Objectives Participants are able
• to gain insights into the concept of human rights and an overview of selected international and regional human rights instruments
• to formulate their own perspective on the universality of human rights
• to identify potential strategies for defending human rights in their own context

Human rights matter for peace work in at least three different ways. The denial of human rights can be a cause for conflict. Violent conflict often goes along with gross human rights violations. And human rights can serve as a vision for a just and peaceful society in a post-conflict setting.

In this training we uncover the origin(s) of human rights, give an overview of the most important international and regional human rights standards and apply these to selected case studies of human rights violations. Furthermore we will discuss the universality of human rights from different perspectives. We will share examples how human rights are effectively claimed and defended and how human rights defenders can be protected.

The training is relevant for all who want to gain a better understanding of the concept of human rights and who want to defend human rights or protect human rights defenders.