Human Rights Education A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION CLUBS IN HIGH SCHOOLS IN INDIA To instil awareness on human rights among the young generation, the Institute of Parliamentary Affairs launched human rights education clubs in 145 high schools across the state of Kerala in 2015. This was the first state in the country to start such clubs with a coordinator in every school. District coordinators are also appointed to carry forward the project. In 2018, over 450 schools across India had opened Human Rights Clubs that aim to teach young students about values and attitudes related to human rights. The effect of the clubs on students is undeniable. Children learn how to identify the human rights issues that affect them, being able to share their problems and express their opinions without fear. They also feel empowered to claim their rights in unfair situations or when their rights are violated. Jayasurya, a student in the Government Adi Diravida High School in Tamilnadu, says that “If anyone violates our rights, we bring such violators to the notice of our teachers and we collectively tackle such acts”. Soosai explains that many results have been seen in the schools thanks to the Human Rights Clubs, from getting children who had dropped out of school back into education, to appealing to authorities in matters of water and sanitation, to even preventing child marriage. In 2019, Human Rights Clubs across the country are focusing on the new campaign ‘Our Safety, Our Rights’, which looks to prevent sexual abuse and protect children by creating awareness among children to understand and identify the various forms of abuse, especially sexual abuse. The campaign hopes to help children speak up and report abuse without fear of repercussion. Children are also encouraged to develop their own safety norms. A student from Government Girls High School, in Telangana, says: “the campaign ‘Our Safety, Our Rights’ taught me to move to safer places when we encounter dangerous situations and to shout loud for help”. Campaigns and initiatives continue developing in schools all across the country, and the clubs keep expanding. As Jayasurya from Tamilnadu says, “we should ensure such rights not only for the members of the young citizen’s Human Rights Club but also for the entire student community”. Human Rights Clubs empower youth in India; Amnesty International; May 2019 Learning for human rights involves building people’s ability to enjoy and exercise their own rights and to respect and uphold the rights of others. It encourages people to act in response to human rights violations and teaches them about the tools that could be used in that action. Human rights education stimulates and engages learners, with the aim of transforming people’s lives, the environment, the community and the broader society. Specific outcomes for human rights education may include, but are not limited to: • increased knowledge and general awareness about human rights, such as: –– –– –– –– –– –– 14 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments relevant domestic human rights legislation the historical processes that have prevented the realization of human rights the rights of specific marginalized groups mechanisms for addressing human rights grievances power relations and social forces.