Human rights defenders (HRDs) around the globe continue to inspire us with their commitment and resilience, both as individuals and as collectives who defend human rights. HRDs influence policy-makers to develop more just and equal systems; demand checks and balances; monitor and research human rights violations and abuses, denounce impunity and corruption, hold power-holders accountable; among many other examples of the importance of their work, of their strength and resilience. Yet, in recent years, fundamental rights and freedoms have been eroded in several countries. This is due to a complex interplay of societal structures, injustices, crises – be they geopolitical, economic, climatic or democratic – as well as the failure of state authorities to fulfil their duty to protect HRDs, coupled with the growing defiance of powerful non-state actors. All in all, those in power continue to create barriers which obstruct the exercise of the right to defend human rights (RDHR), increasing the risks and urgent protection needs of HRDs. HRDs continue to risk their lives, freedom and security to make our world more equal, sustainable and just.

We envision a world in which people’s fundamental human rights and freedoms are universally recognised and respected by all, and in which everyone enjoys these rights and freedoms without fear of threats or attacks. Since 2007, Protection International has focused in promoting an enabling environment for rights-defence work from an intersectional perspective, mostly through long-term accompaniment and support for HRDs at risk. We have contributed to the development and implementation of policies and tools for the protection of HRDs worldwide, with the goal to foster resilience among HRDs and their collectives, through preventive and comprehensive approaches to protection.

The next few years will be critical for rights defence across the world. As humanity faces unprecedented global challenges – the triple planetary crisis, ramping inequalities, extreme concentration of wealth it is of the utmost importance to eliminate the barriers to the RDHR and address the systemic issues that perpetuate violence and aggression against those who fight for social and environmental justice.

Protection International is committed to be an even stronger ally and partner of HRDs and their collectives to rigorously engage with relevant stakeholders, so we can influence policies and contribute to a more enabling environment for the RDHR, and to continue to focus on our institutional strengthening to further evolve into an organisation that takes care of its own people as we work together to achieve our mission.

With this in mind, and recognising that there is still much to do to ensure a fair, equitable, and sustainable world, our motivation to deliver meaningful and positive impacts in the future led us to develop our Global Strategy Framework 2024-2028 – a result of many conversations and dialogues with our teams worldwide, as well as inputs from our partners, HRDs, and funders. Our new strategy aims to take stock of the lessons learned over the past years, and strategically direct our time, efforts and resources to further develop and improve ourselves while we address critical issues that HRDs face on the ground.