Human Rights Council side event: Creating a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders
11 March 2014, 1200 - 1400
Palais des Nations, Geneva - VIII
Defending human rights is a critical but increasingly dangerous activity in many parts of the world. This panel discussion will shed light on the threats and obstacles encountered by human rights defenders, and identify actions and protection strategies for the UN, States, national human rights institutions and civil society to contribute to a safe and enabling environment for them.
The discussion will draw on the new perspectives offered by two recent publications.
The latest report of the Special Rapporteur finds that human rights defenders – especially journalists, lawyers, trade unionists, and those who work to promote women’s rights and the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons – face ‘extraordinary risks’.
It documents an increased incidence of violations against people and communities opposed to mining, construction and development projects, and the worsening ‘use of legislation in a number of countries to restrain the activities of human rights defenders and to criminalise them.’
The report makes a wide range of recommendations to ensure that human rights defenders are protected and can operate in a ‘safe and enabling environment’.
The recent Special Issue of the Journal of Human Rights Practice also explores these issues with a specific focus on the protection of human rights defenders. Human rights defenders and those who work closely with them reflect in the journal on the threats and risks they face, share insights into their experiences, and present perspectives on the effectiveness of existing protection mechanisms and practices.
Panelists:
- Margaret Sekaggya, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders
- Hassan Shire Sheikh of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network
- Daniel Joloy, human rights defender from Mexico
- Sabrina Dallafior, Minister and Deputy Head, Human Security Division, Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs
- Danna Ingleton, Research and Policy Advisor, Amnesty International
The interactive panel will be moderated by the BBC's Geneva Correspondent, Imogen Foulkes.
Attend in person, or follow the event through a live webcast and ISHR's social media. Ask questions or share comments via Twitter using #HRDs before and during the event. Photos and further details will also be available on Facebook following the event.
This event is co-organised by the International Service for Human Rights, Amnesty International, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, the Centre for Applied Human Rights, University of York and the Human Rights & Social Justice Research Institute, London Metropolitan University.
This event takes place at the Palais des Nations requiring valid accreditation to enter the UNOG compound. If you would like to attend but do not have UN accreditation, please email [email protected] before 12 noon on Thursday 6 March.
Photo: UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré