Human Rights Mobilization

Events in the Philippines, Russia, and India show how human rights-related issues unfold. They also provide opportunities for Canadian learners to understand them, empathize with the oppressed, and respond constructively.

First, in the Philippines, take the case of Maria Ressa. She is the CEO and editor-in-chief of Rappler, the Philippines’ largest independent online media organization. Rappler’s growth was facilitated by considerable investments in technology and journalistic resources. It also depended on partnerships and distribution through social media platforms, especially Facebook.

However, this same global social media platform has been abused. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s regime associates, as well as his supporters’ networks, have harassed Ressa and Rappler journalists. They have even created disinformation campaigns using Facebook. This has culminated in the conviction of Ressa, her key deputy, and her company by regime-sympathetic courts for the crimes of “cyber libel” and tax evasion.

Second, in Russia, opposition leader Alexei Navalny exposed corruption and critiqued the current regime using social media, particularly YouTube. The Russian government has responded in kind, leveraging centralized organized disinformation campaigns and broadcast media to discredit Navalny as well as use courts to try to silence him.

Third, in India, farmers and the government have both taken to social media, as well as organizing in-person activities, in their ongoing conflict.

In sum, these events demonstrate the global reach of human rights abuses as well as online and offline responses to these oppressive actions.