Excerpts from the address delivered by Sandeep Chachra, Executive Director of ActionAid Association and Managing Editor of Agrarian South to the leadership and delegations of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) of the Global South on March 6, 2025.

The early decades of the 21st century mark the emergence of the second phase of substantive decolonization; a transformation shaped by decades of struggles and resistance. This shift is evident in the changing dynamics of global power, whether through developments on the long pending reform of UN and its Security Council, rapid expansion of BRICS++,  growing influence of the African Union and the responses to ongoing conflicts and wars. These tectonic shifts signal a critical moment in history, where the long-standing structures and processes of control are being strongly challenged.

The task ahead is to advance decolonization to the next stage, addressing the unfinished work of the 20^th century. While the first wave in the mid-20th century secured independence from colonisers, and initiated nation-building efforts in global south, the current phase demands a deeper transformation. This includes decolonizing the political economy, reshaping global institutions, reforming the international monetary system, restructuring governance frameworks such as the United Nations and addressing the outstanding issue of settler colonialism. As articulated by Frantz Fanon and numerous liberation movements across Asia and Africa, decolonization advances must extend to the realm of ideas—liberating the mind from colonial value systems and redefining what it means to live well and with dignity.

Aspirations of the majorities especially of the youth continue to grow and can no longer be contained into minimalisms. Their collective struggles and assertions form the driving force behind global struggles for justice, equity and self-determination. Addressing their agendas for justice and equality and achieving these goals requires cooperation amongst National Institutions for protection of Human Rights, Justice and Welfare together with social movements; and their collaborations will determine the shaping a new, decolonized world.

Democracy and De-Colonisation

Decades following liberation from colonisation have witnessed both progress and setbacks in the journey toward democracy. Despite an uneven trajectory of this journey, the present moment holds the potential for democracy to break free from its colonial bounds and flourish transformations for authentic democratisation. Moving beyond the constraints of representational democracy, these progressions can align more closely with the vision articulated by many including Dr. B.R. Ambedkar—one that integrates political, social, and economic justice.

History has shown how democratic institutions, in their limited representational form, have often served neo-colonial interests. The task ahead is to decolonize legalistic and restrictive versions of democracy, ensuring that their evolutions into truly participatory and inclusive forms of democracy. Decolonization is not only about political and economic structures but also about freeing humanity from the deep psychological and cultural impacts of colonialism. This requires a reassertion of erased histories, identities, and ways of participatory governance that existed long before colonial impositions. True democratic enrichment must occur at both institutional and community levels, shedding the centralizing tendencies that have constrained democratic systems. Many societies across the Global South have long-standing traditions of participatory governance, rooted in indigenous and local practices. The concept of Ubuntu in African societies and Koodams in India exemplify systems of collective living and coexistence, where governance is seen as a balance between rights, responsibilities, culture and nature. These traditions provide valuable insights into how democracy can be reimagined beyond its institutionalized and often exclusionary frameworks.

Decentralisation of Democracy

Across the Global South, decentralization has emerged as a crucial pillar of democratic reform and development. This process has largely been driven by grassroots movements advocating for greater community engagement, the empowerment of local institutions, and improved service delivery. In Latin America, Africa, and South Asia, governments have made efforts to devolve power from central authorities to local bodies, often with the support of progressive international organizations.

Decentralization has enabled local governments to make decisions that are more contextually relevant, addressing the specific economic, social, and environmental needs of their communities. In several African nations, community-led initiatives have strengthened rural decision-making processes, contributing to better resource management and poverty reduction. This shift towards localized governance not only increases accountability but also ensures that governance structures remain responsive to the lived realities of the people.

Deepening Democracy, Indian Context

Mahatma Gandhi envisioned India as a nation of self-sufficient, autonomous “village republics,” where true independence and democracy would be realized through grassroots governance. He believed that villages should have control over their own affairs, managing local resources and making decisions that directly impact their communities. With an estimated 40% of India’s population living in urban areas by 2030, this vision extends beyond villages, emphasizing the need for self-sustaining local governance in towns and cities as well.

The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, enacted in 1992, marked a significant step toward institutionalizing local governance in India. These amendments strengthened the Panchayati Raj system in rural areas and the Municipality system in urban centres, granting them greater authority and autonomy. By decentralizing governance, these reforms have fostered more localized decision-making, closer community engagement, and better-targeted development initiatives. However, challenges persist, particularly in financial autonomy and administrative capacity. Despite these hurdles, the push for decentralized governance remains an essential step toward inclusive and community-driven development.

The demand for decentralized governance is not unique to India but is part of a broader global movement. Across the Global South, communities continue to advocate for governance models that prioritize inclusion, equity, and sustainability. When implemented effectively, these efforts have the potential to bridge gaps in social and economic equity while fostering grassroots development. The vision of self-sustaining local republics whether in villages or urban neighbourhoods remains a powerful inspiration. As these democratic structures continue to evolve, they hold the promise of blossoming together, strengthening the unity and diversity of nations while building solidarities across borders. The road ahead is long, but the momentum toward a more inclusive and participatory democracy is undeniable.

Rise of Peoples Participation, Citizen Activism and Collaborative Roles

Across the Global South, community participation has become a vital pillar of democratic governance and development. Human rights defenders, social justice advocates, and people’s organizations have played a crucial role in shaping policies, prioritizing local needs, and holding governments accountable. In countries like Brazil, India, and South Africa, grassroots engagement has helped shape policies, prioritize local needs, and ensure accountability in governance. Community-driven development models have empowered citizens to take active roles in decision-making processes, fostering a sense of ownership over public resources and initiatives.

In India, Gram Sabhas (village assemblies) exemplify this participatory model. Community members lead discussions on development priorities, scrutinize Panchayat activities, and influence local governance. Existing literature and experiences from Gram Sabhas across the country highlight their effectiveness in promoting local accountability, transparency, and citizen empowerment. While implementation varies across regions, studies have shown that Gram Sabhas contribute to better resource allocation, prioritization of essential infrastructure, and effective targeting of government schemes. Additionally, increased political participation of marginalized groups, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women, has been observed, partly due to mandatory reservations and inclusive decision-making structures.

Brazil’s participatory budgeting initiatives offer another example, where residents vote on local budget allocations, directly influencing investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. In Kenya, local groups work closely with county governments to ensure that services meet community needs and align with local priorities.

Deepening democracy and strengthening rights should extend beyond institutions, even when they are decentralized, to the practice of democracy itself, driven by the active participation of people and their social formations. These formations include unions, cooperatives, self-help groups, farmer producer organizations, grassroots movements, NGOs, international NGOs, and political parties through their local branches. Such collaborative structures create spaces where communities can advocate for their rights, influence policies, and contribute to equitable development.

A democratic system that fosters active citizen participation not only strengthens governance but also builds resilient societies rooted in inclusivity, transparency, and collective action. As these movements continue to expand, they signal a broader shift toward people-centered governance and a renewed commitment to social and economic justice across the Global South.

The pathways offering hope and realizations goes beyond the liberal limitations of human rights, expanding the perspective to include collective and community spaces encompassing culture and nature, people and the planet. Liberal frameworks often restrict human rights to an individual paradigm, whereas a broader vision integrates these rights into communal and structural realities.

A. Human Rights and Justice Education and Practice

A critical aspect of this work is the role of Human Rights , Justice Education and Practice , which empowers people with the knowledge to claim and enjoy the rights envisioned in post-colonial liberation projects. The practice of human rights lies in the act of claiming them. Embedding human rights thinking in society requires a focus on the values of justice, and this is best achieved through popular education.

Such education must be conducted within collectives that can translate learnings into collective practice. These collectives may be in schools, youth clubs, community spaces, and social formations such as unions, cooperatives, self-help groups, farmer producer organizations, grassroots-based NGOs, and political parties.

Collaboration with institutions and structures responsible for the promotion and protection of rights is essential. Popular education on constitutional values, human rights, and social and ecological justice becomes more impactful when undertaken in partnership with administrative bodies, ensuring greater community participation in governance efforts.

Rich experiences from working with district administrations and communities highlight the importance of ensuring access to rights and entitlements. Efforts have led to improved access to education, the prevention of harmful cultural practices such as child marriage, the elimination of bonded labour, and the rescue and rehabilitation of persons and families subjected to such conditions.

B. Leadership of Human Rights and Justice Defenders

Popular education and community engagement with administrative bodies help build the leadership of community-based human rights and justice defenders. These individuals and their organizations come from diverse backgrounds and work beyond personal or immediate community interests, ensuring the protagonism of people and the deepening of democracy. The key focus remains on how these formations advance people’s rights by setting agendas locally and nationally through action research, grounded mobilization, and advocacy with human rights institutions, national and local governments, and political entities.

C. Participatory Action Research and Knowledge creation

Participatory action research and knowledge creation, led by those directly affected, effectively bridge the gap between policy and ground realities. Such approaches foster resilience strategies that genuinely protect and promote the rights of impacted communities while advancing relevant discourse.

Issues concerning vulnerable communities led by those who life on the margins for example of De-notified Tribes, Refugees etc that we have worked on in the past months in India demonstrate the potential of such partnerships in strengthening human rights protections and promoting collective action.

Urgent efforts are required to safeguard human rights and social justice defenders (HRDs), recognizing their essential role in advocating for justice, equality, and social change. HRDs often face threats, harassment, and violence due to their work in exposing injustice and defending marginalized communities.

D. Need for Protection and Promotion of HRDs

To address these challenges, ActionAid has partnered with NHRC to raise awareness about HRD rights and ensure their protection under national and international frameworks. Collaborative initiatives have provided legal aid, capacity-building programs, and awareness campaigns, equipping HRDs with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate risks effectively.

Policy advocacy efforts have also pushed for stronger protections for HRDs, urging governments to implement safeguards against retaliation and harm. Through these initiatives, safer environments have been fostered, allowing HRDs to continue their critical work while promoting a culture of accountability and respect for human rights.

This effort requires coordination and collaboration among Global South nations to develop a broader human rights and justice framework within the context of decolonization.

Collaborating to Challenge Denials and Global Hegemonic Order

Human rights responsibilities extend beyond the state, though nation-states hold undeniable obligations. The global context also plays a significant role in shaping denials of rights. Given the interconnected nature of the world, addressing human rights concerns requires challenging global rules and structures that perpetuate injustice.

Issues such as climate change, refugee crises, international migration, colonial debts, wars, occupations, international trade, and food supply chains all impact human rights—particularly the right to life, security, and well-being. Civil society, NGOs, and HRDs have demonstrated leadership in challenging these hegemonic structures and advocating for accountability within the framework of differentiated, yet universal responsibility. For those who have the largest footprints in creating exploitation, injustice and crisis most not only be accountable but to take maximum responsibility for repairing the damage

A proposal for a Global South Labour Commission, for example aims to protect workers’ rights and welfare, addressing labour exploitation and economic inequalities. Similarly, collective efforts seek to reform the International Convention on Refugees, advocating for an acknowledgment of the root causes of displacement, ensuring responsibility for reparations, and challenging restrictive border policies that leave refugees stateless.

Conclusion

There is an urgent need to encourage people’s protagonism in addressing the multiple crises confronting the world. These include climate change, ongoing wars and conflicts, and the necessity of ensuring food security and livelihoods for the vast majority. Recognizing the close linkage between peace and democracy in all its dimensions is essential peace as more than just the absence of violence and democracy as more than the simple act of voting. True democracy requires active political participation and a commitment to both social and economic justice. It is also crucial to critically examine how states and governments worldwide utilize violence, both as a tool of militarization and war in other nations and as a means of repressing popular movements within their own borders.