Step 4. Define the human rights-based narrative
Human rights based narratives
The primary goal of human rights-based narratives is to build alternative ways of thinking of and living in a society in order to challenge the mainstream public discourse. One rule for building a human rights-based counter-narrative is always to promote respect for human dignity and solidarity among groups and individuals.
A narrative aimed at countering hate shall not include any form of hate speech or discrimination itself, and especially not reinforce schemes of hate and scapegoating. Its aim is to promote, protect and increase the rights and opportunities for all, not for a single group or individual. does not define an ‘ingroup’ and an ‘outgroup’, nor does it speak in terms of divisions between “us” and “them”, or between ‘superiors’ and ‘inferiors’. A human rights-based narrative speaks the language of universality of human rights.
Explanation
In this step it is important to bring in the theme of human rights into your narrative building, that will later on shape your messages. This thinking will help you to promote its principles and values through your messages and actions. In other words, the story you tell your audience will need to highlight, call, promote, focus on values, principles, actions, approaches, sentiments related to Human Rights and democracy.
Messages will highlight, call,
promote, focus on values, principles,
actions,approaches, and sentiments
related to human rights
How? First just start writing a short paragraph describing what you find important and believe others should know about. Don’t overthink it, try to invite your audience to reflect on a question or statement and give your arguments. Such arguments can be based on information, your personal observations and/or experiences.
Once you have your initial paragraph, reflect on your story, your narrative, using the reflective questions. Then start redrafting focusing on what is important, try to identify the key 1 maximum 2 principles you need to communicate in response to the hate speech you are trying to address. Try to keep it short, which is the first step to drafting your final message you will communicate
Remember human rights-based narratives focus on human lives, spotlighting common humanity, human dignity, equality, respect, valuing each other. Having a clear human rights narrative helps draft the message that transmits concepts of acceptance, dialogue, cooperation, non-discrimination, unity, and solidarity. Human Rights Based Narratives provide a clear contrast to the hate narrative and appeal for a human and positive alternative.
Reflection questions
- What is in the core of the narrative (your story) you want to develop, what do you want to tell people with it?
- Who does this narrative support and how? (eg. the victims of hate speech, or persons in vulnerable position) Is it positive, how does it explain their rights and membership of the community, etc.
- What are you saying about other groups? (e.g. Are you mentioning haters, and if so how, remember don’t attack, ridicule or patronise, but break the cycle of hate)?
- Does the narrative respond to reality, and fit the context of the audience?
- How does this narrative affect your and others’ lives?
- What does this narrative intend the reader to think, feel, do?
- Which human rights does it celebrate, explain and promote?
- How does your narrative contribute to the culture of human rights?
The ‘Human rights based messages can…’ list under step 5 can also be a useful list to guide your drafting and re-drafting of a human rights based narrative process.
Read more
In the "WE CAN! Taking action against hate speech through counter and alternative narratives" :
- Chapter 5.5 A human rights based approach to narratives, p. 82-86
- Chapter 6.2 Responding through Human Rights and Chapter 6.2 Developing competences through action, p. 93-96
- the step-by-step guide provides a more detailed approach to drafting of the narratives, see Chapter 7.2 Design the counter narrative, steps 1 to 4, p. 129-137
Quick start guide to the human rights narrative builder tool