DATE: 6TH DECEMBER 2023
TIME: 6PM CET – 8PM CET
TOPIC: HUMAN RIGHTS STATUS UPDATES

Introduction

Every month, the International Society for Human Rights hosts a Twitter space on which diverse Human Rights Defenders, politicians, and academicians among others dissect topical issues on the landscape of human rights, the rule of law, and democracy in the World. ISHR (International Society for Human Rights) prides itself on offering a platform for all people of diverse backgrounds to share their knowledge and experiences. This month’s Twitter space will focus on “Human Rights Updates” from different parts of the world.

The 10th of December 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Magna Carter of the contemporary rights regime. It is therefore imperative that 75 years down the road, we pause to reflect on the extent to which human rights have been respected, promoted, and protected by states, international bodies, and individuals.

Whereas some human rights adovcates such as the Secretary General of Amnesty had envisaged 2023 as a turning point, it has not lived up to the expectations. Earlier this year, the Secretary General of Amnesty stated: ‘2023 must be a turning point for upholding human rights: anything less from the world’s leaders is a betrayal which could take the world to the abyss.’ One would conclude that humanity is at the abyss given the human rights catastrophes that have decked 2023. Already, the future of human rights seems grim with increasing atrocities in the Middle East, Ukraine, various parts of Africa, and the inhuman treatment of migrants in the developed world.

However, to some, there is still optimism, there is still time to rectify the gaps that have developed over the 75-year period of the UDHR. In the Twitter Space, the panel will be tasked with highlighting those gaps and how they can be closed.

Panelists

The discussion will feature, Matthias Boehning, the Secretary General of ISHR, Dr. Homira Rezai an activist focusing on the rights of the Hazara people in Afghanistan, Mr. Hanif Jazayeri a journalist covering the human rights struggles in Iran, Ritah Kahsay an activist for displaced people in Tigray, and Agbor Nkongho a human rights lawyer in Cameroon.

Points for Consideration

1. Introduce your self
2. How has 2023 scored in the area of Human rights?
3. Please provide the human rights situation in your context of work
4. What is the role of the global community in improving or further worsening the human rights situation around the World (USA, China, Russia, Europe).
5. What can be done?
6. Please give an update on the work of Human Rights Defenders in your context. What is their contribution and their situation this year?

N.B: The moderator will steer the conversation depending on the responses. The questions above are not cast in stone. The Twitter spaces take on a conversational approach rather than a Q&A.

Program

• MODERATOR INTRODUCTION: 06:00PM ALEX MARTIN
• SPEAKER 1: MATHIAS BOEHNING
• SPEAKER 2: DR. HOMIRA REZAI
• SPEAKER 3: FELIX NKONGHO
• SPEAKER 4: HANIF JAZAYERI
• SPEAKER 5: RITAH KAHSAY
• AUDIENCE
• SPEAKERS CLOSING 08:00PM

The SG of ISHR opens the conversation by welcoming participants, introducing ISHR, and setting the pace for the discussion.

Note: The time is set in CET. Please convert to your local time. The Twitter Spaces offer the panelists an opportunity for further partnerships with ISHR.