Youth Leader: Ruchama & PHR-Israel: Physicians Protecting Human Rights
Physicians for Human Rights PHR combine alleviation of human rights abuses on-site, conducting investigations into human right violations, advocacy and recommendations for policy changes.Physicians for Human Rights PHR combine alleviation of human rights abuses on-site, conducting investigations into human right violations, advocacy and recommendations for policy changes. Their commitment has just earned them the Right Livelihood Award, which often recognises visionary changemakers decades before the mainstream or Nobel comittee takes notice. It is worth learning more about their work, so crucial for people under pressure, while also providing a “protective shield” for the activists. PHR operate in more than 40 countries, one of them being – Israel.
by Jay Bookin, Youth-Leader Asia
Unless you have your head buried (deep) in the sand, it’s hard to be unaware of the human rights abuses going on around the world. Switch on the news, glance at a newspaper, listen to a current event broadcast… it’s unfortunately reality. As part of the youth I feel just frustrated about the fact that these things are going on, and I can imagine you’re even more aggravated. So, now what to do? Well incase you don’t know, since the end of World War II governments around the world have been negotiating and adopting a body of international and regional standards for human rights.
These rights set out the minimum obligations of governments in relation to individuals and communities and includes specific economic, social and cultural rights such as the right to health, as well as civil and political rights; the right to freedom of assembly. Here is a great video that explains the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
It is a fascinating, inspiring and optimistic framework, and one that has the potential to actually make a difference! All of this is monitored by the United Nations. You can download more info here:
Even though we have this worldwide agreement on human rights, sad but true that people are still being mistreated. We can “talk the talk” but can we “walk the walk”? The success of the human rights framework depends on the bringing human rights violations to light so that justice can be provided to the victims of abuse. With this in mind, it is organisations like Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) that assists in fulfilling this ideal. Founded in 1986 by a small group of doctors, PHR is centered on the belief that the unique scientific expertise and authority of health professionals can expose the human rights breaches and help develop solutions that will both end such violations and empower those involved: http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/about/
Since it’s inceptions, PHR has conducted pioneering research and field investigations in more than 40 countries. PHR works to prove the health consequences of human rights violations. It also uses its research for advocacy focused on demanding accountability for crimes and recommending critical policy changes.
PHR-Israel is one particular division of the organisation that strives to promote a more fair and inclusive society in which the right to health is applied equally for all. The Israel-Palestinian conflict is a sensitive issue with those on either side believing they are right.
It is PHR-Israel’s view that Israel’s prolonged occupation over Palestinian territory is the basis of human rights violations. For this reason they oppose the occupation and endeavour to put an end to it. PHR-Israel stands at the forefront of the struggle for human rights – the right to health particularly – in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
PHR-Israel believes in the power of the Israeli medical community to struggle against human rights violations, torture in particular, and support policies which ensure the active implementation of the right to health, in accordance with international human rights treaties, the principle of medical ethics: http://www.phr.org.il/default.asp?PageID=146.
So how exactly does PHR attempt to achieve all this?
The organization’s primary activity focuses on the right to health in its broadest sense, encompassing conditions that are prerequisites for health, such as freedom of movement, access to essential medical services, clean water, modern sanitary conditions, proper nutrition, adequate housing, education and employment opportunities, and non-violence. This perception of the right to health is expressed in General Comment 14 on the Right to Health by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
“The horrible thing is that torture happens and has devastating health and mental consequences, but there’s a lot we can do to help people” says Allen Keller, an PHR Volunteer. In this spirit, PHR-Israel endeavors to promote a society that is based on the values of human rights, solidarity, social justice, equality and mutual assistance for all populations under Israel’s responsibility.
International recognition: The Right Livelihood Award
The work of PHR-Israel has been recognised internationally. Just a few months ago, Dr. Ruchama Marton, President and Founder of PHR, received the Right Livelihood Award at the ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden
Ruchama Marton was born in Jerusalem in 1937, and was raised there and later in Tel Aviv. During her compulsory military service, she took part in the 1956 Sinai War, in which she witnessed numerous atrocities committed by Israeli soldiers. This experience had a deep and profound effect on Ruchama, and laid the foundations of her anti-militarist views and her human rights activity. She was subsequently discharged from the army, after refusing to obey orders. After her dismissal she studied medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and is now a psychotherapist and psychiatrist by profession. Not one to sit back and be silent, Marton established Physicians for Human Rights-Israel in 1988.
“For someone like me, who believes in equality and human rights, there was absolutely no choice” she says. It is the work of people like Dr. Marton that make sure that “human rights” are more than just a fuzzy feel-good expression. “For us, it is all about doing the right moral thing every day and it’s worth fighting, because maybe I don’t live in peace with my society, but I can be almost at peace with myself”. She is a leading example of good policy at work, and that by tackling the difficult issues the biggest difference can be made. “I do what I feel I have to do no matter what the result is”. It is the work and courage of people like Dr. Marton that makes the world feel that little bit smaller and more manageable. While she recognises that the road ahead is a long one, she is proud of the progress that has been made so far. “Though there is much more to achieve, we have come a long way”.
When it comes to doing something about issues going on half-way around the world, it can be hard to not feel a little discouraged. Dr. Marton suggests “being part of the group, as it gives you a sense of belonging”. In responding to human rights, the international community can put major pressure on violators and as a whole be an important driver of change. “The international community, in this epoch of globalization, can be of a huge importance and help. They can take part in the activity by joining in demonstrations or by speaking out in the media or creating pressure on their governments for protecting human rights”. She was subsequently discharged from the army, after refusing to obey orders. After her dismissal she studied medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and is now a psychotherapist and psychiatrist by profession. Not one to sit back and be silent, Marton established Physicians for Human Rights-Israel in 1988.
“For someone like me, who believes in equality and human rights, there was absolutely no choice” she says. It is the work of people like Dr. Marton that make sure that “human rights” are more than just a fuzzy feel-good expression. “For us, it is all about doing the right moral thing every day and it’s worth fighting, because maybe I don’t live in peace with my society, but I can be almost at peace with myself”. She is a leading example of good policy at work, and that by tackling the difficult issues the biggest difference can be made. “I do what I feel I have to do no matter what the result is”. It is the work and courage of people like Dr. Marton that makes the world feel that little bit smaller and more manageable. While she recognises that the road ahead is a long one, she is proud of the progress that has been made so far. “Though there is much more to achieve, we have come a long way”.
When it comes to doing something about issues going on half-way around the world, it can be hard to not feel a little discouraged. Dr. Marton suggests “being part of the group, as it gives you a sense of belonging”. In responding to human rights, the international community can put major pressure on violators and as a whole be an important driver of change. “The international community, in this epoch of globalization, can be of a huge importance and help. They can take part in the activity by joining in demonstrations or by speaking out in the media or creating pressure on their governments for protecting human rights”. As for her plans for the future, Dr. Marton hopes to end the occupation and develop genuine and civil relationships between Arabs and Jews in Israel. Moreover, she believes that the first step to ending the conflict and rebuilding relationships is admitting wrong. “It is about time we begin to understand the wrongs we caused, and make the rightful gesture of admitting it and ask for forgiveness, reconciliation, and do our best to repair it”. Despite the criticism her ideas face her efforts have been recognised internationally. On top of her most recent award, Marton has also received many prizes for her human rights activity, including the 1999 Emil Grunzweig Human Rights Award, the 2000 Helen Prize for Women, and the 2002 Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights. In 2005, she was one of 1000 women across the world nominated collectively for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Watch “Marton Race”, a short documentary on her work
This postgraduate student undertaking a Master of Social Development, puts strong focus on volunteer work and contributes to the communities he visited. He is all into giving time to those less fortunate than him. His volunteer experience has heavily involved teaching, leadership and teamwork exercises. He cares about a broad range of social issues, including poverty, the growing divide between rich and poor, domestic violence, youth unemployment, pollution, racism, HIV/Aids, and education. His commitment to volunteer work is a reflection of his values.
