Join human rights activists and advocates this Saturday, October 21, as they celebrate the hard work that goes into making the world a better place at the Dublin Human Rights Festival.

Organised by National Women’s Council of Ireland, Front Line Defenders, Amnesty International Ireland, and GCN publishers the NXF, the festival will take place in The Science Gallery.

Speaking at the launch of the festival on Wednesday was Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney TD.

Coveney discussed Ireland’s commitment to protecting activists at risk in his address and agreed to work with Front Line Defenders to create a permanent memorial to commemorate human rights defenders.

“I have committed to work with Front Line to bring forward an initiative in that area,” Coveney said.

“We will try to find a suitable location and to do it in a tasteful and appropriate way.”

Saturday

On Saturday, there will be workshop and panels on  LGBT+ activism, dismantling the patriarchy, cybersecurity for activists and more.

Here’s some more info from the event page:

Come celebrate activism and advocacy with human rights activists from around the world here in Dublin! Join us for workshops and panels on LGBTI activism, the dangers of defending land rights, cybersecurity for activists, ripping down the patriarchy, and even some fun with Clowns Without Borders!

Workshops by VOCALISM (advocacy and storytelling for adults), Clowns Without Borders (circus skills for kids), Dabbledoo Music (music education and empathy for children), and Righteous Verse (protest poetry with Erin Fornoff, Sahar Ali, Felicia Olusanya, Colm Keegan, Oisín McKenna, John Cummins, Sinead Gibney and Raven).

We’ll have stalls by OhMyDays (body printing), Our Table (recipes from the pop-up kitchen run by volunteers in direct provision) and information on human rights volunteering with PBI Ireland.

Global LGBT+ Rights

The LGBT+ panel titled ‘Dying for Equality: Global Fight for LGBTI Rights’ will focus on the ongoing battle for equality around the world and will be chaired by NXF board member Adam Long.

“While the fight for LGBTI rights and equality in Ireland has come a long way in the last 20 years, it is far from over,” the festival program reads.

“Moreover, around the world, our LGBTI siblings still risk being attacked, criminalised or even killed just because of who they are.”

“At the forefront of the struggle for equality, and risking their lives for it, are Caleb Orozco from Belize, Ibtissame Lachgar from Morocco and Farzana Riaz from Pakistan.”

“Come hear from these LGBTI defenders and hear their inspiring stories from winning the case to decriminalise homosexuality in Belize; to standing up to the powerful oppressive regime in Morocco; and the everyday struggles in the life of the first officially recognised transgender woman in Pakistan.”

With panels and workshops commencing shortly after noon on Saturday and continuing until nearly 6pm, there will be something for everyone at the Dublin Human Rights Festival.

The full festival program is available to view here and tickets can be reserved on Eventbrite here.