Review 2016
Introduction
The third International Course on Human Rights and Asia, organized and hosted by the Human Rights Center of Seoul National University, served as an invaluable platform for participants to collectively strengthen their knowledge about human rights issues in the context of Asia.
The course brought together 36 participants from 21 countries: Albania, Bangladesh, Cameroon, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Netherlands, Philippines, United States, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.
The participants were of diverse professional backgrounds, consisting of activists, academics, radio journalists, researchers, civil servants, and lawyers. The diversity in culture and expertise greatly enhanced the learning process of the course as participants exchanged their experiences and thoughts on human rights challenges from multiple perspectives.
Approach and Content of the Course
The key feature of the course was its interdisciplinary approach in analyzing and learning about human rights. Such approach was beneficial in view of the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of human rights issues globally. It is important for human rights advocates to have a holistic view on various thematic issues.
Therefore, the course syllabus consisted of a wide range of subjects, for example: human rights mechanisms, transnational corporations and human rights, freedom of expression, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, religion, health, and transitional justice. The 2016 course also included contemporary topics, such as climate change and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in order to remain abreast of emerging human rights issues.
The sessions were conducted via lectures, presentations, group discussions, video screenings, and case studies by an esteemed group of 13 experts who have extensive knowledge and expertise in relevant subjects. The experts were from a variety of professional backgrounds, such as: social activists, university professors, representatives from the UN OHCHR, former UN Special Rapporteurs, current members of UN Working Groups, and researchers. More importantly, formal and informal discussions among the participants enabled the learning community to broaden perspectives and gain new ideas.
Throughout the sessions, participants were challenged to not only think in terms of the norms and processes of human rights mechanisms, but in the context of practical realities. For example, among others: in the session on freedom of expression, the learning revolved around the “restrictions on restrictions” and the emerging challenges of hate speech and cybercrimes; in the session on gender and sexuality, the concept of sexual orientation and gender identity were critically analyzed using the Yogyakarta Principles; and during the session on religion and human rights, participants explored the complex relations between the two, particularly on how religion and religious identity have become among the most powerful political forces affecting the human rights agenda.
Learning from South Korea’s Experience
Participants were also able to gain firsthand learning via a series of field visits to South Korean institutions and organizations related to human rights. Firstly, the group visited the Constitutional Court of Korea and participants were able to learn about the court processes directly from the Constitutional Court researcher. They were also inspired that the Constitutional Court has received over 27,000 complaints since its establishment in 1988, and it has made numerous progressive judgments to protect the freedom and fundamental rights of citizens and to uphold the values of the Constitution.
Thereafter, participants were divided into subgroups to visit five human organizations according to their interest. The five organizations were: The National Human Rights Commission of Korea, Migrants Workers Trade Union (MTU), Korean Sexual Minority Culture and Rights Center (KSCRC), Korean Lawyers for Public Interest and Human Rights (KLPH), and Human Rights Foundation (SARAM). The organizational visits were an opportunity for the participants to directly engage with grassroots practitioners and learn from them about the human rights challenges faced by different communities in South Korea. The participants were able to gain useful insights on advocacy strategies from the organizations, which would enhance the participants’ work back home.
Via the visit to the MTU for instance, participants learnt about the 381-day sit-in protest in Myeongdong in 2003 by the migrant workers against the Employment Permit System. The union leaders also shared about the continuing social discrimination faced by migrant workers in South Korea and how they are often at risk of being treated unfairly by employers.
During the course, participants also had the privilege to learn in detail about key human rights issues in South Korea through the lectures. The lecture by Professor Hyo-Je Cho examined the evolution of human rights in South Korea in parallel with the Korean War history and the nation’s multifaceted relationship with the UN and other international actors, upon which many of the current human rights and geopolitical issues are rooted.
Additionally, the session on the Japanese Military Sexual Slavery (“Comfort Women”) issue deeply moved the participants as they discussed about the historical and the postcolonial nature of the crime. Participants were able to watch a video on how the early survivors courageously broke their silence and testified about the atrocities that they had to endure. All in all, these sessions, along with the organizational visits, were highly empowering for the participants because they spoke about human rights in terms of the realities, sufferings, and lives of people on the ground.
Research and Advocacy Plans
The course programme included a group assignment and presentation on “Addressing Human Rights Issues in Asia through UN Human Rights Mechanism”. The assignment required each group to collectively research on a case study and to develop an advocacy strategy using the UN Human Rights mechanism. Many interesting case studies were analyzed, such as freedom of expression in Malaysia, enforced disappearance in Laos, workers’ rights in China, recent debates on history education in South Korea, and forced labour in Thailand’s fishing industry.
Furthermore, participants were required to prepare a research or advocacy plan before attending the course based on an issue that they are working on. They then had the opportunity to discuss it with the course director and present it to the group of participants for peer-reviews.
These assignments reflected the course’s intent for the participants to apply the lessons learnt in real life scenarios and their work. Participants were challenged not only to brainstorm on advocacy and research strategies, but also to take into considerations the various real-life restrictions and socio-political factors in the case studies. The multitude of feedback received from fellow participants was essential in enhancing ideas and improving analytical skills.
In solidarity for human rights
Many human rights issues are deeply rooted in historical and socio-cultural contexts, and they are becoming increasingly challenging today as more repressive structures and forces become stronger. The struggle for human rights and justice is an enduring process of change, which often seems difficult to achieve.
In this regard, perhaps the main success of the course lied in building solidarity and fellowship among the participants and facilitators, which is always essential in agendas for change. Through the course, participants are connected in recognition that each person is part of a common family with a common goal regardless of race, nationality, gender, culture, and ideology. Such connection and solidarity will remain way beyond the course and will continue to strengthen our resilience, effectiveness, and commitment in working for all human rights for all.
[Written by Tsu Chong Chan]
Words from the participants
I feel very privileged to be part of the course. I learned a lot and gained new perspectives on human rights and had better appreciation of the importance of mechanisms that are in place for the protection of human rights.
Anne Maureen Manigbas (the Philippines, Director of the Intership Program, Ateneo Human Rights Center)
I found the course to be very comprehensive, rigorous and relevant. The diversity in the group – in terms of nationalities, thematic issues covered and expertise of lecturers brought in a whole range of new knowledge and perspectives on human rights with reference to Asian countries. I would strongly recommend this course for human rights professionals and activists.
Harpreet Kaur (India, South Asia Researcher & Representative, Business and Human Rights Center)
I feel very impressed by HR and Asia. Such an eye-opening opportunity to learn more about HR frameworks in depth. The host organization pushed all hard work for all participants to get as much as we could, that I loved the most. It valued to be here.
Nada Chaiyajit (Thailand, Trans/Intersex Rights Activist)
I had a very positive experience! I especially enjoyed the diversity of subjects that were discussed and the interactive discussions. Also, the course was very well organized and the speakers were really good!
Eva van Aalst (the Netherlands, Advocacy &Gender Officer, BTC Hanoi in Vietnam)
