Mikael Hertig
Kort over Sønderborg Kommune
Alternativets spidskandidat til Byrådsvalget Mikael Hertig foreslår, at Sønderborg skal søge om at blive godkendt som “Menneskerettighedskommune”. De fleste kendte menneskerettighedsbyer er metropoler som fx Barcelona. Men der er intet til hinder for, at også mindre byer som Sønderborg kan blive menneskerettighedsby.
Op til kommunevalget handler det også om at inddrage civilsamfundet i bredeste forstand. Foreninger, kirker, mindretal som grønlændere eller indvandrere.
Kort sagt er en menneskerettighedskommune både et område og en proces, hvor byråd og indbyggere giver hinanden håndslag på at opretholde og fremme menneskerettigheder som vejledende principper for al forvaltning. Højt prioriteret er værdighed, retfærdighed, inklusion og deltagerdemokrati på kommuneniveau.
En menneskerettighedskommune indfører og integrerer eksplicit integrerer menneskerettighedsprincipper og -love, såsom dem i Verdenserklæringen om Menneskerettigheder, i sin lokale forvaltning, politikker og samfundspraksis. Den lægger vægt på deltagerdemokrati, hvor beboere og myndigheder i fællesskab engagerer sig i læring, diskussioner og handlinger for at realisere økonomiske, sociale, politiske, borgerlige og kulturelle rettigheder på lokalt niveau.
Sådanne kommuner sigter mod at forbedre indbyggernes livskvalitet ved at sikre inkluderende samfundsengagement i forvaltningen; byrådene i disse kommuner prioriterer menneskerettigheder i beslutninger vedrørende bolig, uddannelse, sundhed, miljø og social inklusion. Initiativer inden for menneskerettighedskommuner bekæmper diskrimination og sigter mod at give alle individer, herunder marginaliserede grupper, mulighed for at gøre krav på og nyde deres rettigheder.
Der er som nævnt tale om en proces. Man starter med at erklære sin vilje til at forandre kommunen i overensstemmelse med en række internationale konventioner og aftaler.
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-is-human-rights-cities-zyUfCSF7Rwyxw7chsQr5tw
A Human Rights City is a municipality that explicitly adopts and integrates human rights principles and laws, such as those in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, into its local governance, policies, and community practices. It emphasizes participatory democracy, where residents and authorities collaboratively engage in learning, discussions, and actions to realize economic, social, political, civil, and cultural rights at the local level.
Human Rights Cities emerged in the late 1990s as part of the global human rights movement and local municipal activism, aiming to apply human rights standards directly to the daily lives of city residents. They focus particularly on economic, social, and cultural rights, reflecting the local context and often tailoring human rights to community-specific charters and laws that may go beyond international standards. These cities act as both local communities and socio-political processes centered on human rights as fundamental values.
Such cities aim to improve residents’ quality of life by ensuring inclusive civic engagement in city management, and governments in these cities prioritize human rights in decisions relating to housing, education, health, environment, and social inclusion. Human Rights City initiatives also address discrimination and aim to empower all individuals, including marginalized groups, to claim and enjoy their rights.
The concept was formalized at the 2011 World Human Rights Cities Forum in Gwangju, South Korea, and has since seen adoption in various places worldwide, including cities in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Examples include Rosario (Argentina), the first declared Human Rights City in 1997, and several European cities like Vienna, Barcelona, and York.
International bodies like the UN Human Rights Council recognize the importance of local governments in promoting and protecting human rights, highlighting Human Rights Cities as effective at linking human rights principles to citizens’ everyday needs. However, there is currently no universal accreditation or standardized assessment system for Human Rights Cities, though frameworks and networks exist to support development and knowledge exchange among these municipalities.
In summary, a Human Rights City is both a place and a process where local governments and residents commit to upholding and advancing human rights as guiding principles for governance,https://humanrightscities.net/about-us/what-we-do/ prioritizing dignity, justice, inclusion, and participatory democracy at the city level.
Human Rights Cities implement international human rights standards locally by formally adopting human rights principles and integrating them throughout their municipal laws, policies, and practices. This includes:
-
Declaring a human rights commitment, often through a formal declaration or charter that explicitly links the city’s governance to international human rights norms.
-
Establishing structures and mechanisms within local governance to embed human rights standards in daily municipal functions, such as service delivery, public space management, and support for vulnerable groups. These mechanisms provide methods and resources to apply a human rights-based approach in planhttps://humanrightscities.net/about-us/what-we-do/ning and development.
-
Developing rights-based policies on key issues under the city’s control, such as housing, education, health, environment, and social inclusion, ensuring these policies respect, protect, and fulfill human rights. This may be done through participatory approaches to include community voices, especially marginalized groups.https://www.hlrn.org/img/documents/Gwangju%20Guiding%20Principles%20for%20Human%20Rights%20City%20adopted%20-%202014.pdf
-
Allocating appropriate human and financial resources to support human rights implementation. This involves budget allocation, adapting procurement systems, and establishing monitoring procedures to ensure accountability.
-
Promoting transparency, community participation, and trust building through open communication and inclusive decision-making processes, often supported by technology and information sharing.
-
Engaging in networking and knowledge exchange with other human rights cities and international organizations to share good practices and strengthen local human rights work.
-
Training local officials and community members on human rights standards and local obligations, and conducting hearings or consultations to explore human rights conditions in the community.
-
Aligning local human rights efforts with broader goals like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through integrated planning and multi-stakeholder engagement involving civil society and other partners.
In summary, Human Rights Cities localize international human rights by embedding them institutionally and operationally in governance with commitments, structures, policies, public participation, resource management, and cross-sector collaboration to make human rights relevant and actionable in the daily lives of their residents.
The key principles that define a Human Rights City include:
-
Equality and Non-discrimination: Ensuring all residents are treated without dischttps://menneskeret.dk/files/media/dokumenter/om_os/om_menneskerettigheder_diverse/fn_verdenserklaering_fil.pdfrimination and that affirmative actions may be taken to address inequalities.
-
Participation and Inclusion: Promoting broad, inclusive, and meaningful civic engagement where all people, especially marginalized groups, can participate in decision-making processes.
-
Transparency and Accountability: Local governments operate openly and are answerable to their residents, building trust and allowing people to hold authorities accountable.
-
Respect for Human Rights as a Guiding Norm: Human rights principles—based on international standards such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—serve as the foundation for governance, policy-making, and municipal actions.
-
Participatory Democracy and Social Justice: Building a democratic environment that empowers residents to influence policies affecting their lives, advancing social solidarity and justice.
-
Good Governance and Legality: Ensuring local policies align with legal human rights obligations and are implemented in a coherent, sustainable manner.
-
Culture of Human Rights: Promoting education, awareness, and empowerment so individuals understand, claim, and exercise their rights.
-
Social Inclusion, Solidarity, and Sustainability: Striving to strengthen social cohesion, protect vulnerable groups, and sustain resources for future generations.
-
Collaboration and Networking: Engaging in partnership with civil society, other municipalities, and international networks to share knowledge and enhance human rights practices.
These principles serve as the basis for making international human rights standards actionable and relevant in the local context, improving quality of life, governance, and community empowerment.
The international frameworks guiding the principles of a Human Rights City primarily include the following:
-
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): The foundational international human rights instrument that serves as a guiding norm for governance and policy-making in Human Rights Cities.
-
The Gwangju Guiding Principles for a Human Rights City: Adopted in 2011 at the World Human Rights Cities Forum in Gwangju, South Korea, these principles provide concrete guidance on what constitutes a Human Rights City, emphasizing placing individuals at the center, empowering them to claim their rights, and ensuring participation of marginalized groups in decision-making.
-
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Human Rights Cities align their efforts with SDGs, especially goals related to education, health, housing, water and sanitation, gender equality, and employment, localizing the implementation of these global development goals through a human rights lens.
-
European Frameworks and Declarations, such as the European Charter for the Safeguarding of Human Rights in the City and the Global Charter-Agenda for Human Rights in the City adopted under the Council of Europe and other regional bodies, offer guidance and practical frameworks for the localization of human rights standards.
-
UN Human Rights Instruments and Declarations: The UN supports the role of local governments in protecting and promoting human rights within the scope of their authority, as seen in instruments like the New Urban Agenda.
-
Additionally, the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) Framework on Human Rights Cities (2020-2022) provides tailored guidance for European cities on embedding human rights standards into their policies and daily life, including foundations, structures, and tools to operationalize human rights locally.
Together, these frameworks collectively shape the principles of equality, non-discrimination, participation, transparency, accountability, social inclusion, and good governance that Human Rights Cities commit to integrating into their local governance and community life.
_______________________________________________________
A Human Rights City is a municipality that explicitly adopts and integrates human rights principles and laws, such as those in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, into its local governance, policies, and community practices. It emphasizes participatory democracy, where residents and authorities collaboratively engage in learning, discussions, and actions to realize economic, social, political, civil, and cultural rights at the local level.
Human Rights Cities emerged in the late 1990s as part of the global human rights movement and local municipal activism, aiming to apply human rights standards directly to the daily lives of city residents. They focus particularly on economic, social, and cultural rights, reflecting the local context and often tailoring human rights to community-specific charters and laws that may go beyond international standards. These cities act as both local communities and socio-political processes centered on human rights as fundamental values.
Such cities aim to improve residents’ quality of life by ensuring inclusive civic engagement in city management, and governments in these cities prioritize human rights in decisions relating to housing, education, health, environment, and social inclusion. Human Rights City initiatives also address discrimination and aim to empower all individuals, including marginalized groups, to claim and enjoy their rights.
The concept was formalized at the 2011 World Human Rights Cities Forum in Gwangju, South Korea, and has since seen adoption in various places worldwide, including cities in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Examples include Rosario (Argentina), the first declared Human Rights City in 1997, and several European cities like Vienna, Barcelona, and York.
International bodies like the UN Human Rights Council recognize the importance of local governments in promoting and protecting human rights, highlighting Human Rights Cities as effective at linking human rights principles to citizens’ everyday needs. However, there is currently no universal accreditation or standardized assessment system for Human Rights Cities, though frameworks and networks exist to support development and knowledge exchange among these municipalities.
In summary, a Human Rights City is both a place and a process where local governments and residents commit to upholding and advancing human rights as guiding principles for governance, prioritizing dignity, justice, inclusion, and participatory democracy at the city level.
Human Rights Cities implement international human rights standards locally by formally adopting human rights principles and integrating them throughout their municipal laws, policies, and practices. This includes:
-
Declaring a human rights commitment, often through a formal declaration or charter that explicitly links the city’s governance to international human rights norms.
-
Establishing structures and mechanisms within local governance to embed human rights standards in daily municipal functions, such as service delivery, public space management, and support for vulnerable groups. These mechanisms provide methods and resources to apply a human rights-based approach in planning and development.
-
Developing rights-based policies on key issues under the city’s control, such as housing, education, health, environment, and social inclusion, ensuring these policies respect, protect, and fulfill human rights. This may be done through participatory approaches to include community voices, especially marginalized groups.
-
Allocating appropriate human and financial resources to support human rights implementation. This involves budget allocation, adapting procurement systems, and establishing monitoring procedures to ensure accountability.
-
Promoting transparency, community participation, and trust building through open communication and inclusive decision-making processes, often supported by technology and information sharing.
-
Engaging in networking and knowledge exchange with other human rights cities and international organizations to share good practices and strengthen local human rights work.
-
Training local officials and community members on human rights standards and local obligations, and conducting hearings or consultations to explore human rights conditions in the community.
-
Aligning local human rights efforts with broader goals like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through integrated planning and multi-stakeholder engagement involving civil society and other partners.
In summary, Human Rights Cities localize international human rights by embedding them institutionally and operationally in governance with commitments, structures, policies, public participation, resource management, and cross-sector collaboration to make human rights relevant and actionable in the daily lives of their residents.
The key principles that define a Human Rights City include:
-
Equality and Non-discrimination: Ensuring all residents are treated without discrimination and that affirmative actions may be taken to address inequalities.
-
Participation and Inclusion: Promoting broad, inclusive, and meaningful civic engagement where all people, especially marginalized groups, can participate in decision-making processes.
-
Transparency and Accountability: Local governments operate openly and are answerable to their residents, building trust and allowing people to hold authorities accountable.
-
Respect for Human Rights as a Guiding Norm: Human rights principles—based on international standards such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—serve as the foundation for governance, policy-making, and municipal actions.
-
Participatory Democracy and Social Justice: Building a democratic environment that empowers residents to influence policies affecting their lives, advancing social solidarity and justice.
-
Good Governance and Legality: Ensuring local policies align with legal human rights obligations and are implemented in a coherent, sustainable manner.
-
Culture of Human Rights: Promoting education, awareness, and empowerment so individuals understand, claim, and exercise their rights.
-
Social Inclusion, Solidarity, and Sustainability: Striving to strengthen social cohesion, protect vulnerable groups, and sustain resources for future generations.
-
Collaboration and Networking: Engaging in partnership with civil society, other municipalities, and international networks to share knowledge and enhance human rights practices.
These principles serve as the basis for making international human rights standards actionable and relevant in the local context, improving quality of life, governance, and community empowerment.
The international frameworks guiding the principles of a Human Rights City primarily include the following:
-
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): The foundational international human rights instrument that serves as a guiding norm for governance and policy-making in Human Rights Cities.
-
The Gwangju Guiding Principles for a Human Rights City: Adopted in 2011 at the World Human Rights Cities Forum in Gwangju, South Korea, these principles provide concrete guidance on what constitutes a Human Rights City, emphasizing placing individuals at the center, empowering them to claim their rights, and ensuring participation of marginalized groups in decision-making.
-
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Human Rights Cities align their efforts with SDGs, especially goals related to education, health, housing, water and sanitation, gender equality, and employment, localizing the implementation of these global development goals through a human rights lens.
-
European Frameworks and Declarations, such as the European Charter for the Safeguarding of Human Rights in the City and the Global Charter-Agenda for Human Rights in the City adopted under the Council of Europe and other regional bodies, offer guidance and practical frameworks for the localization of human rights standards.
-
UN Human Rights Instruments and Declarations: The UN supports the role of local governments in protecting and promoting human rights within the scope of their authority, as seen in instruments like the New Urban Agenda.
-
Additionally, the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) Framework on Human Rights Cities (2020-2022) provides tailored guidance for European cities on embedding human rights standards into their policies and daily life, including foundations, structures, and tools to operationalize human rights locally.
Together, these frameworks collectively shape the principles of equality, non-discrimination, participation, transparency, accountability, social inclusion, and good governance that Human Rights Cities commit to integrating into their local governance and community life.