Saturday, 21 October 2017
On Saturday, 21 October, 2017, Front Line Defenders hosted the first Dublin Human Rights Festival, at the Science Gallery Dublin. Together with partners the Dublin City Council, the Science Gallery, the National LGBT Federation (NXF), National Women's Council of Ireland, Amnesty International Ireland and The Irish Council for Civil Liberties, the event featured panels focused on key international human rights issues and engaging creative workshops presented by Clowns Without Borders, Dabbbledoo Music, Vocalism and Righteous Verse (see full schedule below videos).
Panel 1: Women Who Dare
Panels
In partnership with National LGBT Federation, National Women's Council of Ireland, Amnesty International Ireland and The Irish Council for Civil Liberties.
12:15 – 13:30 Women Who Dare: Defending Gender Rights
Across the globe, women and those who defend their rights face serious risks. Refusing to be silenced or intimidated, women human rights defenders Seham Osman from Egypt, Hauwa Haruna from Nigeria and Baia Pataraia from Georgia will join us in Dublin to share their experiences leading the indigenous Nubian struggle in southern Egypt; fighting for the rights of women to live free from gender-based violence in the territories controlled by Boko Haram in Nigeria, and being targeted, threatened and harassed for fighting for the rights of women and the LGBTI community in Georgia.
Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, will chair this panel discussion.
13:45 – 15:00 Dying for Equality: Global Fight for LGBTI Rights
While the fight for LGBTI rights and equality in Ireland has come a long way in the last 20 years, it is far from over. Moreover, around the world our LGBTI siblings still risk being attacked, criminalised or even killed just because of who they are. At the forefront of the struggle for equality, and risking their lives for it, are Caleb Orozco from Belize, Ibtissame Lachgar from Morocco and Farzana Riaz from Pakistan. Come hear from these LGBTI defenders and hear their inspiring stories from winning the case to decriminalise homosexuality in Belize; to standing up to the powerful oppressive regime in Morocco; and the everyday struggles in the life of the first officially recognised transgender woman in Pakistan.
This panel will be chaired by Adam Long of NXF (National Gay and Lesbian Federation).
15:15 – 16:30 Lethal Lands: Why Activists Are Killed Protecting the Planet
Environmental human rights defenders are the defenders most at risk of losing their lives in the defence of our most precious resource. As the rising death toll on our environmental frontiers continues to escape international attention, meet human rights defenders Rodrigo Mundaca from Chile, Nonhle Mbuthuma from South Africa, and Artur Grigoryan from Armenia. These environmental rights defenders struggle to defend the environment and protect natural resources from destructive mining projects, illegal extraction and corrupt businesses and politicians. Irish journalist and author Paul Cunningham will chair the panel.
16:45 - 17:45 Techie How To: Outsmart Online Surveillance
A crucial element of a secure environment for Human Rights Defenders is data protection at work, but this issue is also gaining more importance in our own everyday lives. The Front Line Defenders digital security team will explain tactics used for online spying against human rights defenders as well as giving you an insight into your personal data security options and informing you about measures that will make your browsing safer. We will also hear from the International Network of Civil Liberties Organisations on their project aimed at preventing online surveillance and data retention.
This panel will be chaired by Liam Herrick of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.
Workshops
Featuring workshops by Clowns Without Borders, VOCALISM and Dabbledoo Music as well as spoken word poetry performances with Erin Fornoff and body printing by oh my days!
12:30 – 13:30 Clowns Without Borders
Don your biggest red nose for a circus skills workshop for kids! Clowns Without Borders work in refugee camps all over the world with kids just like you who want to learn how to balance on their tippy toes in oversized shoes. Parents and guardians are dared to join in if they can! The wonderful Kim, Ria and Aoife are also happy to answer any questions from grown-up kids who want to know more about their challenging and important work.
14:00 – 14:45 Dabbledoo Music
DabbledooMusic creates accessible music education resources and services for schools, teachers and children everywhere. Join Shane and Killian for a DabbledooMusic workshop and allow your children to explore the personal and social benefits that music education can offer. Parents and guardians are welcome to join in too. No "natural talent" required!
15:00 – 16:00 VOCALiSM
Let’s get vocal! This workshop is tailored especially for adults with an interest in human rights campaigning, whether professionals or volunteers. Together with vocal coach, Dónal Kearney, you will learn to identify the elements necessary for good storytelling and work to hone your story - whether it’s your own or that of a human rights defender. Using his training as a vocal coach, Dónal will explore how best to present your story to your audience. Expect to focus on stance, breathing techniques, warm-ups, and ways to use those nerves to connect with your audience!
16:15 – 17:30 RIGHTEOUS VERSE
Fresh from publishing her first collection of poetry, Erin Fornoff curates an hour of spoken word and protest poetry, with performances from Sahar Ali, Felicia Olusanya, Colm Keegan, Oisín McKenna, John Cummins and Raven. These poets have won All-Ireland Poetry Slam Championships, featured in their own award-winning Fringe shows and performed on stages all around the world. Come along and see for yourself how activism and creativity can be a force of nature when they collide.
The Dublin Human Rights Festival takes place as part of Dublin Social Inclusion Week.
