Watching TV news reports or reading newspapers fills us with depressing news from all over the world. No wonder people get obsessed with their favorite celebrity’s latest hairdo or sports teams’ scores. From protests against injustices, to wars, famines or natural disasters, we are all better off ignoring the plagues of the world and focusing on our daily lives. But, are we really?
I agree that media focus on the negative has no use apart from making us depressed, especially given that 95 percent of people, in western countries at least, live peacefully without any major obstacles. It is nevertheless important to be aware and spread awareness of injustices and human rights violations.
Why? Because we are all in this together.
I like this article on Alternet, which basically ponders on the reasons why we have a so called Earth Day, as the earth itself will be better off without us. The author continues saying that “ultimately, stopping climate change is not about preserving the earth (…) but about preserving ourselves”. The same goes with human rights. To care about human rights is not caring about some abstract ideal, it is caring about ourselves as the human specie and as individuals, because, in the end, helping others is helping ourselves and the world.
The global economic crisis taught us once more that we are all interconnected and interdependent on one another. A conflict somewhere may lead to the destabilization of a region, with a direct consequence on your wallet the next time you fill your gas tank, or buy some imported goods. It will most likely bring a surge of immigrants and an increased spending in humanitarian or military assistance. Beside these material consequences, violations of human rights touch directly at the core values of humanity. They compromise the dignity, integrity and equality of every human beings. Lastly, improving others’ lives ultimately improves the quality of our own life on earth, by ensuring wealthy, peaceful and tolerant nations. Thus, enabling further trade, cultural exchange, and eventually peace and wealth for everyone.
We all were born on earth, and we will all die. Our experience in between is our responsibility.
Awareness is not sufficient. Action is needed. Gandhi summarizes it well in his famous quote: “we need to be the change we wish to see in the world”. It is delusional to rely on governments, leaders, corporate or nonprofit entities to get the work done. These can only be a medium to improve the respect of human rights.
Through our everyday actions we need to thrive towards the respect of human rights and the values they represent.
With today’s technologies, it is becoming easier than ever to help a cause in no time. In two mouse clicks you can help spread awareness and protect human rights. You can join a cause or group on Facebook, retweet human rights alerts, and show support for advocacy efforts. It will only take two minutes of your time, but it will have a major impact. The recent cases of Roxana Saberi and Aung San Suu Kyi prove how international pressure can truly help reporters and human rights defenders.
I highlight below a few amazing organizations, which provide platforms for you to have an impact in the world today.
Human Rights First does wonderful work protecting human rights defenders and people at risk of human rights violations around the world. You can sign up to their human rights defenders alerts or participate in HRF actions against torture and baseless prosecutions.
Amnesty International is one of the first organizations that mobilized people for the respect of human rights around the world. Amnesty sets up campaigns to help protecting human rights defenders, to stop torture and prevent human rights abuses.
Physicians for Human Rights organizes online campaigns to mobilize people against health and human rights abuses.
Avaaz is global web advocacy organization, which organizes various online petitions on major issues, such as environment, human rights, corruption and conflicts. They do great work in ensuring people can have an impact on global decisions. You can sign up to participate in their campaigns. You will be able to have your voice heard in literally two clicks.
2Care is an online petition website that mobilizes people on environmental issues, global warming, wildlife protection, health policies and human rights.
Human Rights Watch is a leading organization advocating for human rights protection around the world. It has a great online action center where you can take action to protect human rights.
And don’t forget that the real power of change lies in your hands.
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