Dublin Human Rights Festival

Wood Quay Venue

Film Screening: Naila and the Uprising

Friday, 23 November at 6:30pm

Naila and the Uprising chronicles the remarkable journey of Palestinian activist, Naila Ayesh whose story weaves through the most vibrant, nonviolent mobilization in Palestinian history -- the First Intifada in the late 1980s. Watch the trailer here.

Free tickets available here

Human Rights 101

Time: 10:15am – 11:15am

As the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights approaches (December 10th 2018) we will sit down with human rights defenders Sindy Joyce (Ireland) and Khalid Baghirov (Azerbaijan), protest artist Serena Clarke and author and poet Colin Dardis to hear what human rights really mean to them in their lives and work and how human rights are applicable across a host of different disciplines including art, mental health and legal justice (Wood Quay Venue).

Moderator: Andrea Rocca, Front Line Defenders

Environmental Justice

Time: 11:30am – 12:45pm

How can a person enjoy basic human rights such as the right to life and the right to health and well-being, without access to clean and unpolluted air, soil and water? This discussion looks at the connection between the environment and human rights, centered around the theme of ‘Environmental Justice’. Looking at examples from Ireland, Brazil and more, the panel of speakers including indigenous rights defender Geovani Krenak (Brazil), Oisin Coghlan (Friends of the Earth), Sian Cowman (LASC) and Edwin Alblas (Climate Case Ireland) will offer perspectives on how local and global groups of people can participate in making decisions about the environment, hold governments and corporations accountable and act against human rights violations.

Moderator: Mícheál Callaghan, UCD

You can’t post that! Regulating content and expression in the digital age

Time: 1:00pm – 2:15pm

During the referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment, Facebook and Google imposed bans on all ads related to the vote. They also routinely remove content which violates their policies. But who, if anyone, should be the ultimate arbiter of what you can and can’t post on your social media accounts? Should it really be private social media companies? Given these groups’ financial interests, are they best placed to protect freedom of expression while managing complex issues including disinformation, degrading and hateful content, and targeted online advertising? These questions and more will be asked by privacy experts Elizabeth Farries (Irish Council for Civil Liberties) and Craig Dwyer (Transparent Referendum Initiative) to Siobhán Cummiskey (Facebook) and there will be an opportunity to ask questions from the floor.

Preceding this talk ICCL will take 10 minutes to launch their interim report to the UN Committee Against Torture, with special guest speaker Stixy Nyaluso of the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland.

Sharing The Struggle: Civil rights solidarity across the generations

Time: 2:30pm – 3:30pm

There is a long-standing tradition of co-operation between rights movements in Ireland and the United States. Featuring prominent activists from the 1960s, including Bernadette McAliskey and Michael Farrell, this conversation will explore how the Irish and American experiences have influenced and supported each other and continue to inspire the fight for rights across the world. Also joining the panel discussion will be Jabari Mickles, a youth and teacher organiser from the United States, and leading human rights expert and author Brian Dooley (Human Rights First).

Moderator: Martina Devlin, author and political commentator

LGBT+ rights in Ireland & Beyond: Advocating for equality in a troubled world

Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm

Ireland was once a byword for stifling social and religious conservatism but has seen a progressive transformation in recent years, not least in the area of LGBT rights. Yet, the very gains of the LGBT+ equality movement in much of the west are being used as a pretext to increase homophobic & transphobic oppression in other regions, with the likes of local 'culture' and 'religious belief' being erroneously invoked to attack LGBT communities.

Join panellists Mario Pratama, (Transhition Collective and Transmen Indonesia), Laura Harmon and Philippa Ryder to tease out how we can continue to advance LGBT rights in Ireland and how we can support those LGBT+ communities facing serious threats abroad.

Moderator: Adam Long, National LGBT Federation

Smock Alley Theatre

Clowns Without Borders

Time: 10:30am – 11:15am

WORKSHOP: Don your biggest red nose for a circus skills workshop for kids! Clowns Without Borders work in refugee camps all over the world with kids just like you who want to learn how to balance on their tippy toes in oversized shoes. Parents and guardians are dared to join in if they can! The wonderful Kim, Ria and Aoife are also happy to answer any questions from grown-up kids who want to know more about their challenging and important work.

Street Art as a tool for change

Time: 11:30pm – 1:30pm

WORKSHOP: Northern Irish street artist Eoin McGinn, known as EMIC, will deliver a graffiti art workshop aimed at older children (aged 8+ years), teenagers and adults. EMIC will discuss the use of Street Art as a means to communicate human rights messages and participants will have the opportunity to practice stenciling techniques, learn basic spray paint skills and create artworks that can be taken home after the workshop.

Right to choice - Solidarity and next steps

Time: 2:00pm – 3:15pm

For decades women human rights defenders in Ireland have campaigned for the right of women to choose in pregnancy. The resounding Yes vote on 25th May 2018 to repeal the 8th Amendment from the Constitution has paved the way for the introduction of abortion care in Ireland. This seminar will be an opportunity to examine the learnings from the successful campaign and discuss how these learnings can help support abortion rights campaigners from Northern Ireland, Poland and beyond. Speakers will include Ailbhe Smyth (Together for Yes), Goretti Horgan (Alliance for Choice, Northern Ireland), Krystyna Kacpura (Poland) and Sorcha Tunney (Amnesty International Ireland).

Moderator: Orla O’Connor, National Women’s Council of Ireland

Free tickets available here

Telling the Stories of Women Human Rights Defenders

Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm

A discussion between Irish writer and editor Laura Cassidy and Tunisian blogger and women human rights defender Lina Ben Mhenni. Meeting in person for the first time, they discuss their experiences of working together as part of a project that sees Irish women writers work with human rights defenders around the world to bring their stories to a new audience.

Chair: Noeline Blackwell, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre

Free tickets available here

Righteous Voice @ The International Bar

6:00pm - 7:30pm, Saturday 24, November
The International Bar, 23 Wicklow St, Dublin 2

Come hear contemporary rhythms of Irish life, fused with issues and realities of the wider world. Multiple Leinster Slam Poetry Champion Clara Rose Thornton hosts an evening of spoken word and gorgeous piano music, featuring the Libyan-Irish pianist Farah Elle and Nigerian-Irish poet Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi. Humanity rises as one.

LGBT+ History Walking Tour of Dublin

On Sunday 25th November, Tonie Walsh will be leading a walking tour of Dublin highlighting the city's queer history and special events and locations of note fo LGBT+ communities in Ireland. Join him as he time-travels through Dublin’s socio-cultural and political LGBT life, uncovering a history that has remained hidden for too long.

Attendees should meet at 3:00pm in Barnardo Square, Dame Street.

Festival Program

Click the link below to download a PDF version of the festival program.

2018 DHRF Program