Why are local and regional governments essential for promoting, fulfilling, and respecting human rights?
Because they are likely the ones with the greatest ability to reach citizens directly and raise awareness about human rights. If high-ranking officials do not respect them, it is unlikely that the general population will. It is in our hands to promote human rights through various communication channels (campaigns, advertisements, interviews… and many other actions).
Why are human rights relevant values and a useful framework for guiding local action?
Human rights are, by definition, the fundamental rights and freedoms that every person has simply by existing. A democratic government that does not respect them or strive to uphold them is inconceivable. Social policies at the territorial level must be based on respect for human rights, and governments must ensure they are not violated. In fact, laws should also contribute to this objective and, in cases of non-compliance, provide a path to accountability.
Girona joined a Catalan project several years ago called “Ciutats Defensores dels Drets Humans” (“Cities Defending Human Rights”), which aims to raise awareness about the work of human rights defenders and to help educate the citizens of our city on the importance of integrating human rights advocacy into our daily work. Therefore, we understand that the project being presented to us follows the same approach.
Annual invitations to human rights defenders to share their work with the city’s residents. This activity was interrupted during COVID but has been resumed.