All I wanted for the world was to be more peaceful, less unjust, so why did the world turn against me ? and tried to take my breath and my life , and to distance me and youth like me away , or to treat us as a burden to society, as part of the problems, rather than the solutions. As a coalition aiming to engage youth in peacebuilding in the Middle East and North Africa, we tried to have a dialogue with our members from different countries, including those in war and conflict zones, where young peacebuilders and human rights activists are targeted the most.
Don’t have time to read? Download the guide for free
Endangered where we go!
Although it is noble to advocate for the rights of others, to try to build peace in your environment, ethical and moral leadership is never a luxury in our countries . It is not easy to be a young man and a leader in the field of peace-building or human rights, the very idea of leadership is rejected to you as a young person! and we as a youth- led coalition working to integrate youth in leadership position , we are interested in working in environments that embrace our principles , our values ! , and do not threaten us as a result of our pursuit of justice and peace-building in our divided societies, which are plagued by corruption, oppression and political exclusion, imprisonment, murder , and enforced disappearance of activists.
I Choose Life. Why does death choose me?
Our friend and one of the coalition members from Iraq says that the missed protection of young people working in the field of human rights and peace-building sometimes takes away their right to life . The goal is to stay alive, but the hands of the militias are far-reaching and violate the lives of human rights activists, whether through online threats or on the ground. These threats may not only target the activist but also their relatives, friends, and anyone associated with them!
One nation,multiple governments, and youth everywhere
As for our friends from Libya and Yemen, they tell us about their suffering due to the division of their countries into different governments. If you take an approval from one side for an event, the other may not give you approval because each side is affiliated with a different government, and it is a tragedy that we do not know how long this situation will last, and how long the young person working in the field of peace-building will be crushed between different governments , threatened by risks from here and there, whether the risks are the cancellation of his activities and initiatives, or threats to his safety or his disappearance, and it may even lead to his killing and the killing of those close to him!
How to stay alive then?
The mission that we are in as young people is valuable, and your presence is the first step to achieve our goals in peace, safety, respect for Human Rights, and not assassinating our dreams as young people, but the first goal for you as a young person is to stay alive, so how can you preserve your right to life and at the same time lead ?
“I think awareness of the surroundings is important. keep your eyes in your head, especially if you are a front line defender. It is important to measure the risks surrounding you, allow yourself to take a step back and act in a way that does not endanger you!” Said one of our members.
“Working within the legal framework is important. By being aware of the reality and the risks and using the tools that ensure your protection, it is important to make your steps legal as possible as you can” Added another member of the coalition!”
“Sometimes also, as a human rights defender in an environment that does not welcome you or understands the nature of your work or considers you an opponent, it is important to reformulate your human rights messages, your speech, and even your programs in a way that those opposing your work don’t perceive them as targeting or threatening” Another member continued.
“I try as much as possible not to come into direct contact with the political reality and authorities. I cannot as a human rights defender and a lawyer stop a police officer in anything he does ,but I try to do this indirectly and create alternative spaces.”Said by another member.
“It’s also important to build an international network of organizations. There are already organizations dedicated to protecting human rights defenders and advocacy work, and even relocating activists to other places until the danger or threat subsides, so any harm that comes to you here as a human rights defender poses a threat to the perpetrators and those threatening your life.” another member told us!
“It is important first of all to make sure that the place where you work is not very risky, otherwise you may be killed, imprisoned or disappear, and this would harm your work. Therefore it is important and a priority to find a safe place to work from first and that you are safe from risks.”One of our members explained
“Coordinating with different entities is important. With the presence of a number of governments in various Arab countries, each area is under its own government. Therefore, it’s important to coordinate with the different entity in your area so you don’t face threats or be held accountable by another government’s agenda, whether this government is in your country or another country” One of our members Concluded .
Play it safe
Moral and Ethical Leadership is to do something for the benefit of society and creating a space that is more free, safe, and inclusive. The balance between staying alive and staying true to ethical leadership is important ! Against the balance is the imbalance when you take risks without caring about the consequences or participating in a political party affiliated with the authority to try to pass your projects.
One of the writers says that one of the most dangerous things facing humans is surrendering and giving up their rights, something desired by any dictator in the world. No ruler or dictator can withstand the rage of their people, no matter what they possess . However, there are people who are able to temporarily give up their right to expression, speech and life, and building networks of local, party and international relations is important, but it never means in any way to give up or hand over your rights to any dictator, because the moment you give up defending your rights and the rights of people, is the moment when injustice triumphs and prevails.
