In pictures: The long struggle for land rights in Las Pavas (Colombia)
Defending territory is one activity that generates risk for human rights defenders in Colombia; during 2013 alone, 37 human rights defenders were murdered, and at least 30% of these deaths were related to land restitution. The majority of these assassinations are the responsibility of paramilitary groups, now named the “anti-land restitution army”, which operate in […]
Quotes from the Platform : DIY*, then we come and assist !
“When I come to countries, I regularly get asked “what can you do for us?” says Maina Kiai, UN Special Rapporteur for the Freedom of Assembly and Association, telling about his encounters with human rights defenders at risk around the world. The Special Rapporteur tells the 7th Front Line’s Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders his default answer: “I cannot […]
Protection International Participates in Project to Promote the Protection of Defenders in Osce/odihr Countries
The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has recently embarked on an ambitious project to promote the effective protection of human rights defenders (HRDs) in its 57 participating States from Europe, Central Asia and North America. Protection International (PI) was invited along with 24 other […]
Salvagente, Sacrifice and Security
“There’s this streak of sacrifice in our culture” says Davide Zaveri, coordinator of the Salvagente project in Italy. “We Italians first focus on helping others in need – and need to overcome this reflex before we start thinking of our own security.” The Salvagente (‘Lifejacket’) project overcomes this reflex. It invited Protection International to Turin […]
EU Parliament Assesses the Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders
Protection International draws your attention to this important Exchange of views on EU policies on human rights defenders, including the presentation of a study on Assessing the Implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders. This event will happen in the European Parliament on Tuesday, 28 May 2013 10h00 – 11h30, and will be web-streamed […]
Eu Guidelines for Hrds: Increased Involvement Needed by Eu Diplomats
Yesterday, the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) of the European Parliament held an exchange of views on EU policies concerning human rights defenders (HRD). Chairwoman, Mrs Barbara Lochbihler, reminded attendees about the importance of defenders’ work and the need to place them higher on the political agenda, due to the many threats they face. Karen Bennett, researcher at the Human Rights […]
25th Anniversary of Pbi – the Netherlands – Pi’s “the Law of the Strongest” Will Be Screen as Part of Their Programme of Celebrations
Today, 6th December 2013, marks 25 years since Peace Brigades International – The Netherlands, was established to support human rights defenders around the world. Protection International would like to congratulate them on this important anniversary and encourage them to carry on with the very important work they have been doing all these years. Protection International has […]
On the International Day of Human Rights, Civil Society Demands Greater Coherence in EU Foreign Policy
Brussels, Tuesday, 10 December 2013. On International Human Rights Day, civil society networks Alop, Cifca, Grupo Sur, Oidhaco, and Protection International urge the EU to make respect for human rights the guiding principle in its trade relations with Latin America. The European Parliament ratified trade agreements with Colombia, Peru, and Central America in December 2012. […]
Protection International continues to support the work of LGBTI human rights defenders
Brussels, 26 March 2014 – Protection International (PI) was invited by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) EU office in Brussels to deliver a workshop on Protection and Security Management for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) Defending Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Rights in Africa. The session aimed to share PI’s long-standing experience on security and protection with […]
European Union and Human Rights Defenders: Time to move up a gear!
Brussels, 17 June 2014 – Today, at a seminar held at the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels, Front Line Defenders, Peace Brigades International, Protection International, the International Federation for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International celebrate the 10th anniversary of the European Union (EU) Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders . […]