National and international organizations call for an end to threats and harassment against journalists and human rights defenders in the Q’eqchi’ Maya territory
Download the original declaration here We, the undersigned national and international human rights organizations, express our concern for the threats, intimidation and provocations that human rights defenders, journalists and social communicators are suffering in El Estor, Izabal. In the second week of June, workers at the Solway-CGN mine took part in intimidatory actions against those […]
Ending Gag Lawsuits in Europe: Protecting Democracy and Fundamental Rights
Protecting Democracy and Fundamental Rights Find the PDF version of this paper here. The problem: gag lawsuits against public interest defenders The EU must end gag lawsuits used to silence individuals and organizations that hold those in positions of power to account. Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) are lawsuits brought forward by powerful actors […]
[Thailand] Women and Men Human Rights Defenders win a court case against Thai Ministry of Industry for unlawful granting of mining concessions.
Earth Day 2020: Anti-mining Women and Men Human Rights Defenders win a court case against the Thai Ministry of Industry for unlawful granting of mining concessions. Bangkok, 22 April 2020 Community-based Women and Men Human Rights Defenders (W/HRDs) from the anti-mining community Rak Ban Haeng Group in Lampang Province, northern Thailand, won a crucial court […]
[Thailand] COVID-19: Reality is Twice as Harsh Now for Disabled Women Defending Human Rights
Brussels/Bangkok/Chian Mai, 21 April 2020. In low and middle-income countries, such as Thailand, up to three-quarters of people with disabilities are women and girls. They face constant barriers to meaningful participation and inclusion in social settings, especially in the workplace and in decision-making roles within their families and their communities. These exclusions, barriers, and discrimination […]
[Joint Statement] COVID-19: 14 organizations urge Thai department of corrections to release prisoners
COVID-19: Release prisoners, ensure the health and safety of all those in detention facilities Pol Col Naras Savestanan Director-General, Department of Corrections Suanyai Sub-district, Mueang District Nonthaburi Province Thailand Bangkok, 15 April 2020 Re: Take immediate steps to release prisoners and ensure the health and safety of all those in detention facilities Dear Mr. Naras, […]
[Public Statement] We Support the Call in favor of the United Nations Global Humanitarian Agreement and UN Mission in Colombia’s Call for a Ceasefire and We Ask for the Protection of the Lives of All Vulnerable People amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Bogota, April 3, 2020. The International Civil Society Organizations that subscribe to this communiqué identify in the unilateral ceasefire ordered by the ELN starting on April 1, 2020, and in the reactivation of the figure of the peace managers (gestores de Paz) by the government of Ivan Duque, a possibility to return to the path […]
The right to defend under COVID-19: The voice of a Thai woman human rights defender
Brussels, 8 April 2020 The right to defend human rights is severely affected by COVID-19, especially for rural and indigenous communities of defenders. Taking Thailand as a case in point, Protection International interviewed Yupin Saja, an indigenous woman human rights defender from the Rak Lahu (Love Lahu) group, on her life under COVID-19. “Here food […]
In full solidarity with defenders: Protection International’s recommendations for Governments in addressing the global COVID-19 pandemic
27 March 2020, Brussels COVID-19 is presenting humanity with one of its biggest challenges in living memory, but under this pandemic, the threat to human rights, defenders, and our right to defend human rights is one that we call attention to. The impact of the COVID-19 virus has reached the four corners of the globe […]
E-learning course: “Security and Protection Management of Human Rights Defenders and Social Organisations”
Protection International will be running the next edition of its online course “Security and Protection Management for Human Rights Defenders and Social Organisations” from 7 September – 29 November 2020. For an application form and detailed information about the course, send an e-mail to: e-learning [at] protectioninternational.org. Deadline for registration: 21 August 2020 Director: Enrique […]
JAES Press Reaction on Joint Communication “Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa”
Brussels, 9th March 2020 — Today the joint communication ‘Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa’ has been released by the European Commission (EC) and the European External Action Service (EEAS). The document will be used as a basis for talks between the European Union (EU) and their African counterparts when defining the new EU comprehensive […]