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Browsing Other University Publications by Subject "A Path to Dignity"

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    Educating the community about, through and for human rights: Learning from a path to dignity
    (University of Peradeniya, 2019-03-29) Dambagolla, Kalpani
    A Path to Dignity (2012) directed by Ellen Bruno is a documentary film that highlights the power of human rights education. Critically analyzing the documentary film, this paper examines how equality in human dignity and rights could be achieved through Human Rights Education (HRE). It discusses how dignity and equality are practically attained as presented in the three successful cases in India, Turkey and Australia, centered around three protagonists, i.e., an Indian girl named Premalatha, a Turkish woman named Evrim Gul and Police of Victoria respectively. This paper further assesses these three cases of the film as pedagogical and research tools in understanding HRE. How can people exercise, protect and promote human rights if they have never learned about them? It is true that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserts the human dignity and rights, but how can a person claim their human rights when he/she does not have the right to right in their respective societies? All these questions can be answered by 'educating the community through, about and for human rights.' [United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training (UDHRET) – 2011, Article 2]. By educating the community, vulnerable/marginalized individuals in society like a child of Dalit community in India and a Turkish woman who experiences domestic violence can combat discrimination and prevent violations of Human Rights. On the other hand, government workers in the context of policing, like Victorian police as presented in the film, should protect and promote human dignity and rights in the contexts of investigations, arrest, custody, using force or firearms and providing victims' assistance. As the film sets forth, HRE empowers individuals to bring positive changes to their respective societies, and therefore, HRE should reach the grass root level of every community to ensure dignity and equality. Ultimately, HRE creates human rights facilitators who encourage others to learn and develop their own potential. Hence, it is important to understand that Human Rights Education is 'a Path to Dignity.'