Global Campus Europe: EMA

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https://reponew.gchumanrights.org/handle/20.500.11825/42
European Master in Human Rights and Democratisation Theses written in partial fulfilment of master's degree

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Browsing Global Campus Europe: EMA by Subject "advocacy"
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    Advocating for migrants rights at EU level : an analysis of advocacy activities concerning the 2011 amendments of the Frontex regulation
    ( 2013) Ott, Rika ; Foblets, Marie-Claire
    The respect, protection and fulfilment of migrants’ rights count amongst the most pressing human rights challenges the European Union (EU) and its Member States are facing. At the same time, migration is increasingly framed and treated as a security or economic issue. In this context, migrants’ rights advocacy towards EU decision-makers becomes increasingly important. However, the advocacy practices of pro-migrant groups at EU level have so far received little attention in scientific research. This thesis explores these practices focusing on advocacy in the legislative process concerning the regulation amending the mandate of the EU border agency Frontex in 2011. Its main findings result from a qualitative content analysis of data gathered in semi-structured interviews with staff members of five pro-migrant groups by use of categories deduced from interest group research. The analysis sheds light on concrete advocacy activities, identifying influence strategies and channels of influence used, as well as information provided to decision-makers. Furthermore, based on findings and insights gained during the research process, characteristics of migrants’ rights advocacy at EU level are suggested, which can be seen as signs of a professionalisation of this advocacy. This study demonstrates the applicability of concepts from interest group research on migrants’ rights advocacy, while also identifying needs and opportunities for further theory development and research.
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    Celebrity diplomacy: much needed UN facelift or effective tool of human rights advocacy? : best practices of the UN goodwill ambassadors and messengers of peace with special focus on eliminating violence against women
    ( 2012) Briestenska, Vladimira ; Herczeg, Petra
    Globalization, advancement of information technology, media entertainment spectacle, empowerment of civil society and expectations of the global publics have been essential factors in grounding the acknowledgement of the Celebrity Diplomats as an inherent fact of the International Relations. Neoliberal globalization has created a need for private individuals such as celebrities, multilateral institutions, and civil societies to provide services that are not longer being provided by governments. In this respect, the United Nations created programmes of the Goodwill Ambassadors and Messengers of Peace requesting the Celebrity Diplomats to lend their star power to various causes and to gain the attention of public and international leaders. But are the United Nations Celebrity Diplomats truly effective in helping the United Nations to achieve its objectives or they are rather co-opting struggles from across the world and making themselves the stars instead? In order to tackle the raised dilemma, the master thesis examines main critiques, risks, and benefits together with the legal framework of the United Nations Ambassadors Programmes. Moreover, the research examines and identifies the best practices a performance of the selected United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors and Messenger of Peace with a special focus on eliminating Violence against Women.
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    Defending human rights in Colombia: the battle of Rios Vivos Antioquia Movement against the Hidroituango dam
    ( 2019) Rincón Henao, Diana ; Morondo Taramundi, Dolores
    The construction of the Hidroituango- the largest dam in Colombia- has produced serious environmental and social impact on the population surrounding the project. That is why inhabitants affected by the dam founded the Rios Vivos Antioquia Movement (RVAM) to fight against this construction and defend the human rights of the community. This research analyses the strategies used by the movement in its opposition to the project, the support of external actors in the development of those strategies and the outcomes at the local and national level. To frame the empirical data, a review of the theoretical approach about social movements and human rights defenders is presented. In addition, the research explored tactics used by RVAM to persuade, socialise and pressure in human rights violations campaigns, according to Keck and Sikkink frames and the contentious politic defined by Tilly and Tarrow. To analyse the movement’s strategies, this thesis used data from RVAM's website and is based on interviews with leaders of the movement and external actors that have supported them. This analysis concluded that although the social and environmental strategies developed by the movement have not succeeded in stopping the construction of the dam, these actions have resulted in the strengthening of social struggle in the area and the empowerment of women. In addition, these strategies exerted pressure on the government to set up collective protection measures for human rights defenders in risk in the whole country. Furthermore, the accompaniment of external actors has helped to develop networks with other organisations and to increase the international advocacy for the movement. The battle of RVAM is not only against the construction of the dam but also against the current development model that violates the human rights of individuals and groups around the world. Key words : Social movements, human rights, human rights defenders, human rights violations, Rios Vivos Antioquia Movement, Hidroituango, dam, strategies, advocacy.
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    Iranian human rights defenders in the Diaspora. A needs assessment of Iranians in European exile
    ( 2020) Alvano, Olivia ; De Stefani, Paolo
    Human rights defenders are the key to protect human rights on local levels. Their importance was recognized through the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms from 1998. But recently authoritarian regimes such as Iran have closed down on the space for civil society, leading to a migration wave of activists. These activists are forced to live in exile, facing challenges due to their new surroundings as well as due to their continued activism from distance. Not many organisations have the specific situation of exiled human rights defenders in focus although exiled activists can achieve immense change for their authoritarian home country. In the theocratic Islamic Republic of Iran, the persecution of all kinds of human rights activists increased with the Green Movement in 2009 and many activists left first to either Turkey or Iraq and, if possible, continued their way to either Europe or the United States of America. They reformed in exile and created different initiatives to support their life in exile. The author interviewed two persons living in exile and two organisations working in the field of human rights defenders, trying to draw out the gaps between the needs of the activists and the offered support by organisations, also showing that there is a need to support the creation and strengthening of an Iranian activists network in European exile. In conclusion, civil society’s work is just at the beginning in what they could achieve and in an era of rising populism and authoritarianism diasporas are a tool not used enough to pressure the different governments and actors. Keywords: authoritarianism; human rights defenders; exile; diaspora; Iran; activist networks; transnational advocacy networks.
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    The other CSR: can "celebrity activism" create a culture of celebrity social responsibility?
    ( 2008) Jon, Hari ; Finlay, Graham
    Going to Africa, campaigning for human rights, or speaking on behalf of the United Nations (“UN”) has become the new fashion among celebrities today. The last few years have therefore seen a marked increase in the depth of celebrity involvement in human rights causes. Increasingly, stars are opening their eyes to global issues; and are using their fame and the medium which they work within to speak out on specific causes with a view to influence political outcomes. By all means, this is a welcoming development and what some celebrities are doing is more than what some of us do for the world. However, critics argue that some celebrities are doing more harm than good and question where their true motivations lie. Others, however, view celebrity activists as inspirational role models who are truly passionate about their causes. The question then remains as to whether celebrities can really have a positive impact. At the end of the day, issues such as the Darfur crisis attract immediate media and public attention thanks to celebrities. Although the answer to global problems may not be celebrities, it is important to understand the power of celebrities articulated through their various functions in modern society. However, given the special status conferred on celebrities, does it logically follow to assert that they have greater social responsibility? Or is the recent phenomenon of institutionalising celebrities into the UN a smart way to educate and guide celebrity activists to become more socially responsible? The truth is that more and more celebrities are beginning to realise that an attractive justification for their fame is to wield it for good ends.
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    Social media impact on human rights advocacy
    ( 2023) Falcone, Francesca ; Hedžet, Ajda
    This thesis seeks to shed a more holistic light on the overall impact of the influence of social media on human rights advocacy. It does so through an exploration and analysis of relevant literature and illustrative case studies. In doing so it tracks down the main non-state actors who take part in generating such digital advocacy and how the approach to advocacy as a whole is being shaped by the growing use of social media platforms. The thesis gives space to the two side of the discourse: the cyber-positive point of view which believes social media are positively impacting human rights in general and its advocacy, the thesis dealt with two example of such view the support of social movement and hacktivism; and the cyber-pessimist point of view which believes social media are destined to become a tool of authoritarian regimes. The thesis intends to find a possible balance between this two side of the spectrum using real cases of social movement who have been deeply and famously impact by social media. Such cases are the Egypt revolution of 2011 and the more recants protest of Black Lives Matter.
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