Portfolio A new force for social change - Essay Example

Submitted Seven Factors that Strengthen Human Rights Organizations Human Rights Ideals Human rights ideals refer to the social, political, and economic rights outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It serves as a guideline on how governments should observe, implement, and protect the rights of its citizens. In a government that adheres to these ideals, the citizens are able to exercise their freedom, participate in political affairs, and avail of social and economic services, among others.

The realization of these ideals across every nation is what empowers human rights organizations in achieving their goals. Communications Technologies Human rights organizations find strength in the internet’s ability to bring geographically distant and isolated human rights violations to public attention and, in turn, elicit immediate response. Unconstrained by spatial and temporal boundaries, the internet can disseminate pertinent human rights information in real-time and in low cost. The two-way information flow facilitated by the internet, in addition, enables immediate feedback and interaction among the public.

Human rights violations are brought to light, discussed over, and immediately acted upon through the use of the internet. Human rights organizations can also utilize social networking sites such as Facebook to reach more people and get them informed about their activities. The Press The press contributes to the goals of human rights organizations by reporting on human rights issues, humiliating/praising human rights violators/followers, and encouraging immediate action from the government. Like the internet, newspapers provide information on human rights issues, developments, and activities to the public.

Being labeled as a human rights violator by the press, meanwhile, serves both as a wake-up call to offenders and a warning to those who are on the verge of committing violations. I’ve noticed, however, that the press sometimes serves as a mouthpiece of the government. When this happens, government interests are placed above human rights interests. Government Policies Government policies on international aid and support contain provisions that discourage the nation which receives an aid in committing human rights violations.

The United States and Japan, for instance, have the option to withdraw their aid if human rights violations occur in the aided government. The steps taken by governments in addressing human rights issues through their foreign policies are aligned with the objectives of human rights organizations. These policies exert pressure on governments to always protect human rights. International Laws and Standards The laws and covenants developed to protect human rights give human rights organization the power to investigate on and persecute human rights offenders.

A number of covenants and treatises have been developed to legalize, among others, women’s, children’s, laborers’, and homosexual’s rights. While human rights organizations previously operated in abstract concepts of human rights, the recently developed laws and covenants firmly establishes human rights on strong legal grounds. These laws, I believe, make human rights truly universal in the sense that every person is expected to abide by these laws. Partnership Between Local and International Groups The symbiotic relationship between local and international human rights groups further sustain the goals of this movement.

In this relationship, the weakness of one party is supplemented by the strength of the other and vice-versa. Local groups, for instance, can assist international groups in policymaking, advocacy campaigns, or human rights issues investigation without worrying about local threats. International groups, in return, provide protection for local groups through the constant monitoring of their local governments. This relationship, I think, is what gives organizations the power to transcend geographical boundaries are be completely independent of governmental interest.

Professionalism of the Human Rights Movement Joining human rights organizations requires the proper set of competencies, qualifications, and skills. The challenges faced by these organizations are endless that’s why getting the right people to join their organization is very crucial. Writing, researching, and interviewing skills are some of the necessary competencies one must possess in order to survive in this field. This is where nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) enter the picture. They provide manpower and financial support to the human rights movement.