To be a Human rights Activist
During the last eight years in Canada, I have moved from sector to sector trying to achieve my dream, which I am proud to say I have. Whenever someone asks about my experience, I would struggle to explain in few minutes, I reply that I am a human rights and social justice activist who came to Canada as a refugee, I naively thought this magic sentence would encapsulate my unique and intense experience of 30 diversified years of activism in dictatorial countries and patriarchal society and surviving both with my small family.
I would like to take this opportunity to enlighten my western professionals colleagues and friends to understand the difference between activists in democratic countries “now a days” and those in conflict areas, especially in the Middle East, where dictatorships are at their peak
While some in the West sadly have witnessed violence from terrorist groups, we, like many other countries and communities (Indigenous) , have faced state terrorism for all our lives. We spent most of our energy for the last decade volunteering to help vulnerable individuals and devastated communities while self-educating ourselves on human rights and surviving the machinery of war with almost no support or funds. To be Human rights activists in that area is not surviving alone, but with whoever you can help while escaping hell.
When you are there, Hope will give you this impetuous motive to help as everything collapses around you—your history, identity, friends, and family yet the only asset you might have is “limited English skills”, resilience, and an old laptop. Your experience, networks and education are not relevant anymore.
Imagine your community suddenly lacking any official bodies to turn to for help and support. Hospitals are destroyed or unsafe to visit due to the risk of death. Police and almost all government officials are against your community. Your government provides people with weapons but destroys and executes any aid or peaceful activists.
Imagine working with others like yourself, tirelessly and without pay, day and night, to remedy what your government is unceasingly destroying. You must stay vigilant and follow international trends to foresee the next crisis. Yet, rumors and disinformation frequently prevail, leading to new tragedies.
Lastly, and if you survived, Imagine that you lost all your data, archive, contacts and your memory starting to fade. You are avoiding looking back and remembering, You feel you want to erase your past to enjoy your life peacefully and without sad news. yet the news keep hitting you with no break!
This reflection is not just my story—it is a call to action for global systems that better support human rights activists and humanitarian workers especially when we cannot stop crisis from happening. These individuals, who give everything for the well-being of others, need tools, networks, and better frameworks to ensure their survival and amplify their impact within their communities.
Today, as a proud Canadian, I value the peace, growth, and opportunities this country offers. The resources available to build bridges of understanding and compassion are immense. I am grateful for every chance to learn, lead, and contribute to a society where activism can thrive without fear.
December 04, 2024
Toronto Ontario - CANADA