14'Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT ’14 1 We stand beside civil rights defenders on the front line For 33 years we have championed human rights and the people who put themselves at great risk to defend it. The work we do is based on the needs at a local level, know ledge of the countries in which we operate and is in accordance with international laws. And because the needs always outweigh available resources, we aim to be efficient and goal oriented. As the wars came to a close in the former Yugo- legislation that has been introduced in nearly all slavia, Civil Rights Defenders identified certain the countries in the Western Balkans. For many groups, which included lesbian, gay, bisexual years we have worked strategically to empower and transgender people (LGBT) and the Roma the leaders of groups at risk, we have initiated people as particularly vulnerable groups. Mem- and developed LGBT organisations and we have bers of these groups have been largely invisible made sure to get other human rights organisa- in society, subjected to systematic discrimination tions to recognise and promote the rights of these and often without strong support within the civil groups. Over the years, Civil Rights Defenders has society. become one of the foremost human rights organisations when it comes to work for LGBT rights. Long-term efforts for sustainable change Equipped with our understanding of the We lead the long-term efforts together with the vulnerability the Roma and our extensive experi- local leaders of these groups in order to bring ence working for their rights, particularly in the about sustainable change. We have drawn up Balkans, we have initiated a lawsuit against the proposals for comprehensive anti-discrimination Swedish government with regard to the illegal On 4 April 2014 Ales Bialiatski was awarded the Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award in abstensia. His wife and colleagues received the award during the ceremony in Stockholm. PHOTO: CATARINA HARLING 2 register of thousands of Roma that was unveiled nity through strategic public relation efforts while in 2013. civil society players, with more meagre resources, struggle to get their voices heard. War criminals should not go unpunished Over the course of many years we have worked to Intensified efforts in Latin America combat the widespread impunity that prevailed In the past year or so, hundreds of activists in in the aftermath of the Balkan wars as well as in Cuba have been arrested monthly. There is no the North Caucasus where war criminals have indication that the situation is changing for the not been brought to justice for serious human better with the improved relationship with the rights violations. Through cooperation with local United States. In Venezuela President Maduro is forces, we have seen to it to document the cases struggling to survive politically and the already of abuse, partly to assure that we remember and susceptible opposition is under strong pressure. learn from history and partly to build evidence for The levels of violence are reaching new heights national and international trials of war crimes. and most indications are that 2015 will be a tu- Our enduring efforts to support human rights multuous year in Venezuela. Against this back- defenders are aimed at creating formidable ground, we are intensifying our efforts in Latin forces within the civil society that work on a lo- America and particularly in the cases of Cuba and cal level to assure that basic human rights are Venezuela. respected. Consequently, these brave people are often at high risk, constantly monitored and not Increased presence in Africa and Asia infrequently working with their lives on the line. Our efforts in East Africa and the Horn of Africa have paid off and with greater resources we can Emergency funding for activists at risk now intensify efforts for human rights defenders Civil Rights Defenders decided several years ago at risk in the region. We have also established a to supplement our capacity building efforts with a permanent presence in Southeast Asia. special programme for emergency assistance for A benchmark indicator of the state of affairs, human rights defenders at risk. as often before, relates to the available com- Since the launch of the program we have munication channels for dissident voices and trained hundreds of activists from some of the the way they are treated. Just look at the 2015 most repressive countries in the world in the field recipient of the Civil Rights Defender of the Year of digital and physical security. We have provided Award, the Vietnamese blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu them with varying tools to make their everyday Quynh (“Me Nam”). The communist dictatorship in lives a little bit safer and we have coordinated Vietnam has used all available means to silence the existing beneficial forces to be as effective her analysis and criticism of its corrupt power as possible. In some of the gravest cases, we structure. However, to use her own words, “Who have been able to provide assistance to evacuate will speak if you do not? I kept silent already but people when lives have been in danger. nothing changed. If you want to see the change Our launch of the Natalia Project, the world’s you want, you have to speak out.“ first assault alarm for human rights defenders Civil Rights Defenders exists to do what we at risk, was driven by social media and the direct can to defend human rights and to assist brave result of the security needs facing our friends and people like Me Nam. I hope you are with us. colleagues in the field. The connection between PHOTO: CIVIL RIGHTS DEFENDERS RIGHTS CIVIL PHOTO: social media and the needs of human rights defenders to make the world aware of their risks is Stockholm, 1 April 2015 something we have focused on when we have pro- gressively developed our communication efforts in recent years. Robert Hårdh A current example is the difficult situation in Executive Director Azerbaijan where journalists and human rights activists are imprisoned or forced into exile. The country’s dictatorial regime is making the most of unlimited resources to charm the world commu- 3 In August 2014 Civil Rights Defenders marched alongside thousands through Stockholm’s streets during the Stock- holm Pride parade. PHOTO: CIVIL RIGHTS DEFENDERS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 CIVIL RIGHTS DEFENDERS Management report Organisation identification number: 802011–1442 The Board and Executive Director of Civil Rights Defenders are pleased to submit the annual report for the 2014 financial year. Our purpose Our vision Civil Rights Defenders is an international and A peaceful and safe world with freedom and independent human rights organisation. The justice for all. organisation aims to defend the civil and political rights of all people as well as empower at-risk Our goal human rights defenders in Sweden and in coun- The overall goal of Civil Rights Defenders is to tries where the respect for human rights is most improve the access of all people to freedom and greatly challenged. justice by strengthening a greater respect for Civil Rights Defenders believes that a world in their civil and political rights. To achieve this, which human freedoms and rights are respected three clearly defined objectives guide all efforts: is also a safer and more peaceful world for us all. This is the basis of our vision that we strive to 1. People are able to exercise their civil and politi- achieve through our work. cal rights by: 4 - increased access to legal aid bers – four women and three men. Gerald Nagler, - increased access to information the organisation’s founder, is Honorary Chair. During 2014 four board meetings were held. There 2. The state takes responsibility for the fulfilment is no remuneration paid for work carried out by of human rights by: the organisation’s honorary chair, the chair of the - improving human rights legislation board and board members. Anders Mellbourn - improving the application of human rights (Professor, Publicist and Consultant) and Kristina Scharp (Associate Director) were appointed at the 3. Local human rights defenders are empowered 2014 AGM to the nomination committee. by: - improved organisational capacity Board of Civil Rights Defenders: - improved protection for human rights defenders Benedicte Berner (Media Analyst) Chairperson of at risk the Board Anna Jonsson Cornell (Associate Professor) Board Our methods Member Investigation and accountability mechanisms: Arne Ruth (Publisher) Board Member Civil Rights Defenders investigates and holds Lars Viklund (Lawyer) Board Member the state authority accountable when legislation Elisabeth Tamm (Bachelor of Laws) Board Member or its application goes against civil and political Fredrik Andersson (Entrepreneur) Board Member rights. This is achieved by scrutinising laws, draft- Carin Norberg (Director) Board Member ing legislation and regulatory activities as well as by bringing lawsuits against states and those in Civil Rights Defenders is an expert organisation, power who violate human rights. with a majority of its work being carried out by Public opinion and advocacy: Civil Rights De- employed staff at its head office in Stockholm fenders engages in opinion forming and advocacy and its field offices in Belgrade, Sarajevo, Pris- work, both independently and with partners. The tina, Tirana and Chisinau. The number of employ- organisation organises campaigns and provides ees at the 2014 year-end totalled 40, of which 26 information through seminars, reports, printed were women and 14 men. and electronic messages, etc. In totalitarian and Distribution by office: oppressive states, information is disseminated Women Men through alternative media and communication Stockholm 17 9 channels to drive discussion and debate. Belgrade 1 5 Support and education: Civil Rights Defenders Pristina 2 0 raises awareness and calls attention to human Sarajevo 2 0 rights defenders while giving them the support Tirana 2 0 they need to continue their vital work.

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