Archive for the 'Human Rights Defenders' Category
January 31, 2013
When writing about individual Human Rights Defenders the tendency is to give attention to those in the front line who are in immediate trouble. This time I want to refer to a HRD teaching at the University of Connecticut based on a blog post by Kenneth Best of 30 January 2013. It concerns Luis van Isschot, an assistant professor of history, who specializes in the study of human rights in Latin America ( photo by Peter Morenus/UConn Photo).
Conversation around the dinner table in the van Isschot home in Montreal was a bit different than in most Canadian homes. Growing up with a Spanish, Peruvian, and Dutch family heritage, Luis van Isschot listened to discussions about Latin American history and politics led by his father, a physician who treated families in a clinic based in Montreal’s Latino community…….
…His path to a doctoral degree developed from his volunteer work in Guatemala and later in Colombia, where he served as a human rights observer. It was during his time in Colombia that a friend who was a university professor and a historian told him that one of the most important books of Colombian history was written by a professor from his hometown of Montreal, Catherine Le Grand at McGill University, and that he should look her up. He did, and it led to his enrollment in the doctoral program. “She made it seem that you could be a wonderful teacher, a cutting-edge scholar, and have a balanced life of engagement in your community, and that the Ph.D. was a way of doing that,” van Isschot says. “The university is central to the community, not apart from it. That makes sense to me.”
He later became involved with MEA Laureate 2001 Peace Brigades International, a nonpartisan organization that sends international volunteers to areas of conflict to provide protective accompaniment to human rights defenders threatened by political violence in 11 nations, including in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In addition to serving as a human rights observer in Colombia, he also traveled to the Great Lakes Region of Africa, doing research in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi.
“It was a really important experience for me to go somewhere where the language of human rights and social justice and the understanding of history really enriched my own understanding of what I was working on in Latin America,” he says. His experience in Colombia led him to focus his doctoral studies on human rights activities in that nation’s oil capital, Barrancabermeja, where he lived for a year. The city was the center of a major urban war between Colombian paramilitary groups and leftist guerillas. Between 1998 and 2002, in a city of 300,000 there were about 2,000 violent murders. “It was a devastating period. The relationships I made with Colombian human rights activists, teachers, and scholars convinced me that I needed to find some place to explore the issues,” he says.
His book, The Social Origins of Human Rights: Protesting Political Violence in Columbia’s Oil Capital, 1919-2010, is near completion, and scheduled to be published in early 2014. His new research project is titled “When the Courts Make History: the Impact of the Inter American Court of Human Rights in Latin America’s Conflict Zones,” and examines the historical changes set in motion by the pursuit of justice across borders.
http://today.uconn.edu/blog/2013/01/focusing-on-human-rights-with-a-latin-american-perspective/
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Tags: Africa, Canada, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Human rights defender, human rights education, human rights teaching, Latin America, Luis van Isschot, McGill University, PBI, Peace Brigades International, research, University of Connecticut, USA
January 31, 2013
On 29 January 2013 the Association for Progressive Communications(APC) released its new resource “Digital security first-aid kit for human rights defenders.”
It is an interactive website publication available online at http://rights.apc.org/infosec
In the face of increased human rights surveillance of ever-growing
online traffic and the multiplication of commercial interest in user
data, APC’s Connect Your Rights! campaign is today putting out tips and
tricks for human rights defenders to circumvent threats to their privacy
and their information.
The kit is meant to help people working to defend human rights to act
quickly to straighten-out situations in which their personal data is
compromised or in which they suspect they have fallen victim to online
wiretapping. Relying on eight different scenarios, information is
presented to users in-need using an accessible format. The digital
security first-aid kit advises on tactics such as how to access blocked
websites and how to encrypt electronic mail.
The Digital security first-aid kit is a living project – New topic areas
will be added to the kit in future.
“We want to be sure that this toolkit will actually help human rights
activists wherever needed,” Mallory Knodel of APC says. “We are working
through our network of local technology groups in more than 40 countries
to achieve this”.
Connect Your Rights! – an awareness-building and advocacy campaign aimed
at framing internet rights as human rights – has produced issue papers,
infographics and many articles about internet rights violations. It monitors internet rights via its online platform. Please visithttp://rights.apc.org
*Digital security First Aid Kit* <http://rights.apc.org/infosec>
*Connect Your Rights!* <http://rights.apc.org>
The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international
network and non-profit organisation founded in 1990: <http://www.apc.org>
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Tags: Advocacy Organizations, APC, Association for Progressive Communications, cyber activism, digital security, First aid kit, HRDs, human rights, Human Rights Defenders, intenet, protection, wiretapping
January 29, 2013
On 28 January 2013, a number of Brazilian civil society organisations and social movements addressed an open letter to the Coordinator of the National Programme for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (NPPHRD) and the Presidency regarding the security situation for human rights defender Alexandre Anderson de Souza.
Alexandre Anderson de Souza is head of the Associação dos Homens do Mar – AHOMAR (Association of Seamen), an organisation set up to defend the rights of the fisherfolk working in Rio de Janeiro, and particularly those affected by the construction of a gas pipeline for Petrobras. AHOMAR argues that there are reports of environmental permit irregularities in the construction of the pipeline and it will have a negative impact on local flora and fauna as well as on the livelihood of those who fish in those waters in the Guanabara Bay.
Alexandre Anderson de Souza has suffered a number of threats to his life and has been under the NPPHRD since 2009, but the federal government has delegated the responsibility to authorities in the state of Rio de Janeiro, where he and his family live. However, the human rights defender and a number of Brazilian civil society organisations and social movements that support him, have been repeatedly expressing their discontent with the protection offered by the state programme and the conditions in which Alexandre Anderson de Souza, his wife Ms Daize Menezes and their children have been forced to live. As the situation has worsened the human rights defender and his family have had to relocate to different hotels in the city of Rio de Janeiro but the locations were highly insecure. The buildings did not have 24-hour reception personnel and the rooms they were accommodated in had no telephone. The protection programme has been unable to ensure Alexandre and his family’s return to their residence in Magé, and as a result the human rights defender remains unable to resume his work at AHOMAR. Four members of AHOMAR have been killed to date.
Another point of discontent with the state protection programme has been the unsatisfactory level of legal support provided to the human rights defender by the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Projeto Legal (Legal Project). Projeto Legal has signed an agreement with the government of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in the context of the state protection programme, to provide legal support and advice to the human rights defenders included in the programme. After repeated complaints about the NGO’s inaction in several instances, Alexandre Anderson de Souza received information from a reliable source that one of Projeto Legal’s main funders is Petrobras, the same oil company whose actions the human rights defender and his organisation AHOMAR have been trying to hold accountable for environmental damages. The information was confirmed on the websites of both Petrobras and the NGO, but neither they, nor the government of the state of Rio de Janeiro, have clarified the terms of the agreement, raising doubts over the impartiality of the organisation and a conflict of interests.
The open letter signed by several civil society organisation addressed the main concerns of Alexandre Anderson de Souza and other NGOs working with human rights defenders in the country. While welcoming the formal establishment of the state of Rio de Janeiro’s protection programme for human rights defenders through the Decree 44.038 signed on 18 January 2013, the letter asks for Alexandre and his wife Daize, as well as other human rights defenders who are currently under the protection of the state, to have their security ensured by the National Protection Programme until the state protection programme is fully operating and able to fully ensure the safety of human rights defenders in the territory of the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned following reports of the vulnerable security situation of human rights defender Alexandre Anderson de Souza and his family, and of other human rights defenders under the protection of the state of Rio de Janeiro. 
http://racismoambiental.net.br/2013/01/carta-aberta-ao-coordenador-nacional-do-programa-de-protecao-aos-defensores-de-direitos-humanos-sr-igo-martini/#more-85964
Posted in Front Line, human rights, Human Rights Defenders | 2 Comments »
Tags: Alexandre Anderson de Souza, Brasil, environmental issues, Front Line, Front Line Defenders, human rights, Human rights defender, Non-governmental organization, Petrobras, protection, threats
January 28, 2013
On 24 January 2013, human rights defender Martha Díaz was targeted again with a death threat.
On 24 January, a package in a manila envelope was delivered to the residence of Martha Díaz, which contained a mass card and note with letters cut from a newspaper. The letters stated: “You are dead, you are a collaborator of the guerilla, we are not joking, one of you is going to die”[translated from Spanish]. On 22 January, the human rights defender had already received a pamphlet sent by a group who identified themselves as “Los Rastrojos”.
Martha Díaz is Director of AFUSODO, an organisation of relatives of victims of extrajudicial executions and a member organisation of MOVICE (National Movement of the Victims of State Crimes). Since its creation, AFUSADO has received some 27 threats. Front Line Defenders issued an urgent appeal https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/20842 on death threats received by Martha Díaz on 14 November 2012, and has issued previous appeals on threats against human rights organisations in the Cauca and Valle del Cauca departments.
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Tags: Colombia, Death threat, death threats, Front Line, human rights, Human rights defender, impunity, Martha Diaz, MOVICE
January 28, 2013
ShabanoYanomami.jpg (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This 30-minute film, directed by Daniel Schweizer, is part of OMCT’s sponsorship project “Defend the Defenders”. The film follows a mission of OMCT in Brazil, accompanied by the sponsor and actress Noémie Kocher, showcasting human rights defenders of indigenous peoples rights, Megaron and Davi Yanomami Kopenawa. The documentary – available through VIMEO – illustrates the challenges and threats facing the indigenous Yanomami and Kayapo and their defenders on the construction of Belo Monte hydroelectric dam and illegal mining in Amazonia. http://protectionline.org/2013/01/23/documentary-by-omct-amazon-indians-on-borrowed-time/
For more information on the Sponsorship project “Defend the Defenders”, visit OMCT website:bit.ly/u8puEj
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Tags: Amazon rainforest, Brazil, Daniel Schweizer, documentary, human rights, Human Rights and Liberties, Human Rights Defenders, Indigenous People, OMCT, video, Vimeo, World Organisation Against Torture
January 26, 2013
The Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) is seeking to hire a man-ager for its Women Human Rights Defenders Program (WHRD). Preferred location is Mexico (but flexible).
The application closing date is Sunday, February 24, 2012.
via Manager, Women Human Rights Defenders WHRD Program / Jobs at AWID / Get Involved / Home – AWID.
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Tags: AWID, job, job opportunity, manager, Mexico, vacancy, WHRD, women human rights defenders
January 26, 2013
In December 2012, the Stockholm-based NGO Civil Rights Defenders wrote a letter to the Swedish Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt, and urged him to demand stronger protection for human rights defenders in Kosovo. Civil Rights Defender’s letter to Carl Bildt was sent after the attacks against the organisations ‘Kosovo 2.0’ and ‘Libertas’ in late 2012. Read more about the background: http://www.civilrightsdefenders.org/news/statements/kosovo-police-must-promptly-investigate-hate-crime-attacks/
Carl Bildt (Wikipedia)
What is interesting is the frank exchange between the NGO and the Ministry and the fact that the exchange of letter can be made public. I think that in quite a few countries civil society can only dream of this kind of transparency.
For this reason I reproduce the response of 21 January 2013 by the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in full:
Dear Robert,
Thank you for your letter about the human rights situation in Kosovo and the information about the attacks in Pristina against human rights defenders, addressed to Foreign Minister Carl Bildt. I’ve been asked to answer you. I would first like to apologize for the late reply.
The events you describe is obviously regrettable and unacceptable, and unfortunately part of a pattern in the Western Balkans where gay, bisexual and transgender people’s rights are not guaranteed and they are subjected to harassments. From a Swedish perspective, strengthening human rights in Kosovo is a priority both on a political level and within the framework of the Swedish development cooperation, where we work closely with the civil society, including Civil Rights Defenders. Improvement of the human rights situation is also crucial for Kosovo’s EU integration.
We are discussing these important issues on a political level with politicians in Kosovo. When Prime Minister Hachim Thaci visited Sweden in October, EU integration and the necessary reforms in Kosovo, including human rights, were major themes. In development cooperation, Sweden is working with great commitment with LGBT issues in several projects in the Western Balkans, including Kosovo. As you probably know the Swedish Institute in 2012 showed the exhibition “Article One” to empower the LGBT movement in Kosovo and make them more visible in the community.
One reason why Sweden wants to see Kosovo as well as the other Western Balkan countries as members of the EU, is the great development of these countries’ societies that comes with the EU integration. Democracy in Kosovo has made considerable progress in recent years, but significant challenges remain, not least in the field of human rights. A clear EU perspective with strict requirements and evaluations with regard to respect for human rights is the best way to drive development in Kosovo. Civil society engagement, both within countries and internationally, is of utmost importance for Kosovo to become a more open and democratic society.
Sincerely
Emilie af Jochnick
MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
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Tags: Balkan, Carl Bildt, Civil Rights Defenders, European Union, Human Rights Defenders, Kosovo, Kosovo 2.0, LGBT rights, Libertas, Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sweden), Robert Hard, Sweden
January 26, 2013
When I saw that William Gomes was named ‘human rights ambassador‘ back in April 2012 my curiosity was piqued and I wondered how on earth I had never heard of him or his appointment. Which country or international organization had bestowed upon him this official function and title and why? A bit of internet research revealed that it is the Oregon-based news agency Salem-News.com that had given him the grandiose title because “in this rapidly changing world, we believe this newly-created position and program, are large steps in raising our effectiveness as a news agency“.
At first I was a bit annoyed that the well-known title had been appropriated by a journalist but then reflected that we already have quite a few of ‘Goodwill’ Ambassadors and that Amnesty International has a ‘Ambassador of Conscience Award’, so that the charge of inflation hardly stands. Moreover, the definition coined in 1604 by Sir Henry Wotton that “an ambassador is an honest gentleman sent to lie abroad for the good of his country” does not guarantee better reporting.
What is interesting is that Salem-News.com describes itself “as a tireless band of writers, many of whom constantly explore the stinging issues surrounding human rights violations all over the world. We have long been a voice for the downtrodden, the people who fight for human independence, and resistance movements in the world that battle fascism and state terrorism” and stresses “that human rights reporting is our centerpiece; and in that respect our reporters are all incredible ambassadors for humanity“. William’s qualities and credentials as a “new kind of journalist” are provided in florid detail with his involvement in the Global Independent Media Center, the Italian Asia news agency, and the Asian Human Rights Commission,
Tim King, News Editor for Salem-News.com, states “We are very excited about the inclusion of this new role for William, he is already seeing progress from his letters to high level officials who are capable of resolving serious issues. There are people in really tough circumstances in need of intervention, this will be an increasingly powerful method in helping draw public attention to the ordeals they face” and he encourage all of us to send a congratulations letter to: williamgomes.org@gmail.com!
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Tags: activism, Ambassador of Conscience Award, Amnesty International, Asian Human Rights Commission, blogger, Henry Wotton, human rights, journalism, Oregon, Salem-News.com, Tim King, William Gomes
January 25, 2013
Front Line Defenders launched today its 2013 Annual Report on human rights defenders, which rather confusingly in fact covers 2012. It highlights developments in the
situation of human rights defenders in 2012 and analyses the situation in each region of the world. It concludes: “The sad reality is that while governments
proclaim their support for human rights and their respect for the work of human rights defenders in international fora, in practice, human rights defenders face a daily struggle for survival.”
In 2012, Front Line Defenders issued 287 urgent appeals on 460 human rights defenders at risk in 69 countries; it provided 267 security grants and trained 358 human rights defenders.
The Report, currently in English, will shortly be available in French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Farsi.The Report is available at
http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/21376 <http://www.frontlinedefenders.org//node/21376>
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Tags: 2013, annual report 2012, Front Line Defenders, human rights, Human Rights and Liberties, Human rights defender, Human Rights Defenders
January 25, 2013
1968 Robert Kennedy (credit: Wikipedia)
After the call for nominations for the Nansen Award and Lawyers for Lawyers Award this week, here comes the one for the US-based Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. Founded in 1968, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights (RFK Center) has honored 44 human rights defenders working in 26 countries since 1984. The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award Laureates are individuals who stand up to oppression at grave personal risk in the non-violent pursuit of human rights. The Award recognizes the work of outstanding individuals and provides support for the work of the Laureate through litigation; public awareness campaigns; advocacy to governments, the United Nations, regional bodies, other international entities and non-governmental organizations; and by generating domestic and international support for their cause.
The public is allowed to nominate outstanding human rights defenders. The deadline is March 1, 2013. Only nominations in English are accepted. Click here for the nominations form:
https://rfkcenter-hra.myreviewroom.com/
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Tags: Advocacy Organizations, awards, call for nominations, human rights, Human Rights and Liberties, Human Rights Defenders, nominations, Non-governmental organization, personal risk, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 