WEBINAR REPORT
African Human Rights “The New Normal: Transformation and Adaptation after COVID-19”
Date and Time: Saturday, March 05th, 2022, 10:00PM (KST)
Location: Online (Zoom)
Topics: The New Normal: Transformation and Adaptation after COVID-19
Host: HWPL Jeonbuk Branch
Speakers:
1. Ms. Griffina Doreen, an Advocate of the High court of Kenya.
2. Mr. Patrick Munene, Executive Director of Leona Foundation of Kenya
3. Mr. Edwin Onimi, Executive Director of ‘Women like us’ in Kenya
4. Mr.Charles Oduor ,Director of Lubao FM in Kenya
Webinar was held to raise awareness of the social change and transformation as well as various human rights issues centered on East Africa in the post-COVID era.
“Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are considered entitled : the rights to life, liberty, freedom of thought and expression and equal treatment before the law among others. I stance on human rights is that they must be respected by all means. this includes refraining from interfering with or curtailing the enjoyment of human rights.”
Mr. Patrick Munene
Introduction Webinar
On March 5th, under the theme of <The New Normal: Transformation and Adaptation after COVID-19>, a webinar was held by an international peace NGO, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and it dealt with social change and various human rights issues that occurred within the Covid-19 pandemic. At this webinar, where 25 people of lawyers, NGOs, and journalists from Kenya and Uganda gathered, participants particularly focused on social change and transformation as well as various human rights issues centered on East Africa in the post-COVID era, and speakers presented the current status and the right direction of legal and social mechanisms to cope with the issues. In particular, a speaker from HWPL introduced the core value of DPCW that only HWPL has and appealed for supports of it.
Background Information
This webinar presented a direction to create a peaceful and safe Africa with respect for human rights and led by women and youth, which is one of Africa Union’s Agenda 2063. In particular, based on discussions on various topics such as human rights, environment, and society, the discussion focused on laying the groundwork for practical peace projects.
The COVID pandemic, which has been going on for three years, is changing into a society where inequality and conflict are increasing worldwide. In this webinar, we shared the efforts of countries around the world to maintain world order amid changes and transformation in the post-COVID era, and had time to share common attitudes and resolutions, especially with the roles of the government, legal professionals, civic groups, and the media.
Points of discussion
Rukkiya Ahmed, Programme Coordinator of Youth Bila Noma, who attended all HWPL events, said the following about attending the webinar. “I really enjoyed the webinar and found it very informative. We are going into the election and our organization tries our best to talk to young people through several activities so that they cannot be involved in political violence and promote peace during and before and after the election. Also, I would like to appreciate HWPL and I think this webinar should keep going because without this kind of conversation, peace in the world will be compromised. I wish them to continue to do this.”
Also Makau Peter Kithukam Advocate of the High Court of Kenya said his feelings that
‘HWPL is doing a great job in efforts to achieve peace. There many legal instruments for peace but they are not being obeyed. Now, emphasis has to be placed on the moral conscience of the various players. Various players of international order need to emphasize that it is not just legally wrong but also morally wrong to disobey international law. HWPL needs to put more effort to work together with state actors/government of Kenya and other countries for the agenda of peace. We cannot ignore them if we want DPCW to succeed at the UN.’
In addition, Charles Oduor, who is on behalf of the media said that “In East Africa, Journalists, media and the organizations feeding the media have ethical and moral accountability to promote human right and create awareness in the public about threats to their freedom and security. Knowing and understanding human right by the journalist will reflect awareness about human right to the society and vowed to fulfill the media’s mission by becoming the eyes and ears of the citizens.
Highlights
- Ms. Griffina Doreen, an Advocate of the High court of Kenya.
: The COVID-19 brought about many changes in education and economy. The government should look into the ways that can restore the livelihoods of employees and build digital structure. - Mr. Patrick Munene, Executive Director of Leona Foundation is joining.
: It is continuing increase teenage pregnancies, Loss of livelihoods on workers, mental health problem due to changes in society caused by COVID-19. We should recognize the role of international cooperation and resolve human rights issues together. - Mr. Edwin Onimi, Executive Director of ‘Women like us’ in Kenya
: Due to the consequences of COVID-19, girls are being exposed to new risks. The most important thing in ending the COVID-19 pandemic is global collaboration and empowers girls and women to be able to take part in various levels in social. - Mr.Charles Oduor ,Director of Lubao FM in Kenya
: Media became the first casualty of covid-19 pandemic since media operates in a space with freedom of movement. Without free speech and democratization of media establishing a democratic society is a challenge. Thus, media role in promoting human right cannot be ignored.
Next Steps
Those who attended this webinar decided to continue to support the HWPL’s active support for the enactment of international peace laws. In addition, by attending the handbook citizenship education for supporting DPCW, It was noted that everyone would recognize the importance of the DPCW and agree that it should be addressed at this point. In response, HWPL plans to present a specific program for DPCW citizen education and operate it as a sustainable peace project.
