“I just want to say that this club allows students to see people are people,” Human Rights Club Secretary Alex Athans, a junior majoring in international peacebuilding said. “We have a better understanding of how we should see people to achieve complete peace. When we all see each other as one with different attributes, we can learn, grow, and understand our rights.”
The presidency and advisors for the BYU-Hawaii Maka’ala Human Rights Organization were asked what human rights meant to them. They shared how human rights are valued in different parts of the world, and as learn more about each other, we grow and understand more.
What is the mission of the Maka’ala Human Rights Organization?
“The goal of the club is to give knowledge about what’s going on in our world,” said Athans. “We shed light on the United Nations, political issues, and allow students to know what their rights are and what other people’s rights are.”
Christina Akanoa, adjunct professor and club advisor, explained how it is one thing to discuss it in class but different to actually have students participate in the cause such as awareness booths, service projects, and charity drives, “it holds them more accountable to help humanity.”
The Maka’ala Human Rights Organization was established six years ago. In Hawaiian, maka’ala means “To be aware, vigilant, know your surroundings” or to simply “press onward.”
What does the term “human rights” mean?
“The equal opportunity we are all given as people, regardless of any labels society instills in us,” said Human Rights Vice President, Talahiva Salakeilu, a junior from Hawaii majoring in political science.
Vice President for Activities Malissa Fifita, a junior from Tonga majoring in political science, said “I would say the power to voice out opinions and stand up for what you believe is good for society.”
Additionally, Athans defined human rights as “Equal opportunities and respect for all. Regardless of where you come from, or the language you speak, we are all equal.”
How much of the world has complete respect for human rights?
“I would say there are not a lot of places with complete respect for human rights in the world, because we are not all treated as equals in this word, “ answered Athans. “Which is why I think we have the United Nations. We should all be striving to have equal rights everywhere.”
There are more issues out there than people actually know about which are caused by our various thinking, commented Salakielu. She believed we all can relate to at least one of them.
“People are slow to acknowledge and respect human rights for many reasons. Overall, I think it has to do with the fact that people don’t see the grand spectrum of what human rights encompasses,” said Salakielu
The consensus among the presidency was the world still had a long way to go before achieving full human rights.
“I would say none of the world has complete human rights, because there is always a need for balance, but few understand it,” Fifita shared.
However, club president Teitirake Kabwaua, a sophomore from Kiribati majoring in political science, said some are slow to recognize the importance of human rights because of their cultural background and the way they have grown up in the world.
Offering a reason why some people may not respect human rights, Fifita said, “I would say because they are scared of what the outcome would be if they push for humans rights and freedom, those in power may lose it.”
What are some of the largest human rights violations?
Athans shared poverty, refugees, and gender inequality are some of the largest human rights violations.
Kabwaua agreed saying, “Poverty seems to be on the radar and genocide which people don't really see, but refugees seem to be an issue in Europe and East Asia. These issues are happening because of the geographical location of those areas as to how resources have been distributed.”
What can students do to prevent human rights violations?
“Students can advocate for different issues and allow others to learn from them. Because some people are not informed with current issues” Athans said. “The more a person knows about an issue, the more they want to help. By becoming more aware, we can do more to prevent future conflicts.”
Vice President Salakielu said, “It all starts with being kind and knowing what is right. Everyone may have their own definition of what it means to be right, but overall it’s the respect we should be giving to one another.”
She continued about a time when the club had a booth set up and asked students to write down ways they would promote equality to end racism. “Students wrote down the simple things, including being kind to one another, helping each other out and so forth. There are big changes which should be implemented to prevent violations, but if we take care of the core of our characters, it becomes a long term effect.”
To find out how you can get involved with the Maka'ala Human Rights Organization, visit their Facebook page.
Writer: Elijah Hadley