What Image Opened Your Eyes to Human Rights?

Island-Chic — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:44:00 +0000

WITNESS is a nonprofit organization who promotes awareness on human rights and its abuse. For 16 years, WITNESS has used the power of imagery to promote human rights issues around the world through videos. They use video and online technologies to create awareness about human rights violations and “empower people to transform personal stories of abuse into powerful tools for justice, promoting public engagement and policy change”.

The organization was founded in 1992 by musician and activist Peter Gabriel and the Reebok Human Rights Foundation.

I came across an interesting campaign launched by WITNESS on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They compiled a short video with some of their staff talking about the specific images that opened their eyes to the issue of human rights and its abuses around the world. It was very touching and made me think back in time to look for the exact moment that made me realize the extent of injustice and suffering around the world due to abuse of human rights.

As a child I watched a video footage of a husband in Bosnia, watching his pregnant wife brutally slaughtered in front of him. I failed to understand the politics behind such actions then, I still fail to see it today. Yet, I understand the need to do our bit individually to the collective efforts put forward by organizations like WITNESS, in its advocacy to advance human rights to stop the suffering of millions.

Join their campaign and contribute to this cause. Tell WITNESS:

“What image opened your eyes to human rights? Was it an image or video that gave you hope, or did it show you how much further we needed to go and inspire you to take action?”

Join hands to stop child abuse!

Island-Chic — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:32:00 +0000

November 19th is the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, and this day is being marked in the Maldives throughout the week by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HCRM) in association with NGOs and various government agencies.

According to HCRM, the slogan for this awareness campaign “Prevention of Child abuse – My responsibility” highlights the spirit of this annual event and emphasizes the role of every individual in protecting the future of the nation.

There will be a symbolic hand-holding event in all the islands of the Maldives on 19 November 2008 at 4:30pm. Maldives Police Service would be leading the event which is planned to be held on Boduthakurufaanu Magu which encircles the capital, Male’. The official ceremony would take place at the Artificial Beach in Male’ after the hand-holding event.

All are invited for this event and it’s highly encouraged to let your commitment to the cause be seen. You can join the event at anywhere along the Boduthakurufaanu Magu or in any of the inhabited islands of Maldives and join in the stand against child abuse. Get more information on the event from HCRM and also join the Facebook group advocating against child abuse in Maldives.

In the Maldives an alarming issue related to child abuse is the fact that majority of the incidents go unreported and therefore a major change in the attitude towards the matter has to occur. According to Ministry of Health and Family, 316 child abuse cases were reported last in the Maldives and Child Pornography and social networking on the internet is a threatening matter that parents and guardians need to pay a special attention to in our society.

In addition to reducing child abuse in the society, the Maldives is in serious needs of protection of the rights of the victims, putting in place appropriate laws and regulations to ensure the safety and integrity of the child. As the issue is widespread and increasing at an alarming rate, there needs to be stricter regulations to bring perpetrators to justice. Moreover, we need strong institutions to protect and rehabilitate the victims physically as well as psychologically.

Island Chic's Babble» awareness

What Image Opened Your Eyes to Human Rights?

Join hands to stop child abuse!