Skin Deep Rights – My Experience With Human Rights Tattoo

Whilst perusing the depths of the internet for topics to blog about in the field of human rights in mid-August, I came across an article from the Manchester Evening News in which information about the Human Rights Tattoo project was being shared. The article was calling for those in Manchester to sign up to get part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights TATTOOED on their bodies in support of human rights.

Since 2012, Human Rights Tattoo has travelled the globe, tattooing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights one letter at a time across thousands of people, with the goal being that all 6,773 letters will be spread across the earth on the bodies of 6,773 people. As the project states, those tattooed include:

“CEOs to residents of slums and from human rights lawyers to LGBT-activists. If you are a human being, you have what it takes to become part of the Human Rights Tattoo movement.”

As both a fan of human rights and making permanent alterations to my body, I had to try to get one of the coveted places on offer!

A Google form submitted, consent form signed, and a few short weeks waiting, and I arrived at Contact Theatre in Manchester. The first thing I noticed was how many young people were at the event, it was great to see so many supporting such a powerful and important cause. Whilst it is unarguable that human rights in the UK are more advance than in many countries which the project has visited, currently they are actively being attacked, demonised, and eroded by a vicious government, and so seeing a generation come out in support gives me hope that we will not back down from this fight!

Having registered, the moment of truth came, I was assigned my letter! Hoping not to receive the letter C and spend my life explaining I was not in fact copyrighted; nor my own initial as, whilst lawyers are vein, I like to think I am not that narcissistic; and certainly not being assigned the initial of an ex! But thankfully, I was happy to receive the letter ‘R’, not only that letter, but it was the R in the word ‘Children’ from Article 25 of the declaration which states:

“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.”

Quite fitting for a children lawyer wouldn’t you say?

Before I could receive my tattoo, being true to myself, I had to strike up conversations with some faces I had never met before. I spoke with  the Human Rights Tattoo team, listening to some of the heartbreaking yet enlightening stories from human rights defenders in countries such as Zimbabwe, Burundi, and Mexico, countries in which being a human rights activist carries life threatening risks. Hearing the stories of tears and pain when these brave individuals were talking about their motivations for getting a tattoo was heartbreaking. At the same time, these stories were inspirational, these individuals are genuinely risking life and limb in the name of human rights, whilst at home we watch as rights some would die for are being shredded to the bone.

The tattooing wasn’t the only attraction at Contact that day, a number of people from different human rights organisations were present and there was rights inspired art spread across the walls of the venue. Knowing that I would be blogging about this event, I wanted to find out who the artist was to ensure credit for the amazing pieces was properly given, and so I was happy to be directed to the artist herself after asking a few people.

Emma Evans is the powerful ‘voice’ behind the illustrations that captured my eye. Talking with her was yet another light that began to shine in the hope for a more secure future for human rights, not only had Emma produced these illustrations and had them displayed at the event, but these pieces were each inspired by the articles of the Universal Declaration.

Robert F Kennedy Human Rights UK is a grassroots organisation inspired by the legacy of Bobby Kennedy, brother of JFK and former Attorney General who passionately advocated for the US civil rights movement in the late 50’s, being directly involved in securing the release of Martin Luther King Jr from jail. In a sentiment which I could not agree with more, RFKHR exists to:

“…inspire the next generation of change-makers to make a positive impact in their community. If our young people are to build a more tolerant world, they need to be empowered with the mindsets, attitudes, skills and knowledge to act. Our human rights educational programme is all about giving children and young people the power and confidence to use their own voice.”

Chatting with Helen and Ella from RFK, I got to hear about their ‘Speak Truth to Power’ workshops, taking human rights education and advocacy to young people and empowering them to speak out and to be the next generation of defenders. Something we had in common was being part of a small organisation in a huge sphere, taking small steps to bring about change. Sharing my story with them, discussing the NRI, and my motivations for human rights activism and advocacy, led to Ella very kindly asking me if I would be interested in being interviewed and, well, remember that lack of narcissism from earlier?

Finally, it was time to be stabbed hundreds of times in a controlled and lawful manner (sounds more interesting that ‘get tattooed’ right?). Giving his time to the event was Dax, a self-taught tattoo artist from India who specialises in fine line work, perfect for the event. In what can only be described as an efficient operation, a team of four ensured that everything was clean, sterile, and prepared for 30 people to be tattooed as safely as possible.

5 minutes and some slight tingling passed and that was that. I would now forever carry a piece of the UDHR on me, what to some might look like a random letter, to me was an expression of the place which human rights holds for me and, at the least, a conversation starter to bridge the huge topic that is rights.

Overall, the event was an inspiring and positive occasion, but it also highlighted the juxtaposition of human rights currently. On one hand, we have people willing to defend rights to the point of etching principles permanently into their skin; on the other hand, we have a scary proportion of society happy to sit back and watch as the very rights that generations have fought for are steadily eroded under various pretences of “national security”, “border protection”, or simply plain ignorance. This apathy is dangerous. Rights, once revoked or destroyed, are very rarely reclaimed. They are fragile and need to be protected with vigour and passion. Today, the very foundation of our shared humanity is under threat: trans rights, workers’ rights, migrant and refugee rights, disability rights, environment rights and even the right to a fair trial are all being put in the crosshairs.

If there is any lesson to be taken from this event, it is that the time to stand up, to speak out, and to act is NOW. The cost of further inaction, of allowing our most fundamental rights to be snuffed out, is a price too high for future generations to bear.

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