Reflections on a Human Rights Decade, Near and Far

Paul Gready

Reflections on a Human Rights Decade, Near and Far

Centre for Applied Human Rights

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This article reflects on some lessons from the past decade, taking as its point of reference two interventions at the Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR), University of York: the campaign for York to become a human rights city, and a Protective Fellowship Scheme for Human Rights Defenders at Risk. It draws a number of lessons for human rights from these interventions, which link the local and specific to broader global dynamics. These lessons are: develop (bigger) visions; defend victories, define progress; re-engage majority populations; reframe arguments and narratives; rethink partnerships and solidarities without and within; and channel despair. The argument resonates with an understanding of human rights practice as characterized by complex judgments, balancing arguments and values, and the navigation of dilemmas, rather than certainties, absolutes and proclamations.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	422-37
Number of pages	15
Journal	Journal of Human Rights Practice
Volume	11
Issue number	2
Publication status	Published - 4 Aug 2019

Keywords

framing; human rights city; human rights defender; socioeconomic rights; partnerships and solidarities; visions

Cite this

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abstract = "This article reflects on some lessons from the past decade, taking as its point of reference two interventions at the Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR), University of York: the campaign for York to become a human rights city, and a Protective Fellowship Scheme for Human Rights Defenders at Risk. It draws a number of lessons for human rights from these interventions, which link the local and specific to broader global dynamics. These lessons are: develop (bigger) visions; defend victories, define progress; re-engage majority populations; reframe arguments and narratives; rethink partnerships and solidarities without and within; and channel despair. The argument resonates with an understanding of human rights practice as characterized by complex judgments, balancing arguments and values, and the navigation of dilemmas, rather than certainties, absolutes and proclamations.",

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