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RESEARCHED AND WRITTEN BY ENRIQUE EGUREN AND MARIE CARAJ ManualEnglish-2009.qxp 03/04/2009 11:32 PÆgina 1 New rtcinmna o ua ihsdefenders rights human for manual protection
NEW PROTECTION MANUAL
FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
RESEARCHED AND WRITTEN BY ENRIQUE EGUREN, AND MARIE CARAJ, PROTECTION INTERNATIONAL (PI)
PUBLISHED BY PROTECTION INTERNATIONAL
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Published by Protection International 2009 Rue de la Linière, 11 B-1060 Brussels, Belgium.
Third edition Copyright© 2008 by Protection International. This manual has been produced for the benefit of human rights defenders and may be quoted from or photocopied for non commercial purposes as long as the source/authors are acknowledged. For its inclusion in other publications or other uses please ask for authorization.
Printed copies of the New Manual from
Protection International Rue de la Linière, 11. B-1060 Brussels (Belgium) Tel: +32(0)2 609 44 05 / +32(0)2 609 44 07 / Fax: +32(0)2 609 44 07 [email protected]
It can be downloaded for free from www.protectionline.org Prices of printed copies: Southern organisations: free Northern organisations: 20 Euros plus post and packaging (reductions for bulk orders)
The New manual is available in English, French and Spanish (it is also being translated into other languages by Protection International)
protection manual for human rights defenders ISBN: 978-2-930539-00-3 New
2 ManualEnglish-2009.qxp 03/04/2009 11:32 PÆgina 3 New rtcinmna o ua ihsdefenders rights human for manual protection FForeword to the first edition by Hina Jilani
In my work as Special Representative of the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders I have noted with grave concern an increase in the number of reports of serious human rights abuses against defenders and a notable shift away from low-targeting, such as intimidation and harassment, to more serious violations, such as attacks on and threats to physical integrity of defenders. In 2004 we worked on reports of at least 47 defenders who had been killed because of their work.
It is clear that the primary responsibility for the protection of human rights defenders lies with Governments, as set out in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders1. We must continue to work to get all governments to take seriously their obligations in this regard and take effective measures to ensure protection of human rights defenders.
However, the gravity of the risks faced on a daily basis by human rights defenders is such that it is also important to pursue other means to strengthen their protection. In this regard I hope that this Protection Manual will support human rights defenders in developing their own security plans and protection mechanisms. Many human rights defenders are so engaged by their work to protect others that they give insufficient attention to their own security. It is important that all of us involved in working for human rights understand that we must be concer- ned about security for ourselves and for the people we work with and for.
Hina Jilani Former UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders
1 Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Respect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
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PProtection International -PI-
PI members have over 25 years’ combined experience in the protection of human rights defenders and other vulnerable groups1.
PI aims to contribute to the fulfilment of national and international obligations for the pro- tection of defenders. Many NGOs and institutions already work on human rights and defenders issues. PI intends to complement this work.
PI’s global strategy for the protection of defenders includes:
Protection and security capacity building and training