Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter shares his perspective with human rights defenders from around the world at a July conference hosted by The Carter Center.
Last July The Carter Center brought together nearly 70 activists, peacemakers, and religious and community leaders from 36 countries for the annual Human Rights Defenders Forum.
The conference theme — “Restoring Faith in Freedom” — was chosen because of the sense that many people across the globe are losing faith in the institutions and principles that have long guided them.
The group spent four days discussing pressing issues — income inequality, the rise of authoritarianism, the backlash against human rights defenders — while also looking for ways to restore the social contract, rebuild faith, and recommit to the indivisibility of human rights.
Defenders shared their successes, challenges, and frustrations. Here’s what three had to say:
Daoud Nassar
Nassar is founder and executive director of Tent of Nations, an educational and environmental farm in Bethlehem, Palestine. His family has fought a 27-year legal battle with authorities who want to confiscate his land.
“When people live under a difficult political reality, with no hope, and are threatened by violence, there are typically three options: violence, resignation, or emigration. But Tent of Nations espouses a fourth option: We refuse to be enemies.
Four important principles inform that fourth option: (1) We refuse to be victims. (2) We refuse to hate. (3) We live with our faith. (Nonviolent resistance is a way of life, not just a strategy.) (4) We believe in justice.
We convert negatives into positives. For example, we are not allowed to have electricity, water, or building permits. So we use solar power, collect rainwater in cisterns, and we build underground. We believe that things are possible even in very difficult situations, and that we can make a difference. Whenever you face challenges, don’t sit down. Stand up.”
Marilia Ramos
Marilia Ramos is a member of Repórter Brasil, which seeks to provide information to influence policymakers and public opinion in the fight against slavery and human trafficking.
“Sometimes we have this sense that human rights issues are the same for everyone, but really every country has its own struggles. In Brazil, since 1995, there has been a policy to combat slave labor, which is now being dismantled. We’re trying to sensitize the population to this issue and to press for its maintenance.
We face opposition from the public and private sectors, as well as the rural caucus, because they don’t want the country to look bad, or cause problems in their supply chains, or face financial restrictions from international investors.
We continuously publish pieces on important issues. But we also partner with public schools to insert information about modern slavery and related issues into the curriculum. That has raised awareness and helped prevent more cases.”
Leah D. Daughtry
The Rev. Leah D. Daughtry is president and CEO of On These Things, which helps businesses and organizations strengthen capacity and build coalitions and partnerships that advance the common good.
“For the past seven years, my organization has been working in the mountains of Appalachia, where there is entrenched long-term poverty. As in many disadvantaged communities, there was a lot of mistrust; the struggle for limited resources tends to fracture communities. Because of the long-term effects of poverty, there’s also a lot of depression.
Our work has been to identify and leverage resources that already exist in Appalachia to help people empower themselves — to give them the push to create their own solutions, elevate local voices, improve the schools and the economy, bring new services, and create new possibilities for young people.
Over time, we’ve been able to help them collaborate. And after seven years, we’re starting to see a turning of the corner.”
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