1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

Human rights law alone is unlikely to shield marginalized communities from the rise of fascist and authoritarian forces. The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) has limited mechanisms to directly challenge the election of openly fascist parties through democratic processes. Article 17 prohibits reliance on ECHR rights to destroy other rights, but does not prevent fascist ideologies from gaining power. The derogation clause in Article 15, meant to restrict emergency powers, has been exploited by states to enact repressive measures against minorities under the guise of security. To truly safeguard the rights of vulnerable groups, we must go beyond legal frameworks and build robust grassroots resistance movements. Civil society must remain vigilant against the normalization of hate and actively counter efforts to scapegoat minorities. Upholding human rights requires challenging the root causes that enable fascism to take hold, such as economic inequality, racism, and disinformation. Only by addressing systemic injustices and defending pluralistic democracy can we hope to protect marginalized communities in the long run. I urge you to support initiatives that empower those most at risk and promote an inclusive vision for our society.