ROOTS 1+2
Advocacy toolkit
Toolkit
www.tearfund.org/advocacy_toolkit
Section G4
Advocacy Cycle Stage 4
Taking action:
Using human rights
Section G4: Human rights perspectives
• A philosophical or moral approach
Rights are inherent to all human beings and are
based on their common humanity
• A legal approach
Rights are entitlements that are outlined in
international and national laws
• A sociological approach
Rights are based on historical and political context,
are dynamic and can change over time
Section G4: Why do some Christians
engage with human rights?
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Balance between rights and responsibilities
Useful in advocacy work
Provide a universal common framework and language
Basis of equality and inherent dignity
Initially drafted by Christians, motivated by faith
Enshrine entitlements to basic human needs (eg life)
Improve the lives of poor and vulnerable people
Complement Christian values and understanding
Section G4: Why do some Christians
not engage with human rights?
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Balance between rights and responsibilities
Individual rights versus collective rights
Discomfort with some rights
Lack of enforcement measures
Economic pressures leading to non-delivery of rights
by some states
Section G4: Types of human rights
• Civil and political rights
Demand immediate implementation
Require the state to respect individual freedom (eg
right to vote, freedom from torture, freedom from
arbitrary arrest)
• Social, economic and cultural rights
Demand longer-term implementation
Require the state to contribute actively (eg right to
education, health, work, participation in cultural life)
Section G4: How can human rights
be used in advocacy?
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For individual cases of human rights abuses
For collective actions
As a means of claiming basic entitlements
As the basis for any project or programme designed to
influence decision-makers (usually in government)
Section G4: Human rights in
international treaties
• Soft law
Negotiated moral commitments
Not legally binding
(eg UN Declaration on the Right to Development)
• Hard law
Laws, treaties, rules, instruments and decisions
Legally enforceable
(eg UN Convention against Torture)