Economic, social and cultural rights are interdependent with civil and political rights. Yet they often take second place in the defense and promotion of fundamental rights. How crucial are they today?

The rights to water, food, healthcare, education, work, or culture-economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) aim to ensure dignified living conditions by meeting individuals’ universal needs. Traditionally, states have deemed civil and political rights, such as freedom of expression or religion, to be “immediate” and readily enforceable. In contrast, ESCR are more difficult to quantify and implement. This divide has created an implicit hierarchy of human rights that disadvantages ESCR, even though these rights are central to creating a more equitable society. This is all the more urgent in the face of the climate crisis, growing economic inequalities, and limited resources.

Introduction:

• Bernard Keo, Assistant Professor of International History and Politics, Geneva Graduate Institute
• Philippe Mottaz, Forum Programmer, FIFDH

The documentary film Made in Ethiopia explores the establishment of a vast Chinese industrial complex in a rural Ethiopian area. It follows three women, each striving for prosperity in a manner reflective of their nation's aspirations, as they face significant challenges to their belief in industrialization.The film screening (2024, 91 minutes, in Chinese/Amharic/English/Oromo with English and French subtitles) will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Christophe Golay, Senior Research Fellow, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, with: 

Discussion:

• Philip Alston, UN Expert on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights
• Brightman Gebremichael Ganta, Former Head of Department at the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission
• Justine Lacroix, Belgian political scientist, professor of political science and director of the Center for Political Theory at the Free University of Brussels
• Xinyan Yu, Co-director of the film

The event will be bilingual in English and French and is organised in partnership with the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH), which will take place from March 7 to 16, 2025.