woman human rights defender | Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards

Posts Tagged ‘woman human rights defender’

Story of human rights defender Marcela de Jesus Natalia

November 19, 2024

In June 2017, Indigenous Ñomndaa’ journalist Marcela de Jesus Natalia found herself fighting for her life. A gunman waited for her outside the radio station where she worked and shot her three times.

“I didn’t think he wanted to kill me,” she said. “I turned around. The first bullet went to my forehead. I put my hand up, [and] the bullet went in and came out. The second one shattered my jaw. Then this guy held me, dragged me, gave me a final shot in my head and laid me on the pavement.”

Though at first presumed dead, Marcela de Jesús survived the attack and, with the support of lawyers and advocates, as well as of UN Human Rights, continues to fight for justice for the crime perpetrated against her. Marcela de Jesús was attacked because she angered powerful people by informing Indigenous Peoples about their rights, such as the importance of education, justice, and in particular, violence against women, thus empowering them to fight against historical discrimination against them.

“Journalists who expose wrongdoing and show us the horrific reality of conflict are human rights defenders,” said Volker Türk, UN Human Rights Chief, in a statement commemorating the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, observed every year on November 2. “Attacks against them affect everyone’s right to freedom of expression and access to information, leaving us all less well informed.”

In 2023, 71 journalists and media workers were killed and over 300 imprisoned around the globe, Türk said.

Marcela de Jesús is an Indigenous Ñomndaa’ woman born in Xochistlahuaca, in the state of Guerrero, on Mexico’s Pacific coast. From a young age, Marcela de Jesús witnessed violence and attacks by men in positions of power and even the military. It was there that her desire to defend her people was born and she realised that to confront abusers she needed to learn Spanish.

Marcela de Jesús migrated to the state of Oaxaca, and by her own efforts, she managed to continue studying and encountered a radio station that was looking for an Indigenous person from Guerrero who spoke Ñomndaa’ and Spanish and had completed middle school.

“I went behind my husband’s back, took the exam and passed,” she said. “I remember that the director [of the radio station] said to me, ‘Why do you want to be an announcer?’ ‘I always wanted to be the voice of my people,’ I answered.” Later, she returned to the state of Guerrero and got a precarious job as a radio announcer, but with patience and hard work she managed to become the radio manager.

It was after her return to her home state that she began to encounter opposition to her “voice.” Marcela de Jesús was told by powerful people in her town that she was not supposed to inform Indigenous Peoples; that the only thing they were interested in was whether a goat or a cow was lost, and not to get into trouble. She fought against and won lawsuits filed against her for giving Indigenous Peoples news.

It is my conviction that my people should be guaranteed the right that is enshrined in the Constitution and in international treaties, that we have the right to information.

“They couldn’t [silence me] because what is legal is legal. What is morally good is morally good. And that is the reason for the attack against me,” said Marcela de Jesús.

According to UN Human Rights in Mexico, at least five journalists and one media worker have been killed and one more media worker was disappeared this year because of their work. This continuous danger in which journalists have had to operate for years, led universal and regional human rights mechanisms to recommend to the Mexican State the creation of a Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists.

…The gunman who shot Marcela de Jesus has been arrested and sentenced for his crime, but the ones who called for her shooting are still out there. She is hopeful for them to be brought to justice.

“I have a lot of faith that the alleged intellectual author will forget about me. I have faith that nothing is forever,” said Marcela de Jesús. She added: “Nothing and no one, not jail, not this attack with three bullets, takes away my desire to continue being the voice of my people, to continue with my activism, my defence of human rights. I am fulfilling my dream of being the voice of my people at the national and international level.”

https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2024/11/i-always-wanted-be-voice-my-people

Posted in human rights, Human Rights Defenders, UN | Leave a Comment »
Tags: attack, Human Rights Defenders, indigenous peoples, Journalist, killings, Marcela de Jesus Natalia, Mexico, protection mechanisms, Radio broadcasting, UN Human Rights, woman human rights defender

Stories of women human rights defenders central to Memria’s work

November 12, 2024

Photo: RN Luisa Bluo in front of a picket line. Positively Filipino.

https://mailchi.mp/memria/squeaky-wheel-septemberoctober-changemakers-to-kick-off-the-fall-season-17963045?e=0c88049d46

Posted in human rights, Human Rights Defenders | Leave a Comment »
Tags: Coumba Toure, Human Rights Defenders, MEMRIA, Senegal, Squeaky Wheel, woman human rights defender

Indigenous human rights defender Victoria Maladaeva from Russia

November 6, 2024

‘Indigenous communities must have better political representations to ensure our rights are protected both constitutionally and in practice,‘ says Victoria Maladaeva, and Indigenous peoples’ rights defender from Russia. Victoria was also a participant in ISHR’s Women Rights Advocacy Week this year. She spoke to ISHR about her work and goals.

Hello Victoria, thanks for accepting to tell us your story. Can you briefly introduce yourself and your work?

Sure! I’m a Buryat anti-war decolonial activist, co-founder of the Indigenous of Russia Foundation.

What inspired you to become involved in the defence of human rights?

Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Indigenous peoples, particularly Buryat, have been hit the hardest. I wanted to help my people, fight the Russian propaganda and raise awareness about systemic colonial oppression and discrimination faced by Indigenous people and ethnic minorities in the Russian Federation.

What would Russia and your community look like in the future if you achieved your goals, if the future you are fighting for became a reality?

The country needs a large-scale transformation— political, economic, and cultural. Indigenous communities must have better political representations to ensure our rights are protected both constitutionally and in practice. Genuine democratic reforms involve fundamental rights for self-determination and autonomy where Indigenous peoples gain control of their land and resources. Putin’s constitution’s amendments to national Republics must be reversed, our languages must be mandatory in all schools, universities, and institutions where Indigenous communities live.

How do you think your work is helping make that future come true?

I’m advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples with international stakeholders and institutions to raise awareness about issues faced by our communities and spreading awareness, producing documentaries, and mobilising diasporas.

Have you been the target of threats or attempts at reprisals because of your work?

Unfortunately, yes. There have been threats because of my anti-war activism and for shedding light on the disproportionate mobilisation in the Republic of Buryatia. For some reason, my colleagues and I were denied participation in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. I would like to believe this was a mistake and that there was no influence from the Russian delegation at the UN.

Do you have a message for the UN and the international community?

Russia needs decolonisation and de-imperialisation. Without revising the past and acknowledging colonial wars (not only in Ukraine) and discrimination, there can be no bright future for Russia—free and democratic. The international and anti-imperialist community should acknowledge that the Russian government is not for any anti-colonial movement. Stand in solidarity with independent Indigenous activists!

https://ishr.ch/defender-stories/human-rights-defenders-story-victoria-maladaeva-from-russia

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Tags: activist community, environment, human rights, Human rights defender, indigenous peoples, Indigenous rights, ISHR, profile, Russia, Victoria Maladaeva, woman human rights defender

How tough childhood thrust Rachael Mwikali into activism

October 27, 2024

GORDON OSEN on 24 October 2024 in the Star of Kenya published a warm portrait of Rachael Mwikali who, born and bred in Mathare slums, has come face to face with discrimination and abuse.

When you watch Rachael Mwikali do her activism, you may dismiss her as an antagonistic feminist and a rebel without a cause. Not so. At proximity, the globally recognised champion of sexual and reproductive health rights and women is a warm and compassionate personality whose work is fired up by empathy.

She told the Star during an interview on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights in Banjul, The Gambia, that at the age of 13, a man 10 years older than her sexually abused her. “The saddest part is the community did not protect me. In fact, they blamed me for engaging in sex at a young age,” she said.

“I learnt to speak up for myself and others who may not have the courage.” Her reward, she says, is when the marginalised get justice. At the heart of her campaign is turning women’s perceived vulnerability and weaknesses into strengths.

Through her organisation Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders, she champions for intersectionality as well. When El Nino ravaged Mathare slums this year, Mwikali started a community kitchen that would make up to 500 hot meals per day.

She is also part of the #EndFemicideKE. Her agitation has seen her count her losses and keep some wins. In 2016, aged 24, Mwikali was named the Lobbyist for Change by a Swedish non-governmental organisation known as We Effect. She also sits on the Amnesty International board, the Royal Denish Embassy Youth Sounding board and the Youth Advisory board of the Kingdom of Netherlands. She is also the chairperson of the Human Rights Defenders Awards in Kenya which recognises activists at the frontline of human rights protection. The awards are given annually by the Defenders Coalition.

[https://trueheroesfilms.org/thedigest/awards/8D7E476D-A61A-4912-8CFE-97707A3C1A73]

Asked about what motivates her and what she considers a win, Mwikali says she dreams of having many more passionate women standing up for their rights, and championing for an equal society

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-10-24-how-rachael-mwikalis-tough-childhood-thrust-her-into-activism

Posted in human rights, Human Rights Defenders | Leave a Comment »
Tags: Human rights defender, human rights of women, Kenya, Mathare slums, portrait, Rachael Mwikali, the Star, woman human rights defender

Prominent Baluch human rights defender stopped from attending TIME event in US and then assaulted

October 22, 2024

Front Line Defenders call for the Pakistani authorities to be held accountable for their mistreatment and abuse of prominent Baloch woman human rights defender Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other human rights defenders accompanying her in Karachi, on 8 October 2024. The woman human rights defender was attacked by Sindh police while she was returning from the Karachi’s Jinnah international airport after immigration authorities denied her permission to leave the country.

Dr. Mahrang Baloch is a woman human rights defender and a staunch advocate for the rights of the ethnic Baloch community in Pakistan. She has campaigned peacefully against systemic violations including extra judicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions and custodial torture in Balochistan. Human rights defenders speaking out against state violence, especially seeking to hold the military and intelligence agencies accountable, undertake significant risks – against themselves and their families.

On 7 October 2024, Pakistani authorities prevented Dr. Mahrang Baloch from leaving the country. The woman human rights defender was to attend an event in New York organized by TIME which had named her in the TIME100 Next 2024 List recognizing her human rights work. Unfortunately immigration officers at the Karachi airport withheld her passport for several hours and denied her permission to board her flight without any legal basis or reasoning. Dr. Mahrang Baloch finally left the airport at around midnight after she recovered her passport. Shortly after, her vehicle was intercepted by a group of officers from the Sindh police on the old airport road in close proximity to the airport. Police brutally beat and abused Dr. Mahrang Baloch and several other human rights defenders including Sammi Deen Baloch. Police illegally seized Dr. Mahrang’s passport and mobile phone. They also took the vehicle keys, leaving the human rights defenders stranded on a deserted road at late hours in the night.

Reprisals including restrictions on travel are common in Pakistan, especially for those who speak out against state repression. In August 2024, Sammi Deen Baloch, the Front Line Defenders award winner for 2024 was prevented from traveling to Geneva for an advocacy mission to highlight human rights issues in Balochistan. The attack on Dr. Mahrang Baloch is not an isolated incident. It spotlights what many human rights defenders in Pakistan face as punishment for their work. Human rights defenders from oppressed communities such as the Baloch are especially targeted. State response to peaceful campaigns by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Baloch Solidarity Committee) has been to suppress protests and campaigns with brute force and repressive measures including criminalization.

https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/statement-report/pakistan-woman-human-rights-defender-dr-mahrang-baloch-prevented-leaving-pakistan

https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-baloch-baluch-rights-travel-ban/33151431.html

Posted in human rights, Human Rights Defenders | 1 Comment »
Tags: Human rights defender, Mahrang Baloch, Pakistan, police brutality, Time, travel ban, woman human rights defender

Women human rights defenders in Sudan persist amidst war

August 20, 2024

Sudanese refugee children and their mother register at UNHCR Egypt after the fleeing conflict in Sudan. (©UNHCR/Pedro Costa Gomes)

Women human rights defenders with the Support Sudan Campaign lost everything, but they did not lose their determination to help others.A number of them have shared their stories over the past year, reflecting the magnitude of the tragedy caused by the Sudan war: poverty, death, hunger, disease, displacement, and asylum.

Wassal Hamad al-Nile, a university student and activist, was forced to leave her home in Khartoum’s Bahri neighbourhood.

“We contracted a number of diseases due to the unhealthy environment and the lack of food, and we couldn’t find medicine,” she says. This ultimately affected her father’s health, as the family had no money to buy him medicine. He was later transferred to Shendi Education Hospital but died while undergoing treatment. “We lost hope of finding a decent place that preserves our humanity and what remains of our dignity,” she says. Al-Nile and her family moved to the village of Um al-Tayyur, where they now live in a rented room.

Nahla Youssef, head of the Coalition of Women Human Rights Defenders in Darfur, fled the city of Nyala with her 11-year-old son. They went through Juba before settling in Kampala, Uganda.

“At the end of May, I was forced to leave Sudan for a safer place,” Youssef says. “As I left, the Rapid Support Forces [RSF] took over my house and most of the houses and streets in my neighbourhood.”

With three of her colleagues, they began the journey to the city of Al-Daein hoping to finally reach Abu Matariq, but the roads were unsafe. “We were exposed to random shooting by stragglers, and we felt that someone was following us to rob us,” she says. They decided to change course and left for Kampala, Uganda, where they found a safe place to stay. It is from here that Youssef continues her work in assisting women human rights defenders….

But these harsh experiences have not prevented them from supporting their communities. “Despite the stress and oppression caused by the war, I [still] help women and children with disabilities, as this is my speciality and work that I have been doing for years,” Mahjoub says.

It is the same situation for Tahani Abass, founder of NORA, an activist organisation against gender-based violence, who is also a member of the No Oppression of Women Initiative. She found refuge in Madni city, Gezira State, after she fled the war with her two children.

She had started working again, consulting with doctors, human rights defenders, and civil society organisations on how to help people affected by the war, until fighting spread there last December.

Women human rights defenders at risk in Darfur

Human rights defenders are often targeted, which forces them to hide and reduce their movement or change their place of residence for fear of arrest or death.

Youssef, head of the Alliance of Women Human Rights Defenders in Darfur, says the war has affected women defenders because some families see human rights work as a great risk for women, especially in displacement camps. She adds that some community elders have gone to the extent of warning families about women defenders.

“The war affected me psychologically, she says. “I was displaced and left the country [Sudan] with my children, at a time when my family depends on me. I did not find a stable job sufficient for housing, expenses, children’s studies and treatment, and I cannot return to my country.”

Youssef says many other women human rights defenders are subjected to bullying and smear campaigns on the Internet as a result of their demands to stop the war, while others have been killed.

One of them is Bahjaa Abdelaa Abdelaa, who before her death, had been sent death threats for monitoring rape cases.

https://www.theafricareport.com/356677/opinion-sudanese-female-activists-provide-beacon-in-fog-of-war/

https://allafrica.com/stories/202408190615.html

Posted in human rights, Human Rights Defenders, UN | Leave a Comment »
Tags: allafrica.com, Alliance of Women Human Rights Defenders in Darfur, conflict, Darfur, Human Rights Defenders, Nahla Youssef, Sudan, Tahani Abass, the Afrca report, Wassal Hamad al-Nile, woman human rights defender

Zimbabwe must release human rights defenders ahead of SADC summit, say experts

August 19, 2024

The Zimbabwean authorities must immediately release human rights defenders who have been arbitrarily detained for over two weeks and drop charges against them, independent human rights experts said on15 August 2024.

Woman human rights defender Namatai Kwekweza, teacher and labour rights defender Robson Chere, the Secretary-General of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), along with local councilor for Harare Ward 5, Samuel Gwenzi, were forcibly removed from a departing flight at Harare Airport on 31 July 2024. Unidentified men escorted the three to a high security zone within the airport and held them incommunicado for eight hours. During this time, the three were reportedly subjected to enforced disappearance, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including waterboarding. Additionally, they were severely threatened against protesting in advance of or during the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit scheduled for 17 to 19 August 2024 in Harare.

“The enforced disappearance, incommunicado detention and torture, followed by the arbitrary detention of these human rights defenders is inexcusable, and not only violates international human rights law but also makes a mockery of the safeguards contained in Zimbabwe’s own Constitution,” the experts said.

The experts said, “These baseless charges are being used as a fig-leaf to target human rights defenders and opposition voices for calling for greater democracy, human rights and accountability in Zimbabwe. At a time when Zimbabwe is preparing to host the SADC summit, whose values include institutions that are “democratic, legitimate, and effective”, it is unconscionable that these human rights defenders working to strengthen such institutions remain arbitrarily detained.”

The release of the human rights defenders on bail has been opposed by the prosecutor and a further bail hearing has been scheduled for 16 August 2024. The experts have been in touch with the Government of Zimbabwe on the issue.

In response, Zimbabwean Government Spokesperson Ndavaningi Mangwana asserted on X (formerly Twitter) that Zimbabwe is a sovereign nation and will not tolerate interference in its internal affairs. Mangwana stated, “No country’s sovereignty can be compromised! The rule of law must be upheld within each nation’s borders. Even the United Nations Human Rights Council cannot interfere with the implementation of a country’s laws. Respect for sovereignty is paramount!”

howeverhttps://www.newzimbabwe.com/human-rights-defenders-acquitted-after-year-long-trial/

https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200031179/detained-activists-can-now-be-freed-zanu-pf

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/08/zimbabwe-must-release-human-rights-defenders-ahead-sadc-summit-say-experts

https://www.indexoncensorship.org/2024/08/violent-repression-and-torture-in-zimbabwe-on-eve-of-major-development-conference/

https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-244671.h

Posted in Human Rights Council, Human Rights Defenders | Leave a Comment »
Tags: arbitrary arrest, Human Rights Defenders, joint letter, Namatai Kwekweza, SADC summit, UN Special Rapporteurs, woman human rights defender, Zimbabwe

UN experts call for justice for Tunisian human rights defender Sihem Bensedrine

August 12, 2024

UN experts called on the Tunisian authorities to respect the right to judicial guarantees and judicial protection of Sihem Bensedrine, who was arrested on 1 August 2024.

“In a context marked by the suppression of numerous dissenting voices, the arrest of Ms Bensedrine raises serious concerns about the respect of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in Tunisia and has a chilling effect on journalists, human rights defenders and civil society in general,” the experts said.

https://www.trueheroesfilms.org/thedigest/laureates/5A2E5622-80B0-425E-A2AE-2703983126B4

Bensedrine is the former President of the Truth and Dignity Commission (TVD) which documented the crimes committed under previous regimes, and a journalist who has long denounced human rights violations in the country.

Since 2021, she has been involved in a judicial investigation into the alleged falsification of a chapter in the TVD´s final report regarding corruption in the banking system. The independent human rights experts have already held discussions with the Tunisian government concerning this investigation.

“This arrest could amount to judicial harassment of Ms Bensedrine for work she has undertaken as President of the Truth and Dignity Commission,” the experts said. “It appears to be aimed at discrediting information contained in the Commission’s report, which could give rise to legal proceedings against alleged perpetrators of corruption under the previous regimes.”

The Special Rapporteurs urged Tunisia to uphold its obligation to protect members of commissions of enquiry into gross human rights violations from defamation and civil or criminal proceedings brought against them because of their work, or the content of their reports.

“We call for strict respect for Ms Bensedrine’s right to judicial guarantees, including the right to a fair trial by due process, impartiality and independence, and for an end to abusive proceedings and reprisals against her.”

The experts: Bernard Duhaime, Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression; Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.

https://www.miragenews.com/un-experts-demand-justice-for-tunisian-rights-1292532/

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/08/un-experts-call-justice-tunisian-human-rights-defender

https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/08/12/tunisia-hollows-out-its-media-landscape-ahead-elections

but then in February2025 comes the good news over releases:https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250219-tunisia-court-orders-release-of-top-rights-activist

Posted in awards, HRW, Human Rights Council, Human Rights Defenders | 1 Comment »
Tags: bernard duhaime, digest of human rights awards and laureates, human rights, Human Rights Defenders, Irene Khan, Journalist, judicial harasment, Mary Lawlor, news, politics, Sihem Bensedrine, Truth and Dignity Commission (TVD), Tunisia, UN Special Rapporteurs, woman human rights defender

Sara Nabil, a human rights defender, from Afghanistan

July 6, 2024

Sara Nabil is a human rights defender and artist from Afghanistan. She spoke to ISHR about her dream of one day seeing a ‘free democratic Afghanistan, where each human being [regardless of which] gender they are, man or woman, neutral or other genders, [would be] treated equally.’

Stand in solidarity with Sara and other women human rights defenders from Afghanistan: join us in our campaign to push for UN experts and States to explicitly and publicly recognise the situation in Afghanistan as a form of gender apartheid and the need for an accountability mechanism to address gross human rights violations against women.

Posted in films, Human Rights Defenders, ISHR | Leave a Comment »
Tags: Afghanistan, gender apartheid, Human Rights Defenders, human rights of women, ISHR, profile, Sara Nabil, woman human rights defender

Funding for individual women human rights defenders

June 8, 2024

Safety Net funding is for individual women human rights defenders (WHRDs) from or working in conflict and crisis affected countries, who, due to their commitments to human rights and peace, currently face – or have faced risks – with resulting impacts that continue to threaten their safety and work. SAFETY NET DOES NOT FUND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS OR PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION.

The WPHF Window for WHRDs Safety Net aims to improve the security and protection of WHRDs by providing for, but not limited to:

Temporary relocation costs (e.g. accommodation, food and transportation)
Security and protection costs (e.g. secure transportation, digital or physical security training)
Equipment (e.g. mobile phone, computer, security system and cameras)
Self-care (e.g. physical or mental health support)
Legal assistance
Repatriation costs, to facilitate return and reintegration in home country

Safety Net grants are provided for amounts up to USD 10,000 (subject to revision by the NGO partners of the WPHF Window for WHRDs) to cover needs for a duration of up to six months.

Eligibility Criteria

Gender: women and those who identify as women. This includes lesbian, gay, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) human rights defenders.
Age: 18 years old and above.
Country of origin: from/working in conflict and crisis-affected contexts. *See for reference countries that might be eligible for support: List of matters of which the UN Security Council is seized: S/2023/10.
Human rights activities: provides details of peaceful engagement in the advancement of human rights, either individually or through a civil society organization.
Threats and risks:
- Demonstrates current or past serious security risks for her and/or her dependents, because of her commitment to human rights and peace; AND/OR
- Demonstrates that risks are – or have been such – that her ability to keep working on behalf of human rights and peace is threatened.
Grant and duration: the requested funding cannot exceed USD 10,000, or cover needs beyond an anticipated 6-month period.

Decision-making process

You can submit your application using one of the two below methods below

Offline: click the below button to download a Word version of this form, then email it to WPHF-WHRD@unwomen.org. APPLICATION FORM – FLEXIBLE FUNDINGE nglish

Online: complete the secure, data encrypted application form below, then click the ‘Submit’ button at the bottom of the page. APPLICATION FORM

The Window for WHRDs is demand-driven and accepts requests on a rolling basis.

For further information on safe online communication, please see: https://ssd.eff.org/en/module/communicating-others. We also encourage you to visit: https://www.accessnow.org/help/ to access 24/7 help in multiple languages to protect yourself online.

WPHF Funding Window for WHRDs NGO Partners

Safety Net (Flexible Funding)

Posted in Human Rights Defenders | Leave a Comment »
Tags: budgeting, cyber security, funding, grants, human rights, relocation, WHRDs Safety Net, woman human rights defender, women human rights defenders (WHRDs)

Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards