Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards

The Women’s Rehabilitation Center (WOREC) in Nepal began documenting cases of violations of women’s human rights in the context of armed conflict in 62 districts between 2005 and 2006. During the documentation process, it became clear that Women Human Rights Defenders themselves were at risk. They have been the target of specific threats and harassment in their work, torture, beatings, arbitrary arrest and detention, death threats, harassment and defamation, as well as restrictions on their freedoms of movement, expression, association and assembly. Defenders have been the victims of false accusations and unfair trial and conviction. WOREC-Nepal has been systematically documenting incidents of violence perpetrated against female defenders. WOREC Nepal has documented total of 105 cases of violations done to the HRDs committed by state and non state actors. Some of the 105 cases go back as far as 2004 but the majority of the cases documented have occurred in the last three years. The 105 documented cases of violations of HRDs’ rights, illustrate the extent of the sufferings of HRDs due to the lack of specific protection mechanisms for ensuring their right to defend. There are incidences of Women Human Rights Defenders being raped, murdered and intimidated for their work in strengthening a culture of democracy and human rights in the country. For the full statement see: http://www.humanrights.asia/news/alrc-news/human-rights-council/hrc16/ALRC-CWS-16-09-2011

This entry was posted on February 28, 2011 at 14:44 and is filed under human rights, Uncategorized.

Tags: human rights violations, Nepal