In solidarity
Today, we at the Centre for Applied Human Rights commemorate International Human Rights Defender Day by remembering those who continue to suffer and to face risks as they promote and protect human rights. Some of the defenders we know are still behind bars, imprisoned for defending the rights of others. Others face threats and attacks – from community members, state authorities, and corporations, as they advocate for change.
In its latest report, People Power Under Attack 2020, CIVICUS highlights that 87 percent of the world live in countries that are ‘closed’, ‘repressed’ or ‘obstructed’, an increase of 4 percent from 2019. Attacks on defenders are increasing - the annual report into killings of land and environmental defenders Defending Tomorrow from Global Witness shows the highest number yet have been murdered in a single year.
We remember in particular Mohamed El-Baqer, lawyer and Director of Adalah Center for Rights and Freedoms in Egypt, who was arrested on 29 September 2019 and remains in pre-trial detention. El-Baqer is one of the recipients of the Council of Bars and Law Societies in Europe (CCBE)’s Human Rights Award 2020 along with seven Egyptian lawyers currently in prison for their human rights work.
We celebrate with Dina Meza, one of the two winners of the Sir Henry Brooke Award given by Peace Brigades International and the Alliance for Lawyers at Risk, who with ASOPODEHU and PEN Honduras, supports journalists at risk in Honduras and faces harassment and threats on a daily basis.
We are inspired by Laize Benevides and defenders in Brazil who are engaging in humanitarian aid as the pandemic has left thousands of people in hunger and misery whilst at the same time their security is threatened by a dramatic increase in police operations and the rise of white supremacist groups.
And we stand in solidarity with Wanjeri Nderu in Kenya, who has been subject to threats and attacks recently for her activism. As Wanjeri reminds us,
Our experiences should be lessons we build on. Fear cannot be allowed to win. Those who come after us must know they had human rights defenders before them who opened their paths and made it easier for them to stand on the right side of history and justice.
Around the world, many defenders face risks as they speak out and act for their rights and the rights of others, often without public recognition. On this day in particular, we honour you and stand in solidarity with you.