Perhaps there is nothing more telling about  the soul of a country than the way it treats its citizens. While we stand wringing our hands over our own country’s descent into brutal militarism, we are missing  a most hopeful sign:  human rights are being championed by an increasing number of  national institutions around the world.

What kind of changes are wafting on the global wind?

  • improved status of the Tsaatan minority in Mongolia
  • rescue of child soldiers in Uganda
  • The Independent Human Rights Commission of Afghanistan, in January 2005, launched a ground breaking report with input from citizens on peace, security, and justice.
  • probe into decades-old cases of forced disappearances in Mexico
  • documents on the training of police in Northern Ireland

“Building strong human rights institutions at the country level is what in the long run will ensure that human rights are protected and advanced in a sustained manner,” Secretary-General Kofi Annan stressed in a 2002 report. And that’s what – away from the media spotlight – appears to be happening.

Many of these national level institutions have been set up in conjunction with the UN, under the “Paris Principles”,“minimum standards concerning national human rights institutions”, adopted in 1993. Say what you want about the UN, when it comes to improving the human condition around the world, they very much hold the moral high ground.

Stay with me after the fold if you’re in the mood for a little uplifting of your own human spirit.
The Mechanisms

* The majority of existing national institutions can be grouped in two broad categories: “human rights commissions” and “ombudsmen.” Less common, but no less important, are the “specialized” national institutions which function to protect the rights of a particular vulnerable group.
* Such national institutions are not set up to replace the UN human rights organs or non-governmental organizations working in the same area. Their role is complementary, and a strengthening of such institutions can only enhance the effectiveness of both national and international human rights machinery.

There are institutions that encompass many nations and offer assistence to all. Such is The Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR)which includes in its membership 12 other nations such as Nepal, China, Afghanistan and Guatemala. The DIHR offers help in such multidisciplinary areas as law, political science and economics.

There are also many national institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission in India. This institution deals with such issues as the right to food, eliminating bonded labor, hospitals for the mentally ill, sexual harrassment, child labor and human trafficking, to name a few.

The Stories

*The Tsaatan, national minority of Mongolia
There are only 200 Tsaatan, divided among 40 households. The reindeer is vital to their existence and way of life. The National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia issued a study of the Tsaatan, highlighting their right to preserve that way of life, along with their language, traditions and culture. They are also entitled to services such as food, clothing,education, medicines, and care for their reindeer.

*Disappearances in Mexico

“The official probe into the forced disappearance of 532 people in Mexico during the 70’s and early 80’s had limited results until the Mexican National Human Rights Commission intervened and was able to throw light on that tragic episode.”

*Conflict areas in Uganda: Child Soldiers
“Despite the challenges of working in conflict areas, the Ugandan Human Rights Commission has investigated reports of recruitment of child soldiers and made recommendations on their reintegration into society.” I could not find much on what exactly the Commission has done for child soldiers or others in the war torn areas of Uganda. The fact that all the abuses are now documented and recognized is a major step in itself. One of the major tasks in Uganda is education about human rights. They are currently implementing such programs from the gradeschool on up.
[Update]: For an in depth look at the world of the child soldiers of Uganda, please read Sirocco’s excellent diary from a few weeks ago. It will move you. Thanks to Ask for reminding me.

The bottom line is that with UN leadership globally, local visionaries have been able to do such wonderous things as push through human rights legislation and establish national human rights entities. They are doing the basic work of education, breaking cultural barriers, raising the local discussions and awareness… and they are helping people. These organizations have teeth, they are making a difference.

“Defending human rights has a new tool in its arsenal. More than 100 national institutions have emerged in recent years to protect the rights of vulnerable groups. They are increasingly active in a wide range of human rights causes, from the prevention of torture and discrimination to conflict resolution.”

The next time your stomach flips at another report of US torture or misdeeds, take heart. There are those in the world who are doing wonderful things… one person at a time.

UN Actors for Change

Human Rights Commission of Mongolia

Danish Institute for Human Rights

Uganda Human Rights Commission

UN Human Rights Entities