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.