Naming Names: Identity and Identification in Human Rights Work

Abstract

Naming the names of victims has always been an essential principle in human rights campaigning. A more recent issue of debate within the human rights movement concerns the appropriacy and timing of public identification of perpetrators. What is it in personal names which make them so important? This article examines the conduct among human rights institutions, both governmental and non-governmental, in reporting on individuals thus far. Critical issues emerge as to the inconsistency in the listing of victims’ names and the one-dimensional portrayal of persons as ‘cases’. It is argued that human rights institutions should present the names of victims more systematically and should identify perpetrators as well. On the other hand, non-governmental organisations might reconsider their position that perpetrators must always be placed on trial.