Democracia y derechos humanos

Understanding Human Rights in the Context of Extreme Right Movements

Introduction to Human Rights

• The universal recognition of human rights has roots in modernity, aiming to transcend community-specific values and affirm intrinsic dignity for all individuals.

• This recognition is increasingly challenged by the rise of extreme right ideologies that question not only human rights but also their defenders.

Forum on Human Rights

• Paula Rodríguez discusses a national forum held for human rights defenders, attended by around 80 activists from various sectors including environmentalism and migrant rights.

• The forum aimed to assess risks faced by human rights defenders in the Dominican Republic and strategize collective self-care mechanisms.

Challenges Faced by Defenders

• In the Dominican Republic, significant gaps exist in the protection of human rights, with many groups remaining vulnerable while some enjoy privileges.

• Defenders of these vulnerable groups face harassment and attacks, reflecting a broader regional trend where Latin America is deemed dangerous for human rights advocates.

Misconceptions About Human Rights

• There is widespread confusion within Dominican society regarding human rights issues and their advocates, exacerbated by an emerging extreme right narrative framing these issues as part of a "dark agenda."

• This narrative has gained traction among various demographics, including educated youth, indicating a troubling acceptance of anti-human rights discourse similar to trends seen in the United States.

The Role of Democracy and State Responsibility

• Rodríguez emphasizes that the real issue lies not with human rights themselves but with state failure to guarantee them; democracy must center on ensuring equal freedoms for all citizens.

• She argues that there is no inherent problem with human rights; rather, it is the lack of state responsibility that creates challenges in upholding these essential freedoms amidst rising polarization and anti-right movements.

Bridging Human Rights with Daily Life

• To counteract negative narratives about human rights, it’s crucial to connect these concepts to everyday experiences such as access to water, health care, housing, and transportation—issues directly affecting Dominicans' lives.

• Rodríguez calls for a collective effort across academia, political parties, civil society organizations, and activists to reshape public understanding around what constitutes human rights in practical terms.

Informe sobre el Discurso de Odio y Desinformación en Redes Sociales

Estudio de Escucha 2023

• Se realizó un estudio en 2023 para analizar la conversación en redes sociales sobre odio, desinformación e información dañina.

• La metodología incluyó un año de escucha activa en plataformas como Facebook, TikTok, Instagram y X, analizando más de 4,000 mensajes mensuales.

Grupos Afectados por el Discurso de Odio

• Los principales grupos que reciben discursos de odio son migrantes y mujeres dominicanas de ascendencia haitiana, quienes representan el 80% de los mensajes relacionados.

• Otros afectados incluyen defensores de derechos humanos, periodistas y miembros de la comunidad LGBTQ+, así como mujeres afrodescendientes.

Impacto del Discurso de Odio

• El discurso no solo se limita a las redes sociales; también se manifiesta en hostigamientos y persecuciones en la vida real.

• Existen redes organizadas que difunden y potencian este tipo de conversaciones dañinas, lo cual vulnera la democracia.

Definición del Discurso de Odio

• El discurso de odio incluye mensajes que incitan a la violencia y atacan directamente a personas o grupos específicos.

• Estos discursos estigmatizan a las poblaciones afectadas y preparan psicológicamente a la sociedad para aceptar actos violentos contra ellas.

Contexto Educativo de los Libertos Norteamericanos en Puerto Plata

Llegada y Asentamiento

• En 1824, alrededor de 5,000 libertos norteamericanos llegaron al puerto de Puerto Plata con promesas de tierras y derechos políticos.

Educación Metodista

• La mayoría practicaba el metodismo, lo que fomentó una cultura educativa centrada en sus iglesias con enseñanza del inglés.

Modalidades Educativas (1824 - 1900)

• Durante este periodo se ensayaron tres formas educativas: preceptores particulares, enseñanza familiar e instituciones públicas emergentes hacia finales del siglo XIX.

Ejemplo Práctico

• Un contrato ejemplar muestra cómo un padre entregó a su hijo para aprender un oficio mientras recibía educación básica.

Primeras Instituciones Educativas

• Antes de 1843 no había escuelas registradas; sin embargo, se fundó una escuela metodista notablemente reconocida en 1848.

Discussion on Human Rights in the Dominican Republic

Overview of the Human Rights Forum

• The conversation begins with Pabla Rodríguez discussing a Human Rights Forum organized by an alliance of eight organizations aimed at addressing human rights issues in the Dominican Republic.

• This collective effort seeks to highlight the risks faced by human rights defenders and dignify their roles amidst ongoing tensions in the country.

Challenges Faced by Vulnerable Groups

• Rodríguez emphasizes that human rights defenders advocate for marginalized groups, including those of Haitian descent, migrants, environmental activists, and Afro-descendant women.

• However, this advocacy is fraught with danger as defenders face harassment and violence due to their work.

Political Landscape and Its Impact

• The discussion shifts to the role of political parties, which are criticized for focusing on conservatism rather than prioritizing human rights.

• There is a noted pressure from far-right groups that influences major political parties, leading to a lack of focus on human rights issues.

Current State of Human Rights Policies

• Rodríguez points out significant setbacks in human rights guarantees due to xenophobic immigration policies and strict abortion laws.

• She highlights that LGBTQ+ discrimination remains unaddressed, indicating a broader failure in advancing women's rights and other critical areas.

Call for Citizen Engagement

• The need for citizen awareness and political engagement is stressed; without it, citizens cannot effectively pressure political parties to prioritize human rights.

• Rodríguez argues that human rights must be central to public discourse and advocates for unity among various social movements (e.g., feminists, environmentalists).

Interconnectedness of Social Issues

• The importance of recognizing interconnected social issues is discussed; progressive sectors often become fragmented over identity politics instead of addressing broader systemic problems collectively.

• Rodríguez notes that many societal challenges—gender gaps, labor market informality, access to healthcare—are interlinked and require an integrated approach focused on dignity and humanity.

Comprehensive Agenda for Change

• A call for a comprehensive agenda centered around human dignity is made; solutions should not be sector-specific but rather holistic in nature.

• Emphasis is placed on addressing multiple facets such as education, health care access, housing, water supply issues—all crucial elements tied into the broader framework of human rights.

Next Steps for Human Rights Defenders

Strategy Development and Communication

• The forum's outcome leads to the development of a communication strategy aimed at raising awareness about the risks faced by human rights defenders in the Dominican Republic.

• An analysis is underway to identify threats, barriers, and risks that defenders encounter, culminating in a report that will inform future advocacy efforts.

Collective Care Mechanisms

• Efforts are being made to establish collective care mechanisms based on external organizational guidance, focusing on mutual support among defenders.

• Recognizing shared threats such as social media harassment and persecution emphasizes the need for proactive measures to ensure safety within the community.

Mental Health as a Core Focus

• Mental health is highlighted as a critical pillar for defenders who often face discrediting attacks and media pressure, impacting their well-being.

• Strategies are needed to center mental health in discussions about human rights work, addressing feelings of discouragement that arise from ongoing challenges.

Counteracting Fear and Hate Speech

• The alliance aims to create a collective response against fear-based narratives and hate speech that seek to paralyze action among defenders.

• Emphasizing solidarity networks can counteract daily expressions of fear and hatred prevalent in society, promoting positive narratives instead.

Engagement with Interested Parties

• Organizations or individuals interested in joining the initiative can connect through social media platforms like Alianza Defensores RD for further information and collaboration opportunities.

• A recently published paper titled "El derecho a defender derechos" outlines current risks faced by human rights defenders in the Dominican Republic, serving as an informative resource for potential allies.

Resources Available Online

• The report on hate speech dynamics on social media is available online, providing insights into advancing rights guarantees amidst rising hostility towards vulnerable populations.

• Additional resources from Fescaribe highlight connections between hate speech risks affecting various marginalized groups beyond just human rights defenders.

Conclusion

• The discussion underscores the importance of addressing these issues within democratic societies while respecting individual dignity; gratitude was expressed for participation in this vital conversation about human rights advocacy.