Human rights topic - anyone interested?

[ScroobiousPip]

To talk about rights generally. This sort of stuff:

• women's rights (without necessarily coming from a feminist analysis)
• children's rights
• disability rights
• what happens when there is a conflict between rights, eg male circumcision.
• rights to be free from violence, eg DV on women, men and children

And everything else HR related.

Do you see it mainly as seeking and giving clarification about rights in certain situations? And maybe discussing the merits of those rights?

So eg Does my dd's school nurse have the right to give her a contraceptive implant without my knowledge? (Seeking factual clarification) And is that a good or a bad thing? (discussion)

i think we have this covered already.

if there was some kind of HR topic which highlighted campaigns on a world stage - such as excecutions of prisoners in other countries i might be interested

as is - not really

Derk- hadn't considered it as advisory (perhap legal section best for that), more for debating equality and discrimination issues.

It stemmed from the debate going on on the FWR board at the moment about the purpose of that board, and a feeling that there isn't perhaps a space for people interested in talking about equality and rights issues more generally, without stemming always from a feminist analysis. For example, talking about DV as an issues that affects both men and women.

Custardo - when you say this is covered already, where abouts on MN? Fair point not to be specifically interested though.

I would love a human rights board. I would think it could have a very broad focus -- to include both issues in the UK and worldwide.

I've seen some fantastic and really interesting threads on human rights on MN, I think there is a good audience for it.

Some things I'm thinking about at the moment...

The new UK immigration rules setting out minimum income levels for bringing a spouse in -- doesn't this violate the right to a family life? Why don't some people see this as a valid human right?

Is Syria the new Bosnia? Are we going to end up intervening but only after tens of thousands of civilians have been killed?

The proposed male circumcision ban in Germany

Also, I'm just really interested to see what other MNers are interested in! Whether it's something specific to their family or a broader cause, it's all good.

Yes, I think we should have one.

I would love a human rights board. It would give us non-UK members a chance to discuss issues in our own countries.

I also believe that it would be a wonderful place to discuss women's rights without rape myths being posted.

I would like this too. When I hear or read about things going on I wonder where to post or look for threads - In the News, Feminism, Chat etc.

It would be great to have a section where you could hear from people with experience or who have family connections to different cultures. And support threads for people taking part in campaigns such as Amnesty's Christmas Cards. Would make me feel like MN was less of a purposeless indulgence if I could easily learn something or take part in something too.

I would be disappointed if it was full of prisoners getting the vote and school nurse type stuff (sorry Derklugehans). There are a lot worse abuses of human rights happening everyday.

I'm interested in the rights of children, both in the UK and on a global scale.
That can conflict with the interests of the FWR board, so I'd appreciate the opportunity to discuss situations and possible ways forward in wider framework.

Love the idea of support threads for campaigns. I think that would be a great motivator (for me anyway) to actually get off my bum and do something, instead of raging at the injustice of it all.

For me, definitely more of an interest in wider causes - and human rights in the broadest sense - though no objection to stuff closer to home, eg,

• deportation where there is a risk of torture
• the Australian asylum seeker/boat people crisis
• making business more accountable for human rights abuses in their supply chain
• conflicts of rights, eg women's/children's rights v religious rights and cultural norms (male circumcision, women's rights to divorce/have custody of male children/drive a car etc)
• bringing the atrocities against civilians in Syria to an end
• ending the use of child soldiers

Good list Scroobius!

I really hope MN will go for this.

Me too! It would be wonderful to have a section we could have activism and we could all unite for the greater good.

The selfish part of me is excited because it would be so interesting for my course!

I'd love a HR board, particularly for global issues that, when discussed here, seem to get derailed or lost. I'm interested in learning more, and would live a space to discuss.

I'd probably be more interested in Equal Rights rather than Human Rights, but still interested in Human Rights

Even better as far as I'm concerned if it's activism on a global scale. I was obviously thinking too small.

Derk nothing is too small, I think

You can have a very interesting discussion about the conflict between children's rights and parents' rights based on your example, children's rights to healthcare/reproductive health, etc.

Ooh, yes, I agree. If the MN fairygodmother ever grants our wish, it would be nice to see the board as a very open place where posters can discuss anything with a human rights or equality dimension, whether local, national or international. Inclusive, rather than exclusive, iykwim.

I agree. Would be interesting, and hopefully very constructive...

I think the idea is that a lot of people are interested in women's rights, but not necessarily versed or interested in feminist theory. Or perhaps interested in other aspects. So obviously feminist analysis would be welcome and helpful but there's not an expectation that everyone would be discussing from that baseline.

I would love this. I would love a discussion on child rights, for general interest and for selfish academic reasons

I'm also interested in intersectionality, how factors like race, class, gender, disability intersect in people's lives.

I'd really like an Equalist, or Human Rights topic - there's a quickly-shifting picture, nationally, Euro-wide, and international where choices and freedoms do have a very strong intersectionality ( at the diction), and specific topics are not designed, or prob. equipped to absorb all of them.

Sorry, Wickety!

Popcorn, pretty much what dreaming said. And also, sometimes there are conflicts between women's rights and other minority rights where a very strict feminist analysis is Imo of limited value in discussing where the balance of rights should lie.

Btw, does anyone know whether MNHQ will see this thread? I've been working on the assumption that they are omnipresent and all knowing...

Yes MNHQ, I think a Human rights topic is a great idea.

Good idea Scroobius.

This could be a really interesting addition to the boards.