HUMAN RIGHTS TODAY

born with the guilt of being born

Code KR46MO

The artwork by LBS (Bruno Salvatore Latella) “Born with the guilt of being born” was created in the wake of the dramatic shipwreck off Cutro (Italy, Calabria) on 26 February 2023, when dozens of lives—including many minors identified by codes such as “KR46M0”—were shattered by the waves and institutional indifference. At the centre of the canvas stands little KR46M0, stylized and suspended in a grey-blue void, his code inscribed to underscore the reduction of each person to a mere number. From the lower-right diagonal bursts the hand of a Calabrian fisherman: a symbol of concrete solidarity and collective redemption, ready to extend aid where institutions have remained silent. The work, with its stark contrasts between emptiness and matter, essential lines and gestural materiality, documents the Cutro tragedy and celebrates the collective response of the Calabrian community. The original painting has now been acquired into the public heritage of the city of Crotone, as a permanent testament to the civic duty of welcome and the power of solidarity as true bulwarks of human rights.

Artist’s Declaration on Human Rights:

“Each individual is the guardian of another. When a child like KR46M0 dies at sea, it is not only a humanitarian tragedy but a moral failure of our society. I firmly believe that the right to life and the right to be welcomed are not concessions but inviolable foundations: they are not “favours” to be granted, but duties that every State and every citizen must honour. With this work, I pay tribute to the strength of Calabrian solidarity and issue a warning to European and international institutions: let us not turn away from suffering, but act with urgency to defend the rights of those who flee from war, hunger, and fear. Humanity is not a privilege of the few, but a bond that unites us all.” - Bruno Salvatore Latella (aka LBS)

“For years, we have been working in Afghanistan with children, orphans, and the most vulnerable families, striving to support their well-being and promote their inclusion. Every child, regardless of culture or faith, has the right to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment—one that supports their physical health, fosters emotional well-being, and empowers them to become self-aware adults. We believe in the strength of children, as they carrie the future in their hands.”

Susanna Fioretti

Co-founder, NOVE Caring Humans

NOVE Caring Humans is one of the few Italian NGOs still active in Afghanistan, delivering both emergency relief and development programs. Supporting women, children, and families is at the heart of our mission. With 70% of Afghan children living in multidimensional poverty and nearly three million under five at risk of acute malnutrition, our work is more vital than ever. They support orphanages as safe havens that offer shelter, education, and healthcare—protecting children from hunger, violence, early marriage, and exploitation.

Above: images from the Human Rights workshops at the orphanages in Kapisa and in Kabul, Afghanistan.

“At Second Tree we value people and fight stereotypes. With the children from our Youth Programme in Agia Eleni refugee camp, we decided to start a teaching module on Human Rights Today. We explored the topic of their own rights, and the way stereotypes can impact the way we think about each other. We covered gender equality, nationalities, and cultures. It was hearthwarming to see how students reacted to these topics: they understood how differences make us stronger. In the wise words of Joury, 9 years old, from Syria: “boys & girls can do whatever job they think they’d be good at! No problem.” ⁠

Neus Fortuny

Youth & Community Engagement Officer

Second Tree

Second Tree is a humanitarian organisation operating in northern Greece. It was founded in 2016 by a group of volunteers working in the Katsikas refugee camp. From the start, their work has been shaped by the idea that refugees should not be treated as heroes or victims, but as normal people. Today, they train institutions and humanitarian organisations, and conduct thought leadership and research on anti-victimising and anti-othering approaches in the refugee response sphere.

Above: images from the Human Rights workshops at the refugee camp in Agia Eleni, Greece.

Fleeing with Disabilities

Volodumuz

7 April 2022 | Volodumuz, 8, spends hours playing with balloons and musical toys at the Caritas welcoming center in Siret, Romania. He is autistic, nonverbal, unable to chew, and can only eat the foods he selects. Additionally, he is blind. Abandoned shortly after birth, he has lived in a special school ever since. He arrived in Siret on April 7th after a journey of approximately two weeks. Volodumuz is accompanied by Tanya, an educator who has cared for him at his special school in their hometown. To ensure the safety of Volodumuz, as well as Sergiy and Sasha, two other disabled orphans, Tanya made the difficult decision to leave one of her sons in Ukraine with his grandmother. Her youngest son is traveling with them as they seek refuge in another country until the war ends.

A project by Carolina Rapezzi

Since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022, some of the most vulnerable individuals fleeing Ukraine have included orphans, children with disabilities, minors, and autistic individuals.

Disabled orphans are often accompanied by their tutors or social educators—many of whom are mothers themselves. Some travel with their own children, while others are forced to leave their families behind in order to ensure the safety of those in their care.

For those with limited mobility, autism, blindness, or other disabilities, fleeing war zones requires specialized evacuation plans. Adapting to temporary and unfamiliar environments presents an ongoing challenge. Unlike other refugees, people with disabilities depend on access to specialized facilities, professional support, and medical treatments.

The prospect of returning to Ukraine remains uncertain. Social educators are exhausted and deeply miss their families. Although they hope to return one day, the process will likely be slow and complex due to bureaucratic hurdles, logistical challenges, and legal procedures.

join the movement

Artists, NGOs and organisations are invited to join the Human Rights Today exhibition.

Just send us a photo and a statement!

How it works for individual artists:

send us a photo of your work (it can be a previous work or a new one)
tell us why this work is important and your thoughts about human rights
don't forget your social media @

How it works for organisations:

Art Workshops:
Local organisations, schools, refugee camps, or community groups are invited to run art workshops inspired by the theme Human Rights Today. You can download a toolkit below.
Creation of Artworks:
Participants can create an original artwork inspired by their personal interpretation of human rights or a collective piece.
Submission Process:
Send us the image together with a short statement and tell us how it relates to human rights.

Left: "The storks return home" by Tatiana Frey - made on fragments of artillery shells collected in Ukraine

Human Rights Today Festival at the O2