“Seeing the Suffering” in Northern Uganda: The Impact of a Human Rights Approach to Humanitarianism

Abstract

This article makes the argument that a rights-based approach to humanitarianism has not been successful in achieving one of its stated objectives; namely, the transformation of the recipients of aid from passive victims to rights-bearing citizens. This is largely a result of the fact that a human rights approach relies upon the collection and representation of narratives of suffering in order to gain financing and political influence. In northern Uganda, where research for this article took place, people in the camps for displaced had come to understand the role of their suffering. They instrumentalized their tales in an attempt to connect with the wider world and to bring an end to the conflict and their deprivation. In a period where the quality and quantity of international connections and networks is critical for the development and political and social wellbeing of a society or nation, the nature of the relations developed between people is increasingly important. The failure to improve the position of recipients of aid vis-à-vis the wider international community is therefore of crucial significance and needs to be continually analysed and addressed.