In a clarion call for action, Binaifer Nowrojee, President of the Open Society Foundations, addressed a gathering at the University of Pretoria during a public lecture hosted by the Centre for Human Rights.
Nowrojee warned of an unprecedented crisis facing the global human rights movement, characterised by an alarming rise in violations and a troubling regression in fundamental freedoms.
The Open Society Foundations, one of the world’s largest private funders of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights, has long championed causes that advance equality and combat discrimination globally.
The lecture, titled ‘The Future of Human Rights in a Changing World Order’, resonated with themes deeply relevant to March, which is celebrated as Human Rights Month in South Africa. Nowrojee urged the audience to reflect on escalating challenges to human rights across South Africa, the African continent, and beyond, questioning whether traditional frameworks and methodologies are still effective in addressing contemporary issues.
“We find ourselves at a crossroads,” she stated, emphasising the need for a comprehensive and strategic response to complex threats stemming from technological advancements, socio-economic disparities, and geopolitical tensions. “Human rights are not static; they are dynamic and must evolve to reflect society’s needs.”
Nowrojee’s address proposed six critical shifts that human rights advocates must embrace to ensure the movement remains relevant. Firstly, she emphasised that human rights strategies must align with the realities faced by the communities they serve, Nowrojee called for investments in grassroots movements to amplify marginalised voices. In South Africa, this could mean greater engagement with township-based advocacy groups addressing service delivery issues.
Secondly, she highlighted the need to move beyond traditional legal frameworks and embrace innovative approaches that drive tangible change and disrupt power imbalances. Nowrojee urged the inclusion of an intersectional analysis that acknowledges the interconnectedness of various social struggles. “We need to make rights relevant to the complexities of people’s struggles for justice and dignity,” she said
She contended that human rights discourse must address not just immediate concerns but also the existential threats facing future generations, including climate change and the risks of unchecked technological advances.
With the rise of a digital realm that challenges established norms, Nowrojee stressed the importance of prioritising digital rights, advocating for stronger privacy protections and equitable internet access.
She concluded by calling for transnational solidarity among human rights workers, noting that no individual, organisation, or country can tackle these unprecedented challenges alone.
Nowrojee encapsulated her vision for the movement, stating, “There are no clear or predictable paths of progress. The work of human rights is never complete; it requires continual renewal and commitment.” She implored her audience to go forward with courage and determination, stating that this is not a moment to retreat into despair but rather to unite in pursuit of a more just future.
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