the common crisis that is happening among the younger generation...” Lin Fei-fan, Student Activist (Sunflower Movement)

“…the year [2015] saw a continuation of the global trend of massive protest movement. HRDs in dozens of countries successfully harnessed public discontent, drew unprecedented numbers to rallies and commanded attention, both at home and abroad. The common thread was, as with 2014, people’s anger over government abuse of power” Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association (2015)


HRDs and AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

➢ Recognition and protection of specific groups (such as LGBTI defenders, whistle-blowers, lawyers, journalists, indigenous leaders, young people fighting racism, religious bigotry, etc.)

➢ Direct action on specific cases, which can include engaging our Amnesty International activist network to call on states to respect the rights of HRDs that have been targeted for their work.

➢ Advocacy and Lobby work at sub-regional, regional and international levels to ensure positive engagement with states on developing a resilient, enabled civil society and that HRDs are able to interact and communicate with these institutions without fear of reprisals.

➢ Capacity building on skills such as research methodology, the use of technology in human rights work, personal & organizational security, etc.


CASE STUDY


9

CHALLENGES Young HRDs are facing…

Lack of…

➢ Access to “corridor of power”➢ Legitimacy (the sense of recognition)➢ Sufficient public and peer support ➢ Long-term (operational) support in fighting their causes➢ Effective tactics (organising & mobilising) that affect

change


Protection

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OPPORTUNITIES: How can WE EXPAND the space!?!

Recognition


EmpowermentSolidarity

Legitimacy

✓ Change perception of young people (risks associated with being young) ✓ Challenge public dissonance/ toxic narratives on HRDs and human rights. ✓ Enhance legitimacy of those engaged in civil spaces ✓ Empowerment –through training, capacity building for HRDs, HRE..✓ Increased engagement of HRDs: locally > regionally > globally ✓ Connect HRDs and creating solidarity (among themselves and with their

communities): effective mobilizing & organising models✓ Long-term support and resources for participation of young people in

defending their causes✓ Create safe & enabling environment, an “expanding space from within”

THANK YOU!Email: [email protected] Twitter: @Ahmosher

Aanas Ali


Case 4 space 2.2. presentation aanas ali_amnesty international.pptx

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