Last week I had the privilege to participate in a unique gathering of human rights defenders and activists from around the world – the FIDH 39th Congress in Johannesburg. FIDH is represented globally by over 180 civil society organisations committed to the full realisation of human rights for all. The theme of the Congress, ‘Fighting Back for Human Rights’, was decided upon following consultation with the membership arising out of increased reports of attacks, not only on human rights defenders, but on the universality of human rights; a universality that is being called into question by states that allude to specific cultural mores, the fight against terrorism, or economic interests.
The purpose of the Forum was to provide an opportunity for civil society representatives from around the world to meet and discuss how they cope with these attacks. To bring out the extraordinary capacity of the world movement of human rights defenders to resist and fight. Participants and panellists debated and discussed how this can be achieved and the strategies that can be deployed, for example, enforcing rights through the judiciary; use of the web and social network to securely reach out and access new audiences and generate engagement; to reframing the narrative and funding of civil society.
The Congress was also a special occasion for FLAC as it marked our admittance as full affiliate member of FIDH. The decision, by unanimous resolution of the FIDH Congress will see FLAC join ICCL as a full member with voting rights in Ireland (a departure from the usual rule of only one member per UN member state). Our friends at CAJ Northern Ireland were also admitted as a full member of FIDH and we celebrated together at this momentous occasion. Our membership status recognises the extraordinary efforts by FLAC in the promotion of human rights and our deep commitment to the shared values of FIDH.
The Congress also provided an opportunity for the 40 organisations from the Western Europe Desk of FIDH to meet and reflect on the work we have undertaken individually and collectively over the past three years. To agree priorities that will guide our collective work going forward. Over the past three years FIDH focused its attention on the devastating impact that austerity policies adopted in response to the global economic and financial crisis had on human rights, both economic, social and cultural and civil and political. A fact-finding mission to Greece was undertaken, resulting in detailed report exposing the dramatic consequences that austerity policies had on human rights in Greece. The research’s findings and conclusions also provided the basis for a regional seminar held in Ireland in 2015 and co-chaired by FLAC (click here for further details). The Congress provided us with a unique opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved and to recalibrate and work together on facing the challenges that lie ahead.
The FIDH Congress was dedicated to all human rights defenders detained solely for their activities, including Nabeel Rajab, FIDH Deputy Secretary General (Bahrain), Abdolfattah Soltani (Iran), Razan Zeitouneh (Syria) to mention just a few.
For further information about the Congress please click here.