Explore tested tactics for preventing human rights abuse in 'Prevention Tactics', the first of four live webinars on human rights defense tactics with Tavaana and the New Tactics in Human Rights Project.
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What kinds of risks might be involved? The tolerance for risk is very individual – some people want and need to join a demonstration; others would want to act as long as there is no physical danger or visibility of their participation (e.g., Turkey tactic – turning lights on and off)
In other words - Planning without action is futile. Action without planning can be fatal.
What do these pictures make you think of? Write ideas in the “free space” How have technological advances changed what we think is possible to do? What technology tools do you feel comfortable using? (e.g., Technology has made a big difference in our world today. I, personally, have seen the shift from letters, to FAX machines, to e-mail, to text messaging. As you learn about more tactics, the more possibilities there are that can be generated for adapting such ideas to news contexts and issues.)
Who do you think is the “target” of this tactic?
What constituency or group do you think this tactic is targeting?
Minimum wage law campaign in Korea Different tactics were used to keep the campaign moving (right side demonstration) Slogan – “can you live on 42 won a day ($.04 per day)? 2) They followed up the demonstration on a different day by inviting the press & public to have the “lunch” this worker could afford – rice and vegetables – on 42 won a day 3) They followed that by being creative on a hot day and they used coins frozen in a big ice cube – “her wages are melting away” These demonstrations made a HUGE impact for raising the minimum wage and changing the minimum wage law
Institute for Democracy in South Africa teaches community members how to understand, influence and monitor local, provincial and national government budgets to advance child-specific socio-economic rights. Can you think of another example where tactics can teach participants and observers how they can actually engage in the world? (e.g., Use of petitions in Argentina – to get the public to understand their rights and demand the government to change policy)
What kinds of capacities do you think you need to consider? (people, resources, ability to implement the chosen tactic, etc.) Example: Red clip boards – an organization began using volunteers and simple red clip boards to monitor judges and how they ruled on domestic violence cases to raise awareness of the unfairness of the process toward women. The “red clip board” tactic has now been used around the world.
What kinds of risks might be involved? The tolerance for risk is very individual – some people want and need to join a demonstration; others would want to act as long as there is no physical danger or visibility of their participation (e.g., Turkey tactic – turning lights on and off)
It is important to keep your BIG vision in mind as you think about the target you’ve identified and the tactics that can move you toward the direction of your goal.
NOTE: There are 14 tactic examples in the PREVENTION section of the New Tactics book – we will be exploring THREE tactics - ONE from each category of PREVENTION tactics.
NOTE: There are 14 tactic examples in the PREVENTION section of the New Tactics book – we will be exploring together only THREE tactics - ONE from each of these three categories of PREVENTION tactics.
What kinds of risks might be involved? The tolerance for risk is very individual – what is the risk of physical danger
Nonviolent Peace Force, FrontLine Defenders, Christian Peacemaker Teams and others – HIGHLIGHT – Staying Safe: Security Resources
Highlight Information Activism – includes mobile phones
Nepal: Community mediator – man and woman seated on equal chairs; community people participating; a group of mediators – behind standing woman, listening to presentation as well as community people Raise your hand if you have been involved in an organization that provided training that not only involved you but moved the vision of the organization forward.
Front line watchdogs come in all shapes and sizes. They can be seen in courtrooms ensuring fair trials, accompanying threatened human rights defenders, holding vigil outside police stations to prevent torture, protecting election ballot results, testing for discrimination, monitoring development aid projects, investigating toxic waste from companies, etc., etc.
Share the way to navigate the searchable tactics database – and highlight the Visayan Forum tactic. Move on to “advertise” our next webinar focusing on INTERVENTION tactics.