International: Fundamentalisms and human rights

We wish to refocus attention on, and awareness of, this report from a 2005 meeting to help key actors from several organizations that promote and defend human rights to identify guidelines on the warning signs of fundamentalisms. (Rights & Democracy)

In November 2002, WLUML convened a meeting on the theme of warning signs of fundamentalisms and it became evident that it was both important and urgent for human rights organizations to take stock of this phenomenon.

In response to the work that clearly needs to be done on this issue, Rights & Democracy hosted a three-day meeting, in May 2005.

It was acknowledged that all participants, whether they are involved in human rights groups, women’s rights groups, social justice organizations, are working in the field of human rights and, as such, represent a human rights organization. The use of the term “human rights organizations” in the agenda and during discussions refers specifically to international human rights organizations (IHROs) that have been and continue to be active in constructing the normative framework through which the many dimensions of human rights have been defined (covenants, conventions, declarations, guidelines, principles, etc.).