Human rights are the fundamental rights that each individual has on account of being human. Human rights guarantee and protect our right to live a free and just life with dignity and honor. These rights guide humanity and ensure that we treat one another as beings with thoughts and emotions. They bring in the subjectivity into something as objective as the court of law, because, at the end of the day the human beings, and the world we live in isn’t black and white – it is tinged with shades of grey.
Our fundamental rights, however, are under attack and have been under attack since time immemorial. We see human rights violations every single day – when guns are pulled out in schools and tons of innocent children are shot dead, when a person becomes a suspect just because of their skin tone, and when a people are silenced by a government who couldn’t care less about what their country wants.
Lebanon, a country in crisis, saw their human rights threatened when their people took to the streets in October 2019 to agitate against their autocratic government of political elites. To protest is an intrinsic part and structural necessity of any democracy. And when this fundamental right is villainized by those in power, when the people protesting are treated as enemies of the state and convicted like criminals, it is indeed a sign of something terribly wrong. It is at times like these, when now more than ever, people must band together and stand up for what is right. Lebanon Abroad, a non-profit organization, based in Sydney, Australia, is a group of such people that strives to take care of and look out for Lebanese people across the world. Lebanon Abroad came into being when the rights of the Lebanese people came under fire during their protests in 2019.
Since then they have been not only taking, under their wing, new arrivals for Lebanon who are attempting to settle down and fit into a brand new society but have also been working to uphold fundamental the human rights of the Lebanese that have been so viciously attacked, to the best of their ability. Here are a few ways in which Lebanon Abroad has aided the cause:
Crime, Corruption, and More
Corruption within the government of Lebanon has been one of the pivotal points of contention for the protestors. When the elite become accustomed to their power, they also become complacent in doing what they were given their power for – that is to protect their people. With deep-rooted systemic corruption in the system, governance becomes a murky ordeal, and it is the people, usually at the lowest end of the strata, who suffer the most at its hands. It is evident with the current economic crisis in Lebanon where local businesses are shutting down, and the common people aren’t so much as able to access their bank accounts. Lebanon Abroad, as an NPO, can focus its efforts on rooting out corruption by encouraging citizens themselves to start reporting immoral and illegal acts of corrupt individuals. Corruption cannot exist without the people who engage in it, and so by encouraging the people to become aware and conscious, Lebanon Abroad helps citizens take the first step towards a corruption-free society.
Similarly, when human rights are pushed down, crime and injustice rear their ugly heads. To combat this violence against rights and make the world a little fairer, what NPOs like Lebanon Abroad can do is partake in the legal system by, for example, helping prosecutors determine whether a case falls under the jurisdiction of the International Court or should be left to the national courts. In cases of cybercrime as well, NPOs offer assistance by guiding citizens in improving their online security.
Aid and Assistance:
As seen with the demonstrations in Lebanon, things can get out of hand very quickly and very suddenly. In November 2019, an attack was launched on peaceful Lebanese protestors with sticks and metal rods and as recently as January 2020, in what is being called the ‘week of rage,’ the Lebanese police fired tear gas and water cannons at hundreds of anti-government protesters. In situations such as these, where hundreds of innocents are injured and also suffer near-fatal wounds, there is a need for instant medical aid. With the help of NPOs, one can build up a community of trained individuals who can provide immediate assistance. NPOs like Lebanon Abroad offer training programs for the common people in things like first aid, mouth to mouth resuscitation, and so on and then connect them with lifesaving clubs so that when the need arises, these individuals are ready and equipped to deal with the emergency.
NPOs also assist State Emergency Services by preparing people to deal with any disaster or emergency. In a violent clash during a protest, for instance, these NPOs can aid in the aftermath by repairing damaged infrastructure, looking after the injured and getting them the care that they require, and so on. To protect human rights, NPOs first humanize these victims of human rights violations. And so, they look after the less privileged by providing them with regular meals and temporary shelter.
Similarly, on account of recessions, economic crises, many people lose their jobs, and Lebanon abroad, as an NPO, can assist these people in finding new sources of income so that, at the very least, they can get by.
Power to the Movement
NPOs are finally a platform to spread awareness and information about ongoing crises and what one can do to help. They get people to care about those that are suffering and mobilize the masses to do something about it. Lebanon Abroad, through its social media and regular blogs, keeps people updated on what is happening in Lebanon. They also organize protests and marches remotely to show solidarity with the people of Lebanon. When it comes to human rights, NPOs as civil societies – the link between the State and its citizens play a fundamental role in upholding the values of democracy and a just society.
Pierre El Sokhn
