MOSAIC - The training kit for Euro-Mediterranean youth work

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5.8 Making human rights a reality
Human rights can seem a distant ideal. The words that are written down on paper and
the reality that most people around the globe face are often worlds apart. So what can
individuals do to help to bring the two worlds closer together, and what can young
people or youth groups do?
D 5.8.1 Small steps forward
There is no big mystery behind human rights activism. Above all, defending one’s rights
or those of others is about finding the best way to use the mechanisms that exist,
whether political, legal or social, to ensure that those who should be looking after
human rights do, in fact, do so! The exact methods that are chosen will depend on
the circumstances of the case.
The following general list describes some of the small steps that individuals or groups
can take towards ensuring better protection for human rights in the community. 38 We
should also be aware that some of these methods will be easier in some parts of the
Euro-Mediterranean region than in others: the methods should obviously not be used
if they are likely to put young people in any danger.
Knowing your rights
Being aware of the rights that young people have (or anyone else has) under international
law can be empowering and gives them the assurance that they are making rights
claims on good moral and legal authority. Human rights are based on universal moral
values: if young people have a strong sense of what these values mean, they can make
strong moral claims to have rights better respected.
Being aware of what governments have promised to do
At the beginning of the 21st century, human rights are not only moral claims; they are
also legal claims, sometimes at national level, sometimes at regional level, and nearly
always at international level. If young people are aware of the treaties that governments
have signed up to, as well as the national mechanisms that exist, then they can
appeal to legal obligations to respect these rights.
Claiming rights
Human rights, either as moral or as legal rights, will become reality when individuals
and groups are confident and competent enough to claim them, and when the systems
and mechanisms exist to enable them to do so effectively. The process can seem long
and arduous, but one thing is for sure: if individuals and groups stop claiming human
rights, then the rights might as well not exist at all.
Working with state officials to improve human rights mechanisms or
legislation
Not all human rights work has to be in opposition to state organs: a great deal of the
most important and most effective work needs to be done in co-operation with those
in positions of power. This might involve organising meetings, round table discussions
or conferences together with state officials, to discuss ways of improving legislation
Themes