How can you use a human rights-based approach to negotiate conflicts?
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Conflicts are inevitable in any community, especially when different groups have diverse interests, values, and needs. However, conflicts can also be opportunities for dialogue, learning, and positive change. How can you use a human rights-based approach to negotiate conflicts? This article will explain what a human rights-based approach is, why it is relevant for community organizing, and how you can apply it in four steps.
A human rights-based approach (HRBA) is a way of thinking and acting that puts human rights at the center of any decision, policy, or intervention. It means that you respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of all people involved in a conflict, especially those who are marginalized, discriminated, or oppressed. It also means that you hold accountable those who have the duty to respect, protect, and fulfill those rights, such as governments, institutions, or corporations.
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Faisal Kutty
Lawyer, TEDx Speaker, Writer, Assoc. Prof. of Law Emeritus (Valparaiso University), former Adjunct Prof. (Osgoode Hall Law School), Affiliate Faculty Rutger's CSRR
A human rights-based approach to negotiate conflicts would mean emphasizing the following core principles: equality, dignity, and non-discrimination. Such an approach must promote open dialogue, mediation, and the rule of law as essential tools in resolving conflicts. Civil society engagement and international cooperation in promoting and upholding human rights in conflict resolution efforts will be critical because without this parties may never even come to the table. Additionally, I would underscore the importance of accountability, justice, and adherence to international human rights frameworks in negotiations, focusing on addressing the root causes of conflicts rather than short-term solutions.
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Dr Monica Horten
Independent policy advisor with expertise in online safety, technology & human rights. PhD, DipM. Published author & post-doctoral scholar. UK and EU. Former tech journalist. Experienced panelist & Chair. Media savvy.
The right to express yourself, and be respected for your views, even if they are not what the other person wants to hear, is surely a fundamental building block in conflict resolution. Human rights are the foundation stone of freedom and justice and democracy in any community. It's about respect for the rights of others, including their right to express their opinions. These rights apply regardless of race, religion, nationality or political positions. I believe that a human rights approach to conflict negotiation begins here.
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Jackie Abramian
Founder, Global Cadence | Corporate Communications Strategist | Social Enterprise/NGO Board Member | Contributor: @EuroNewsweek @Ms. @The Progressive @Impact Entrepreneur - previously @ForbesWomen @HuffPost
Using a human rights-based approach to negotiate conflicts must first and foremost consider the critical role of women and girls in a community or a country. It should underscore how their value-added contributions to the betterment of the whole community, can only be achieved by ensuring their safety, security, and equal rights. Providing a safe space for women and girls as well as men and boys, to express thoughts without being judged and silenced, creates the foundation for healthy dialogue and discourse that can lead to new, creative ideas and solutions that equally serve all those in the community–without discrimination based on roles and gender.
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A human rights-based approach can help you achieve several goals as a community organizer. First, it can help you identify the root causes of a conflict, such as inequality, injustice, or exclusion. Second, it can help you mobilize people around a common vision of dignity, justice, and empowerment. Third, it can help you advocate for systemic change and hold duty-bearers accountable. Fourth, it can help you build trust, solidarity, and cooperation among different stakeholders.
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Niall Shannon FCMI
Fellow Chartered Management Institute, Professional Security Manager
In my experience by using a Human Rights-Based Approach in community organising ensures equality, empowers marginalized groups, and fosters participation. It promotes accountability, leading to fair governance and ethical behaviour. By addressing interconnected rights and safeguarding vulnerable populations, it creates inclusive, just, and empowered communities, driving sustainable social change.
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William Doyle-Marshall
An Outstanding Media Professional Available to Enhance Your Operation
It is necessary to consider people for their abilities. To emphasize negative and discriminatory practices of the past are useless. We are living in a time when people's contributions will naturally be different. That will open our eyes to practices we may not even consider. So open up and expect the unexpected.
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Joe Ingino
EDITOR/PUBLISHER at OSHAWA/DURHAM CENTRAL NEWSPAPER
One thing that in modern times that we keep forgetting... it is about you and me. It is about what is good for your family and mine. Today politicians become entangled in greed and confusion. This leading to agenda. Agenda that creates friction and looses the essence of who we. Human Beings.
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Niall Shannon FCMI
Fellow Chartered Management Institute, Professional Security Manager
Needs Assessment and Participation: Engage the community to identify needs and priorities, ensuring diverse voices are heard. Program Design and Implementation: Develop initiatives based on identified rights and needs, ensuring they align with international human rights standards. Monitoring and Accountability: Establish mechanisms for regular assessment. Hold duty-bearers accountable, ensuring transparency, responsiveness, and fairness. Evaluation and Learning: Regularly evaluate the impact of programs, focusing on their effectiveness and their adherence to human rights principles. Learn from successes and challenges, adapting strategies for continuous improvement.
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Joe Ingino
EDITOR/PUBLISHER at OSHAWA/DURHAM CENTRAL NEWSPAPER
We may fill this page with cliche... the fundamental element is keep it human. Cater to the primal instinct and needs. Any variation creates tension and confusion in a society that lacks intellect. We know a little of everything and a lot of nothing.
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Adarsh Kumar Jain CEO for MEP.PMC.INFRA REAL ESTATE
Joined as head of operations of a well renowned Jains worship trust in Shri Mahaveerji Distt, Karauli Rajasthan
We all are human and it's our first and last prime consideration to treat every human with deep humanity, what it may come? Leaving behind his or her position cast greed and the post they hold
Before you engage in any negotiation, you need to understand the situation and the actors involved. You can use tools such as conflict analysis, stakeholder mapping, or power analysis to identify the sources, dynamics, and impacts of the conflict. You also need to identify the human rights issues and the rights-holders and duty-bearers involved. You can use tools such as human rights indicators, legal frameworks, or human rights impact assessments to do so.
Once you have a clear picture of the situation, you need to define your objectives for the negotiation. What are the human rights issues that you want to address? What are the changes that you want to see? What are the roles and responsibilities of the different actors? You can use tools such as problem tree analysis, SMART objectives, or theory of change to define your objectives. You should also consider the ethical principles and values that guide your approach, such as participation, inclusion, transparency, or accountability.
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Muhammad Hossein Muzaffari
Center for Peace and Dialogue
This question is based on the prevailing human rights system that was framed to protect the rights of citizens against violations by the state. In other words, international law of human rights established a vertical relation between the State and individual and therefore a human rights victim may complain that the state have directly violated their rights if an agent of the State, for example a police officer has done something wrong that led to the state responsibility. This is called the vertical application of human rights.
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Muhammad Hossein Muzaffari
Center for Peace and Dialogue
By the end of the cold war, non-state actors increasingly got involved in all forms of armed conflicts and as a result civilians and specially women and children were trapped in most conflicts. Not only had the conflicting parties have not abide the humanitarian norms governing the armed conflicts, but also human rights standards are being violated. Therefore, the human rights of civilians are violated in new forms of conflict and there is an urgent need to address grave violations of human rights in conflict.
After you have defined your objectives, you need to design your strategy for the negotiation. How will you communicate your message? How will you engage with the other parties? How will you manage the risks and challenges? You can use tools such as negotiation styles, communication skills, or conflict resolution techniques to design your strategy. You should also consider the best practices and standards that inform your approach, such as human rights principles, codes of conduct, or do-no-harm principles.
Finally, you need to implement and evaluate your action for the negotiation. How will you execute your strategy? How will you monitor and document the progress and outcomes? How will you learn from the experience and improve your practice? You can use tools such as action plans, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, or feedback mechanisms to implement and evaluate your action. You should also consider the sustainability and impact of your approach, such as human rights mainstreaming, capacity building, or advocacy.
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Niall Shannon FCMI
Fellow Chartered Management Institute, Professional Security Manager
In addition to the steps mentioned earlier, there are several other considerations when implementing a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) in various contexts: Cultural Sensitivity: Capacity Building: Legal Framework: Data and Research: Resource Allocation: Conflict Sensitivity: Partnerships: Children’s Rights: Gender Equality: Environmental Sustainability: Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation: Non-Discrimination: By considering these factors, HRBA can be implemented more comprehensively, addressing the nuanced challenges faced by communities and individuals, and ensuring a more inclusive and effective approach to human rights promotion and protection.
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Syeda Saima Shabbir
Senior Research Officer at Supreme Court Pakistan
Listen carefully to each party involved, showing empathy and understanding. Try to understand the emotions and perspectives of all parties. If appropriate, consider involving a neutral third party, such as a mediator. Encourage participants to identify their underlying needs and interests. Be willing to make concessions when necessary, but ensure that it's a fair and balanced process. Establish trust and credibility to create a positive atmosphere for negotiation. Maintain a respectful and civil tone throughout the negotiation, avoiding personal attacks or blame. Consider the long-term relationship and consequences of the negotiation. Once an agreement is reached, document it clearly to avoid future misunderstandings.
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Nicholas O. Walker
Founding Principal Partner at VetVest Group, LLC - a Self-Identified Opportunity Zone Fund Resource
The steps listed sounds like an individual (organizational) action. I believe commUNITY issues are conflicts (conflicts defined as the Quality of Living I/my family expect vs the quality of living I/my family has today). This is a principal of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). The question, then, become: How can AI improve the dynamics of the human condition to better determine (vs discernment): 1. The true commitment of leadership and followship 2. The quality of our issue priority selections in terms of cost/benefit. What say You?
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