WEBINAR REPORT

“Solidarity for protecting Human Rights”

 

 

Date and Time: Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, 17:00PM (KST)

Location: Online (Zoom)

Topics: Solidarity, Human Rights

Host: HWPL Gwangju Jeonnam Branch

Speakers:

Mr. Dagne Gurmessa Merso, Vice Dean of Blue Hora University School of Law

Mr. Mohammed Mohammed Hussein Al Bazerqan, Chairman of board of Iraqi Institution for development

Mr. Nagendra Adhikari, President of Australian Napaleae Welfare and Public Officer of Cultural Diversity Network

Mr. Noel Zihabamwe, Founder of African Australian Advocacy Centre and Advisory Committee Member for the Australian Human Rights Institute at University of NSW

The Webinar was held to raise awareness of the im portance of solidarity in human rights and share knowledge of possible ways of promoting human rights.

“Today I call upon everyone to be a peacebuilder, by being a peacebuilder, we will be able to respond peacefully to any issues. For those who are in the conflict, peace dialogue is the best way towards lasting peace and prosperityway towards lasting peace and prosperity”

– Noel Zihabamwe –

 

Introduction Webinar

On October 22nd , 41 participants shared their opinions through an online zoom meeting to find efficient ways to promote human rights and peace under the topic of “Solidarity for protecting human rights”.

Webinar was held to raise awareness of the importance of solidarity in human rights and share knowledge of possible ways of promoting human rights. As there should not be any discrimination depending on the situation of the country or international status in protecting human rights, everyone needs to make their best efforts to secure human rights.

There were four civil society actors from different background Mr. Dagne Gurmessa Merso, Mr. Mohammed Hussein Al Bazerqan, Mr. Nagendra Adhikari and Mr. Noel Zihabamwe gave a short message regarding the topic through a video. The four experts who have been committed themselves to human rights for many years gave main presentations.

 

Background Information

There are various types of organizations that have worked for peace and human rights. However, due to real problems that each individual or institution has, inevitable limits remain in carrying out desirable activities for human rights. In this regard, HWPL, as an international peace organization, is willing to provide a platform f or open discussions about solidarity from various agents working for human rights. Moreover, as both UDHR and DPCW acknowledge that solidarity is pivotal in achieving their initiatives, it seems relevant to examine the precedent examples of solidarity between different organizations and discuss how we can extend networks for solidarity to bring about effective and meaningful results for human rights and peace.

 

Points of discussion

Mr. Noel Zihabamwe , advisory Committee Member for the Australian Human Rights Institute at University of NSW sent a video to stress how many people are still suffering from wars and conflicts and the importance of peace dialogue, “For those who are in the conflict, peace dialogue is the best way towards lasting peace and prosperity. Remember “Nobody can bring you peace but yourself.”

Mr. Dagne Gurmessa Merso, Vice dean of Bule Hora University School of law emphasized the importance of solidarity and support in each country like “Ensuring that the human rights recognized in international laws (Respecting, Protecting and fulfilling) is difficult and complex task. An Ethiopian Proverb means “Fifty are burden to one person, but an ornament to fifty persons”. This Ethiopian Proverb tells us how things that are difficult to single individual become easier when we are in unity. Therefore, if the work of protecting Human rights is done in unity, it will play an important role in making the work easier and achievable to reach the expected goal and the expected level. “.

Mr. Mohammed Hussein Al Bazerqan, Chairman of board of Iraqi Institution for development talked about the need of solidarity in civil society for human rights saying , “We truly believe that solidarity is a persuasion that combines differences and opposites, holds them tog ether into one heterogeneous whole, and nurtures it with the universal values of human rights.” And he also mentioned the role of NGOs, NGOs were the main driver for the changes that occurred and the optimism that people may feel about the defense of human rights in the country.

Mr. Nagendra Adhikari, President of Australian Napaleae Welfare and Public Officer of Cultural Diversity Network gave a speech on the topic of Role of civil society to protect human rights. In his speech, he stated that when governments are violating human rights either directly or indirectly, civil society should hold them accountable and speak out. He also said that the international Community also has an obligation to monitor governments and their track records with human rights.

 

Highlights

Mr. Noel Zihabamwe
For those who are in the conflict, peace dialogue is the best way towards lasting peace and prosperity

Mr. Dagne Gurmessa Merso
If the work of protecting Human rights is done in unity, it plays an important role in making the work easier and achievable to the expected goal the expected level.

F Mr. Mohammed Hussein Al Bazerqan
We truly believe that solidarity is a persuasion that combines differences and opposites, holds them together into one heterogeneous whole, and nurtures it with the universal values of human rights.

Mr. Nagendra Adhikari
the international Community also has an obligation to monitor governments and their track records with human rights.

 

Next Steps

HWPL Gwangju Jeonnam Branch will continue to hold a webinar with t he topic which is related to the article 10 of DPCW to make participants carry out works for human rights and peace to spread the culture of peace.

 

Contact Information

+82 10 6588 9698
Jennifer Ko, Department of International Law of HWPL Gwangju Jeonnam Branch

 

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