In-Depth Notes on the 2020 AAA Statement on Anthropology and Human Rights

Overview of the 2020 AAA Statement on Anthropology and Human Rights

• The 2020 AAA Statement serves as a living document that reflects ongoing complexities in human rights today.
• It aims to guide AAA members in aligning their work with universal human rights advocacy, international norms, and the communities they interact with.

Historical Context

• The 2020 Statement is the third of its kind from the AAA, following statements in 1947 and 1999.
• 1947 Statement: Written by Melville Herskovits, responding to UNESCO's global human rights survey. It was critical of the UN's universal declaration initiative.
• 1999 Declaration: Marked a turn towards anthropologists' activism for vulnerable groups, emphasizing the need to protect and broaden public understanding of human rights.

Key Elements of the 2020 Statement

• The statement reaffirms and expands on the human rights principles established in the 1999 Declaration.
• It acknowledges contemporary research and engagement reflecting an evolving understanding of human rights.

Principles Regarding Human Rights

1. Development Beyond Formal Law
   • Human rights extend beyond legal frameworks; anthropology reveals that human rights practices encompass a broad spectrum of meanings and applications.
2. Representation of Power
   • Anthropological research shows that human rights can vary widely in interpretation and practice, influenced by diverse social, political, and cultural contexts.
3. Complexity of Understanding
   • The cross-cultural understanding of human rights demonstrates significant variability, rooted in specific histories rather than universal principles.
4. Contextual Relativity
   • Human rights exist amidst global inequalities, necessitating engagement that transcends the “do no harm” mantra in research and activism.
   • Calls for research that contributes to decolonization and redresses historical injustices.

Fundamental Elements of Human Rights

• Human Rights Definition: Rights inherent to all humans, protecting against abuses by entities and individuals.
• Human rights are inalienable and shaped by historical and dynamic contexts.
• Active Claiming: Emphasizes the need for individuals to claim and defend their rights as part of a broader movement toward social justice.

Scope of Human Rights

• All individuals possess a range of rights, including:
  • Civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.
  • Rights to adequate living standards, healthcare, education, gender equality, and a sustainable environment.
• The AAA asserts the relevance of human rights norms not just for states, but also for individuals and corporations.
• Recognizes the risks human rights defenders face, including anthropologists advocating these ideals.

Anthropological Practice and Responsibility

• Anthropologists are positioned to inform public discourse on human rights, equity, and dignity through:
  • Public interest work
  • Contributions to policy-making
  • Collaboration with affected communities
• The importance of documenting human rights abuses stemming from various social and economic injustices, including discrimination based on gender, race, and socio-economic status.
• Anthropologists should critique violations and interrogate both state and non-state actors’ actions related to human rights.

Summary of Anthropological Role

• The application of anthropological methods to:
  • Promote and safeguard human rights protections.
  • Combat human rights violations.
  • Highlight discrepancies in existing human rights protections.
• The AAA asserts that anthropologists must actively monitor and respond to injustices, utilizing their skills to support human rights causes globally.