Blog
The HRC blog highlights and contextualizes inspiring human rights and strategic nonviolent activism. Along with our curated library of tools and resources you can find on our website, we work to foster a community of practice and engagement within the field of human rights struggles by:
- highlighting best practices often absent in mainstream outlets
- amplifying the voices of smaller, underexposed grassroots organizations and nonviolent movements, and
- creating a space for dialogue and exchange about civic engagement and activism
The Universal Periodic Review: what is it and why it matters
This month, fourteen countries are being reviewed by the United Nations Human Rights Council as part of the Universal Periodic Review Process. Our aim with this post is to provide you with opportunities to get involved by helping you understand the UPR process, and then providing you resources through which you could follow the process virtually.…
The vaccine race: these initiatives are fighting for developing countries
The finish line of the COVID-19 vaccine race is not in sight – yet. Several research teams seem to have developed potentially successful medication that could put the pandemic to a halt, and are now in a testing phase. However, once a vaccine is approved it will not be readily available for everyone immediately, sparking…
Reporting in times of COVID-19: how journalists can aid in improving the pandemic
Here’s what journalists could do to create positive change and what pitfalls they should avoid during COVID-19 pandemic.
Essential additions: An updated list of resources for human rights defenders in Ethiopia
In past months, Ethiopia has experienced mass protests resulting from ethnic tensions, mass arrests, and a government-mandated internet shutdown. Following the surge in searches on our website relating to Ethiopia, we’ve revamped our library with updated resources. Below is a collection of human rights organizations working in Ethiopia, legal resources on strategic litigation for human…
This online tool examines civic freedoms during the COVID-19 pandemic
During these grave and unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, new digital tools are revealing harrowing data on privacy violations and government emergency powers. This #FeaturedResourceFriday we share how an online tracking platform monitors restrictions to civic freedoms and how this tool can improve government accountability and protect civil society. Measuring the need and…
Fighting for Pride: how LGBTQ+ defenders can effectively engage with foreign embassies
This LGBTQ+ themed #FeaturedResourceFriday highlights several honorary resources to tribute Pride which was last month. Intended for LGBTQ+ defenders, this activist toolkit provides a closer look at how U.S. embassies operate and how defenders can strategically approach, request, and access different types of diplomatic support. A sneak peak directly from the resource: “The first step…
A civil resistance success story: how the people of Malawi led a historic victory for democracy
Malawi just swore in its new leader, President Lazarus Chakwera. He won a rerun election, unseating the incumbent, former President Peter Mutharika. Mutharika had been in office since 2014, two years after his brother, President Bingu Mutharika’s demise in office. In May 2019, elections were held in Malawi. Sitting President Mutharika was re-elected in an…
Six inspiring Black Trans Activists using their voice to organize, educate, and uplift Black Trans Lives
Black trans activists are on the front lines, sounding the alarm on systemic racism in the United States and abroad. As a follow up from our previous post we focus on the intersection between Black trans womxn and their role during the present-day activism. Black trans womxn suffer extreme and fatal violence at the hands…
These three women activists risk their lives to defend their LGBTQ+ communities
This month, in addition to our #Womxnresist campaign, we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community by focusing on their struggles and achievements throughout the years. LGBTQ+ defenders continue to face severe hostility and discrimination worldwide. Organisations such as Shelter City provide human rights defenders (HRD’s) focused on these communities with a safe haven. We highlight three women…
‘I am that woman’ East African Women Human Rights Defenders
This post highlights East African Women Human Right Defenders. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (HRD) defines women human rights defenders as both female human rights defenders, and any other human rights defenders who work in the defence of women’s rights or on gender issues (A/HRC/16/44). Typical challenges faced by WHRDs…