IRC Paralegals Work to Spread Human Rights in Darfur |
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January 30th, 2007 - 02:45PM |
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A displaced woman at an IRC women's center in Darfur. Photo: Emily Holland/The IRC International Rescue Committee communications officer Emily Holland is keeping a blog of her trip to Darfur, Sudan. Kalma Camp, Nyala - I spent the day with three brave women whom the IRC has trained in human rights, justice and peace building. Now, they are working to spread information about human rights in southern Darfur. In these short video interviews, the women describe what they do, what human rights means in Darfur and why life here is particularly dangerous for women. (Video clips here.) INTERVIEW #1 What do you tell people in the camp about human rights? We speak about the many different types of human rights there are. We help people bring their cases to the legal aid network. What motivates you to do this work? I want to help my community gain a new knowledge of law – and the role of the law. I want them to know their rights and gain access to courts and the police. What is your message to the world? We need the international community's help. When we teach the people about human rights they say, 'We are not part of these things. We have no rights. We want them. We need help getting them.' INTERVIEW #2 Are human rights practiced this camp? Our job is to tell the people about human rights, not to bring them. Do you see positive things happening because of your work? Some people benefit from the information we give them. They learn what having their rights recognized means, and how they can go to the police when those rights are violated. What is life like for the women here? For the women in the camp, there are many challenges. Inside and outside the camp, they are vulnerable to assault. What is your message to the world? We ask the world to help the people of Darfur gain peace and security, and also assist us in returning to our villages. We are tired of life as displaced people. We have nothing here. INTERVIEW #3 What do the people say to you when you talk about human rights? When I tell people about human rights, they say that there are no human rights here in this camp and that they are suffering because of violations. Most of the people don't believe that there is such a thing as human rights. I tell them that human rights are validated in most parts of the world – that they are something for all the world to have and that people are working hard to bring about a better situation. The world is trying. Posted By: Emily Holland | Africa, Diaries & Journals, Sudan & the Darfur Crisis, Women, _Emily Holland in Darfur Permalink |
