1 - Re-enstranging Human Rights: Imaginaries of Justice through the Experiences of Filipino Human Rights Defenders

Paper Abstract: In the Philippines, where struggles and resilience are entwined, Human Rights Defenders weave a narrative of courage and triumph, but also offer a critique of what justice means. This presentation listens to and retells their stories of struggles, resilience, and everything in between, that have shaped their experiences. Through a critical reflection, I explore the ways in which these defenders have redefined and reclaimed their understanding of human rights, despite the challenges and oppressions they face in their daily lives.

By gazing from the lens of re-enstrangement and imaginaries of human rights, I discuss how human rights defenders have reimagined and reconfigured their understanding of human rights, moving beyond traditional notions of legal frameworks and state-centric approaches. Instead, they have created new imaginaries that prioritize collective action, community engagement, and grassroots mobilisation.

Through their stories, we glimpse the transformative power of reimagining human rights and the potential for collective action to shape a more just and equitable future. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex struggles and triumphs of Human Rights Defenders in the Philippines, highlighting the importance of re-enstranging imaginaries in shaping a more inclusive and participatory approach to human rights.