Human rights education

In order to be able to promote, respect and defend human rights, we all need to know the existing human rights, their respective contents and the people concerned by the rights. To paraphrase the Latin maxim ‘nemo censetur ignorare legem’ - No one is deemed to be ignorant of the law. It is essential for everyone to know their human rights and the best way to make these known is through education. The interns are given the opportunity to carry out workshops and discussions to provide human rights education to various categories of people who otherwise are unaware that such rights exist. Such people have never been educated about their rights and the rights of others and this is essential before we can expect them to treat others with such respect. As well as workshops, volunteers enter communities to talk to the people there to find out their views on certain issues and discover what else needs to be done. Pamphlets and other sources of information may also be handed out to those who need it regarding various issues that are prevalent in the area, for example HIV/AIDS, childcare and housing grants. The groups we work with include children, abused women, prisoners and detainees.

Human Rights Education is a huge proportion of the work we do here at PAHRO and a key aspect that runs through the centre of most projects we are involved in. Click here for a look at the types of projects that are currently being run at PAHRO.