The laureates
Description
Brandon Rabanit is a legal consultant, a doctoral candidate in domestic and international public law, and an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Law and Political Science at the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar. He advocates for strengthening the rule of law and ensuring access to justice for every citizen. In 2017, he was one of the founding members of the Movement for the Integrity of Elections and Leaders (MIEL), whose goal is to advocate for a fair and transparent electoral process in order to ensure that leaders who are committed to human rights come to power. Since 2018, he has been a member of the NGO Ivorary, a legal organization that advocates on various aspects of human rights.
Interview de Brandon RABANIT – 29 mai 2024
Can you please introduce yourself?
My name is Brandon Rabanit. I am a doctoral student in legal studies and a lecturer in the School of Law and Political Science at the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar. In addition, I work as a legal consultant and am a member of two civil society organizations in Madagascar, where my role is to document and conduct research on human rights issues in my country.
I have been a member of the NGO Ivorary since late 2018. This organization aims to promote integrity and transparency in the management of Madagascar’s public affairs and administration. It is very active in promoting civil and political rights (e.g., elections, access to information and justice, freedom of expression, etc.).
Je participe également activement aux activités de l’association Mouvement pour l’Ethique et la Déontologie de Madagascar (MEDEM), créée en 2008. Elle vise à promouvoir la pratique éthique des services publics et notamment de la justice, son principal secteur d’activité.
Can you describe your work as a human rights advocate?
I am committed on two levels. The first is the promotion of so-called “first-generation” rights—civil and political rights (e.g., equal access to public services, the right to security, the right to dignity). As a teacher, I instill in my students my sense of commitment and the importance of asserting one’s rights, despite precarious working conditions. The second is my work as a legal consultant. Through my research and the publication of my findings, I aim to contribute to the advancement of human rights by strengthening the body of evidence on the reality of rights compliance in Madagascar.
My volunteer work with the NGOs Ivorary and MEDEM allows me to participate in advocacy efforts to implement projects related to human rights.
Why did you decide to advocate for human rights?
There are two main reasons behind my commitment. The first is my passion for and interest in human rights, which I have had since childhood. It was this passion that led me to study law and pursue a career in this field. The second is my duty to show solidarity with my fellow citizens.Respect for human rights in Madagascar is far from being effective, due to various factors (economic and financial instability, abuse of power, political instability, etc.). The successive crises affecting my country contribute to perpetuating this situation of ineffectiveness. I therefore felt it was my duty to get involved and take action as a citizen.
As Einstein said, “Those who have the privilege of knowing have a duty to act.” The major problem in Madagascar is the lack of documentation and studies on the human rights situation, which makes it impossible to assess the extent of existing violations, and I am working to resolve this issue.
What do you expect from the Marianne Initiative in terms of strengthening your project?
My expectations upon joining the Marianne Initiative program were, above all, to have a platform to alert the international community to the human rights situation in my country. Also, on a personal level, I wanted to expand my network in order to build partnerships to carry out my projects. Another goal of my participation was to build my capacity and gain new knowledge by spending six months with my fellow awardees, as well as by meeting with institutions, civil society organizations, and others.
Which activities were most useful to you during the program ?
As for training programs, I really enjoyed the one offered by Sciences Po on Negotiation and Leadership—it was very hands-on and practical. The program also gives us the opportunity to interact with high-level officials and advocate before various international (e.g., the United Nations) and European organizations (e.g., during trips to Geneva and Strasbourg), which I found to be very effective in drawing the attention of the international community. Thanks to these meetings and institutional visits, I was able to expand my engagement on an international scale.
What are you plans after the program ?
Upon completion of the program, I plan to focus more on continuing my studies, while continuing my work as a human rights advocate through research and the publication of scholarly articles on human rights in Madagascar. In particular, I would like to pursue a master’s degree in France in human rights or civil liberties to further specialize in these areas.
In addition, I have begun the process of establishing an organization in France with fellow citizens who are also committed to upholding civil and political rights.
Would you like to add anything else?
I’d like to conclude with a quote that I particularly appreciate: “We earn our living with what we receive, but we give it meaning with what we offer.”
