International Protection of Women’s Rights 36th Study Session

(July 4-29, 2005)
By Atty. Myrfi S. Gonzalez

Atty. Myrfi S. Gonzalez

More than a year ago, I was sad when I learned that I could not go to the Strasbourg seminar which, in my perspective then, every Ateneo Human Rights Center staff member surely gets to attend during his/her stint with the office. I thought then that my chance had passed and that I would never understand the Strasbourg stories that would float around the Center over lunch or over any mini-celebration of sorts.

I felt it was Goodbye, Strasbourg even before I had a chance to say Hello.

I was wrong.

From July 1 to 29, 2005, I found myself a resident of a hotel whose name and street name tickled me every time I pronounced it. If you wrote me snail mail that time, you would have sent it to the address below:

Hotel Esplanade
1, Boulevard Leblois
F- 67000 Strasbourg, France

With me were nine other advocates chosen by the Friedrich Naumann Stiftung to participate in the International Human Rights Seminar organized by the International Institute of Human Rights in, yes, Strasbourg, France.

The records of the Institute would reveal that I was one of the 304 participants of its 36th Study Session. More important than such a record though are the recordings of the mind and heart.

I learned things I probably would not have learned even if I pored over all the books in all the libraries of the world. Of course, the books given to us by the organizers and the lectures provided new discoveries too.

Some participants opined that the talks were very basic. They were, but I was quite satisfied and happy about them since they were what I wanted and needed. I wanted to have a general overview of the fundamental principles and concepts of International Human Rights and that is what I got.

The thematic content for the year was International Protection of Women’s Rights. On this matter, I was looking forward to the in-depth discussions on the issues besetting the topic. It was a disappointment though that the lectures were not as thorough as I expected. The special seminar on Bastille Day where women’s issues were taken up somehow filled in the gaps a bit.

I have always been fascinated by the UN and its agencies to the point that, for the longest time, employment in any of them would have meant the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition. Dissecting its workings and system delighted me. However, the demystification of the organization contributed to my abandoning my childhood wish. Suddenly, it’s not as exciting as it once seemed to me as a little girl. In the background, I still support its core and still cheer for its success amidst its controversies.

Learning more about the African, Inter-American and European Human Rights Systems stirred in me a deeper appreciation of the value of our organization’s involvement in the efforts toward establishing an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism.

Attending the International Center for University Human Rights Teaching (CiedhU) on top of the regular course allowed me a glimpse of the education systems of the other participants of the seminar.

Perhaps, my favorite handout is the Introduction to the History of International Human Rights Law. It brings to fore the reasons behind human rights advocacy. It reminds me why no amount of Dollar or Euro dangling could convince me to leave my current post. From the earliest times, different religions, cultures and philosophies in varied languages and musings tell of equality, human dignity and the sacredness of life which according to Prof. Dinah Shelton provide a foundation for the concept of human rights.

My favorite words of wisdom came from Dr. Stefan Melnik. What matters most in human rights advocacy is to walk the talk. Our personal lives must show what we stand for. For my part, it is a constant struggle. I try to be steadfast in this limited lifespan that we have.

Knowing that my time in the capital of Europe was limited, I almost always woke up wondering what surprises were in store for me. It felt like walking through a kaleidoscope.

The daily walk towards Robert Schuman University was not only a time for me to practice my French (read- Bonjour!), it was also a time for reflection. Meeting a varied range of peoples from a mixture of countries was a source of great joy. Hearing the myriad languages was music. Realizing in the end our sameness in dreams, hopes, devotion to family and even the anxiety of taking the course’s only exam, believe it or not, left me with a sense of oneness with the world.

The trip to Gummersbach, Germany for the final evaluation allowed the privileged ten of us candidates of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation to bond more with each other. The country reports bothered me in that it highlighted the human rights violations of Czech Republic, Ghana, Israel, Serbia and Montenegro, Thailand, Turkey and the Philippines. The accounts were depressing.

On the other hand, it was clear that despite the atrocities happening in our respective countries, the good still triumphs over evil. We all extended invitations to one another to visit each other’s hometowns for we knew we still live in a beautiful world. Petra and Vaclav insist Prague is the most beautiful city in the world. So someday, I want to see for myself if it is true. Myrish, my fellow Filipina and Visayan colleague has extolled the charms of Dumaguete. Thus, some planned visits by our other newly found friends to the City of Gentle People too. Someday.

Attending the course was indeed academically enlightening and emotionally enriching. In retrospect, I am glad I went to the seminar this year and not last year as I foolishly previously wanted. I thank FNS for giving me this second chance to attend another international seminar. I thank FNS also for the gift of Dr. Gabriele Thöns who faithfully took care of us from day one to the final farewells.