Event Summary

U.S. in the World's Priscilla Lewis will brief Connect U.S. Fund community members on the unique challenges that face human rights advocates when the debate is framed in terms of safety and security.

Please RSVP to attend in person or via webinar.

Event Description

Advancing Human Rights Protections in the Context of Security

Traditionally, the American public has not hesitated to declare its strong belief in principles of human rights and civil liberties, and its revulsion at violations of those (proudly American) principles.  But as recent opinion research indicates, significant numbers of Americans are willing to condone the torture of suspected terrorists in some circumstances - and both public and political support for closure of the detention center at Guantanamo has eroded in the face of heated partisan debate about the consequences for security and safety.  For many people, it seems, the normal rules simply cease to apply when the frame of reference is terrorism.

At the same time, Americans remain convinced that abusive practices at Guantanamo have hurt the United States' image abroad.  The public is deeply disturbed by the security implications of the decline in America's global standing, and strongly supports President Obama's overall approach to security, with its emphasis on repairing global alliances, reaching out to adversaries, and reestablishing America's commitment to core values.

What's going on here?  What does this apparent "toggling" between different perspectives tell us about public thinking (and political debate) - and what does it signify for communicators?   On June 18, U.S. in the World's Priscilla Lewis will brief Connect U.S. Fund community members on the unique challenges that face human rights advocates when the debate is framed in terms of safety and security.  Priscilla will share U.S. in the World's analysis of relevant new research findings, as well as lessons learned from the work that U.S. in the World has been doing with the National Security and Human Rights Campaign, a collaboratively funded initiative (involving the Open Society Institute, Atlantic Philanthropies, and the Proteus Fund, among other donors) to promote progressive national security policies that restore human rights and civil liberties.  Insights and tips for communicators will be offered, and participants will have a chance to share their own experiences and suggestions for advancing human rights protections in the context of security.

Topics for Discussion:

What are the relative merits of "morality" and "effectiveness" arguments when it comes to making the case against torture and other abuses of human rights and civil liberties?

How can advocates protect hard-won progress on human rights issues (like the promised closure of Guantanamo) while also holding a popular President accountable for policy approaches that fail to measure up from a human rights perspective?

It seems likely that the choice of messenger is critical when it comes to delivering effective human rights messages in the context of security.  What are some of the strategic implications of this observation?

Resources

US divided over torture, closing Guantanamo
By Liz Sidoti
AP-GfK Poll, June 3, 2009
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jQyN-2FhUXCnyJ5L6YG3ZQn2E1JQD98J26MG0

Guantanamo Hurt U.S. Image, Say Americans
Angus Reid Poll, May 28, 2009
http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/33517/guantanamo_hurt_us_image_say_americans1

Dick Cheney and Hill Democrats Put Barack Obama on the Defensive on Torture
Politico 22 May 2009
http://www.nsnetwork.org/node/1320

Torture Doesn't Work
By Matthew Alexander
The Daily Beast, April 20, 2009
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-04-20/torture-doesnt-work/

From February through September, USITW will be conducting a series of briefings on public opinion and messaging. The sessions - from 10 a.m. through 12 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month - will consist of a 45-minute overview of the topic, followed by discussion on applying the information to participants' own work.

Speakers

Priscilla Lewis, USITW