As the Arab region is witnessing turmoil, political tensions, war and displacement. Over the past three years, a combination of security crises has caused a wave of refugees and internally displaced persons in the Middle East and North Africa. As these crises triggered by the aftermath of Arab spring have created new epicenters of refugees, enormous new challenges arise during those events.
The UNHCR stated in their latest report that by the end of 2013, 51.2 million individuals were forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, generalized violence and human rights violations. By August 2013, more than 1 million children had been counted as refugees from Syria. By July 2013, around 420,000 Syrian refugees had been registered in Jordan after fleeing violence at home. The government estimates at least an additional 180,000 unregistered Syrian refugees here in Jordan.
The massive movements within the Middle East itself caused an enormous challenge for the whole region. These movements play into and may compound incipient political tensions between and within Jordan and beyond. It is of extreme importance to create a platform through which the wider public can participate in discussion of these tensions and the subsequent implications on the Arab Region. This is why Karama HRFF has chosen “War and Displacement” as this year’s main theme.
On the 10th of December 2014 Karama HRFF commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Karama recognizes the importance of this day and planned the main event to coincide with this date. The core of Karama HRFF is being a cultural event which raises awareness and engagement with Human Rights issues, this year we will devote our work to the theme of “War and Displacement”.
Karama HRFF offers the opportunity to the wider general public to be confronted by a different perspective on the addressed issues and to explore the effects of displacement on both communities and individuals. The event will shed light on the current circumstances in the aftermath of the Arab Revolutions, the crises in Syria, Iraq and Gaza, and the rise of extremism in the name of religion, which all caused civilians to leave their home countries and towns. Karama seeks to inspire people, to enhance awareness, but most of all to create a space where visual art can address collective concerns.