South Africa
Blog: The Sharpeville Massacre: Defeat or Backfire?
From the 1960's to this day, the Sharpeville massacre under apartheid
South Africa has been regularly cited as a clear-cut example of why nonviolent action doesn't work. As part of our series on nonviolent struggle, we take a closer look at what happened on that fateful day when women, children and men were shot dead by police, and its aftermath. Was the only possible conclusion that armed struggle was going to be the only option? What might such levels of repression mean
for the relevance of unarmed methods of fundamental change?
Blog: WHY NONVIOLENT STRUGGLE? (1)
How can this thing called "nonviolent action" work? Over the last 100 years, against seemingly insurmountable odds and always to the surprise of official analysts and media pundits, unarmed civilians have prevailed over the power and weapons of some of the world's worst human rights abusers and most brutal dictatorships. There's a long list, but highlights include the Shah of Iran, Poland's Jaruzelski, Marcos in the Philippines, Pinochet in Chile, P.W. Botha and apartheid rule in South Africa, not to mention a few Soviet-style regimes behind the Berlin wall.
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Blog: From Pain to Compassion, from Victim to Victor: Hearing the Stories that Heal
The cycle of violence can be broken. On interTactica this week, we get acquainted with two people, featured in our "Healing of Memories" dialogue, who haven't given up on hope.
In 1990, Father Michael Lapsley was a chaplain in exile, working with the African National Congress (ANC). He had left his native South Africa some fourteen years earlier, on the heels of the Soweto massacre, because of his opposition activities to the system of Apartheid.
But now was a more hopeful time in the history of South Africa. Nelson Mandela had, at long last, been released from prison. Soon after, Father Lapsley received a small package of religious magazines, unbeknownst to him most likely sent by South African security operatives. As he opened the first periodical, a sophisticated letter bomb blew both his hands, broke all windows, shattered his ear drums, destroyed one of his eyes, and tore a hole through the floor.
Challenging the government to make defiance of pharmaceutical patent laws legal
In June 2000, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) began importing generic HIV/AIDS drugs in defiance of patent laws to pressure the drug companies to reduce the cost of drugs as well as pressure the South African government to allow the importation of generic versions of patented drugs. The goal of the tactic was to increase access to affordable HIV/AIDS prescription drugs for all South Africans.
TAC’s Defiance Campaign established a network of doctors and pharmacists who prescribe high quality, low cost, generic medicines sold in other countries to South Africans infected with HIV/AIDS. As a result, TAC experienced increased support and the political leverage necessary to provide affordable treatment to South Africans with HIV/AIDS.
Using a nomination campaign to identify new constituencies for human rights
The 5-in-6 program in South Africa raises awareness of the widespread problem of domestic violence through a nomination campaign for male role models. Volunteers go house to house asking women and children to nominate men in their lives as “Everyday Heroes.” The nomination forms – more than 50,000 have been returned – are displayed in churches and community centers, raising the public profile of the campaign. The men are invited to meetings where they discuss ways to fight domestic violence in their communities. The name of the program comes from the statistic that in South Africa one man in six abuses the women in his life.
Forming savings clubs to create greater independence for women
The 5-in-6 program helps women in South Africa use the collective power of human and financial resources to lobby for land, houses and other social needs. Communities participating in his program use savings as a foundation from which cooperative action builds a larger social movement while accumulating monetary resources. Among women, this creates communal support and economic independence.
Blog: Organizing Tips for Citizens Tribunals
Photo cc: bloomsberries.
A mock tribunal is not a kangoroo court. The more your mock tribunal adheres to recognized standards of a fair trial, and resembles the existing proceedings in your country, the more credibility the endeavour can earn.
We have explained previously how citizen-based mock tribunals make good use of premonitory power, discussed the impact of repressed testimonies towards making truth and reconciliation possible, and covered 14 things to think about before you organize a mock tribunal.
In this last piece on paralegal forums, we turn to practical advice on conducting non-governmental "trials", with some ideas for follow-up activities that can prolong and widen the tribunal's impact.
Blog: Before you organize a mock tribunal: 14 things to think about
Photo cc: JaHoVil
When faced with problems such as weak or no enforcement of human rights law, or even the lack of proper national legal instruments, how can you determine whether a mock tribunal is the right tactic for you? What factors should you weigh in before you decide?
And if you thought a citizen-based tribunal could be a useful tactic, how would you go about organizing it? What are some of the steps involved in setting up such a large-scale, public event? For instance, how should you choose those who will play a direct part in it, especially judges (or commissioners)?
In A Mock Tribunal to Advance Change, Mufuliat Fijabi has helped us answer those questions. The following checklist includes some of her advice, and other tips.
You can quickly scan through the list to see what organizing a tribunal entails. The checklist includes 11 "before you organize" items, and 3 "early prep" tasks.
Blog: Hard truths and the way of the anger and the tears
photo cc: mick y
When whole systems were erected for the sole purpose of repressing and silencing you, how do you recover your voice?
On far too many continents, in far too many remote villages, tumultuous townships and forgotten urban alleyways, whole generations have witnessed their pregnant daughters being raped as evening entertainment for armed men, have survived the terror of disappearances in the dead of the night, and have seen the charred bodies of their sons in bombed car carcasses.
Where can these communities turn for a silver lining of justice, a possibility to heal and recover, a sense that the future may be livable?
When the level of atrocities finally recedes, what great big tide can come to cleanse with salty waters the bruised bodies and tortured souls left as wrecks on the shores of history?
Truth be told. Reconciliation is hard. But the only thing harder than that, apparently, is a lifetime of bitterness and hatred, being eaten away with fantasies of revenge, and the unspeakable grief that secret crimes beget.
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