The Power of Coalition in Human Rights Movements
When human rights groups work together, they can often do much more to improve a country’s human rights situation than individual organizations could on their own. Unfortunately, the global human rights movement has seen many coalitions fail due to internal divisions. The Coordinadora Nacional de Derechos Humanos (CNDDHH), a coalition of human rights organizations in Peru, highlights the characteristics of a strong coalition and demonstrates how to successfully fight against authoritarian governments like that of Fujimori in the 1990s. Since its inception in 1985, CNDDHH has used its broad support base to combat various human rights offenses, including campaigns for the disappeared, against the death penalty, and for the creation of a truth commission. One notable example of the effectiveness of its coalition-based approach was the campaign to prevent Peru’s withdrawal from the Inter-American Court on Human Rights (ICHR).
Fighting Fujimori’s Dictatorship
In 1999, Peru was under the dictatorship of Alberto Fujimori, whose regime systematically violated human rights. Several cases involving Fujimori’s human rights abuses had reached the ICHR. The first ruling, in the Castillo Petruzzi case, went against the Peruvian state. Instead of contesting the ruling, Fujimori’s government decided to withdraw from the ICHR, which would deny Peruvians access to international justice.
At the time, CNDDHH was involved in several other human rights projects but immediately shifted focus to launching a campaign against the government’s withdrawal plan. The primary goal was to defend the right of all Peruvians to appeal to the ICHR. This required informing the public about the implications of the government’s decision, rallying civil society, and preventing the withdrawal.
Strategies for Mobilization
CNDDHH adopted a multi-faceted approach to mobilize support. They used lobbying, distributed educational materials, and applied pressure on both national and international levels. Public opinion, the international community, and the ICHR members themselves were identified as key allies.
CNDDHH issued press releases to raise awareness among citizens and civil society organizations. Once awareness was raised, they took a more active role in mobilizing civil society for the campaign. Thanks to their wide base of member organizations, CNDDHH recruited over 100 activists across the country to deliver information and provide logistical support to other civil society groups. Additionally, members of CNDDHH’s National Board of Directors visited other Latin American countries to gather international support.
The campaign to stop Peru’s withdrawal from the ICHR was a success, proving that coalitions can effectively mobilize civil society. The groundswell of support for the cause also contributed to the eventual destabilization of Fujimori’s regime, leading to its downfall.
Challenges Faced by the Coalition
Organizing the campaign was not without difficulties. When CNDDHH redirected its focus from other human rights issues, it had to convince its financiers of the campaign’s importance. For example, some donors who had supported anti-torture campaigns needed to be persuaded of the potential impact of the ICHR initiative before agreeing to provide financial backing.
Another significant challenge arose from the diversity of CNDDHH’s membership. The coalition encompassed urban and rural organizations, national and regional bodies, as well as Catholic and evangelical groups. Creating unity among these different organizations was a constant challenge. Success required each member to accept responsibilities, recognize the diverse capacities of others, and collaborate while respecting the decision-making process. Mutual trust was key to maintaining unity during the ICHR campaign, particularly under the pressure of a dictatorship. The coalition assigned its Executive Secretary the task of organizing and implementing the campaign to ensure cohesion.
Consensus building within a coalition is time-consuming, particularly when organizations have differing views on strategy or political positions. When decisions need to be made quickly, as was the case during the ICHR campaign, there isn’t always time for thorough discussion. To address this, CNDDHH called a special meeting where members could define their position and devise a plan of action. This allowed the coalition to include as many members as possible in decision-making, even under tight deadlines.
Factors Contributing to Success
Several factors contributed to CNDDHH’s success:
- Clear Principles: Since its inception, CNDDHH pledged to reject all forms of violence, maintain independence from political parties, support democratic governance, and oppose the death penalty. Organizations that did not adhere to these principles were not allowed to join the coalition.
- Consensus Decision-Making: The decision-making process within CNDDHH required agreement from all members, ensuring solidarity. Regardless of size or location, every member had an equal voice, particularly in electing the National Assembly.
- Representation: Representatives chosen for external meetings did not only represent their own organizations but the entire national coalition. This gave them legitimacy both internally and externally.
- Prioritizing Collective Issues: Every two years, the coalition held a General Assembly to prioritize issues. These priorities were implemented at a national level by the Executive Secretariat, a body responsible for carrying out resolutions made by the General Assembly and National Council.
Lessons from CNDDHH’s Coalition Tactic
CNDDHH’s coalition-based approach to human rights advocacy highlights the power of collective action. Through collaboration, the coalition successfully mobilized civil society, raised awareness, and influenced both national and international stakeholders. While internal challenges such as diverse membership and decision-making under pressure required ongoing attention, the coalition’s ability to unite around common goals made it a powerful force in Peru’s human rights movement.
