Human Rights Report 2017 Updated international human rights policy: activities and results
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Attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt. Imprisonment, torture and disappearances of gay people in Chechnya. Arrests of journalists in Turkey. Shrinking space for civil society in Honduras. Multiple mass graves discovered in Myanmar.
This sample of events in 2017 shows that it is still not possible to be yourself in many countries – in fact, it can be dangerous to reveal who you are, what you believe or how you think.
The Netherlands has a long tradition of freedom. In keeping with this tradition, Dutch human rights policy focuses on the ability to be yourself and express yourself. Human rights are for everyone. But they are not equally attainable for everyone. We continue to strive to rectify this. That is one reason why the government is raising the Human Rights Fund budget by €5.4 million in 2018 and by €9.6 million from 2019. Another reason is that better observance of human rights makes for a more secure society with higher rates of economic growth.
Our efforts in defence of human rights are wide-ranging. In 2017, for example, the number of Dutch Shelter Cities – places where human rights defenders who are in danger in their own countries can catch their breath, expand their networks and take training courses – increased from eight to eleven. Thanks to our efforts, this initiative is now being taken up in other countries as well.
The Netherlands is also continuing its support for the database of evidence of crimes committed in Syria, to ensure that those guilty of grave human rights violations do not go unpunished.
The Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation joins me in presenting this report on the Netherlands’ worldwide efforts on behalf of human rights, and their results, in 2017.
Stef Blok Minister of Foreign Affairs
| 3 | Inhoudsopgave
Foreword 3
Introduction 5
EU 9
Human Rights Council 10
1. Freedom of expression & internet freedom 11
2. Freedom of religion and belief 19
3. Equal rights for women and girls 22
4. Human rights defenders 25
Business and human rights 29
5. Equal rights for LGBTI persons 30
6. Promotion of the international legal order / The fight against impunity 33
Refugees and migrants 36
7. Human Rights Ambassador 37
Appendix: expenditure by theme 39
| 4 | Introduction
‘We will celebrate, with passion, the 70 years of the Universal and peace, as EU Special Representative for Human Rights Declaration of Human Rights, which incarnates rights common to all Stavros Lambrinidis among others has observed. the major legal and religious traditions. We will defend it, in this anniversary year, more vigorously than ever before and along with our Fortunately there are positive developments as well, for moral leaders – the human rights defenders in every corner of the example in the field of women’s equality. The #MeToo globe – we will call for everyone to stand up for the rights of others.’ movement has contributed to the debate on equal rights for – Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein women and girls and helped raise awareness of the wide prevalence of inappropriate behaviour. In the past year the Mr Al Hussein is concluding his term this year as UN High Netherlands has shown international leadership on the Commissioner for Human Rights. In calling on everyone to SheDecides initiative to defend access to sexual and stand up for the rights of others, he reminds us that in reproductive health and rights. doing so we defend our own rights as well. There are many parts of the world where rights that we see as self-evident in Business, too, is increasingly active on human rights issues. the Netherlands can by no means be taken for granted. This ABN-AMRO, for example, joined with 11 other financial is why we continue to defend human rights worldwide. institutions last year to publicly defend equal rights for LGBTI persons in Hong Kong. Cities as well are playing a This year is the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the steadily greater role on human rights, as when the mayors Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This unique of Amsterdam and Rotterdam discuss human rights during document marked the start of several decades of progress in trips abroad. The government will continue to encourage the field of global human rights. In recent years, however, companies and municipalities to play a greater role and take this progress has been jeopardised. Both the universality of more responsibility for promoting human rights. human rights and their inalienability for each individual are being contested, while arguments for giving priority to local The Netherlands’ term as a member of the Human Rights and regional interests, traditions and beliefs are gaining Council ended in 2017. As a member of the Council the ground. In some parts of the world – including parts of the Netherlands showed itself to be proactive, resolute and Western world – progress made in the past is even being focused on results. Its greatest political success was the rolled back. passage of a resolution providing for the establishment of a group of international experts to carry out a comprehensive Human rights are increasingly under threat as a result of the study into all violations of human rights and of international growth in the number of autocracies and unfree humanitarian law in Yemen. This is a major step forward on democracies. In 2017 press freedom declined further on an the road to justice for the Yemeni people. It is hoped that international scale, space for civil society shrank in many the investigation will also help prevent violations by the countries, and the position of Christians and other religious parties to the conflict, since these will now be documented. minorities in many parts of the world worsened further. There has been an increase in the number of internet Under article 90 of the Dutch Constitution, the government shutdowns, cutting off whole communities from their has a duty to promote the development of the international sources of information and interfering with companies’ legal order. Besides our efforts on behalf of human rights operations. worldwide, this includes Dutch support for international tribunals such as the International Criminal Court (ICC), Space for civil society and the media is being constricted by and our role in establishing an International, Impartial and legislation, public statements by people in authority, Independent Mechanism (IIIM) to gather evidence of crimes intimidation and violence. This limits the scope of human committed in Syria. rights advocates, such as bloggers, defenders of nature- related human rights, and champions of the rights of The Netherlands has a long-standing tradition of supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) human rights at home and abroad. In our own country, people. Security and stability often serve as pretexts for we work in many ways to protect and promote the human restricting human rights – but this is a false dichotomy. rights that are enshrined in the Dutch Constitution and in Respect for human rights in fact fosters sustainable security many international instruments which the Netherlands has
| 5 | committed itself to observe. These activities include our peacebuilding and the protection of human rights. Another National Action Programme on Discrimination and our major government focus is the theme of business and National Action Plan on Human Rights. human rights, because of its close connection with broader questions concerning international and domestic corporate Human rights also remain a cornerstone of Dutch foreign social responsibility and the enhancement of value chain policy. Our efforts reflect our firm conviction that sustainability. The theme of business and human rights is observance of human rights will lead to a more stable and accordingly included in the policy document on foreign prosperous world which, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs trade and development cooperation (BHOS), which was sent affirmed in the parliamentary debate on his ministry’s to Parliament on 18 May. This policy document also opts for budget in November 2017, is in the Netherlands’ interests. the broad human rights approach reflected in the Human rights are the foundation of human dignity and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Human rights freedom and of open, free societies across the world. policy and human rights instruments will be deployed Promoting human rights is in the Netherlands’ own interest worldwide. because democracies governed by the rule of law provide the most fertile soil for prosperity, stability, growth and Adequate space for civil society is a general prerequisite for development. the exercise and promotion of individuals’ rights and for the global implementation of human rights policy. For these reasons, the Human Rights Fund budget is being The Netherlands accordingly tries to maintain this space raised by €7.4 million in 2018, of which €5.4 million will be around the world, and where possible to enlarge it. included in the First Supplementary Budget and €2 million in the Second Supplementary Budget, and by €9.6 million Tangible results can only be achieved by working with from 2019. Spending from the fund will focus notably on partners. A joint message from the EU can be conveyed freedom of religion and belief and the position of journalists much more forcefully than one from the Netherlands alone. and equal rights for LGBTI persons, in accordance with the Well-functioning UN and Council of Europe instruments are motion introduced by MP Joël Voordewind (Parliamentary also vital in raising specific human rights issues. Moreover, Papers 34775 V, no. 29), the motion introduced by MP Sjoerd we make strategic use of our embassies, our Human Rights Sjoerdsma (Parliamentary Papers 34775 V, no. 26) and the Fund and our Human Rights Ambassador. coalition agreement. The government is already in dialogue with civil society and the Dutch missions abroad about Dutch policy is not static. Social and technological further details, while bearing in mind the requirements of developments make it necessary to constantly review and effective and responsible budgetary policy. It will renew human rights policy. The Netherlands is among the communicate the outcome of this dialogue to Parliament leaders in policy innovation and will stay in the forefront, before the budget debate. for example not only by calling other countries to account for their human rights violations but also by forming The coalition agreement explicitly affirms the need to innovative partnerships with businesses, cities, non- promote the international legal order and human rights in Western partners and others. In concert with others we foreign policy. It specifically mentions a number of actively seek improvement, without detracting from vulnerable groups: LGBTI people, religious minorities, universal values, as we have done in the Equal Rights including Christians, and journalists. The government is Coalition for LGBTI rights and in the Freedom Online also continuing existing efforts to defend freedom of Coalition for internet freedom. The Netherlands is also expression, advance equal rights for women and girls, keeping a close eye on technological developments like the protect human rights defenders, promote the international digital revolution, which offers opportunities for human legal order and the fight against impunity, in line with rights – such as greater access to information – but also established international human rights policy. In its involves risks. We are for example seeing a sharp increase in recently published Integrated International Security unlawful surveillance and internet shutdowns. Strategy, the government takes human security as its starting point for its efforts around the world to ensure Human rights are one of the Kingdom’s priorities as a Dutch security.1 The strategy’s people-oriented approach member of the UN Security Council in 2018, with a special also prioritises civilian interests, sustainable and inclusive focus on promoting the international legal order and the fight against impunity. The Netherlands advocates greater 1 https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstuk- attention to human rights violations as a warning sign and ken/2018/03/20/kamerbrief-geintegreerde-buitenland--enveilig- cause of threats to peace and security. This includes calling heidsstrategie-gbvs (Parliamentary Papers, 33694 no. 12 – in Dutch); perpetrators to account, gathering the necessary for a news item in English, see https://www.government.nl/latest/ information and hearing from civil society representatives. news/2018/03/20/working-worldwide-for-the-security-of-the-net- herlands-anintegrated-international-security-strategy-2018-2022. Besides raising these issues in its own interventions,
| 6 | the Netherlands is addressing these concerns where offers opportunities for constructive dialogue with religious possible in the Council’s decisions. leaders and communities.
The coalition agreement also makes a major commitment Equal rights for women and girls to an integrated foreign policy. Human rights policy offers In the years ahead, the Netherlands will continue to strive to an opportunity to integrate classic international human improve the position of women and girls worldwide and to rights efforts with human rights efforts in the sphere of attain gender equality. Gender equality contributes to the foreign trade and development cooperation. Areas where achievement of a number of Sustainable Development this can be done include equal rights for women and girls, Goals. The implementation of UN Security Resolution 1325, the rights of refugees, migrants and displaced persons in the fight against violence against women and against child countries of reception, space for civil society, business and marriage, and the promotion of women’s economic and human rights, international financial institutions, and political participation will remain core Dutch themes. security and the rule of law. Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is an integral part of our policy on women’s equal rights. Priorities The SheDecides movement is a good example of the The Netherlands’ international human rights policy will Netherlands’ work for SRHR. focus on the following priorities. Human rights defenders Freedom of expression The Netherlands is continuing to pursue its policy of In the coming years, the Netherlands will continue to strive supporting and protecting human rights defenders, with a to protect freedom of expression, online and offline, and focus on safety and security, capacity building and innovation. the right to information. We will also continue to promote Defending, and where possible enlarging, the space for civil independent and pluralist media, with a particular focus on society is crucial. The Netherlands is providing practical help the position of women in the media. Journalists whose to human rights defenders by establishing regional relocation work enables individuals to enjoy their right to information initiatives for them, called regional Shelter Cities. These are running growing risks of intimidation, violence, Shelter Cities allow human rights defenders to catch their arbitrary detention and even death. The Netherlands breath and to deepen their knowledge concerning digital, defends the safety of (Dutch) journalists abroad by physical and psychological safety. The Human Rights Tulip advocating for prevention, protection and prosecution, in and other projects that raise the visibility of human rights accordance with the motion introduced by MP Sjoerdsma, defenders also enhance their safety. In addition to presenting for example by supporting security training, insurance and this annual human rights award, the Netherlands will support legal assistance (Parliamentary Papers 34775 V, no. 26). The local Human Rights Tulips for human rights defenders who internet and social media are indispensable tools for are promoting human rights in innovative ways. human rights defenders, but at the same time these tools unfortunately also provide opportunities for online threats. Equal rights for LGBTI persons The Netherlands is endeavouring to ensure that human The Netherlands is continuing its support for equal rights rights defenders can continue to do their work online in for LGBTI persons. We are focusing specifically on safety. We also continue to raise our voice, where possible decriminalising homosexuality, combating discrimination jointly with other countries in the Freedom Online and violence and promoting social acceptance. In Coalition, to safeguard and develop the principle that accordance with the coalition agreement, we are stepping human rights exist online as well as offline. up these efforts. To achieve these goals the Netherlands will cooperate more closely with business, for example in the Freedom of religion and belief Workplace Pride network. Particular attention is also The Netherlands defends at international level individuals’ needed for the position of transgender and intersex people right to shape their own religious or philosophical identity, in the LGBTI community. To this end the Netherlands is to uphold theistic, non-theistic or atheistic convictions, to championing the Yogyakarta Principles, as revised in 2017 to change their faith or to have no faith. We are pursuing our lay out in greater detail the human rights of transgender partnership with other countries to promote freedom of and intersex people, as the basis for its international policy. religion and belief and, in accordance with the motion The Netherlands also continues to view the Equal Rights introduced by MP Joël Voordewind (Parliamentary Papers Coalition as an effective instrument to broaden 34775 V, no. 29), are stepping up these efforts. The international support for equal rights for LGBTI persons. Netherlands will also do more to explore the interface between this theme and equal rights for LGBTI persons. Promoting the international legal order and the fight against impunity Collaboration with religiously inspired LGBTI organisations The Netherlands is continuing to promote the international legal order, in keeping with our constitutional mandate.
| 7 | The solidity of the rule of law, at international as well as When governments fail to prosecute criminals, the national level, is a precondition for peace and democracy international community needs to fill the vacuum. and thus for safeguarding human rights. The Netherlands is therefore working to strengthen the international legal system, especially by supporting effective Accordingly, the Netherlands is continuing in a number of mechanisms for dispute settlement and prosecution through countries to work to strengthen democracies governed by the ICC and other institutions. We will continue to work to the rule of law. Judges must be trained, and victims and extend the ICC’s jurisdiction and build public support for it. vulnerable groups must be given a voice. There is no International investigative teams, special rapporteurs, one-size-fits-all approach in reaching these goals, however; effective mechanisms to gather evidence and prevent account must be taken of the needs and perceptions of each perpetrators from escaping justice, and other international country’s people. The fight against impunity is a crucial part monitoring mechanisms are also of great importance. The of our efforts to promote the rule of law. It is also important Netherlands is for example continuing to play a leading role in the wake of conflicts to organise a transition that enables in obtaining justice for the people of Syria through the society’s wounds to heal. Holding criminals responsible for database of evidence that we helped to establish, the their crimes is an essential part of the transition process. International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM). Today, unfortunately, there are still many places in the world At the same time, these international mechanisms must where impunity is the rule rather than the exception. continue to stimulate the development of national legal orders. The Netherlands is accordingly remaining active, for Complementarity between national and international legal example, in the Group of Friends of the Mechanism for systems is of great importance. So to promote the legal International Criminal Tribunals, to safeguard the impact order and the fight against impunity at national level, the across the Balkans of the International Criminal Tribunal for Netherlands is helping to shape an international climate of the former Yugoslavia now that it has concluded its work. justice and an effective system of international norms and institutions. This is in keeping with the International Reader’s guide Integrated Security Strategy discussed above, in which the This report gives an overview of the government’s main government states that promoting the international legal international human rights programmes and their results in order and an effective multilateral system is crucial for the 2017. It has a thematic, result-oriented focus on the security of the Kingdom. In accordance with the priorities of the Netherlands’ international human rights government’s response to the Policy and Operations policy: freedom of expression and internet freedom, Evaluation Department (IOB)’s policy review ‘Peaceful freedom of religion and belief, equal rights for women and Dispute Settlement and Action to Combat Impunity’ (18 girls, human rights defenders, equal rights for LGBTI March 2016),2 the Netherlands is endeavouring to fill gaps in persons, and the international legal order and the fight the international system, put new developments on the against impunity. international agenda, strengthen the multilateral system, and uphold our country’s reputation as a host country for The Netherlands’ work in multilateral organisations (the UN, international organisations. With these four pillars as a EU, Council of Europe and OSCE and the international courts foundation, we are working specifically to provide ongoing and tribunals), as well as in specific regions and countries, is support to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and informed by this thematic focus. Inspiring examples of reform the Human Rights Council. In this connection, the bilateral and multilateral activities and results are included. responsibility to protect – the responsibility of individual states to protect civilian populations from genocide, crimes In view of the distinctive approach to human rights in the against humanity, war crimes and ethnic cleansing – EU, Human Rights Council, migration policy and on the remains a central principle of Dutch policy. The Netherlands issue of human rights and business, the report includes will continue to emphasise the importance of this principle, separate text boxes on these topics. It also has a section on for example as co-chair of the Group of Friends of RtoP, a the work of the Human Rights Ambassador. group of like-minded countries that arrive at joint positions and adopt common policy options where serious crimes are In accordance with the pledge made to the House of likely to be committed or are already taking place. Representatives during the debate of November 2016 on the government’s policy document, the report includes an annexe with an extensive overview of expenditure on human rights projects, broken down by policy priority and by country. Besides spending from the Human Rights Fund, the overview 2 https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstuk- also includes other funds from which human rights projects ken/2016/03/18/kamerbrief-met-kabinetsreactie-op-iobbeleids- are financed, from both the foreign affairs budget and the doorlichting-vreedzame-geschillenbeslechting-en-tegengaan-van- straffeloosheid(in Dutch), Parliamentary Papers 31271, no. 22. foreign trade and development cooperation (BHOS) budget.
| 8 | EU
The EU is an important forum for Dutch human rights policy, at both multilateral and country level. Human rights are the ‘silver thread’ of EU external policy, and since late 2016 an explicit part of the EU Global Strategy. Collaboration in an EU framework (member states and the European External Action Service, EEAS) have clear added value: the voice of 28 countries is stronger than that of a single country.
In 2017 the Council of the European Union continued to affirm the importance of the EU’s external human rights policy. In specific cases, however, it was sometimes not easy to adopt a united, principled EU position, particularly on issues that are important to the Netherlands like equal rights for LGBTI persons and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Jointly calling countries like Turkey, Egypt, China and Russia to account for their human rights situation also proved difficult. Moreover, the rule of law eroded further in Poland and Hungary. In other cases the EU did manage to take concerted action: for example, it adopted sanctions against Venezuela in response to human rights violations and suppression of the opposition.
The Netherlands calls attention to these developments at the highest level, defends the EU acquis and works actively to strengthen the dialogue on the rule of law within the EU, partly in order to ensure coherence between EU internal and external policy.
bjectives on specific human rights issues are described in the second EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (2015-2019) and are being implemented by more than 140 EU Delegations around the world. The EU conducts regular human rights dialogues with more than 50 countries. In 2017 this included Brazil, Ghana, Mexico, the African Union (AU) and ASEAN. It also impressed on Cuba the need to go further with democratisation and respect the right to freedom of expression and assembly. Subjects discussed in the EU-Iran dialogue included due process, the SDGs and equal rights for women. In the EU’s talks with the AU, topics addressed included the need to abolish the death penalty, the ICC’s universal jurisdiction, and business and human rights activities. In the EU-AU Civil Society Human Rights Seminar, over 50 NGOs from the two continents presented recommendations on the elimination of torture.
EU High Representative Federica Mogherini draws attention to human rights issues in her contacts with her counterparts. EU Special Representative for Human Rights Stavros Lambrinidis is also an active champion of human rights. He visited many countries in 2017 including Ethiopia, Egypt, the Philippines and Iran, to discuss the human rights situation with the authorities, civil society and business. One of Mr Lambrinidis’ goals for 2017 was increasing international support for human rights, in both specific countries and multilateral forums, to counter the negative image of human rights as a ‘Western invention’.
Through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), with a total budget of approximately €125 million in 2017, the EU funds projects aimed at improving human rights and enhancingdemocracy worldwide. With a €15 million grant to the EU mechanism ProtectDefenders.eu, the EIDHR specifically focuses on protecting human rights defenders, for example by housing them temporarily in another country at very short notice – a programme that the Netherlands pressed for. Also in 2017, an ad-hoc call mobilised funds for projects to defend religious freedom. The external evaluation of the EIDHR’s work in 2014-2017 yielded a favourable result.3 Human rights are also an important theme in EU trade agreements and other agreements with third countries. For example, human rights are discussed in ‘Article 8 dialogues’ under the Cotonou Agreement, and respect for human rights is a key precondition for preferential tariffs (GSP+ status) for Armenia, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Paraguay, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
Human rights are also at the heart of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). Democracy, human rights and the rule of law are key to the agreements between the EU and ENP countries, and the EU’s European Neighbourhood Instrument funds projects aimed at advancing human rights.
3 https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/devco/files/eidhr-evaluation-final-report-volume-1-main-report_0.pdf.
| 9 | Human Rights Council
The Kingdom of the Netherlands’ three-year term on the Human Rights Council expired at the end of 2017. As a member of the Council the Netherlands showed itself to be proactive, resolute and focused on results.
The Kingdom will continue to play an active role on the Council as an observer, for instance by urging the Council to pick up the pace in reforming itself and raising its credibility. This can be achieved through such measures as organising its agenda more efficiently and ensuring greater competition in the election of its members.
The Kingdom has announced its candidacy for a new term on the Council in 2020-2022.
| 10 | 1. Freedom of expression & internet freedom
Freedom of expression, both online and offline, is a worldwide, simply for covering the news and sharing prerequisite for a properly functioning democracy and a free information with a wider audience.5 In over 90% of cases society. Yet this freedom is under threat on a global scale.4 the perpetrator or perpetrators went unpunished.6 This climate of impunity perpetuates the cycle of violence against journalists and the media. 1.1 Freedom of expression In order to improve the position of journalists around the The vast majority of the world’s population lives in globe, the Netherlands is striving to enhance prevention, countries where there is no free press, and the trend is protection and prosecution. In terms of prevention, our towards less freedom. This means that every year fewer efforts focus on promoting a culture in which freedom of people live in countries where they have access to reliable expression is regarded as self-evident. Dutch activities to political news, the safety of journalists is guaranteed, the enhance protection include online and offline safety state does not interfere in media affairs and the press is not training courses, support for the adoption of effective subjected to legal or economic pressure. This is why legislation and the provision of safe spaces, on a temporary freedom of expression is one of the Netherlands’ human or permanent basis, for journalists who are being rights priorities. threatened. Finally, the Netherlands seeks to ensure the prosecution of people who physically or verbally threaten One particular focal point for the Netherlands is the safety journalists. of journalists. In 2017, more than 75 journalists were killed
5 https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/ 4 https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FH_FITW_ unesco_condemns_killing_of_journalists_2017_en.pdf. Report_2018_Final_SinglePage.pdf. 6 https://en.unesco.org/endimpunity-2017.
World Press Photo exhibition on freedom of expression in Nairobi, Kenya (Photo: Al Amin Mutunga, PAWA254)
| 11 | Results Since 2011, with Dutch support, FPU has managed the The Netherlands has worked to promote freedom of Reporters Respond emergency fund. Journalists in need can expression in its bilateral relations and through its apply to this fund for rapid small-scale financial assistance embassies. In May, for example, the Dutch Human Rights that enables them to carry on working. In 2017, FPU used Ambassador was the keynote speaker at an event in Jakarta this fund to help a total of 140 journalists. In the marking World Press Freedom Day, where he spoke to an Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), for example, FPU audience of journalists about their position in Indonesia and Journalistes en Danger jointly assisted seven journalists and the rest of the world and discussed the issue with them. and their families. In addition, together with the Association of Caribbean MediaWorkers, FPU helped Partners approximately 30 journalists who needed assistance The Netherlands and the Dutch organisation Free Press following the hurricanes in the Caribbean region. Finally, Unlimited (FPU) are working together in a strategic in collaboration with other organisations operating partnership in countries where journalists are being through the Aleppo Emergency Fund, FPU helped support threatened or murdered. Last year, as part of its partnership 61 journalists in Syria. with the UNESCO office in Iraq, the Iraqi government submitted its first report to UNESCO on the legal steps it has The Netherlands also has a partnership with RNW Media, taken in response to the death of a total of 125 journalists in which uses digital media to help young people stand up for Iraq since 2006. Like Iraq, more and more countries are their rights, find their place in society and shape their own reporting to UNESCO each year. future. It achieves this by granting them access to detailed information and launching constructive dialogues, As part of this partnership, FPU also collaborated with including on sensitive topics such as sexuality and equality. Media INK, Somalia’s first professional media training In 2017, RNW Media was active in countries in Sub-Saharan centre. In 2016 and 2017, Media Ink successfully trained 56 Africa (like Burundi and the DRC), China and countries in journalists, including 23 female journalists, in the field of the Arab world (like Syria and Yemen). With online media management. As a result, nine of these female platforms and productions on the themes of human rights, journalists were promoted to leadership positions within sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), their organisations in 2017. This is a remarkable democracy and good governance, the online audience for achievement in a country where gender inequality is deeply all RNW Media’s multimedia platforms nearly doubled in entrenched. It constitutes a first step towards the one year, from 286 million views in 2016 to 451 million eradication of gender inequality in the media sector. views in 2017.
Media training centre in Somalia set up by Free Press Unlimited in collaboration with Media INK (Photo: Paul Enkelaar/Free Press Unlimited)
| 12 | The Netherlands also supports On File, an association that UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of helps journalists find work in their field in the Netherlands Communication (IPDC) seeks to create a healthy after they have fled their countries. Through this environment for the growth of free and pluralistic media in collaboration, the Netherlands helps promote diversity in developing countries. Thanks in part to Dutch support, the journalism. With this same goal in mind, it also contributes IPDC was able to carry out various projects in 2017 in the to World Press Freedom Day every year. fields of media development, safety of journalists, access to information and gender inequality in the media. Examples UNESCO include building and strengthening national mechanisms At multilateral level, UNESCO is a key partner in the fight for the safety of journalists in places like Iraq, Afghanistan against impunity for violence against journalists. This UN and East Africa. organisation, whose mandate includes the safety of journalists and freedom of the media, is responsible for the OSCE UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue The Netherlands also supports the work of the OSCE of Impunity and works with governments around the world Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, in this area. One specific step that UNESCO takes to tackle who was appointed in July 2017. As a Friend of the Chair, the impunity is request information on progress in legal Netherlands facilitated his appointment. Mr Désir monitors proceedings from member states where journalists have media developments in all 57 OSCE participating states. been killed. Thanks in part to Dutch diplomatic efforts, the In addition, he issues early warnings in the event of proportion of countries reporting has increased from under violations of freedom of expression or freedom of the 30% to over 70%. The NGOs ARTICLE 19 and IFEX, which media and promotes countries’ full compliance with their receive funding from the Netherlands, are also working to OSCE obligations in this regard. achieve the highest possible response rate. In this way, the Netherlands is helping ensure perpetrators are prosecuted.
Examples:
In 2017, the embassy in Ankara and the consulate-general in Istanbul devoted particular attention to the position of human rights defenders and press freedom. With the embassy’s support, for example, Turkish journalists who had been sacked were able to continue working as journalists and received additional training in investigative journalism.
Through its embassy in Yangon, the Netherlands has taken up the cause of two Reuters journalists who have been imprisoned since December 2017 owing to their investigation into the role of Myanmar’s police force in the violence against the Rohingya. Embassy staff are attending the public hearings in this case.
Love Matters Arabic, RNW Media’s programme on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the Middle East and North Africa, has built up a strong reputation in Egypt as a result of its innovative approach to SRHR- related issues affecting its large audience of young people. Its website has 500,000 monthly visitors and had 8,232,374 page views in 2017, and its YouTube channel had 7,506,722 views over the same period. It has around 780,000 followers on Facebook and 125,000 YouTube subscribers. The programme has attracted dynamic partners. By collaborating with the Egyptian branch of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA), Love Matters Arabic has offered 80 young medical students a wide-ranging training course on sexuality in Arabic. The participants in this course, who learn how to talk about sexual health in an open, unbiased way, go on to disseminate this knowledge through tailor-made training courses for adolescents and other university students. Every two weeks Love Matters Arabic also supplies content to online news websites, such as Al Wattan News, one of Egypt’s largest news websites.
| 13 |
Love Matters Arabic training course on sexuality in Egypt
In August 2017, the Dutch embassy for Central America launched a project together with two Salvadoran NGOs (Fundación Comunicándonos and the Salvadoran Human Rights Association (ASDEHU)), which are laying the foundations for a new investigation, on behalf of several family members, into the murders of four journalists from the Dutch public broadcaster IKON in El Salvador in 1982. They are also using this case to develop a communications strategy to inform the wider public about the importance of freedom of expression and the fight against impunity.
In August 2017, El Salvador’s public prosecutor responded to the Dutch embassy’s diplomatic efforts in cooperation with the two NGOs by reopening the investigation into the murder.
The Netherlands’ Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe contributes to the online Platform to Promote the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists, which helps collect, analyse and exchange information at the Council of Europe on violations of media freedom.
In September 2017, the meeting of the parties to the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) took place in Montenegro. Thanks in part to the Netherlands’ efforts, for example in its capacity as the holder of the EU Presidency during the negotiations, the final ministerial declaration contains a strong appeal to the state parties to the convention to ensure effective protection of whistleblowers and environmental activists.
| 14 | 1.2 Internet freedom Since 2012, the Netherlands has also been helping to develop an international normative framework for The Netherlands is working for an open, free and safe strengthening human rights online. It opposes attempts to internet. Besides prioritising this issue in its human rights restrict human rights online on the basis of the misguided policy since 2013, the Netherlands made human rights assumption that increased internet usage constitutes a online one of the pillars of its international cyber policy in danger. the International Cyber Strategy published in February 2017.7 The Netherlands regards security and freedom as Results essentially complementary, rather than conflicting, The Netherlands frequently draws attention at bilateral and interests: a safe, secure society is one where individuals’ multilateral level to the importance of keeping the internet fundamental rights and freedoms are protected. Its premise open, free and safe. is that universal human rights – such as freedom of expression, freedom of information, freedom of assembly Digital Defenders Partnership and association, and the right to privacy and the protection Together with eight other countries from the Freedom of personal data – should be respected online as well as Online Coalition (FOC), the Netherlands has supported offline. the Digital Defenders Partnership (DDP) since 2016. An evaluation of the programme in 2017 yielded a However, these freedoms are increasingly under threat favourable assessment. In particular, the year-long guidance online. The ability of state actors to suppress dissident of a human rights organisation by a digital security fellow is voices online, for example by restricting access to the having a lasting impact on the organisations’ digital security internet or social media apps, is growing. In addition, and the security of other organisations in the same region. states are enhancing their digital skills and deploying The winner of the 2017 Human Rights Tulip is a ‘digital advanced malware for the purpose of online intimidation. champion’ who has raised her own organisation and other The Netherlands speaks out against such practices and organisations to a higher level of digital security. uses financial and diplomatic means to help human rights defenders arm themselves against them.
7 https://www.government.nl/binaries/government/documents/ parliamentary-documents/2017/02/12/international-cyber-strategy/ International+Cyber+Strategy.pdf.
Digital security training course organised by Women Help Women in cooperation with the Digital Defenders Partnership (Photo: Women Help Women)
| 15 | The DDP also provides small grants and short programmes Export controls for people experiencing a digital emergency. It combines The impact of Dutch products on human rights online various resources, such as legal, technological and attracted considerable attention in 2017. On the issue of psychosocial support, in order to provide timely and export controls for (anti-)encryption and cyber security appropriate assistance to activists in distress. Since 2017, software, the Netherlands has been a European frontrunner the DDP has focused more specifically on defenders of in taking human rights into account when reviewing export women’s rights, who are highly vulnerable to digital threats. licence applications. Encryption is of vital importance for For example, it has provided funding to extend the opening human rights activists living under repressive regimes. hours and expand the staff of the Cyber Harassment A national general export licence for encryption-related Helpline for women in Pakistan. The DDP’s financial items was launched in late 2017, making it easier to export contribution to Women Help Women has helped teach this such items from the Netherlands. The licence is not international organisation how to protect itself and its available for countries with an especially poor human rights sensitive and dangerous work against cyber attacks. record or countries that are subject to an arms embargo, owing to the high risk of governmental misuse. The launch Network shutdowns of the licence also makes it possible to devote more In 2017, the Netherlands devoted particular attention to attention to export controls on cyber surveillance products network shutdowns, a collective term for measures taken by that are known to be used by repressive regimes to violate governments to restrict internet access and functionality. human rights. Examples of such measures include closing off parts of the internet, making websites and social media platforms like Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) Facebook inaccessible and blocking messaging apps like The FOC, a cross-regional coalition of countries that WhatsApp. The Netherlands has spoken out against such support a free, open and safe internet, once again showed disruptive measures in bilateral meetings and at multilateral itself to be a valuable platform in 2017. One of its key conferences. functions is helping to develop international norms through statements supported by a broad group of The Human Rights Ambassador raised this issue on several countries, such as the above-mentioned statement on occasions, for example during his bilateral visit to Ethiopia network shutdowns. At the Internet Governance Forum in in June and during a Dutch-Estonian event in Brussels on December 2017, Germany assumed the chair of the FOC the shrinking space for human rights defenders on the through the end of 2018. It has an ambitious programme internet. The issue was also brought to the attention of the that couples substantive declarations with effective Dutch internet community at the annual meeting of the diplomatic coordination in multilateral institutions. Dutch Internet Governance Forum (NL IGF). Other international conferences that have criticised shutdowns Multilateral action include RightsCon in Brussels and the Forum on Internet In 2017, several statements and documents were adopted in Freedom in Africa in Johannesburg. multilateral forums with a view to maintaining and strengthening the international normative framework. In March 2017, moreover, the Dutch-launched Freedom The reference to the protection of fundamental freedoms in Online Coalition (FOC published a Joint Statement on State the Netherlands’ widely praised Government Position on Sponsored Network Disruptions, including a list of good Encryption in 2016 was successfully incorporated into the practices for governments.8 Many human rights UN Human Rights Council’s resolution on the right to organisations have now joined forces in Access Now’s privacy in the digital age, which was adopted in March.9 #KeepItOn campaign, which is partly funded by the In December, the UN General Assembly agreed to Netherlands. At the Netherlands’ initiative, the UN General specifically mention online threats, risks and dangers in its Assembly inserted a reference condemning network resolution on human rights defenders. disruptions in its resolution on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity, in keeping with the resolution on the In addition, the Netherlands ensured that the protection of internet and human rights adopted by the UN Human fundamental rights and freedoms featured prominently in Rights Council in 2016. Human rights organisations use the European Council Conclusions of June on the fight these resolutions to call their governments to account against terrorism, including encryption. In the same regarding such measures and to mitigate the risk of month, the government presented its position on shutdowns. combating illegal – not just terrorist – content online, giving a central role to the protection of human rights such as freedom of expression. 8 https://www.freedomonlinecoalition.com/wp-content/ uploads/2017/03/FOC-Joint-Statement-on-State-Sponsored- Network-Disruptions.pdf. 9 http://undocs.org/A/HRC/34/L.7/Rev.1.
| 16 | In the EU and OSCE, the Netherlands warned that legal measures obliging social media companies to take action against online hate speech and other undesirable expression involve a risk of censorship.10 In September, the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) adopted recommendations stating that measures aimed at countering terrorism and violent extremism online should comply with international law, including international human rights law, and respect the rule of law.11 The revised EU Cyber Security Strategy and the accompanying Council Conclusions confirm that fundamental rights and freedoms form the foundation of the EU’s international cyber security policy.12 In November, the OSCE foreign ministers emphasised that effective human rights protection constitutes the appropriate framework for efforts to advance international security, as advocated by the Netherlands on the basis of its International Cyber Strategy.
In the Council of Europe, the Committee of Ministers meeting at Deputy Level approved a recommendation on the responsibilities of internet companies and social media platforms. The Council also published a report on the impact of algorithms on human rights, and negotiations are ongoing on revising Council of Europe Convention no. 108 on data protection.
10 https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstuk- ken/2017/07/05/tk-uitvoering-motie-segers-van-dam, Parliamentary Paper 30950, no. 108 (in Dutch). 11 https://www.thegctf.org/Portals/1/Documents/Framework%20 Documents/A/GCTF%20-%20Zurich-London%20 Recommendations%20ENG.pdf?ver=2017-09-15-210859-467. 12 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/31666/st14435en17.pdf.
| 17 | Examples:
Since 2017, the Netherlands has been funding Access Now, which promotes digital rights through research on encryption and shutdowns and provides technical assistance to human rights activists by means of a 24/7 helpline. Thanks to the work of Global Partners Digital, civil society organisations in Mexico and Chile helped formulate national cyber security policies that took account of human rights. In 2017, the Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS) was held in India, after being hosted by the Netherlands in 2015. Together with other civil society organisations, the organisations supported by Global Partners Digital sent a clear message that the make-up of the conference should in future be more inclusive.13 The Netherlands also supports this objective.
In Guinea, Mauritania and the Gambia, 150 journalists and online activists were trained to use software programs and technologies that enable them to carry out their work securely, with less risk of being infiltrated or hacked and avoiding online censorship and surveillance. The programme was set up and implemented by the recently formed League of African Cyber-Activists for Democracy (Africtivistes). One welcome outcome of this project is the expansion and deepening of the African network of bloggers and online activists.
The Dutch embassies in the Western Balkans facilitated the organisation of a large-scale innovative event called the Digital-born Media Carnival. The aim of this gathering was to bring together the region’s experts on the restriction of online expression, thus strengthening their position. The 250 participants took part in training courses on reporting and influencing their governments with a view to combating growing repression. The event gave rise to many articles on recent trends, such as disinformation and battles over net neutrality, and generated recommendations for improving freedom of expression online.
In 2017, diplomats joined forces with Palestinian civil society in Ramallah to oppose restrictions on freedom of expression. The Palestinian Cyber Crime Law of June 2017 regulates such matters as online transactions, online expression and social networks. Some of its articles are in conflict with the international right to freedom of expression, while others are incompatible with safeguards enshrined in domestic Palestinian law. Several journalists have been arrested on the basis of the new law, and dozens of critical websites have been blocked. The Netherlands Representative Office (NRO) in Ramallah has conveyed the concerns of Palestinians and donors to the Minister of Justice, with active support from the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and a wide range of Palestinian policymakers, opinion makers, journalists and lawyers. At the end of 2017, the battle had not yet been won, but a combination of diplomatic and social pressure had persuaded the authorities that the law needs to be modified. As a result, a special committee was established to amend it.
13 https://www.apc.org/en/pubs/global-conference-cyberspace-2017-civil-society-messages.
| 18 | 2. Freedom of religion and belief
Everyone has the right to choose their own religious or police to act impartially, regardless of a person’s ideological identity, to hold theistic, non-theistic or background or faith. Mensen met een Missie also helped atheistic beliefs, to change their religion or to have no establish a partnership between key players in this area, religion. The Netherlands makes no distinction between including religious leaders, government officials, religious groups in this connection. It also promotes the universities and NGOs. separation of religion and state, and opposes curbs on fundamental rights and freedoms, such as those of women, Multilateral action children and LGBTI persons, on the basis of religious or Within the EU, the Netherlands advocates a stronger focus traditional values. on freedom of religion and belief as a fundamental right. It is pushing for closer cooperation in the EU on freedom of In 2017, the trend towards growing intolerance on the basis religion and belief and for the wider recognition and of religion or belief continued. Violence in the name of implementation of the EU Guidelines on the Promotion religion and expressions of hatred – whether against and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief. Christians, Muslims, Jews or humanists – are on the rise. The situation of certain religious minorities is alarming. The Netherlands highlights the importance of the activities For example, the position of Christians in the Middle East of the Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of and parts of Asia has continued to deteriorate over the past Religion or Belief outside the EU, Ján Figel, and the UN year. At the same time, the worsening situation of non- Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, believers and converts also deserves attention. Dr Ahmed Shaheed. Dr Shaheed has asked Indonesia to repeal its blasphemy laws and Yemen to cease its Results persecution of the Bahá’í community, for example. In 2017, the Netherlands actively sought to promote freedom of religion and belief at bilateral and multilateral Cooperation with our partners in the International Contact level, for example in bilateral contacts and international Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief also remains high forums and by supporting civil society organisations. on the Netherlands’ agenda. This group includes non- Western countries, such as Colombia, Jordan, Lebanon and Dutch embassies have consistently emphasised the Indonesia, among its members, thus demonstrating that importance of freedom of religion and belief in meetings freedom of religion and belief is not just a ‘Western’ with local government officials, in dialogues with religious concept. Although its varied composition complicates leaders, in contacts with civil society and through projects agreeing on joint actions and/or statements, the group funded by the Human Rights Fund. The Human Rights continues to deserve the Netherlands’ interest. In 2017, Ambassador has discussed freedom of religion and belief it issued a joint démarche on freedom of religion in during visits to a range of countries, including Iraq, Turkmenistan. Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and China. Acting independently or through the EU, the Netherlands has Thanks in part to the Netherlands’ efforts, the EU’s condemned attacks on religious minorities, such as Egypt’s resolution on freedom of religion or belief and the Coptic Christians. resolution introduced on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on combating intolerance, negative In 2017, Mensen met een Missie (People with a Mission) stereotyping and stigmatisation of, and discrimination, carried out projects in India and Indonesia with financial incitement to violence and violence against, persons based resources from the Human Rights Fund. This Dutch NGO is on religion or belief were adopted by consensus in the working for social tolerance and providing a counterweight Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly’s Third to radicalisation and extremism. In Indonesia, for example, Committee. it organised training courses for police officers aimed at improving their awareness of the human rights situation, the position of minorities and the responsibility of the
| 19 | Ardi Stoios-Braken, the Dutch ambassador to Pakistan, with religious leaders from various faiths in Lahore
Examples:
During a visit by several EU embassies to Christian minorities in Turkey, the Netherlands drew attention to the expropriation of Syriac churches and church property as part of administrative restructuring by the Turkish government.
Through the Human Rights Fund, the Netherlands supports the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), an NGO operating in Pakistan, by providing shelter and legal aid to minorities – mainly Christian minorities – that suffer violence and miscarriages of justice on the basis of their religion.
In 2017, the Netherlands helped organise the first regional conference on freedom of religion in Armenia, which provided government, religious organisations, civil society, embassies, academics and international experts with a platform to discuss freedom of religion and belief. The conference’s final report, which contained recommendations for policy changes in the field of freedom of religion, has become a basic document for policy intervention for all organisations and individuals involved in this issue in Armenia, Georgia and nearby countries.
The Netherlands strongly condemned the US travel ban when it was introduced in June 2017, on the grounds that it should never be government policy to discriminate against or stigmatise people on the basis of their origin, religion or nationality. In any case, a blanket travel ban based on these characteristics is not an effective way of combating terrorism. Pressure from the US judiciary and others helped soften the ban. The matter is now before the US Supreme Court.
The Dutch embassy in South Korea facilitated the translation of a report on human rights violations against Christians held in captivity in North Korea, based on eyewitness testimony by escaped prisoners. The project’s goal is to facilitate the prosecution of the individuals complicit in these violations once this becomes possible in the future.
| 20 | In the run-up to local elections, the Dutch embassy in Georgia organised meetings between leaders of the main political parties and leaders of religious minorities with a view to encouraging the parties to include issues of freedom of religion, non-discrimination and tolerance in their campaigns and refrain from using hate propaganda. Following the elections, the embassy organised training courses on human rights, equality and non-discrimination for local government officials in parts of Georgia that are home to substantial religious minorities or where freedom of religion is a problem.
Online hate speech in countries where religious communities experience intolerance also has a considerable impact offline, notably as fuel for violence and discrimination against religious minorities. In Myanmar, the Netherlands has equipped local organisations to monitor and document this impact by drawing up a manual and organising briefings. The organisations have also been trained to mitigate the adverse effects of hate speech. However, there is still a long way to go in this area.
| 21 | 3. Equal rights for women and girls
The Netherlands is striving for gender equality and therefore domestic funding of health systems with governments in promotes equal rights and opportunities for men and developing countries. In addition to highlighting the women. Women are still vastly underrepresented in politics, importance of freedom of choice, the Netherlands reminds have fewer economic opportunities than men and are more international partners that investing in SRHR and gender frequently victims of violence and conflict. This is the result equality contributes to achieving the Sustainable of discrimination against women and girls and their Development Goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda. subordination to men, which has deep roots. Results Dutch efforts in support of gender equality focus on Internationally, the Netherlands has a strong reputation as a combating violence against women, strengthening champion of equal rights and opportunities for women and women’s leadership and political participation, following girls, thanks in part to the SheDecides movement launched up on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and promoting in 2017. Through various programmes and initiatives, the women’s economic self-reliance. In addition, the right to Netherlands consistently sought to improve the position of control one’s own sexuality and reproductive health and the women and girls around the world in 2017. right to make choices – free from pressure or violence – about reproduction are fundamental human rights. SheDecides Through the SheDecides movement, the Netherlands is In the past year, the Netherlands demonstrated working to enhance access to sexual and reproductive international leadership in the field of SRHR by launching health and rights (SRHR) in humanitarian situations, the SheDecides initiative, in response to US President support local SRHR service providers and discuss the Donald Trump’s withdrawal of funding from organisations
Chad’s Minister of Public Health, Ngarmbatina Odjimbeye Soukate, and Dr Babatunde Osotimehim of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at the SheDecides conference in Brussels | 22 | that engage in abortion-related activities. The initiative, Partners which was launched on 24 January 2017, is meant to raise As part of its efforts to prevent child marriage, the political and financial support for the sexual and Netherlands is working with the organisation Girls Not reproductive health and rights of women and girls.14 Brides, UNICEF and three NGO alliances for SRHR, as well as Together with Belgium, Denmark and Sweden, the several country programmes. The Human Rights Netherlands organised an international SheDecides Ambassador also raised this issue during bilateral visits to conference in Brussels on 1 March 2017. Support for the Pakistan, India and Ethiopia. UNAIDS, the Ministry of initiative, for example from countries such as Cabo Verde, Foreign Affairs and civil society partners are working Chad, Afghanistan, Mongolia and Colombia, grew together in a tripartite partnership on HIV and key throughout the year. In addition, several international populations to prevent and combat HIV/AIDS. During a visit philanthropists and the organisation Global Citizen rallied to El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua, the Dutch behind the initiative, which now enjoys the support of Ambassador for SRHR and HIV/AIDS drew attention to the about 60 countries, with €390 million pledged in 2017. importance of safe abortions and the prevention of sexual The Netherlands itself committed €29 million to projects violence against women and girls. linked to SheDecides in 2017. In the field of SRHR and women’s rights, the Netherlands is Violence against women and girls working with Tunisia and Mali to strengthen women’s rights At bilateral and multilateral level, the Netherlands and prevent maternal and child mortality. In all likelihood, continues to draw attention to violence against women and this partnership will be extended to include Niger and girls. This is a grave violation of human rights, which not several other countries in the Sahel region. only causes physical and mental harm but also takes an economic and social toll. One in three women worldwide In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports many experience sexual and/or physical violence at some point in civil society organisations that promote women’s rights their lives.15 In most cases, this violence is committed by a through programmes such as Funding Leadership and partner. Violence against women is a key obstacle to gender Opportunities for Women (FLOW) and Leading from the equality and sustainable development. In 2017, the South (LFS) and, in the fight against child marriage, through Netherlands supported programmes combating violence the SRHR partnerships fund. against women and raised this issue in various forums. Every year, between the International Day for the Finally, the Netherlands is active on the issue of women, Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November) and peace and security. As a signatory of UN Security Council Human Rights Day (10 December), the UN’s 16 Days of Resolution 1325, the Netherlands is investing in the Activism against Gender-Based Violence focus on combating participation of women and girls in peace processes and in violence against women and girls. In order to reduce this their protection in conflict situations. We are also funding violence, the UN calls on people around the world to eight Dutch consortiums that work with local organisations campaign for 16 days. In 2017, as in previous years, the in Afghanistan, Colombia, the DRC, Iraq, Libya, Syria, South Netherlands participated in the effort to draw attention to Sudan and Yemen. Together with the WO=MEN Dutch this important issue by posting vlogs and photographs and Gender Platform, the government is coordinating work on organising other activities highlighting violence against the Dutch National Action Plan on Resolution 1325 (NAP women throughout the 16 days. Both the Ministry of 1325). In October 2017, the Ministries of Defence, Foreign Foreign Affairs in The Hague and the Netherlands’ Affairs, Justice & Security and Education, Culture & Science diplomatic missions abroad took part.16 reached an agreement with Dutch civil society organisations that the Netherlands would work actively on the issue of women, peace and security during its term as a member of the UN Security Council, with an emphasis on amplifying civil society voices in conflict-ridden countries.
14 Under the Mexico City policy (global gag rule), foreign organisations Multilateral action no longer qualify for US federal funding if they engage in abortion- As a result of increased opposition to SRHR in the related activities. See also the letter to parliament from the Minister negotiations on a draft resolution in the UN Commission for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of 28 January 2017 (Parliamentary Paper 33625, no. 242) (in Dutch). on the Status of Women, the Commission on Population 15 http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence- and Development was unable to reach agreement on a final against-women/facts-and-figures. text. The negotiations were hampered by the fact that 16 https://www.facebook.com/dutchembassyUK/ various EU member states were not willing to go as far as videos/10155381301296886/, https://www.facebook.com/ previously agreed at EU ministerial level. NetherlandsEmbassySA/posts/1491716874257361, https://www. facebook.com/nlembassykabul/videos/1100211136782621/.
| 23 | In the Human Rights Council, the Netherlands and Sierra Examples: Leone took the lead in the negotiations on a resolution aimed at preventing child marriage in humanitarian The Netherlands uses resources from the Human situations. Eighty countries supported this Dutch-Sierra Rights Fund to promote political participation and Leonian initiative, and the text of the resolution was leadership by women in India, Bangladesh, Kenya, adopted by consensus. Colombia and Tunisia, by strengthening their position at local and national level. It is also funding The Netherlands also supports women’s rights by a multi-year project aimed at combating female contributing to various UN bodies, including the UN genital mutilation (FGM) in Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya Women, the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women and Sudan. By the time the project ends in 2018, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). 170,000 girls, 160,000 boys, 150,000 parents, 1,600 teachers and 1,200 religious and traditional leaders will be aware of the major health and social consequences of FGM and the importance of ending this practice.
In 2017, as part of its effort to promote women’s participation in peace processes, the Netherlands supported the Syrian Women’s Advisory Board, which plays a consultative role in the peace process in Geneva. It also helped fund UN Women’s Female Military Officers’ Course (FMOC), which aims to bridge the gender gap in UN peacekeeping. The Spanish and Dutch Ministries of Defence jointly funded a course entitled ‘A Comprehensive Approach to Gender in Operations’. These initiatives are all meant to make peacebuilding more inclusive and gender-sensitive and raise awareness of the role and needs of women and girls in conflict situations.
Since 2017, the Human Rights Fund has helped fund the efforts of Karama, a regional Arab network that focuses on women, peace and security, to strengthen democratic values and human rights in the MENA region by supporting human rights defenders in general and female human rights defenders in particular. By working together with men, women, academics and politicians, Karama seeks to reform discriminatory legislation and promote women’s advancement, safety and protection in all areas of public and private life.
With financial support from the Netherlands and other sources, Karama’s partners ran a successful campaign in Jordan to abolish laws that allowed perpetrators of acts of violence against women to go free. The campaign focused, for example, on laws that permitted rapists to avoid prosecution by marrying their victims.
| 24 | 4. Human rights defenders
Human rights defenders and an active civil society are Bilateral action indispensable for an open and free society. Supporting and Dutch embassies support human rights defenders in a range protecting human rights defenders in their role as catalysts of ways, for example by providing a meeting place, for change is therefore a key priority of Dutch human rights supporting local organisations, raising awareness and policy. providing information about human rights, and monitoring trials against human rights defenders. Repressive laws targeting human rights defenders and intimidation by the authorities and non-state actors are a In 2017, as in previous years, the Netherlands celebrated growing problem worldwide. More and more, countries are Human Rights Day very actively and creatively. Dutch adopting legislation that restricts the rights of individuals, embassies organised events on or near the day with a special human rights defenders and civil society, such as freedom of focus on Dutch human rights priorities, including panel assembly and association, freedom of expression and discussions with human rights activists, think tanks and internet freedom. The effects vary between countries, and members of the diplomatic corps, screenings of films the consequences can be deliberate or unintended. Such distributed by Movies that Matter, and social media restrictions are often intended to counter terrorism, campaigns. political opposition or unwanted foreign influence, but they may violate fundamental rights and endanger Trial monitoring democracy and the universality of human rights. In 2017, Dutch representatives, generally working with the EU, attended trials in countries including Azerbaijan, Results Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Russia, Sudan, In 2017, the Netherlands continued its unflagging efforts Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. Dutch embassies also kept in – both independently and through the EU or with other close contact with the families of human rights defenders like-minded partners – to assist and protect human rights on trial. Diplomatic notes were sent in coordination with defenders and strengthen organisations that work to the EU to national and local authorities calling them to enhance their safety and effectiveness. The Netherlands account for human rights violations. These actions send a operates bilaterally, through its embassies and visits by its clear message: the international community is watching. Human Rights Ambassador, as well as internationally, in various multilateral forums such as the UN, the OSCE and Despite attempts by foreign observers to attend the trials the Council of Europe. of human rights defenders, the Chinese authorities never allow them to do so. Attempts to gain access to the trial of Wu Gan and Jiang Tianyong, for example, were unsuccessful. Even so, human rights defenders greatly appreciate these efforts.
| 25 | Examples: Shelter City and regional relocation In 2017, the Netherlands provided temporary shelter for In Pretoria, the Dutch embassy organised an event 22 human rights defenders through the Shelter City combining poetry, visual art and a panel of experts programme. Participants in the programme are at risk in and academics. With ‘The Body That Takes Pride’ as their own countries, so the programme gives them three its theme, the event explored such issues as violence months’ respite in one of the Dutch Shelter Cities. There against women and acceptance of one’s own (queer) they can recuperate, expand their networks and follow body. training courses, for example on online and offline security. In 2017, three new cities joined the Shelter City network, In Doha, the Dutch embassy organised an inspiring bringing the total number of Dutch Shelter Cities to 11: evening with music and a film screening, in Amsterdam, The Hague, Groningen, Haarlem, Maastricht, association with the Doha Film Institute, at the Middelburg, Nijmegen, Tilburg, Utrecht, Zwolle and Museum of Islamic Art. Over 150 people attended Deventer. the event. By screening What Tomorrow Brings, a film about the first all-girls school in a small The number of Shelter Cities outside the Netherlands also Afghan village and the struggle to defend the right continues to grow. In light of the growing demand for to education for girls, the Dutch ambassador regional relocation, the Netherlands has contributed to the highlighted the importance of supporting human establishment of such regional shelter facilities for human rights defenders: ‘Educate a girl, and she will show rights defenders around the world. In addition to you there is no limit to what tomorrow brings.’ She supporting Shelter City Tbilisi, which receives human rights also paid tribute to Qatar’s female role models and defenders from the region (e.g. Russia, Tajikistan and the men who support them, and encouraged Kazakhstan), Dutch embassies contributed in 2017 to the everyone to make a difference and promote human establishment of Shelter Cities in Tanzania and Costa Rica. rights in their own sphere of influence. In order to The embassy in Dar es Salaam supported the establishment emphasise this point, a group of four high school of a regional shelter that has provided refuge to several students were invited to take the stage to talk about human rights defenders, including from Burundi and the their support for the Afghan NGO Hope for DRC. In Costa Rica, the embassy cooperated in the Education and Leadership in Afghanistan (HELA). In establishment of a shelter that housed two human rights this way, while the audience was still feeling the defenders from Guatemala and Nicaragua for a period of film’s impact, they immediately received an one month during its pilot phase in 2017. The Shelter City additional dose of inspiration from these young programme will be continued and expanded in 2018. human rights advocates. The film’s protagonists and the story of the four local heroes made a big SPEAK! campaign impression. The Afghan ambassador immediately Freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and expressed a desire to support HELA, for example. At association and the right to peaceful protest are key the end of the event, several teachers enquired components of Dutch human rights policy, as well as about the possibility of using the film in their own preconditions for the implementation of many Dutch education programmes. The representative of the development cooperation programmes. An international OHCHR office in Qatar promptly offered the four campaign to promote individual voices and political space students an internship. Finally, several young people for civil society organisations and human rights defenders also expressed a desire to do something practical in – SPEAK! – took place, both online and offline, between support of human rights and asked whom they 22 and 24 September 2017. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs could turn to. contributed to the campaign’s success in various ways, thus also raising the Netherlands’ international profile.
As part of this campaign, the Netherlands expressed support for space for civil society and human rights defenders. More than 20 embassies declared their support by posting short films, interviews, photos and statements on social media.17 These messages significantly increased the campaign’s visibility. #TogetherWeSpeak was a popular hashtag in the
17 Including those in Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Cairo, Dublin, Harare, Havana, Islamabad, Kampala, Kigali, Maputo, Nairobi, Panama, Ramallah, Sana’a, Tel Aviv, Tbilisi, Tirana, Washington DC and Zagreb.
| 26 | Netherlands. The short films produced by the Ministry of persons in Mexico. Through her work, Pérez Rodriguez Foreign Affairs reached over 10,000 people. makes a tangible contribution to several Dutch government priorities, such as supporting human rights defenders and 2017 Human Rights Tulip tackling impunity. Her work also helps promote internet On 10 December 2017, international Human Rights Day, the freedom, since her organisation is supported by one of the Dutch foreign minister presented the 2017 Human Rights member organisations of the Digital Defenders Partnership. Tulip to Mexican human rights defender Graciela Pérez As one of the programme’s champions, she is responsible Rodriguez in The Hague. The Netherlands awards the for her organisation’s digital security. Human Rights Tulip to support human rights defenders, individuals and organisations, that use innovative methods The €100,000 prize will enable Pérez Rodriguez to launch a to promote human rights and highlight their work. new project and build the capacity of her organisation. Given the scale of the problem of disappearances, her work Graciela Pérez Rodriguez is fighting the impunity can have a great impact. The Tulip also highlights her efforts surrounding forced disappearances in Mexico. Following and brings her international recognition. the disappearance of her daughter, brother and three nephews, she immersed herself as a lay person in forensic EU science and helped found the Forensic Citizen Science In the EU, the Netherlands calls – both in Brussels and in project. Among its various activities, the Forensic Citizen third countries – for joint action and the implementation of Science project helped establish the Mexican National the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders.18 It has also Citizen Registry of Disappeared Persons. Pérez Rodriguez pointed out the need for more temporary and/or regional also established the first DNA database operated for and by shelter facilities for human rights defenders. The private individuals, which enables the identification of Netherlands shares its experiences with Dutch and regional victims’ remains, even after several years. Her efforts allow Shelter City programmes with other countries, both in the her to reach many family members of missing persons and EU and beyond, to encourage them to launch or facilitate break the taboo surrounding the issue of disappeared similar initiatives.
18 https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_ en/3958/EU%20Guidelines%20on%20Human%20Rights%20 Defenders.
Graciela Pérez Rodriguez, winner of the 2017 Human Rights Tulip
| 27 | Examples:
At a session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Dutch Permanent Mission co-sponsored a side event on the relocation of human rights defenders. At the request of the UN and other parties, the Netherlands shared positive examples of its experiences with the Shelter City programme and relocation in the region with other states, civil society organisations and human rights defenders.
In early November 2017, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy issued a joint statement on the arrest and detention of Egyptian human rights defender Ibrahim Metwally Hegazy, after the Egyptian authorities failed to honour requests to discuss his case.
In Kinshasa, the Dutch embassy successfully created a platform for debate and discussion by organising a film festival on human rights. The space for civil society is shrinking and individual freedom of expression is under threat in the DRC. Many political activists and human rights defenders who criticise the political, economic or security situation are arrested, threatened or subjected to violent attacks. To facilitate discussion of these sensitive issues, the Dutch embassy organised, in cooperation with the Belgian embassy, a film festival that screened five films on a range of human rights issues (from more sensitive issues, such as freedom of expression and the fight against impunity, to less sensitive ones, such as deforestation). Each film was followed by a debate in which 20 to 60 activists passionately discussed their country’s future. The debates were moderated by a member of the DRC’s National Human Rights Commission or a well-known female journalist. In this way, the embassies managed to create a safe space for activists to openly share their thoughts and ideas and meet other activists and members of the diplomatic corps who highly value human rights.
In Tripoli, the Dutch embassy lent support to lawyers from the organisation Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL), which has created an archive that documents, collects and safeguards evidence of human rights violations. The aim of the archive, which records human rights abuses in an effective and secure manner, is to prevent the loss of such evidence. Given that the archive could eventually serve as a foundation for transitional justice mechanisms, the Netherlands is effectively supporting a future transitional justice process in Libya.
| 28 | Business and human rights
The National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP), which was adopted in 2013, guides the Netherlands’ efforts in this area.19 It focuses on implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), with a view to preventing human rights violations being committed by companies directly or in their supply chains. The Dutch government concludes voluntary agreements on international corporate social responsibility (ICSR) with Dutch business sectors, in which they agree to tackle risks in their international value chains. The agreements contain arrangements designed to enhance companies’ due diligence efforts and promote collective action to tackle abuses, such as human rights violations, that companies cannot address on their own. In 2017, the government concluded voluntary agreements with the gold, forestry and vegetable protein sectors, while the stakeholders in the agreement with the textile sector issued their first annual report. The disclosure of 2,800 production sites linked to participating companies resulted in a dialogue and solutions for abuses in the chain.
At international level, the Netherlands advocates multi-stakeholder initiatives that help reduce risks in the value chain. From March 2017 to March 2018, the Netherlands chaired the Initiative on the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPI). Within this framework, over 60 companies, NGOs, governments and organisations jointly seek to improve safety and respect for human rights in connection with mining and oil and gas extraction.20 Under the Netherlands’ leadership, it was decided to locate the VPI’s secretariat in an existing organisation in order to ensure its continuity.
Thanks to Dutch support, local partners can make their voices heard at international level. In late 2016, wage protests by Bangladeshi textile workers were violently suppressed. With Dutch support, Bangladeshi trade unions and the Clean Clothes Campaign lobbied the EU in support of strengthening trade union rights. As a result of these efforts, the European Commission called Bangladesh to account, leading the country’s government to introduce a number of improvements.
One of the outcomes of the NAP was the conduct of an independent study into the question whether Dutch companies’ statutory duty of care for ICSR was in line with the UNGPs, which made recommendations on strengthening the position of victims. The House of Representatives is currently discussing the Class Action (Financial Settlement) Act. If adopted, it will enable victims to claim damages collectively. The Ministry of Justice and Security is currently also working on a bill to amend the rules of evidence, which includes improvements to the right to access records, as proposed in the study mentioned above.
In 2017, in follow-up to the Council Conclusions on business and human rights adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council under the Dutch EU Presidency in 2016,21 the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) published an opinion on how the EU can further improve access to remedy in this area.22
At the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva last November, there was a great deal of interest in the fact that the National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (NCP) in the Netherlands had acted as a mediator in a case in which a Dutch company cooperated with the proceedings and damages were ultimately agreed between the company, Heineken, and its sister company in the DRC, on the one hand, and the opposing party, on the other.
At the UN, Ecuador presented draft elements for a possible UN treaty on business and human rights. The EU delegation participated on behalf of the EU member states in the intergovernmental working group that discussed this proposal. The Netherlands believes that the EU should adopt a joint position on the issue.
19 https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/brochures/2014/05/28/nationaal-actieplan-bedrijfsleven-en-mensenrechten, Parliamentary Paper 26485, no. 174 (in Dutch); https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2013/12/20/ national-action-plan-for-human-rights-and-business-knowing-and-showing. 20 http://www.voluntaryprinciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Netherlands.pdf. 21 https://ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking/sites/antitrafficking/files/council_conclusions_on_business_and_human_rights_foreign_affairs_council.pdf. 22 http://fra.europa.eu/en/opinion/2017/business-human-rights.
| 29 | 5. Equal rights for LGBTI persons
Everyone must be able to be themselves, irrespective of who The Netherlands uses the Yogyakarta Principles as a basis for they are or who they love. Promoting equal rights for LGBTI its international policy on LGBTI issues.23 The principles, persons is therefore one of the priorities of Dutch human which were drafted in 2006 by 29 distinguished human rights policy. The Netherlands works particularly to rights experts from 25 countries, provide a complete decriminalise homosexuality, combat discrimination and overview of fundamental human rights in relation to sexual violence and promote social acceptance. orientation and gender identity. In November 2017, following a round of extensive consultations and research, LGBTI persons suffer discrimination and exclusion all over a committee of 33 experts adopted a revised version of the the world. A low point in 2017 was the persecution of LGBTI Yogyakarta Principles. COC Netherlands and civil society persons in Chechnya. Civil society organisations have organisations from Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle reported incidents of incarceration, torture and death at the East and North Africa contributed to this process. The hands of the police and other government bodies. At the Yogyakarta Principles have been expanded with nine new same time, there were also positive developments in 2017. principles that clarify such issues as the position of For example, growing social acceptance of LGBTI persons transgender and intersex persons. found expression in the extension of civil marriage to same-sex couples in countries such as Germany and Australia.
23 ttp://yogyakartaprinciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ A5_yogyakartaWEB-2.pdf; http://yogyakartaprinciples.org/ wp-content/uploads/2016/08/principles_en.pdf.
Panel discussion on the role of business in promoting equal rights for LGBTI persons, with David Pollard (Workplace Pride) and Boris Dittrich (Human Rights Watch) at a symposium organised by the Dutch embassy in Bern with Workplace Pride and the financial services firm UBS
| 30 | Results Building Bridges programme, which equipped them with In 2017, as in previous years, the Netherlands continued to knowledge and skills to enhance their efforts to protect and promote equal rights for LGBTI persons. It enhanced its promote equal rights for LGBTI persons in their own strong profile in this area by playing an active bilateral role, countries. A number of LGBTI human rights defenders also supporting civil society and working with international spent time in the Netherlands as part of the Shelter City organisations and businesses. programme.
In 2017, Dutch embassies around the world supported Partners projects organised by LGBTI organisations with funding, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a strategic partnership by providing safe spaces for meetings or by participating in with COC Netherlands. The aim of this partnership is to help gatherings. Several embassies also took part in pride LGBTI organisations in countries such as Ghana, Vietnam parades to increase the events’ visibility and safety, as well and Haiti become and remain active in advocating equal as to show political support for the LGBTI movement. rights for LGBTI persons in their countries.24 COC In 2017, various embassies and other organisations used the Netherlands also provides LGBTI organisations abroad with filmOut and About, which was financed by the Ministry of long-term support that enables them to make use of UN Foreign Affairs, to initiate a dialogue on equal rights with human rights mechanisms. activists and other stakeholders. In such cases, the Netherlands seeks to collaborate with various actors, In keeping with its policies on equal opportunities, the including companies and religious organisations. Ministry of Education, Culture and Science supported the activities of several European LGBTI networks, including As in previous years, a group of LGBTI activists were invited ILGA-Europe, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, to participate in Amsterdam Pride through the Ministry of Transgender, Queer and Intersex Youth and Student Foreign Affairs’ Influentials Programme, which is Organisation (IGLYO), Transgender Europe and the administered by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) international LGBT information centre and archive IHLIA in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture and LGBT Heritage. Science. These female activists from Asia also attended the 24 https://international.coc.nl/.
Participants in conversation at an LGBTI Pride photo exhibition in Tirana, Albania (Photo: Ivana Dervishi)
| 31 | The issue of equal rights for LGBTI persons is regularly raised In 2017, the UN’s Independent Expert on protection against during bilateral, ministerial and senior civil service level violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation visits to places such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Central America, and gender identity (SOGI), Vitit Muntarbhorn, published India, China and Ethiopia. Such interventions are not two reports on the situation of LGBTI persons around the always publicised, as quiet diplomacy is sometimes more world, which included information on positive effective than openly calling countries to account. This is developments and recommendations.26 The Netherlands is a partly connected to the fact that certain countries and strong supporter of the Independent Expert’s work and will organisations wrongly label LGBTI rights as a Western continue to support the position and mandate of the new agenda. Public criticism from the Netherlands could be incumbent, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, who was appointed at misused to reinforce this impression. the end of last year. In addition, the UN has developed a practical guide to help companies meet their responsibility Equal Rights Coalition to respect equal rights for LGBTI persons based on the UN Another way of dealing with this image problem is to Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.27 increase cooperation with non-Western countries, for example through the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC), which Examples: was founded by the Netherlands and Uruguay in 2016. In the first half of 2017, while the two countries continued to The Dutch embassy in Manila joined forces with the co-chair the ERC, Malta and Lithuania joined the ERC and a Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce to organise group of members issued a public statement expressing a forum on the theme of ‘Out in Business: Business concern about the situation of LGBTI persons in Chechnya.25 Believes in Diversity’ on the International Day In July, the Netherlands and Uruguay handed over their role against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia as co-chairs to Canada and Chile. Since then, the (IDAHOTB). The forum showcased success stories of Netherlands has continued to play an active role in the ERC, LGBTI role models from the Dutch and Philippine for example as co-chair of the thematic group on business communities, with a view to promoting international and regional diplomacy and as a member of diversity in the workplace. Companies were also the Executive Committee. encouraged to pay more attention to diversity within their own workforce, driving home the European Governmental LGBTI Focal Points Network message that diversity and a safe working In Europe, ministries responsible for national policy on environment contribute to a company’s success. equal rights for LGBTI persons share information on policy and practice through the European Governmental LGBTI With support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Focal Points Network, which was established by the Dutch network for intersex persons (NNID) and the Netherlands. As a result, several European countries have International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex taken account of the latest developments relating to the Association (ILGA) organised the Fourth International social, legal and medical recognition of transgender Intersex Forum in Amsterdam. This forum drew (Norway) and intersex (Germany) persons while preparing attention to intersex rights and the need to strengthen legislation on these issues. The Ministry of Education, the international movement for intersex persons. Culture and Science is currently in charge of the network’s secretariat. In 2017, with financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, COC Netherlands worked with regional Multilateral action LGBTI organisations to organise training courses on The Netherlands continues to ensure that equal rights for UN human rights mechanisms in Africa and Asia. LGBTI persons remain on the agenda in multilateral These courses are meant to enhance the ability of organisations and that progress is made on this issue. In the local LGBTI organisations to make their voices heard, EU, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, it has drawn engage in advocacy and influence policy at the UN. attention over the past year to issues including the worrying Once the course is over, the COC works closely with situations in Azerbaijan, Egypt, Russia, Tajikistan and these organisations to help them write reports on the Turkey. In the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and human rights situation in their respective countries Development (OECD), it called attention to the economic and call their countries to account at the UN and in dimension of (un)equal rights for LGBTI persons. It also regional human rights mechanisms such as the African seconded experts on LGBTI rights and equality to UNESCO, Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR). the Council of Europe and the EU.
26 http://undocs.org/A/HRC/35/36 and http://undocs.org/A/72/172. 25 https://www.government.nl/documents/media-articles/2017/04/26/ 27 https://www.unfe.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/UN-Standards- erc-statement-on-situation-in-chechnya. of-Conduct.pdf.
| 32 | 6. Promotion of the international legal order / The fight against impunity
The most serious crimes under international law must not December 2017. Thanks in part to the Netherlands’ support, remain unpunished. The Netherlands remains committed the ICTY issued and pursued more indictments during its to combating impunity for such crimes though a range of existence than any other international criminal court or organisations and initiatives, in accordance with its tribunal. In total, it prosecuted 161 individuals for the most constitutional mandate to promote the development of the serious violations of international humanitarian law. With international legal order. the prosecution of Slobodan Milošević for crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Kosovo, Results the ICTY became the first international tribunal to indict a sitting head of state. This message that status or position Yemen does not place a person above the law constitutes a major In 2017, the Netherlands achieved a major success in the milestone in the fight against impunity. The final fight against impunity with the adoption of a resolution on defendants stood trial in 2017. They included Ratko Mladić, Yemen at the September session of the UN Human Rights the former commander of the Bosnian-Serb army, who was Council in Geneva, a result of the long-standing Dutch focus sentenced to life imprisonment, in part for his direct on the country’s human rights situation. On 29 September involvement in the Srebrenica genocide. 2017, thanks to prolonged negotiations with delegations It is important that the facts and stories of the Yugoslav wars from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Yemen and not be forgotten. In 2017, the Netherlands therefore the Netherlands’ intensive lobbying, the Human Rights financed a conference in Sarajevo and the Legacy Dialogues Council agreed to establish a group of eminent series in The Hague, in which the ICTY looked back on its international and regional experts’, which is currently work, its impact on the region and its contribution to investigating human rights violations committed by all international criminal law. parties to the conflict in Yemen since 2014. International Criminal Court Arms export policy In its capacity as host country and for other reasons, the The Netherlands has a restrictive arms export policy: Netherlands remains committed to promoting the authority conventional weapons may be used in the exercise of a and universality of the International Criminal Court (ICC), country’s right of self-defence, but the misuse of arms for example during its term as a member of the UN Security exports to violate human rights and humanitarian law must Council. This is because of the continuing importance of be prevented. Dutch policy towards Yemen is a good the Court, nearly twenty years after the Rome Statute was example of this. In light of the repeated UN statements that adopted. The announcement of investigations in all parties to the conflict in Yemen are guilty of violating Afghanistan and Burundi in 2017 shows the ongoing need humanitarian law, the government pursues a highly for the ICC as a court of last resort and as a safety net in restrictive arms export control policy towards the countries situations where there is no prospect of justice at national concerned. It denies export licences for military goods that level. can be deployed – directly or indirectly – in Yemen or to perpetrate human rights violations. In addition, the The Netherlands therefore took action when support for the Netherlands has tightened its controls on the transit of arms Court was in jeopardy. Its efforts to conduct an open to these countries via its allies, making Dutch arms export dialogue with critical countries were praised by African policy the strictest in Europe. countries and the wider international community. In a positive development, the Gambia did not follow through Closure of the Yugoslavia tribunal on its earlier decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute, After 24 years of operation, the International Criminal but unfortunately South Africa has given renewed notice of Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) closed in its intention to do so. The Netherlands will continue to do
| 33 | its best to ensure that South Africa remains a member of the Syria and Iraq Court. The Netherlands is continuing to call for the situation in Syria to be referred to the ICC, although this is impossible at With a view to improving the quality of African reporting on present as a result of Russia’s veto in the Security Council. international criminal law and the role of the ICC, the To ensure that evidence of grave human rights violations Netherlands organised an inaugural training course in and violations of international humanitarian law Dakar on international criminal law for West African committed by all parties to the conflict in Syria is journalists. safeguarded and investigated, the Netherlands in late December 2016 supported the creation of an International, The annual meeting of the Assembly of States Parties to the Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) for the Rome Statute was largely taken up by the decision to give collection of such evidence. The Netherlands continued to the Court jurisdiction over the crime of aggression.28 support the IIIM in 2017, for example by organising an The Netherlands welcomes the decision, adopted by expert meeting in March 2017 to expedite its establishment consensus, granting the Court jurisdiction over this crime. and operation. In addition, the Netherlands hosted the Seven years after the adoption of the Kampala amendments, head of the IIIM to discuss further cooperation, joined this historic decision will make it possible to hold forces with Switzerland to organise meetings promoting individuals criminally responsible for this ‘crime of crimes’, cooperation between Syrian NGOs and the IIIM, and following the example set by the Nuremberg and Tokyo pledged to contribute €1.5 million to the IIIM over a period tribunals. This is a big step forward for the ICC. of several years.
In 2017, the Netherlands supported a UN Security Council resolution calling for the establishment of a team to investigate alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed by ISIS in Iraq. 28 The Kampala amendments to the Rome Statute, which were adopted on 10 June 2010, describe the crime of aggression as the use of armed force by a state against another state in a manner inconsistent with the UN Charter. The act of aggression can be committed by a person with a leading political or military role in a state that commits this crime.
Opening of the international expert meeting in The Hague on the establishment of an evidence database for Syria
| 34 | Multilateral treaty for legal assistance and extradition in connection Responsibility to Protect, which among other things with international crimes manages the secretariat of the Global Network of R2P Focal At present, it is often difficult for countries to investigate Points and plays a key role in advocacy, and the Auschwitz and prosecute international crimes because suspects, Institute for Peace and Reconciliation are both receiving evidence, victims and witnesses are frequently scattered substantial, multi-year financial support from the across several countries. In order to facilitate cooperation in Netherlands. this area, the Netherlands has launched an initiative, as a member of a core group of countries including Argentina, European Court of Human Rights Belgium, Slovenia, Senegal and Mongolia, for the adoption As part of its effort to promote the international legal order, of a Multilateral Treaty for Mutual Legal Assistance and the Netherlands also works to ensure compliance with the Extradition for Domestic Prosecution of the Most Serious judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. International Crimes. In 2017, the Netherlands continued its It actively participates in the Human Rights meetings of the long-running lobbying efforts, bringing the number of Committee of Ministers, where Council of Europe member supporting countries to 59.29 As a result of Mongolia joining states discuss the implementation of the Court’s judgments. the core group, the initiative now enjoys support in all The Netherlands also contributes to the Human Rights Trust regions of the world. In October 2017, the Netherlands Fund, which helps member states carry out the Court’s hosted a preparatory conference for the supporting judgments. countries with a view to launching treaty negotiations in 2018.
Responsibility to Protect (RtoP) At the World Summit in 2005 the UN member states unanimously adopted the RtoP principle, thus confirming the responsibility of member states and the international community to protect civilian populations from the most serious crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and ethnic cleansing. Since then, the Netherlands has persistently championed this responsibility.
The Netherlands attaches great importance to translating this abstract standard into practical efforts aimed at preventing the commission of crimes during crises. It is addressing this challenge in its capacity as co-chair of the Group of Friends of RtoP (GoF), a group of like-minded countries that adopts joint positions and policy options pertaining to countries in or at risk of crisis. Taking responsibility for conflict prevention is also at the heart of the Netherlands’ efforts during its term as a member of the UN Security Council in 2018. In September 2017, the Netherlands organised a ministerial-level meeting of all sitting and incoming non-permanent members of the Security Council to discuss how they can promote RtoP in the Security Council. Dutch efforts in support of RtoP focus on supporting and cooperating with leading NGOs in this area. The New York-based Global Centre for the
29 Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, the Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, St Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, Uruguay and Vietnam.
| 35 | Refugees and migrants
At the end of 2017, according to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide stood at 65.6 million, including 22.5 million refugees, 2.8 million asylum seekers and over 40 million internally displaced persons. In addition, there were approximately 235 million regular and irregular migrants. Moreover, the number of refugees and displaced persons worldwide continues to rise, it is taking longer and longer before they can return home, and there is a large structural shortfall in emergency aid (approx. 50%) and in support for sustainable solutions. We need effective human rights policies to tackle this migration crisis. Firstly, because human rights violations are one of the main reasons why many people are fleeing their homes. They are fleeing repression, conflict and violence. Secondly, because refugees and people migrating to escape poverty and lack of socioeconomic prospects are particularly vulnerable to human rights violations. This is painfully clear from the recent images of human trafficking in Libya.
Protecting human rights is a key aspect of the integrated approach pursued by the Netherlands, which includes interventions along the entire migration route: in countries of origin where human rights violations are tackled as a root of the problem), in countries that receive large numbers of refugees and in transit countries, like Niger. These interventions focus in particular on protecting vulnerable groups such as women, minorities and accompanied and unaccompanied child migrants.
The large-scale migration flows across the Mediterranean Sea, especially from Libya, and the conditions faced by migrants in that country persuaded the government to set aside an additional €40 million in the spring of 2017 for the protection and reception of refugees and migrants in North Africa and the prevention of people smuggling and human trafficking. From these resources, the Netherlands contributed €10 million through the EU to scaling up programmes promoting the voluntary return and reintegration of migrants in Libya and other North African countries. As a result, approximately 20,000 migrants were able to return from Libya to their countries of origin in 2017. In addition, thanks to a programme set up by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Netherlands, more than 3,000 migrants were rescued from the desert in northern Niger and southern Libya. In West Africa, through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Netherlands is promoting efforts to tackle people smuggling and human trafficking, with due regard for human rights, and provide protection and support to victims.
The Netherlands is also working to enhance protection and strengthen the legal position of refugees in and around Syria and the Horn of Africa. For example, it has supported efforts to allow refugees in Ethiopia to register with the local authorities where they live, which increases their ability to participate fully in local society and enables tens of thousands of refugee children born in Ethiopia to obtain documents. In Lebanon and Jordan the Netherlands has supported several initiatives, including programmes aimed at allowing refugees to obtain work/residence permits and at enhancing their safety.
In 2017, efforts continued to reach agreement on a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and a Global Compact on Refugees, with a view to their adoption in 2018. In both cases, the Netherlands is pushing for an integrated and balanced agreement that incorporates recognition of and compliance with human rights and existing legal frameworks such as the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.
| 36 | 7. Human Rights Ambassador
The Human Rights Ambassador is the public face of the Other actors Netherlands’ human rights policy. He attends international The Human Rights Ambassador seeks collaboration with meetings and visits countries in order to promote human other actors who campaign for human rights, or could do rights, and collaborates with human rights ambassadors so, such as NGOs, journalists, religious leaders, academics, from other EU countries. During his visits, he not only local and regional authorities, businesses and trade unions. discusses existing concerns about the human rights They play an important role in shaping and changing public situation with the authorities but also looks for opinion on human rights. The Human Rights Ambassador, opportunities to work with other countries and actors. in conjunction with the Dutch embassies, can bring these He actively seeks collaboration with countries that hold actors together. different views, particularly non-Western countries, given that human rights are often seen as a Western agenda. The Ambassador encourages these countries to champion During the Human Rights Ambassador’s visit to those human rights that they regard as most important in Pakistan, one of the main topics of discussion was international forums, as well as in their own regions. After freedom of religion and belief, including the abuse all, the identity of the messenger is important when it of blasphemy laws. Besides discussing the comes to human rights, and the Netherlands is not always Netherlands’ concerns in this area with the federal the most appropriate messenger. authorities, the Ambassador also spoke with the provincial authorities of Punjab. He took part as well in a broad meeting where he talked to A good example of this involves Indonesia, which representatives of all religions in Pakistan about hosted an international event to mark World Press tolerance, including tolerance towards people who Freedom Day in 2017 – an event in which the Human have no religion. Furthermore, the Ambassador Rights Ambassador participated. The fact that this visited LGBTI organisations, and joined companies event took place in Jakarta demonstrates that in considering what else could be done in the field of human rights, in this case freedom of the press, are business and human rights. not only cherished in the West. In cooperation with the Netherlands, Indonesia is providing the expertise needed to establish a national press A major component of bilateral visits is contact with NGOs council in neighbouring Timor-Leste. At the same and human rights defenders. These meetings are of great time, however, the Ambassador is speaking to value to people who are being subjected to harassment, Indonesia about Dutch concerns regarding freedom arrest and intimidation, and sometimes even receiving of religion and belief and equal rights for LGBTI death threats. This applies not only to activists but also to persons. judges who act independently, public prosecutors who tackle corruption irrespective of who is involved, and journalists who expose abuses and human rights violations. Areas of common interest Attention from a high-level foreign representative shows However many concerns the Netherlands may have regarding them that their work matters and that they have not been the human rights situation in a given country, there are often forgotten, as well as giving them the energy and courage to areas of common interest where cooperation is possible. This carry on. This was clearly apparent, for example, during the became clear, for example, during the Netherlands’ human Human Rights Ambassador’s visits to Mexico, Guatemala, rights dialogue with China, in which the Human Rights Honduras and Nicaragua. Ambassador and the Chinese authorities discussed Dutch concerns about the country’s increasing repression and restriction of civil and political rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of religion and belief. At the same time, the Ambassador explored opportunities to work with the Chinese on other human rights issues, such as combating violence against women and business and human rights, on which the two countries see eye to eye.
| 37 | International meetings The Human Rights Ambassador also participated in 2017 in The Human Rights Ambassador attended a number of other international meetings and conferences, including: international meetings, including RightsCon, an annual an OSCE conference on cybersecurity and human rights; a gathering of IT companies, scientists, NGOs and – to a lesser conference on civil society and cybersecurity hosted by the extent – governments on the subject of internet freedom. Estonian EU Presidency; the UN Human Rights Council; the Among other things, the Netherlands is campaigning to OSCE’s Human Dimension Implementation Meeting on prevent internet shutdowns and promoting awareness of human rights and democracy; the UN Forum on Business and protection against security threats to NGOs’ online and Human Rights; a plenary meeting of the International activities and the data they store and disseminate online. Holocaust Remembrance Alliance; a meeting in Geneva of The Ambassador also raised these issues during bilateral the Equal Rights Coalition for LGBTI persons, where the visits to countries such as Pakistan and Ethiopia. rules of procedure were adopted and the founders of the coalition, the Netherlands and Uruguay, handed over their role as co-chairs to Canada and Chile; a workshop on In October 2017, Dakar hosted the High-Level business and human rights in Brussels with companies, Meeting on Ending Child Marriage in West and NGOs and governments; and a European IDAHOT event Central Africa. At this meeting, the Human Rights organised and hosted by Belgium. Ambassador advocated an inclusive approach in which governments work with civil society organisations and religious and traditional leaders Finally, the Human Rights Ambassador always raises to draw up and implement a joint plan of action. the issue of equal rights for women during his Child marriage was also a major topic of discussion bilateral visits, as he did during his visit to Saudi during the Ambassador’s bilateral visits to Pakistan Arabia in 2017. and India.
| 38 | Appendix: expenditure by theme
1. Expenditure from the Human Rights Fund, by theme 2. Expenditure from other funds, by theme
Total, Human Rights Fund Theme Expenditure Number of projects
Freedom of expression & internet freedom €15,176,256 92 Freedom of religion and belief €2,434,099 26 Equal rights for women and girls €6,940,933 102 Human rights defenders €8,061,579 98 Equal rights for LGBTI persons €2,948,652 79 Promotion of the international legal order / €2,173,945 32 The fight against impunity Other €381,949 5 Human rights in general €2,852,082 33 Business and human rights €2,822,253 30 Serious violations €3,157,368 60 Other Total €46,948,828 569
Total, other funds Theme Expenditure Number of projects
Freedom of expression & internet freedom €12,667,391 44 Freedom of religion and belief €1,979 2 Equal rights for women and girls €36,577,318 99 Human rights defenders €16,184,923 26 Equal rights for LGBTI persons €4,711,178 48 Promotion of the international legal order / €18,966,454 27 The fight against impunity Other €9,705,542 5 Human rights in general €1,862,160 9 Business and human rights €816,844 4 Serious violations €4,174,106 28 Other Total €105,668,169 293
| 39 | 1. Expenditure from the Human Rights Fund, by theme
Theme: Freedom of expression & internet freedom Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Amman, Jordan Jordan Internet Freedom in Jordan €111,531 Amman, Jordan Jordan Expanding the Public Dialogue on Human Rights in €93,150 Jordan through the Media Amman, Jordan Jordan Advanced training for Arab journalists €38,205 Amman, Jordan Jordan Lobbying to Amend Article 308 €9,662 Ankara, Turkey Turkey [Confidential] €87,330 Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Educational platform on access to information in €4,647 Kazakhstan Beijing, China China [Confidential] €14,834 Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon Freedom of online expression €2,166 Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon Internet Community €87,660 Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon Digital Rights as Human Rights €18,307 Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon Karama Human Rights Film festival €25,200 Belgrade, Serbia Serbia, Montenegro SPINoFACT - Political advertising between Spin and Facts €11,200 Belgrade, Serbia Serbia, Montenegro Improving Implementation of the International Media €80,000 Freedom Standards and Strengthening Alternative Sources of Information in Serbia Belgrade, Serbia Serbia, Montenegro Media and the New Optimism €8,800 Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Strengthening Innovation and Research on Freedom €17,066 of Expression Brasilia, Brazil Brazil Violence against Women Communicators in Brazil €1,372 Brasilia, Brazil Brazil Violence against Communicators 2 €45,027 Bucharest, Romania Moldova Support for Russian print and online versions of the €78,000 investigative newspaper Ziarul de Garda Bucharest, Romania Moldova Teach Them Young €31,000 Budapest, Hungary Hungary Finding one’s way in the legal framework for quality €5,022 journalism Budapest, Hungary Hungary Free Press Apps €4,860 Budapest, Hungary Hungary The Story Tells the Facts €3,969 Dakar, Senegal Gambia Cybersecurity training for journalists in Gambia €11,820 Harare, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Human Rights Day 2017 - World Press Photo €39,045 Exhibition Harare, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Promoting Citizen Participation in Electoral Processes €16,655 Through Alternative Media Havana, Cuba Cuba Various projects [Confidential] €45,400
| 40 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Collage: free space for young people to express €60,091 themselves Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Human Rights Through Photography €14,000 Istanbul, Turkey Turkey Various projects [Confidential] €55,474 Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia [Confidential] €19,736 Jakarta, Indonesia Timor Leste Strengthening Media Self-Regulatory Mechanisms in €214,995 Timor Leste Khartoum, Sudan Sudan Various projects [Confidential] €102,200 Kigali, Rwanda Rwanda Weekly radio debate €22,040 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Malaysia Freedom Film Festival €5,328 Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Building bridges, not walls €8,095 Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Mezhyhirya Festival - Investigative Journalism €4,886 Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Local Reform Agenda Radio Marathon €72,837 Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Combating human rights violations €39,205 Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Prostonomika €63,180 Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Support for democratic transformations and reforms in €52,004 southern Ukraine through capacity-building of media and journalists in Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts Lima, Peru Peru, Ecuador World Press Photo Exhibition in Peru and Ecuador €32,300 Mexico City, Mexico Mexico CIC Legal Protection of Journalists €24,033 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Radio Netherlands Worldwide 2017-2020 €7,700,000 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Mensenrechten in beeld II (‘Review of human rights II’) €3,750 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Brave Cinema 2 €3,750 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Digital Defenders Partnership €500,000 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Breaking the Impasse: Protecting Journalists and €436,915 Social Communicators Through Effective Use of UN Mechanisms to Ensure International-to-Local Defence and Promotion of Freedom of Expression Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Tomorrow’s internet €232,740 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Global Internet Freedom Analysis €28,251 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Small Media Tech Lab €371,428 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Mrs: a powerful and safe voice for women journalists €76,668 and citizen reporters Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Nadrat Al-Shafafa (Transparent View) €1,475 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Advanced Freedom of Expression and Access to €406,305 Information Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Supporting UPR Advocacy for Internet Freedom €423,907 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Where There is Political Will: Stopping Impunity and €192,315 Violence Against Journalists New Delhi, India India Internet Freedom Seminar €883 Paris, France (Permanent Worldwide Journalist’s safety – media developments €690,000 Delegation of NL to UNESCO) San José, Costa Rica Central America NEXOS - Human Rights Programme for Central €991,000 America Strasbourg, France France Platform for journalists €20,000 (Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe) Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia [Confidential] €4,475
| 41 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Tehran, Iran Iran [Confidential] €427,500 Tunis, Tunisia Tunisia Supporting freedom of expression and media €62,779 development in North-West Tunisia Tunis, Tunisia Tunisia Protection de la liberté de l’information en Tunisie €74,785 Warsaw, Poland Belarus Support for independent radio broadcasts €100,000 Warsaw, Poland Belarus Various projects [Confidential] €263,530 Vienna, Austria Kosovo Safety of Journalists Public Awareness Campaign €50,000 Vienna, Austria Worldwide Representative on Freedom of the Media - Repository €200,000 Programme Yangon, Myanmar Myanmar Democratic Voice of Burma €39,861 Yangon, Myanmar Myanmar Search for common ground €94,596 Yangon, Myanmar Myanmar Fondation Hirondelle €97,011 Total €15,176,256
Theme: Freedom of religion and belief Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Responsibility to Report: Rebuilding the North-East €129,661 Bucharest, Romania Moldova Education and Action: promoting diversity and human €14,452 rights among young people from diverse communities Bucharest, Romania Moldova Holocaust Education for Non-Jewish Young People in €28,000 Moldova Cairo, Egypt Egypt Imam-Priest Exchange II €65,000 Dhaka, Bangladesh Bangladesh Photographic Documentation of the Rohingya €10,673 Population Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Improving the rights of religious minorities €75,583 Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Legal aid assistance and settlement for minorities in €67,455 Punjab Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Exploring and promoting freedom of religion €42,044 Istanbul, Turkey Turkey [Confidential] €3,025 Istanbul, Turkey Turkey [Confidential] €37,050 Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia Enhancing Protection and Respect for Religious €98,233 Freedom and Human Rights in Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia Amplifying Indonesian Victims’ Voices €256,969 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Strengthening Human Rights Advocacy for Freedom €163,873 of Religion and Belief Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Kullina Mawatinin: ‘We are all citizens’ €139,429 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Strengthening voices, sensitising voices, connecting €350,000 voices Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide A Religious Mosaic: Freedom of Religion or Belief – an €560,000 urgently needed basis for tolerance and inclusiveness New Delhi, India India Rights for nomadic Narikkuravar children €24,463 Seoul, South Korea North Korea Translation of a report on Freedom of Religion or €11,395 Belief in North Korea Tbilisi, Georgia Armenia Promoting Religious Tolerance and Non- €62,911 Discrimination in Armenia
| 42 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia Enhancing National Minority Civil Society €17,323 Organisations’ Advocacy and Monitoring Skills on Minority Rights Protection Issues Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia I Belong in Georgia €5,638 Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia Train the Messenger - 2 €93,459 Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia Empowering Religious Minorities and Raising State €38,980 Representatives’ Awareness of Non-Discrimination, Freedom of Religion and Equality Warsaw, Poland Belarus [Confidential] €2,720 Yangon, Myanmar Myanmar Cultivating Religious Freedom €45,763 Yangon, Myanmar Myanmar Fortify Rights €90,000 Total €2,434,099
Theme: Equal rights for women and girls Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Red Diamond €6,236 Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Red Diamond 2 €136,169 Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Your Body, Your Responsibility €1,500 Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Uprooted €145,649 Algiers, Algeria Algeria Film showing and series of debates on International €4,729 Women’s Day Algiers, Algeria Algeria Un monde selon les femmes: pour une égalité et une €1,313 non discrimination envers les femmes en Algérie Amman, Jordan Jordan Enabling Communities for Climate Change Adaption €109,817 Planning: Understanding Gender Roles Amman, Jordan Jordan Tactically Advocating for Equal Rights of Women €126,009 Amman, Jordan Jordan A Private Sector Approach to Increasing Women’s €133,905 Economic Participation in Jordan Amman, Jordan Jordan From Principle to Practice: Understanding patriarchal €142,180 attitudes and paving the way for policy reform Amman, Jordan Jordan National 16 Days Campaign €12,700 Amman, Jordan Jordan Enhancing Women’s Choices in Jordan €12,003 Amman, Jordan Jordan Performance Improvement €37,233 Ankara, Turkey Turkey Various projects [Confidential] €65,845 Athens, Greece Greece Together we can end gender-based violence €3,330 Baghdad, Iraq Iraq [Confidential] €9,483 Baghdad, Iraq Iraq Euromed €95,157 Baku, Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Preventing Sex Selective Abortions: men support €85,000 gender equality too! Baku, Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Empowerment of Young Women Politicians through €24,990 training and mentorship Beijing, China China Addressing gender-biased sex selection and skewed €248,715 sex ratio at birth in China Beijing, China China China Gender Fund €24,998 Beijing, China China Various projects [Confidential] €414,111 Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon Women in Leadership Positions €38,115
| 43 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon Counselling Office for Women in Politics €124,830 Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon Capacity Building for Internal Security Forces €19,566 Bucharest, Romania Moldova Speak Up for Youth Sexual and Reproductive Rights €110,852 Budapest, Hungary Hungary Domestic violence: prevention, intervention and €5,000 recovery Brasilia, Brazil Brazil Holanda Conecta: International Women’s Day 2017 €1,885 Brasilia, Brazil Brazil Migrant women leaving the prison system €40,509 Buenos Aires, Argentina Argentina A better chance for young mothers €4,637 Buenos Aires, Argentina Argentina Violencia de género: Que pasa después de la €4,819 emergencia Buenos Aires, Argentina Argentina Centro de Intercambio y Servicios Cono Sur Argentina €27,706 - Fortaleciendo Red Violencia Buenos Aires, Argentina Argentina La investigación forense en casos de femicidios €30,766 Cairo, Egypt Egypt Training and Employment for Women €17,473 Cairo, Egypt Egypt Service Delivery to Migrant Workers €84,246 Dakar, Senegal Mauritania Lutte contre les violences sexuelles en Mauritanie €35,480 Dakar, Senegal Senegal Booklet on Political Participation by Women €1,036 Dakar, Senegal Senegal Positive Cultural Values €3,558 Dakar, Senegal Senegal Knowledge as a tool to empower schoolgirls €4,147 Dakar, Senegal Senegal Alliance avec les hommes dans l’entourage des €1,529 femmes Dakar, Senegal Senegal Festival Films Femmes Afrique €15,245 Geneva, Switzerland Switzerland UPR Contribution for equitable and sustained €1,884 progress on Agenda 2030 and the International Conference on Population and Development Geneva, Switzerland Switzerland Women’s Human Rights Course for Geneva-based €9,013 diplomats Harare, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Child Marriage: Short Film and Song €8,820 Harare, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe ‘Lamentations @12’ National Tour €13,635 Havana, Cuba Cuba Various projects [Confidential] €27,724 Istanbul, Turkey Turkey Various projects [Confidential] €172,413 Khartoum, Sudan Sudan Various projects [Confidential] €94,031 Kigali, Rwanda Rwanda Research to address street vendors’ basic rights and €9,269 advocacy Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Malaysia Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on Marital Rape €7,985 Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Strengthening women’s political rights €11,829 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Reducing Sexual Violence Against Children €140,243 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Shelter Me Phase 2*- for the rights of migrant €203,035 domestic workers in the Gulf region Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Respect for Women’s Political Rights €169,331 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Obligation to Protect: Agents of Change Unite Against €815,13 Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Upholding Human Rights, bridging the gender/ €400,000 environment divide Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide POWER: Political participation of women for equal €154,760 rights Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Support for Human Rights Activists €1,481,119
| 44 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR New Delhi, India India Equal rights for women in the urban slums of €17,417 Aurangabad New Delhi, India India Creating favourable ecosystems for non-traditional €13,600 livelihoods for women New Delhi, India India Empowering Rural Women to Protect their Rights €40,800 New Delhi, India India Eliminating sexual harassment €16,042 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa Human Rights Dialogues €65,721 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa Advancing the rights of women, girls and LGBTI €18,231 communities Pretoria, South Africa South Africa Communities Standing up for Human Rights €18,717 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa Restoring Dignity €46,077 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa Multilateral Human Rights Dialogues €4,747 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa Anger Management €4,936 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa Tsoga €27,371 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa NGO Participation in National Dialogue on the €10,000 Implementation of the Sexual Offences Act Rabat, Morocco Morocco Gender Election Observation Mission €26,957 Rabat, Morocco Morocco Lobby by a coalition of women’s rights organisations €4,497 (Printemps de la Dignité) for legislation in line with international human rights conventions Rabat, Morocco Morocco La caravane sociale pour l’égalité. Éradication des €48,457 mariages des mineures et lutte contre la déscolarisation des filles Rabat, Morocco Morocco Fighting violence against women and girls: A listening €13,217 and counselling service to support female victims of violence Rabat, Morocco Morocco Women’s Political Participation €8,125 Rabat, Morocco Morocco Fighting violence against women: Reinforcing the €40,788 legal and socioeconomic capacity of women in Salé and neighbouring areas Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Participation in career fair for women €13,267 Skopje, Macedonia Macedonia Mentor with Impact - Mentoring Programme for €25,923 Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Skopje, Macedonia Macedonia Women in Politics in Macedonia: Supporting Skills €10,000 Development for Women Candidates for Mayoral Office Tbilisi, Georgia Armenia Steps for the Future, Free of Violence: a series of TV €29,000 programmes Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia A better future for Pankisi women and girls €55,403 Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia Comic books on early marriages €3,500 Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia Investing in the promotion of Sexual and €57,797 Reproductive Health and HIV prevention among Young People in Georgia Tunis, Tunisia Tunisia Enhancing Women’s Economic Participation: €75,518 Addressing the Gender Gap in North-West Tunisia Warsaw, Poland Belarus Various projects [Confidential] €51,958 Vienna, Austria Kosovo Engaging Men to Promote Gender Equality and €30,000 Reassess Current Gender Roles in Kosovo Vienna, Austria Worldwide Support for Gender Equality Review Conference side €114 event
| 45 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Yangon, Myanmar Myanmar Burmese Women’s Union €24,078 Yangon, Myanmar Myanmar Gender Concerns International €5,400 Total €6,940,933
Theme: Human rights defenders Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Ankara, Turkey Turkey Various projects [Confidential] €90,009 Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Security for Human Rights Defenders in Kazakhstan €25,480 Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan NGO Sustainability Initiative €10,519 Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Human Rights Capstone Project €5,921 Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Human Rights Capstone Project in Atyrau State €70,076 University in Western Kazakhstan Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Fellowship for a new generation of human rights €28,885 defenders in Kazakhstan Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Human Rights Day 2017 €10,202 Baghdad, Iraq Iraq Pax Bridge Funding €50,000 Bangkok, Thailand Thailand Enhancing capacity for human rights defenders in €8,700 Thailand Beijing, China China Various projects [Confidential] €541,382 Bucharest, Romania Moldova Democracy and Equality start with Human Rights €51,858 Education Bucharest, Romania Moldova Teaching Those Who Teach: Enhancing knowledge of €19,300 human rights among teachers on both banks of the Dniester Budapest, Hungary Hungary Building the capacity of Hungarian NGOs €10,300 Budapest, Hungary Hungary Emberi Jogi Hálózat a Nevelésért (Common Ground) €8,327 Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Young Peace Builders €105,226 Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Pasantía Nacional - Implementation of Education and €17,553 Protection Strategies for human rights defenders, their organisations and communities in Colombia Brasilia, Brazil Brazil Support for the Brazilian Committee of Human Rights €1,320 Defenders Brasilia, Brazil Brazil River Communities in Amazônia Legal €1,371 Brasilia, Brazil Brazil Mapping Human Rights Violations €39,757 Brasilia, Brazil Brazil Human Rights Day Fair 2017 €2,251 Dakar, Senegal Senegal Human Rights Day 2016 €177 Geneva, Switzerland Worldwide Relocation of Human Rights Defenders €440 Geneva, Switzerland Switzerland Contribution to the International Service for Human €11,895 Rights Harare, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Transparency, Responsiveness, Accountability and €850,000 Citizen Engagement Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Strengthening the Protection Network for Women €60,072 Human Rights Defenders Juba, South Sudan South Sudan [Confidential] €150,992 Kampala, Uganda Uganda Defend Defenders €200,000
| 46 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Khartoum, Sudan Sudan Various projects [Confidential] €56,906 Kigali, Rwanda Rwanda Building human rights defenders’ capacity to €32,154 advocate civil and political rights Kinshasa, DRC DRC Protection of Human Rights Defenders through €100,000 Capacity Building by the DRC Protection Desk Kinshasa, DRC DRC Sponsorship and Training for Lawyers and Human €18,968 Rights Defenders Kinshasa, DRC DRC Renforcer les initiatives pour secourir les défenseurs €144,500 des Kivu Kinshasa, DRC DRC Supporting Human Rights Defenders in the DRC €178,598 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Malaysia International Human Rights Day: EU Networking €1,803 Event Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Malaysia Basic Training for Lawyers in Malaysia on the Ethical €8,666 Representation of Children Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Communication and advocacy support for the €53,257 implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy in Ukraine Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Establishing a network of public initiatives to protect €51,062 the rights and freedoms of people in Ukraine: ‘I have a right!’ Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Empowering the courts: the key to successful reform €63,458 of the judiciary Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Protection, legal assistance and support for victims of €56,020 human rights violations in Crimea Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Developing regional networks to support Internally €9,219 Displaced People Manila, Philippines Philippines Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances €2,279 Mexico City, Mexico Mexico I(dh)eas Litigio Estratégico €34,450 Mexico City, Mexico Mexico Protection of women human rights defenders in €24,034 Chiapas Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Shelter City Netherlands €1,939 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Communication on the Human Rights Tulip, €49,500 2014-2017 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Training human rights defenders €44,529 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide UPR Info: Coalition building among civil society €2,417 organisations and empowerment of human rights defenders Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Setting up a Human Rights Festival €100,000 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Emergency Support, Preventive Protection, Capacity €40,000 Building and International Support for Human Rights Defenders at Risk Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Protection and capacity building for human rights €12,390 defenders Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Protecting human rights defenders worldwide by €87,367 strengthening the legal recognition and implementation of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders at international, regional and national level Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Enhancing Human Rights Defenders Protection and €42,593 Advocacy: 2015-2017
| 47 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Supporting human rights defenders’ capacity to €94,751 mobilise UN and international levers of influence to boost local change Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Human Rights Tulip 2016 €156,450 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Support for Human Rights Defenders in Post-Soviet €614,347 Countries Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Capacity Building, Protection and Advocacy for €21,931 Human Rights Defenders Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Foundations for human rights: Supporting change €489,911 agents to act for human rights Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Improved protection and support for human rights €357,620 defenders in Latin America Nairobi, Kenya Kenya Strengthening National and Community-Based €238,215 Protection Interventions New Delhi, India India Empowering Youth Advocates €6,821 Ramallah, Palestinian Palestinian Territories Support to joint donor fund for HR and International €1,134,000 Territories Humanitarian Law in the occupied Palestinian Territories (Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Secretariat) Seoul, South Korea North Korea Holistic security training for human rights defenders €23,175 working on North Korean human rights Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia Tbilisi Shelter City €97,570 Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia Support for Human Rights Defenders from Azerbaijan €62,686 Tel Aviv, Israel Israel B’Tselem: Tackling Security Risks €1,508 Tirana, Albania Albania Dorcas Aid Albania €20,657 Tirana, Albania Albania QSNNN Fushe-Arrez €9,373 Tirana, Albania Albania Generation A €10,000 Warsaw, Poland Belarus Various projects [Confidential] €243,810 Washington, DC, United Latin America Inter-American Commission on Human Rights €500,000 States Washington, DC, United United States Lifeline Gift Fund €250,000 States Vienna, Austria Worldwide Democracy Defender Award 2017 €1,988 Yangon, Myanmar Myanmar Fortify Rights €98,645 Yangon, Myanmar Myanmar ZINdoc €40,000 Total €8,061,579
Theme: Equal rights for LGBTI persons Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Various projects [Confidential] €18,691 Accra, Ghana Ghana Project on LGBT Rights and Access to Healthcare €56,344 Algiers, Algeria Algeria Various projects [Confidential] €17,185 Ankara, Turkey Turkey Various projects [Confidential] €79,749 Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Anne Frank Museum in Kazakhstan €2,626 Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan LGBT Community Centre in Astana €33,132 Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Influentials Programme €1,000
| 48 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Athens, Greece Greece Participation of LGBTI refugees in Athens Pride €2,000 Baghdad, Iraq Iraq [Confidential] €41,080 Baku, Azerbaijan Azerbaijan [Confidential] €24,991 Beijing, China China Various projects [Confidential] €490,981 Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon LGBT Rights €53,463 Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Inclusive schools: safe schools for LGBT students in €9,591 Bogotá Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Dutch authors at the Hay Festival €5,325 Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Community knowledge to transform schools and €11,062 promote transgender rights Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Constructing health protocols for transgender €23,142 populations, with participant involvement Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Lectures given by Pim Lammers in Colombia €2,653 Brasilia, Brazil Brazil LGBT prisoners €34,262 Bucharest, Romania Moldova Fearless Together €50,000 Bucharest, Romania Moldova Engaging Moldovan youth in promoting diversity €4,200 through modern cultural activities for Human Rights Day Budapest, Hungary Hungary How to organise a march €7,452 Budapest, Hungary Hungary LGBT History Month 2018 €1,377 Buenos Aires, Argentina Argentina Promoción de Aceso a la Salud de Población Trans en €29,466 Argentina Buenos Aires, Argentina Argentina, El Salvador Federación Argentina de Lesbianas, Gays, Bisexuales y €37,517 Trans (Trilateral, El Salvador) Dakar, Senegal Senegal Various projects [Confidential] €17,381 Dhaka, Bangladesh Bangladesh Disparities and socio-cultural impediments: €24,135 responses to and responsibilities for mainstreaming the gender diversified population Geneva, Switzerland Switzerland IDAHOT film screening, Human Rights Council side €1,333 event Harare, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Various projects [Confidential] €13,607 Havana, Cuba Cuba Various projects [Confidential] €108,000 Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Noon: Understanding Gender Diversity €230,070 Istanbul, Turkey Turkey [Confidential] €3,497 Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia [Confidential] €353 Kigali, Rwanda Rwanda Rwanda LGBTI Situation Analysis €48,540 Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Tripartite Dutch-UNAIDS Collaboration in Ukraine €13,183 Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine KyivPride 2017 €2,696 Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Empowering civil society to challenge hate crimes €45,630 against LGBTI persons in Ukraine Mexico City, Mexico Mexico Yaaj, Transformando tu vida €7,253 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide International Human Rights Policy on Intersex People €80,000 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide The Inner Circle €8,135 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Out & About €6,727 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Uruguay International LGBTI Conference in Montevideo €124,085 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Everything to fight for: Human rights for all LGBTI €372,300 people
| 49 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Promoting and protecting sexual minorities’ human €250,000 rights Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Identity and access management (IAM); The €154,271 Transformation Network New Delhi, India India Equal Rights Programme for LGBTI Persons €24,502 New Delhi, India India IDAHOT event €1,496 Paramaribo, Suriname Suriname Human Rights Gender Conference €9,445 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa ‘LGBTQI+ Banele Khoza’: Curatorial Lab exhibition €24,372 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa LGBTI rights in Africa II €102,323 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa LGBTI rights in Africa €4,894 San José, Costa Rica Honduras Diplohack €9,000 Seoul, South Korea South Korea Participation by South Korean human rights activist in €1,181 the Building Bridges programme Seoul, South Korea South Korea Participation by the Dutch embassy in the Korea €960 Queer Culture Festival Skopje, Macedonia Macedonia, Albania, Pride Photo Award €44,517 Kosovo Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia Supporting the LGBT community in achieving €3,750 enhanced access to justice and combating violence and discrimination Tunis, Tunisia Tunisia La sensibilisation aux droits des LGBTQI+ et des €85,771 defenseurs de leurs droits Warsaw, Poland Belarus [Confidential] €10,000 Vienna, Austria Bosnia and Protecting Affected Communities: Improving the €50,000 Herzegovina Enforcement of Hate Crime Legislation in B&H Yangon, Myanmar Myanmar Democratic Voice of Burma €5,455 Yangon, Myanmar Myanmar &PROUD €22,500 Total €2,948,652
Theme: Promotion of the international legal order / The fight against impunity Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Promoting the United Nations Convention against €12,510 Torture in Nigeria (ProCAT) Accra, Ghana Ghana African Center of International Criminal Justice €50,000 Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Smart Pavlodar Initiative €41,098 Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Interactive anti-corruption map €43,604 Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Supporting the drafting of proposals by Colombian €20,894 civil society organisations for victims’ participation in the Sistema Integral de Verdad, Justicia, Reparación y no Repetición (SIVJRNR) Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Mapping civil society organisations and initiatives to €8,453 support the implementation of Transitional Justice in Colombia Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Transitional Justice: Exchange with civil society €3,857 organisations and the international community Dakar, Senegal Senegal ICC Conference, Dakar €3,049
| 50 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Dakar, Senegal Senegal Formation des journalistes sur la CPI et la justice €39,205 pénale internationale Geneva, Switzerland Switzerland Building national Universal Periodic Review and €200,000 human rights architectures, 2017-2019 Geneva, Switzerland Switzerland Universal Periodic Review speed date €388 Geneva, Switzerland Switzerland Towards a universal Council €21,850 Geneva, Switzerland Switzerland Catalysing global action to stop discrimination in €1,226 healthcare Geneva, Switzerland Switzerland ‘The Independence of the Legal Profession’ side event €626 Geneva, Switzerland Switzerland Contribution to International Court of Justice Geneva €20,000 Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia Human Rights-Friendly City Conference €21,854 Khartoum, Sudan Sudan Various projects [Confidential] €46,120 Kinshasa, DRC DRC The role of paralegals in peaceful conflict resolution €31,587 and reconciliation Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Second Wave of Judiciary Reform €8,073 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Physicians for Human Rights – Forensic Training €25,950 Institute Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Strengthening Victim Participation in the Fight against €234,345 Impunity Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Combating Impunity for International Crimes €469,506 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa Mediation Training €12,340 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa Building stronger strategic partner organisations €10,646 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa, Central Addressing challenges to reconciliation in the Central African Republic African Republic €24,674 Rabat, Morocco Morocco Advancing human rights jurisprudence in Morocco: €160,587 training in practicing and applying human rights law for judges, lawyers and clerks Sana’a, Yemen Yemen Implementing the Human Rights Council resolution €550,000 Seoul, South Korea North Korea Mapping evidence accountability Democratic People’s €20,957 Republic Korea Tel Aviv, Israel Israel / Palestinian East Jerusalem Project: Safeguarding Human Rights €1,693 Territories and Confronting Police Brutality in East Jerusalem Tel Aviv, Israel Israel / Palestinian Settlement Watch 2017-2019 €67,552 Territories Tel Aviv, Israel Israel / Palestinian Protecting the Rights of Palestinian minors detained €1,750 Territories by Israel in the West Bank Tripoli, Libya Libya Resolving Real Estate Disputes in Post-Gaddafi Libya, €19,551 in the framework of Transitional Justice Total €2,173,945
Theme: Human rights in general Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Dakar, Senegal Guinea-Bissau Human Rights Education €39,779 Dakar, Senegal Gambia Human Rights Training for the Gambian National €4,259 Assembly
| 51 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Strasbourg, France France Human Rights Trust Fund €200,000 (Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe) Strasbourg, France France Special Fund, European Court of Human Rights €80,000 (Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe) Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia Teaching Human Rights and Tolerance through Civic €57,911 Education Total €381,949
Theme: Business and human rights Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, €105,683 Nigeria Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Consolidating Community Participation in €21,766 Environmental Regulatory Mechanisms and Enhancing Corporate Accountability in Nigeria Ankara, Turkey Turkey Various projects [Confidential] €62,727 Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Promoting policy and practice on business and human €2,980 rights in Kazakhstan Bejing, China China Various projects [Confidential] €214,142 Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Multinational corporations in Colombia: Enabling €54,815 communities to defend human rights through the use of non-judicial grievance mechanisms, advocacy and capacity strengthening Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Resolution and mediation of conflicts, an opportunity €72,143 to build trust in Cesar Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Development of Standards and Mechanisms for €6,154 Protecting Ethnic Minorities against Mining and Energy projects in Colombia (Phase II) Bogotá, Colombia Colombia United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights €12,600 Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Regional Forum - Constructive Dialogue in Latin €10,110 America Brasília, Brazil Brazil Multi-stakeholder Project on Corporate Social €32,469 Responsibility Budapest, Hungary Hungary Building Bridges to Quality Employment for €3,872 Educated, Rural Young Roma Istanbul, Turkey Turkey [Confidential] €5,968 Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia Human Rights and Labour Rights assessment in €99,231 ASEAN Kuwait, Kuwait Kuwait Capacity Building Training on Identifying Victims of €56,000 Human Trafficking Mexico City, Mexico Mexico Promoting Community-led Human Rights Impact €13,793 Assessment in Mexico Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Harnessing corporate power to protect human rights €24,652 defenders worldwide Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Improving National Contact Point Performance and €82,615 Access to Remedies for Human Rights Disputes in Central and Eastern European Countries
| 52 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide The Corporate Human Rights Benchmark €25,434 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Strengthening the Fair Wear Foundation’s capacity to €99,444 operationalise the UN ‘Protect, Respect, Remedy’ Framework in the garment industry Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Out of work and into school € 1,050,000 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Perspectives from the global South on putting €15,114 Responsibility to Protect into practice Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide The Nairobi Process €23,500 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Mind the gap €375,645 New Delhi, India India Strengthening the worldwide movement against child €25,000 labour, beyond 2015 and towards roadmap 2016 New Delhi, India India Supporting community-led advocacy to address €26,614 negative impacts of unsustainable business practices on human rights in Kodungaiyur, Chennai New Delhi, India India Indus Forum €41,600 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa Enabling South African participation in improving the €9,098 coal supply chain Ramallah, Palestinian Palestinian Territories Independent Commission for Human Rights €73,913 Territories 2014-2017 Ramallah, Palestinian Palestinian Territories Independent Commission for Human Rights €180,000 Territories 2017-2019 Santiago, Chile Chile 2nd Regional Consultation on Business & Human €10,000 Rights Santiago, Chile Chile 3rd Regional Consultation on Business & Human €5,000 Rights Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia Raising Railway Workers’ Awareness of Labour Rights €10,000 and Work Safety Issues Total €2,852,082
Theme: Serious violations Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Amman, Jordan Jordan Safeguarding the Rights of Detainees in Jordan €91,015 Beijing, China China Juvenile Trial System Reform Seminar €24,390 Beijing, China China Various projects [Confidential] €113,378 Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon Rehabilitation of Torture Victims €120,000 Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon Rehabilitation of Torture Victims €5,400 Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon Rehabilitation of Torture Victims €72,000 Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Advocacy and political dialogue €45,808 Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Contributing to displacement victims’ access to land €49,800 and land restitution rights in Antioquia Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Strategic Transitional Path for the National Police of €39,526 Colombia Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Seminar on Integral Human Security €15,217 Cairo, Egypt Egypt Rehabilitation of Children in Conflict with the Law €91,904 Cairo, Egypt Egypt Rehabilitation of Released Prisoners €125,000 Cairo, Egypt Egypt [Confidential] €154,339
| 53 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Advocacy on the Death Penalty & Torture €100,000 Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Public & Policy Advocacy on the Death Penalty €100,000 Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia [Confidential] €701 Khartoum, Sudan Sudan [Confidential] €25,639 Kigali, Rwanda Rwanda [Confidential] €34,716 Kinshasa, DRC DRC Monitoring and preventing violations of political €362,198 rights and fundamental freedoms during the DRC elections Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Rehabilitation of former participants in €15,306 counterterrorist operations Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Review of key problems in mental healthcare €39,789 Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Creating the ‘Dignity’ legal monitoring centre €15,883 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Civil Society United Against Torture €250,000 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Torture: prevention, punishment and rehabilitation €530,207 Nairobi, Kenya Kenya Establishment & management of UN Country Team €103,608 human rights information system Pretoria, South Africa South Africa, Ethiopia Prosecuting gender-based violence in conflict €4,358 Rabat, Morocco Morocco Capacity reinforcement for prison personnel on €96,255 human rights and prevention of torture Tehran, Iran Iran Crime prevention and criminal justice €137,539 Tehran, Iran Iran [Confidential] €57,989 Valletta, Malta Malta Holocaust Memorial Day €288 Total €2,822,253
Other Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Human Rights and Environment Intervention for €23,816 Rivers and Bayelsa States Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Strengthening Community Governance and €125,653 Environmental Monitoring and Implementing a Gas Alert System in Select Communities of Gbarain- Ekpetiama (Bayelsa State), Ogba-Egbema (Rivers State) and Gbaratoru (Delta State) Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Prevention of Human Trafficking in Top Endemic €53,010 States in Nigeria Algiers, Algeria Algeria Retours volontaires des migrants subsahariens €15,750 Algiers, Algeria Algeria Retours volontaires des migrants subsahariens dans €750 leur pays d’origine Algiers, Algeria Algeria Pour une culture des droits de l’enfant: apprentissage €1,757 et transmission Algiers, Algeria Algeria Comité international pour le développement des €9,464 peuples, Algérie Ankara, Turkey Turkey Various projects [Confidential] €242,764 Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan HIV and Migration Workshop for Central Asian €113,526 countries and the Russian Federation Athens, Greece Greece Combating discrimination and promoting equal €19,168 treatment for migrants and refugees
| 54 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Athens, Greece Greece RefConnect - A Mobile Social Network for Refugees €13,000 Athens, Greece Greece Multicultural meetings for unaccompanied minors €9,600 Athens, Greece Greece Children’s Rights Film Festival €450 Bangkok, Thailand Thailand Peace monitoring and public engagement in Patani €12,690 Peace Process Beijing, China China [Confidential] €5,193 Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon Protection in Palestinian Camps €63,000 Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon Youth Now €107,300 Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon Grassroots mobilisation €26,459 Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Anne Frank - A History for Today €36,568 Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Restitution of rights and transformation of territory €11,795 through cultivation of Sacha Inchi Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Brain Trust for Post-Conflict Colombia €55,575 Bogotá, Colombia Colombia Remembering and Understanding History €26,677 Caracas, Venezuela Venezuela Various projects [Confidential] €19,720 Dakar, Senegal Senegal Education, Formation, Sensibilisation des migrants €3,642 Dakar, Senegal Senegal Théâtre pour sensibilisation sur migration €3,542 Dakar, Senegal Senegal Eradicating forced child begging €22,920 Dakar, Senegal Senegal Education, sensibilisation et formation des migrants €33,908 et réfugiés Dakar, Senegal Senegal Jeunesse dans la lutte contre l’extrémisme €1,839 Geneva, Switzerland Switzerland Visit of Dutch youth representatives to the Human €870 Rights Council Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia ASEAN Regional Forum Meeting on Trafficking in €67,947 Persons Kinshasa, DRC DRC Strengthening Civil Society Capacity to Promote €10,000 Democratic Elections in the DRC Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Increasing tolerance €7,168 Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Peace education from schools to community €10,667 Manila, Philippines Philippines Workshop on Human Rights and Labour Migration €461 across the ASEAN region Manila, Philippines Philippines 3rd International Dialogue on Human Trafficking €17,260 Manila, Philippines Philippines Legal Identity, Legal Mission and Information for €40,494 Marawi Manila, Philippines Philippines ID assistance, Marawi Response Project €23,481 Manila, Philippines Philippines Tanglaw Buhay Shelter €43,029 Manila, Philippines Philippines 2016 Activities Balance €14,401 Mexico City, Mexico Mexico Integrated Protection System for Migrant Children €15,839 Moscow, Russia Russia Various projects [Confidential] €747,597 New Delhi, India India Human Rights Day Event - Anti-trafficking €279 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa Land Rights Seminar €3,301 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa Khoi-San community dialogues €4,319 Rabat, Morocco Morocco Bayt al-Hikma Translations €10,060 Ramallah, Palestinian Israel / Palestinian Youth Peace Initiative 2015-2016 €2,500 Territories Territories
| 55 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Ramallah, Palestinian Israel / Palestinian Max Rayne Hand in Hand School for Bilingual €20,841 Territories Territories Education Ramallah, Palestinian Israel / Palestinian A Bottom-Up Approach to Peace €71,100 Territories Territories Ramallah, Palestinian Israel / Palestinian Various projects [Confidential] €613,761 Territories Territories Sarajevo, Bosnia and Bosnia and Young people countering violent extremism €50,659 Herzegovina Herzegovina Strasbourg, France France Action Plan for Ukraine €100,000 (Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe) Tel Aviv, Israel Israel Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information €1,757 Tel Aviv, Israel Israel / Palestinian Israel/Palestine: Creative Regional Initiatives – local €40,006 Territories and regional forums on partnership building Tel Aviv, Israel Israel Human Rights Consultancy 2017-2018 €13,962 Tirana, Albania Albania First Roma Park in Tirana €4,600 Tirana, Albania Albania Understand and Promoting Children’s Rights €28,673 Warsaw, Poland Belarus [Confidential] €12,800 Vienna, Austria (PV OVSE) Serbia Enhancing Regional Connectivity between Serbian €30,000 and Albanian Youth Actors Vienna, Austria (Permanent Macedonia Monitoring the Activities and the Legal Cases under €60,000 Mission to the OSCE) the Competence of the Prosecution Prosecuting Cases Surrounding and Arising from the Content of the Unauthorized Interception of Communications Vienna, Austria (Permanent Ukraine OSCE Dialogue for Reform and Social Cohesion in €30,000 Mission to the OSCE) Ukraine Total €3,157,368
| 56 | 2. Expenditure from other funds, by theme
Theme: Freedom of expression & internet freedom Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria [Confidential] €3,000 Ankara, Turkey Turkey [Confidential] €118,320 Astana, Kazakhstan Tajikistan Legal support centres for journalists in Tajikistan €3,000 Baghdad, Iraq Iraq [Confidential] €4,072 Belgrade, Serbia Serbia, Montenegro Center for Investigative Journalism of Serbia at the €3,920 European Press Prize Awards Ceremony 2017 Belgrade, Serbia Serbia, Montenegro Journalistic Investigation: the Final Truth about 24 €31,970 Dubious Privatisations Belgrade, Serbia Serbia, Montenegro Community Media – The potential for media €22,968 pluralism and sustainability of the Serbian media scene Belgrade, Serbia Serbia, Montenegro, Digital-born Media Carnival €50,000 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania Bratislava, Slovakia Slovakia Human Rights Day €1,000 Brussels, Belgium Belgium Civil society in cyberspace - opportunities, threats and €1,880 recommendations for EU external action Bujumbura, Burundi Burundi Interim Media Support €282,722 Bujumbura, Burundi Burundi Media4Dialogue €402,014 Cairo, Egypt Egypt [Confidential] €60,337 Dakar, Senegal Guinea Cybersecurity training for journalists in Guinea €20,574 Dakar, Senegal Mauritania Projet de renforcement de la participation qualitative €19,654 de la société civile sur les politiques publiques en Mauritanie Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Tanzania Commemoration of the International Day for €6,133 Universal Access to Information Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Tanzania [Confidential] €15,759 Dhaka, Bangladesh Bangladesh Right to Freedom of Expression €31,632 Dhaka, Bangladesh Bangladesh Strengthening Dialogue among Communities €27,091 Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Lahore Literary Festival €5,000 Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Support for the Pakistan Human Rights Film Festival €4,500 2017 Juba, South Sudan South Sudan [Confidential] €716,578 Kigali, Rwanda Rwanda Human Rights Day - Documentary screening €174 Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Building the capacity of investigative organisations in €52,044 Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Dialogue and Dissent: No News is Bad News €6,410,250
| 57 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Radio Netherlands Worldwide 2013 to 2017 €2,800,000 Nairobi, Kenya Kenya [Confidential] €15,366 Nairobi, Kenya Somalia Strengthening Somali media €131,609 Ottawa, Canada Canada World Press Photo €1,500 Paris, France France Cooperation with the Anne Frank Foundation, France €5,000 Pristina, Kosovo Kosovo OmbudsWatch – Promoting the Ombudsperson’s role €72,080 in Kosovo Riga, Latvia Latvia Roundtable discussion about challenges to regional €61,581 media Riga, Latvia Latvia Make a Change €24,800 Riga, Latvia Latvia Movies that Matter screenings – International Human €1,000 Rights Day Riga, Latvia Latvia Baltic Investigative Journalism in Russian (for €71,386 Russians) Skopje, Macedonia Macedonia Council of Media Ethics of Macedonia €36,654 Skopje, Macedonia Macedonia Empowering Reporters for a Critical and Constructive €28,028 Partnership with Parliament Skopje, Macedonia Macedonia Macedonia Media: 360 Degrees View €57,937 Skopje, Macedonia Macedonia Meta.mk News Agency €12,403 Skopje, Macedonia Macedonia The Society Project €45,759 Sofia, Bulgaria Bulgaria Human Rights Day 2017 Screenings €1,862 Tirana, Albania Albania Albanian media vs. European standards: What Rule of €19,932 Law in the media sector? Tripoli, Libya Libya Make it work, make it grow €979,996 Tunis, Tunisia Tunisia La liberté, l’indépendance et la diversité des médias €5,906 Total €12,667,391
Theme: Freedom of religion and belief Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Dhaka, Bangladesh Bangladesh Anne Frank Project €1,055 Warsaw, Poland Poland 15th Warsaw Jewish Film Festival 2017 €924 Total €1,979
Theme: Equal rights for women and girls Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region country/region EUR Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Protect Women’s Rights and Promote Gender Equality €64,219 through Strengthened Advocacy and Lobby Capacity of Local NGOs and Relevant Stakeholders in Ekiti State, Nigeria Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Increasing Advocacy Capacity of Young Women on €46,939 Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Ensuring Effective Implementation of Programmes, €104,908 Policies and Legislations that Contribute Towards Achieving Gender Equality in Nigeria by 2030
| 58 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region country/region EUR Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Community-based Advocacy against Female Genital €34,710 Cutting Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Promoting gender equality and accountability €105,530 through policy advocacy and influence in Nigeria Algiers, Algeria Algeria Genre, Croyances et Connaissances: Pour en finir avec €51,806 les stéréotypes et les discriminations GENRE Algiers, Algeria Algeria Participation in a course on female leadership €348 Ankara, Turkey Turkey Various projects [Confidential] €38,735 Astana, Kazakhstan Kyrgzystan Rural women’s leadership on the 2030 Agenda for €27,000 sustainable development in Kyrgyzstan Baku, Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Human Rights Day Roundtable on Gender-Based €1,500 Violence Baku, Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Gender Mirror Theatre €5,500 Belgrade, Serbia Serbia, Montenegro Sustainable Reduction of Gender-Based Violence in €31,772 Novi Pazar Belgrade, Serbia Serbia, Montenegro More Women in Decision-making Positions €31,672 Brasilia, Brazil Brazil SheDecides €21,500 Bujumbura, Burundi Burundi Every Voice Counts €482,409 Bujumbura, Burundi Burundi Advocating for Peace - supporting the Burundian €250,000 Women’s Peace Movement Cairo, Egypt Egypt Men in Charge? book launch €7,082 Cairo, Egypt Egypt Promoting Gender-responsive Workplaces €63,000 Cairo, Egypt Egypt Combating Violence against Women at Healthcare €60,000 Provision Centres Cairo, Egypt Egypt Village Train II €32,927 Cairo, Egypt Egypt Gender-Sensitive Citizen Charters €83,144 Cairo, Egypt Egypt Corporate Social Responsibility from a Gender €50,000 Perspective Cairo, Egypt Egypt 100 Years of Personal Status Law €50,000 Colombo, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Preventing violence against women €3,495 Colombo, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Sexuality and gender in transitional justice €16,000 Colombo, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Women in democracy €7,740 Dakar, Senegal Cape Verde Theatre to combat forced prostitution €2,396 Dakar, Senegal Mauritania Renforcement du Pouvoir Citoyen pour la Sécurisation €20,000 Foncière et l’accès et le contrôle de la terre par les femmes Dakar, Senegal Senegal Protection des groupes vulnérables €51,214 Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Tanzania Ending child marriages in Kitunda ward €14,656 Harare, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe GroundUp €97,589 Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Socioeconomic empowerment of women and €4,000 vulnerable segments of the communities Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Enhancing economic and social empowerment of €3,972 poor women through financial literacy Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Financial literacy and inclusion of women in Karachi €13,687 Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Civil society action for empowering women and €28,088 institutional accountability Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Increasing effectiveness of laws €20,062 Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Women’s Action for Better Workplaces €266,277
| 59 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region country/region EUR Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Women’s economic and political rights through €26,673 advocacy Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Women’s leadership for accountable governance €131,746 Istanbul, Turkey Turkey Various projects [Confidential] €13,414 Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia Make rule of law real for poor women and €241,110 marginalised and vulnerable groups Juba, South Sudan South Sudan [Confidential] €258,081 Kabul, Afghanistan Afghanistan Improving Justice for Women €495,216 Kabul, Afghanistan Afghanistan Monitoring Women’s Peace and Security €1,680,213 Kinshasa, DRC DRC Political Participation of Women in Decision-Making €12,566 Bodies Kinshasa, DRC DRC Enhancing SRHR for 7,800 vulnerable women in €282,703 eastern Congo Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Technology Pact for Women Leadership in Ukraine €57,465 Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine Strengthening the capacity of women’s rights €42,418 organisations to lobby and advocate, incorporating an anti-discrimination approach and gender equality in security sector reform Manila, Philippines Philippines 3Ds: Decriminalise, Demystify, Destigmatise Abortion €178,703 in the Philippines Manila, Philippines Philippines Asserting Rights to Food, Land and Resources in the €91,690 Philippines Manila, Philippines Philippines Philippine Safe Abortion Advocacy Network €179,703 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Afghanistan National Action Plan 1325 2016-2019 / Afghanistan €730,721 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Colombia National Action Plan 1325 2016-2019 / Colombia €924,293 Ministry of Foreign Affairs DRC National Action Plan 1325 2016-2019 / DRC €921,808 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Egypt Combating Gender-based Violence in Egypt €139,950 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Iraq One Free World International - Protect Iraqi Women €180,000 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Iraq National Action Plan 1325 2016-2019 / Iraq €698,406 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Libya National Action Plan 1325 2016-2019 / Libya €925,745 Ministry of Foreign Affairs South Sudan National Action Plan 1325 2016-2019 / South Sudan €476,965 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Syria UN Women - Syria €900,000 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Platform Women & Sustainable Peace - National €24,500 Action Plan 1325 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide FLOW 2016-2020 / Women for Women International €1,541,043 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide FLOW 2016-2020 / SNV Netherlands Development €1,229,859 Organisation Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide FLOW 2016-2020 / Oxfam IBIS €2,156,665 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide FLOW 2016-2020 / International Women’s €2,822,005 Development Agency Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide FLOW 2016-2020 / Simavi €2,744,685 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide FLOW 2016-2020 / HIVOS People Unlimited €5,176,924 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide FLOW 2016-2020 / Panos Institute West Africa €760,340 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide FLOW 2016-2020 / Rutgers €2,975,187 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide ESDC course: A Comprehensive Approach to Gender €29,028 in Operations (for Spanish and Dutch ministries) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Private sector action for women’s empowerment €1,008,805
| 60 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region country/region EUR Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide FLOW 2016-2020 / Creating Resources for €743,832 Empowerment in Action Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yemen National Action Plan 1325 2016-2019 / Yemen €481,596 Nairobi, Kenya Kenya Amkeni Wakenya: Empowering Civil Society for €890,217 Change Nairobi, Kenya Kenya Haki yetu, Jukumu Letu €328,446 Nairobi, Kenya Kenya Amplifying the voices of women with disabilities in €184,403 Kenya Paramaribo, Suriname Suriname Gender monologues €19,842 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa ‘The body that takes pride’ panel discussion €4,000 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa Technical Assistance on Prosecuting Sexual Offences €7,387 Rabat, Morocco Morocco Promoting gender sensitive local governance within €46,000 the Ministry of Interior Rabat, Morocco Morocco Système judiciaire, violence de genre et redevabilité €84,104 envers les femmes Rabat, Morocco Morocco Pour un code de la famille en harmonie avec les €65,967 engagements internationaux du Maroc Riga, Latvia Latvia Together Against Violence: Rise and Come with Me! €1,500 San José, Costa Rica Costa Rica Women’s Observatory for National Elections: €5,400 monitoring women’s participation in the 2018 presidential elections San José, Costa Rica Nicaragua Afro-descendants’ and indigenous rights €38,483 Seoul, South Korea North Korea [Confidential] €24,877 Skopje, Macedonia Macedonia Girls are Leaders €20,762 Tbilisi, Georgia Armenia Promoting Women’s Participation on Local Level €55,217 through Social Entrepreneurship Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia Organising Grassroots Women’s Groups – Advocacy, €1,429 Lobbying and Leadership for Women’s Rights Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia Advocating the Rights of Single Parents €17,010 Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia Supporting the resocialisation of women prisoners €43,659 who have experienced physical, mental or sexual abuse Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence in €1,880 Shida Kartli Tirana, Albania Albania UN Security Council Resolution 1325; Women’s rights €43,667 - From Concept to Albanian Reality Tokyo, Japan Japan Gender seminar organised by Shibaura House €5,365 Tripoli, Libya Libya Support for Human Rights Activists €548,563 Tripoli, Libya Libya Women, Peace and Security €641,205 Tunis, Tunisia Tunisia Entrepreneuriat Pluri’Elles: Encouraging female €20,000 entrepreneurship in North-West Tunisia Total €36,577,318
| 61 | Theme: Human rights defenders Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Astana, Kazakhstan Tajikistan Civil society development initiative in Tajikistan €41,668 Bujumbura, Burundi Burundi Support for the Office of the High Commissioner for €508,780 Human Rights in Burundi Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Tanzania [Confidential] €17,960 Harare, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Combating Impunity and Promoting Accountability in €118,938 Zimbabwe Kampala, Uganda Uganda EU Human Rights Defenders Awards 2017 €1,831 Khartoum, Sudan Sudan [Confidential] €26,856 Kigali, Rwanda Rwanda Human Rights Defenders Focal Point meeting €30 Kuwait, Kuwait Bahrain Human Rights Training Programme for civil society €15,902 organisations Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine [Confidential] €22,835 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Dialogue and Dissent: Free from Fear €15,000,500 Nicosia, Cyprus Cyprus Anne Frank exhibition €2,000 Prague, Czech Republic Czech Republic Human Rights Day 2017 €601 Prague, Czech Republic Czech Republic Showing of Peace vs. Justice €482 Prague, Czech Republic Czech Republic One World International Human Rights Documentary €2,968 Film Festival 2017 San José, Costa Rica Guatemala New Players of Guatemala: strengthening youth civil €42,469 society organisations for inclusive democracy San José, Costa Rica Honduras Emergency Plan of Action for Honduras €50,000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Bosnia and Staying Safe – Security Net for Women Human Rights €68,111 Herzegovina Herzegovina Defenders Stockholm, Sweden Sweden Tempo Documentary Festival €68,280 Tel Aviv, Israel Israel B’Tselem: Tackling Security Risks €1,508 Tirana, Albania Albania Strengthening democracy in healthcare by respecting €51,730 human rights Tripoli, Libya Libya Human Rights Archive €8,370 Valletta, Malta Malta UN Human Rights Day €39,967 Valletta, Malta Malta Movies that Matter €78,570 Warsaw, Poland Poland International Film Festival €2,568 Warsaw, Poland Poland 5th annual Dutch-Polish-Belarusian trilateral €9,000 conference: safeguarding civil rights in different legal traditions Zagreb, Kroatië Kroatië Krunoslav Sukić Peace Award €2,999 Total €16,184,923
Theme: Equal rights for LGBTI persons Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Baku, Azerbaijan Azerbaijan LGBTI Documentary Film Screening €800 Baku, Azerbaijan Azerbaijan LGBTI-Themed Film Screening €600 Budapest, Hungary Hungary Film screening and debate €500 Belgrade, Serbia Serbia, Montenegro United and Stronger towards LGBT Equality €40,000
| 62 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Belgrade, Serbia Serbia, Montenegro Dutch Day at the Merlinka International Queer Film €1,500 Festival Belgrade, Serbia Serbia, Montenegro Local Institutions and LGBTI Rights €23,996 Belgrade, Serbia Serbia, Montenegro Networking to Improve the Position of LGBT People €31,712 in Serbia Belgrade, Serbia Serbia, Montenegro Belgrade Pride Week and Pride Parade 2017 €15,000 Belgrade, Serbia Serbia, Montenegro Dignity at Work – Supporting the inclusion of LGBT €35,440 citizens in the fields of labour and employment Bern, Switzerland Switzerland Symposium: UBS/Workplace Pride €5,490 Bern, Switzerland Switzerland Pink Apple Film Festival €1,830 Bratislava, Slovakia Slovakia Stories that Move in Slovakia €1,220 Colombo, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Colombo PRIDE LGTBIQ film festival €830 Colombo, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Building Bridges / Amsterdam Pride €950 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Albania Countering discrimination and protecting LGBT rights €135,000 in Albania Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Promoting Rights, Identity, Diversity and Equality €3,846,150 (PRIDE) Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan Transgender remembrance and advocacy event €340 Madrid, Spain Spain World Pride Madrid 2017 €2,320 Manila, Philippines Philippines Out in Business: ‘Business Believes in Diversity’ Forum €2,755 Mexico City, Mexico Mexico Human Rights Day €2,530 Nicosia, Cyprus Cyprus Support for Pride parades €1,000 Oslo, Norway Norway Visit by the John Blankenstein Foundation €750 Paris, France France Participation in Paris Gay Pride, film evening and €22,000 seminar Prague, Czech Republic Czech Republic Prague Pride 2017 €1,484 Pristina, Kosovo Kosovo Improving the position of members of the LGBT €41,036 community in Kosovo Paramaribo, Suriname Suriname ‘Come out of the Closet’ €7,500 Paramaribo, Suriname Suriname ‘ME’ (exhibition) €24,926 Paramaribo, Suriname Suriname Showing of Transit Havana €1,360 Riga, Latvia Latvia Improving healthcare for the LGBT community in €1,000 Latvia Sarajevo, Bosnia and Bosnia and Public policies for the equality of LGBTI people in €41,516 Herzegovina Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina San José, Costa Rica Costa Rica Capacity building and raising awareness of LGTBI €5,342 rights for public employees San José, Costa Rica Guatemala Free and Equal Campaign €4,500 San José, Costa Rica Honduras Screening of Dutch-made documentary Out and About €900 in LGTBI forum San José, Costa Rica Nicaragua Equal rights for LGBTIQ persons €83,549 Skopje, Macedonia Macedonia Parliament and Local Government: Moving LGBT €85,602 Rights Forward Skopje, Macedonia Macedonia Addressing Anti-Discrimination and LGBTI Rights at €18,964 Local Government Level Sofia, Bulgaria Bulgaria Work It Out - Business Excellence through €411 Understanding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Workplace Experiences
| 63 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Sofia, Bulgaria Bulgaria Sofia Pride Film Fest €100 Stockholm, Sweden Sweden Eleutheria €350 Stockholm, Sweden Sweden Pride Parade €139,136 Tirana, Albania Albania LGBT Shelter €50,000 Tokyo, Japan Japan LGBT networking event - preparation for visit by the €3,791 Dutch COC Tokyo, Japan Japan Participation in Tokyo Rainbow Pride €7,280 Tokyo, Japan Japan Dutch COC - visit and training €11,456 Tokyo, Japan Japan Screening rights for I Am Gay and Muslim €1,315 Tokyo, Japan Japan Participation by human rights defenders in €1,328 Amsterdam Gay Pride Valletta, Malta Malta LGBTI Families video €1,000 Warsaw, Poland Poland European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, €4,620 Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association Conference, Warsaw 2017 Total €4,711,178
Theme: Promotion of the international legal order / The fight against impunity Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Astana, Kazakhstan Tajikistan Enhancing judicial transparency in Tajikistan €38,332 Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon Rehabilitation at Roumieh Prison €150,000 Dakar, Senegal Mauritania Ensemble pour l’accès des jeunes et des femmes aux €19,428 droits humains et à l’État civil Kabul, Afghanistan Afghanistan Rule of Law II €1,295,070 Kabul, Afghanistan Afghanistan Strengthening Afghan Justice Institutions €1,868,769 Kabul, Afghanistan Afghanistan Support for Non-State Justice Providers and €1,996,258 Advocates for Peace in Afghanistan Kampala, Uganda Uganda Justice, Law & Order Sector Strategic Development €2,000,000 Plan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Contribution to the Coalition for the International €95,000 Criminal Court Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Contribution to Parliamentarians for Global Action’s €85,000 International Criminal Court campaign Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Mediation & Justice 2016 €10,000 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Residual Mechanisms for Tribunals 2016 €4,917 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide International Criminal Tribunal for the former €40,000 Yugoslavia: Legacy Dialogues Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Assembly of States Parties side event organised by €17,589 the WAYAMO Foundation’s Africa Group for Justice and Accountability Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide International Criminal Court - Trust Fund for Victims €70,000 - Katanga Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Contribution to the UN International, Impartial and €750,000 Independent Mechanism to assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of those Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011
| 64 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Contribution to the International Criminal Court’s €130,000 Trust Fund for Victims Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Multiannual grant to the Global Centre for the €200,000 Responsibility to Protect 2015-2017 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Multiannual grant to the Auschwitz Institute for Peace €82,094 and Reconciliation Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide International Coalition for the Responsibility to €90,000 Protect Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Contribution to Justice Rapid Response, 2015 -2017 €200,000 Ramallah, Palestinian Palestinian Territories Sawasya - Promoting the Rule of Law in Palestine €3,870,000 Territories San José, Costa Rica El Salvador Memory, truth and justice for four Dutch journalists in €55,080 El Salvador San José, Costa Rica Guatemala Transforming judicial culture and strengthening €35,910 judicial independence, with associations of judges and magistrates as actors of social change for the protection of human rights and the fight against impunity in Guatemala San José, Costa Rica Guatemala Strengthening participation of and lobbying by civil €124,992 society organisations and associations of judges and prosecutors in the fight against corruption and impunity in Guatemala San José, Costa Rica Guatemala Contribution to the UN Trust Fund for the €247,500 International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala Tokyo, Japan Japan Marking the 15th anniversary of the International €4,660 Criminal Court Tripoli, Libya Libya Combating Impunity for International Crimes €5,485,855 Total €18,966,454
Theme: Human rights in general Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region country/region EUR Colombo Sri Lanka Training for human rights officials €17,000 Kabul Afghanistan Monitoring the human rights situation €1,129,221 Kabul Afghanistan Monitoring the human rights situation €1,053,121 Kinshasa, DRC DRC Film Festival to mark Human Rights Day €3,200 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Contribution to the Office of the United Nations €7,500,000 High Commissioner for Human Rights Total €9,705,542
| 65 | Theme: Business and human rights Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Environment & Governance Framework for the Niger €356,954 Delta Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Strengthening Accountable Governance and €178,401 Behavioral Change through Lobbying and Advocacy in the Niger Delta Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Grassroots Movement of the Urban Poor to €38,935 Strengthen Corporate Social Accountability in Lagos and Port Harcourt Brussels, Belgium Belgium Event on Business and Human Rights for International €6,734 Human Rights Day 2017 Kinshasa, DRC DRC Global Compact Network, DRC €24,894 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Fund for Combating Child Labour €194,152 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Fund for Combating Child Labour €791,500 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Advancing children’s rights in business €270,000 Warsaw, Poland Poland Workshops: Mechanism for handling complaints €590 regarding violations of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises Total €1,862,160
Theme: Serious violations Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Dakar, Senegal Mauritania Promotion des droits des migrants à Nouadhibou €11,844 Kinshasa, DRC DRC Femme au Fone Phase 2 €180,000 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Strengthening the headquarters of the International €500,000 Commission on Missing Persons, The Hague Nicosia, Cyprus Cyprus Project to find the remains of missing persons €125,000 Total €816,844
Other Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Strengthening People with Disabilities’ Advocacy €87,557 Capacity in Nigeria Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Uniting for the Rights of Marginalised Groups €17,316 Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Central Asian hackfest: ‘Generation Z: Children’s €15,000 Welfare’, in Bishkek Belgrade, Serbia Serbia Art of Integration – Improving the integration of €34,000 asylum seekers and refugees in Serbia Belgrade, Serbia Serbia Protecting Migrants’ Rights €49,056 Colombo, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Demons in Paradise (film) €707 Colombo, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Language rights of minorities €87,354 Dakar, Senegal Mauritania Projet de vulgarisation des droits humains via les €19,717 réseaux sociaux avec les jeunes leaders associatifs de Rosso et Boghé
| 66 | Mission, country/ Project relates to Project/activity Expenditure in region (country/region) EUR Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Tanzania Integrity (feature film) €15,345 Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia Local Economic Development in the Interests of €108,900 People with Disabilities through Active Advocacy for an Inclusive Policy Khartoum, Sudan Sudan [Confidential] €2,482 Kuwait, Kuwait Bahrain Youth Leaders for Peace and Human Rights €8,117 Kyiv, Ukraine Ukraine CHESNO: ‘Filter the Power!’ €55,622 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Albania, Georgia, Strengthening the Child Protection System for €475,000 Kosovo and Ukraine Children in Conflict with the Law Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide International Peace Institute €170,000 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Africa Legal Aid, The Hague €50,000 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Worldwide Mediation and Justice 2017 €63,000 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Niger UN Migration Agency Search and Rescue Missions in €2,500,000 Agadez Region Ministry of Foreign Affairs Poland 14th Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival €1,155 Nairobi, Kenya Kenya Kenya Dialogues Project €243,375 Pretoria, South Africa South Africa Design Indaba: wealth inequality €14,808 Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia Strengthening Pre-sentence Reporting Schemes for €8,909 Children in Conflict with the Law and Enhancing Informed Decision-making in the Criminal Justice System of Georgia Tel Aviv, Israel Israel Mawtin Applied Think Tank for Shared Citizenship €18,000 Tirana, Albania Albania Contribution to greater respect for the rights of €28,938 asylum seekers and refugees in Albania Tirana, Albania Albania Leveraging Legal Aid Services at local level and €48,890 bringing them closer to the public through a collaborative network Tirana, Albania Albania Building police workers’ capacity to respond €28,570 effectively to victims of trafficking, domestic violence and hate crime Tirana, Albania Albania Combating violent extremism in Albanian prisons €22,000 Valletta, Malta Malta Holocaust Memorial Day €288 Total €4,174,106
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© Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands | August 2018