[ DISPATCHES ]

REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE 3 WHAT DOES FRONT LINE DEFENDERS DO? editorial Front Line, the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) established by charitable deed trust. It was founded in Dublin in 2001 with the specific aim of protecting human rights defenders at risk, people who work, non-violently, for any or all of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Front Line Defenders addresses the protection needs identified by defenders themselves. In October, Front Line Defenders hosted the in Cambodia, Irina Khalyp 7th Dublin Platform for Human Rights defending freedom of Defenders. There were 135 human rights expression in Belarus, Front Line Defenders provides rapid and practical support to at-risk human rights defenders including: defenders at risk from 90 countries and for Ruth Mumbi fighting for me, the most powerful part of the Dublin decent health care for n grants to pay for the practical security needs of human rights defenders; Platform was listening to the testimonies of the women in the slums of n provision of training and development of resource materials on security and protection, human rights defenders themselves. Often a Nairobi, or Morena including digital security; testimony stops you in your tracks. It is almost Herrera fighting for sexual too hard to listen to and you find yourself and reproductive rights n international advocacy on behalf of human rights defenders at immediate risk; rest and respite, including the Front Line Defenders Fellowship; remembering it over and over because of the for women in El Salvador. n sheer cruelty that was inflicted on the person All telling us how they opportunities for networking and exchange between human rights defenders, n and the unimaginable courage that they overcame fear as they including at the biennial Dublin Platform; needed to stand up and start over again. listened for the knock on n the annual Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk; Front Cover: Rebeca Masika the door in the small an emergency 24 hour phone line for human rights defenders operating in from Democratic Republic of Rebeca Masika’s story is one such example. hours of the night, how n Congo, discussing security and Arabic, English, French, Spanish and Russian; protection with fellow human Rebeca is from eastern Congo. She was they stood firm against n temporary relocation of human rights defenders in emergency situations. rights defenders. raped in a particularly violent and brutal threats, how they manner and her daughters were also recovered from rejection Front Line Defenders promotes the protection of human rights defenders through its support for the work attacked. But she summoned the courage by their families and how and the strength to act, not just for herself but in the end they found the of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and other international and for the other women in her community in the strength to continue. regional mechanisms. Front Line Defenders promotes respect for the UN Declaration on Human Rights FRON TLINE same situation. Defenders. Front Line Defenders has special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of DEF ENDERS Women human rights the United Nations, partnership status with the Council of Europe and observer status with the African Rebeca set up a group called the Association defenders play a vital role Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Front Line Defenders received the 2007 King Baudouin Registered Charity Number CHY 14029 of Disinherited Persons United for in defending the rights of International Prize for Development. Development (Association des Personnes their communities in times Déshéritées Unies pour le Développement – of conflict and danger, Mary Lawlor, Front Line Defenders and Vincent APDUD) to help women and their children they hold families and Forest, Front Line Defenders (Brussels) listening to testimonies of human rights defenders. born of rape. They support each other, communities together TRUSTEES ADVISORY COUNCIL working in the fields and growing food to sell and they challenge the so that they can rebuild their lives and the power of the abusers. But often when the time shining eyes and said “That is the tradition Denis O’Brien (Chairman) is Chairman Michel Forst is Secretary General of Maryam Elahi is President and CEO children can go to school. As she said in comes to make the decisions and the deals under the Taliban – I’m hoping if I wear it like of the Digicel Group. He is one of the French National Consultative of the Community Foundation of her testimony, “I had to do something that will shape their future lives, those in power this they won’t kill me.” Ireland’s leading entrepreneurs with Commission on Human Rights. He Eastern Connecticut. She has spent empowering for myself and for other women. want that role forgotten and to relegate these extensive investments across was Secretary General of the Paris 25 years in the international human To help women move from the state they are women once again to the shadows. This is the human spirit, the triumph of hope several sectors. He founded the Summit of Human Rights Defenders rights community as an advocate, in today and reconnect with the women they over experience, captured by our late beloved and Director of the French section of teacher and grant-maker. She was Communicorp Group which has a were before. We want to show them that just Increasingly women human rights defenders poet, Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney who portfolio of media and broadcasting-related Amnesty International. previously the director of the International Women’s because they have been raped, this is not the refuse to be silenced and their bravery is un - companies in Ireland and seven other European Program at the Open Society Foundations. believed we were put here to improve civilisa - countries. In 2000 he established The Iris O’Brien Noeline Blackwell is Director of FLAC end. You can start again and build something questionable. Recently we had a woman tion and that we should always “Walk on air Foundation to assist disadvantaged communities in (Free Legal Advice Centres), Maina Kiai is the United Nations fresh and new, you can be something.” human rights defender in Dublin for rest and against your better judgement”. In a text Ireland and internationally. He is co-founder of Front an independent human rights Special Rapporteur on the rights to respite from a region where the Taliban message to his wife minutes before he died Line Defenders. organisation dedicated to the freedom of peaceful assembly and of This is a struggle that is retold by women operate. While she was with us she had he said: ‘Noli timere’ – don’t be afraid. [] realisation of equal access to justice association. A lawyer trained at Nairobi human rights defenders in many countries. counselling and physiotherapy for constant Hina Jilani is an internationally known for all. She is a Vice-President of FIDH. and Harvard Universities, he has spent Agnes Daroczi fighting racism against the pain in her back. The day before she went Mary Lawlor human rights lawyer and advocate for the last twenty years campaigning for Roma people of Hungary, Tep Vany helping a home I complimented her on her hair which Executive Director David Sykes is Investment Director of human rights and constitutional reform in Kenya – human rights defenders. She was the community of farmers to hold on to their land was beautifully braided. She looked at me with Front Line Defenders UN Special Representative of the Island Capital Ltd and has worked in notably as founder and Executive Director of the NGO Secretary General on the situation of various banks and stockbrokers Kenya Human Rights Commission, and then as human rights defenders from 2000 to including Trinity Bank and Dolmen Chairman of Kenya’s National Human Rights 2008. She and her sister Asma Jahangir co-founded stockbrokers. Commission (2003-2008). the first all female legal practice in Pakistan and she is "Walk on air against your better judgement" also one of the founders of the Human Rights James L. Cavallaro is the Founding Commission of Pakistan. She is a member of The Maria Mulcahy is the CEO of the Iris Director of the International Human Elders. O'Brien Foundation and the Irish- Rights and Conflict Resolution Clinic at based Head of Philanthropy for the Stanford Law School, where he is also awarded for temporary relocations digital security trainings . Human rights defenders Elia Jim Conway is the founder and Digicel Group. She was involved with a professor of law. Prior to joining AT A GLANCE Chairman of the Print & Display Group, “People in Need” from 1988 to 2000. Stanford, he spent nine years on the 2013 of individual human rights Escobedo Garcia from Mexico and one of Ireland’s largest print She was responsible for organising the faculty at Harvard Law School, where he also served as defenders and family members. Front Line Defenders carried out 40 Yara Bader from Syria took part in companies. He also has a number of RTE telethons, which raised €28 million. She was executive director of the Human Rights Programme. In Front Line Defenders issued 386 missions to 34 countries. speaking tours in Ireland . other media interests in Ireland and Director of Fundraising for the 2003 Special Olympics June of 2013 he was elected to the Inter-American urgent appeals and updates on The Front Line Defenders Award Eastern Europe. World Games. Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). behalf of 426 individuals at risk in was awarded to Biram Dah Abeid Lives on the Line , a documentary The European Union: What it can 64 countries. of Mauritania . on the situation for human rights do, getting it to take action Kieran Mulvey is Chief Executive Mary Lawlor (Director) has over 35 defenders in Guatemala, narrated handbook was published in years experience in human rights. She of the Irish Labour Relations The EU Office lobbied the The Seventh Dublin Platform for by Martin Sheen, was broadcast on Arabic, English, French, Russian Commission and Consultant with the set up Front Line Defenders in 2001 European Union on 156 cases with Human Rights Defenders brought Irish television. and Spanish. International Labour Organisation and with a $3 million donation from Denis the European Union. O’Brien. She was Director of Amnesty a positive response in 48% of together 135 human rights International from 1988-2000. She cases. defenders from 90 different US political theorist and activist, Public Service Announcement became a Board member in 1975 and was elected countries. Professor Noam Chomsky, spoke (PSA) campaigns were broadcast Chair from1983 to 1987. She has wide experience of The Security Grants Programme at the inaugural Annual Front Line on radio stations in Honduras and developing and sustaining a human rights awarded 297 grants, totalling 166 human rights defenders Defenders Lecture held in Macedonia and on television in organisation. She serves as a non-voting ex-officio €831,792 to individuals and organ - participated in security and partnership with University College Colombia. [] member of the Board. isations at risk. 113 grants were protection trainings and 314 in Dublin and Trinity College Dublin.

[DISPATCHES ] REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE 4 5 focus on the front line

MAGADONGA MAHLANGU ABDULHADI AL-KHAWAJA MANSOUREH BEHKISH AZIMJAN ASKAROV is a Zimbabwean HRD who has been jailed is a Bahraini HRD, sentenced to life in is an Iranian HRD who campaigns for is a human rights defender in Kyrgyzstan numerous times for her work for rights and prison following the crackdown on the victims’ rights, and who is constantly who was sentenced to life in prison after freedoms. Bahraini uprising in 2011. harassed by the authorities. torture and an unfair trial marked by threats, intimidation and denial of due process.

Zimbabwe Bahrain Iran Kyrgyzstan

DIGITAL DIGITAL SECURITY TRAINING GIVES SECURITY GRANTS PROVIDE HRDS THE SKILLS TO COMMUNICATE SECURITY PRACTICAL SUPPORT FOR SECURITY SAFELY ONLINE AND PROTECT GRANTS PROTECTION MEASURES FOR TRAINING SENSITIVE INFORMATION HRDS AT RISK 85% of HRDs report improved security after receiving grant 88% of 40 COUNTRIES emergency 22979 SECU7 RITY GRANTS grants were 314 HRDS { approved within 314 34 WORKSHOPS €831,792 DISPENSED 48 hours VISIBILITY & HRDS BELIEVE THAT VISIBILITY AND ADVOCACY DISSUADE ATTACKS AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES GIVE ADVOCACY ENHANCE LEGITIMACY PERSONAL & HRDS THE SKILLS TO ANALYSE 386 URGENT APPEALS Public communications and social media THE RISKS THEY FACE AND ORGANISATIONAL AND UPDATES ON 426 are essential elements in enhancing IMPLEMENT SECURITY PLANS TRAINING HRDS AT RISK IN 64 recognition and support for HRDs. COUNTRIES 70% of HRDs improved skills 21 COUNTRIES and procedures following 11666 H6 RDS { training programmes to 386 13 WORKSHOPS improve security TORTURE /HACKING /ARREST /ARBITRARY DETENTION /IMPRISONMENT /KILLINGS /SMEAR CAMPAIGNS INTIMIDATION /HARRASSMENT /SURVEILLANCE /ARMED ATTACKS /VERBAL ABUSE /THREATS CRIMINALISATION /RAIDS /SEXUAL VIOLENCE /PHYSICAL ATTACKS /IMPUNITY /STIGMATISATION ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE /DEATH THREATS /MARGINALISATION /ILL-TREATMENT /MURDER

[DISPATCHES ] REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE 6 7 regional reports Africa "as human rights defenders, we are like antelopes in a wild forest: there are lions all around, and they can hit at any time."

In 2013, Front Line Defenders carried out field Grants visits to Uganda , Kenya , Togo , Ethiopia , democratic rep. of congo Zimbabwe , Tanzania , the Democratic I Grants were provided to help Kenyan Republic of Congo and Burundi , consoli - Front Line Defenders visited human rights defenders in Eastern Democratic Republic of human rights defenders Lydia Mukami dating its outreach to several dozens of Congo in April with the aim of consulting with HRDs on issues relating to their security. and Paul Muchira and their families to human rights defenders at risk. One of the strategies adopted after our interactions with HRDs was the opening of a safe relocate temporarily and to receive In March, Front Line Defenders conducted a house to cater for frequent relocation needs of HRDs, particularly for women HRDs counselling. field mission to Togo triggered by persistent operating in remote rural areas. In the six months since the safe house opened, three Lydia Mukami had been abducted by reports of repression against civil society, par - HRDs who were attacked due to their activism have stayed in the house, assisted through unidentified men, physically assaulted ticularly of groups and individual activists par - the security grants programme. for several hours and abandoned in the ticipating in an informal movement dubbed Security challenges faced by human rights defenders in the region are enormous. As bush. Lydia gave feedback, “We can now «Collectif Sauvons le Togo» (Save Togo Abigael Bitondo, of Gender in Action towards a Better Future for Women (GAD) in Uvira enjoy a sense of security away from a Coalition) seeking democratic reforms in the put it, “The more you advocate for human rights in this region, the more you make yourself hostile environment... Victory belongs to country. The mission met with groups of trade insecure.” Participants at the meetings organised in Uvira, Bukavu and Minova exchanged those who take the pains. Thank you for unionists, media professionals and human ideas on the development of an alert system capable of expediting the sharing of sharing our pain.” rights lawyers who have faced threats as a information on threats faced by HRDs at risk. result of their activism. Front Line Defenders also visited Rebeca Masika, a WHRD who runs a shelter for I A grant was given to Mbororo Social From left to right: Victor Munene, Secretary General, Lydia Government intelligence services tried to survivors of sexual violence in the town of Minova and conducts a sensitisation campaign and Cultural Development Association infiltrate human rights groups and Mukami, Chairperson, Paul Muchira, Treasurer and Joseph Muchiri, Vice-Chair of the Mwea Foundation in Nairobi. against gender-based violence and abuse of children in the area. A few months earlier, (MBOSCUDA) in Cameroon for legal independent media organisations when efforts out to the Mwea Rebecca’s shelter had been ransacked by elements of the regular army. After this visit consultation and defence of six human to co-opt them failed. Torture is widespread in Foundation, a grassroots Front Line Defenders committed funds towards the construction of a security fence rights defenders who were facing judicial Togolese prisons, and defenders who are organisation of rice farmers in the Mwea Femme” were arrested in November, the case around the shelter. harassment due to their work on land arrested, particularly by the National Intelli - constituency in Central Kenya that has been was raised with the EU Delegation and the When Bernadette Ntumba rights. gence Agency, are particularly at risk of being at the forefront of an intensive campaign to Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The EU discovered an anonymous letter “Without the security grant we would tortured. challenge the constitutionality of Kenya’s 1966 Delegation replied the same day, indicating in her office threatening her in have had insufficient legal representation While in the capital Lomé, Front Line Irrigation Act which prohibits land-ownership that it had contacted the HRD’s organisation relation to her human rights in cases financed and instituted by a very Defenders met with André Afanou, executive by women and violates the socio-economic to express support and were in high level activities in July, she had to go powerful multi-millionaire human rights director of a network of up to 15 human rights rights of Mwea farmers. In June its contact with the Ministry of Justice regarding into hiding. The Front Line abuser.” groups advocating for an end to impunity in chairperson, Lydia Mukami, was abducted the case. The Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs Defenders EU Office contacted Togo, called Collectif des Associations Contre and assaulted by unidentified men and there replied a few days later informing us that the the EU Delegation which replied l’Impunité au Togo (CACIT). Afanou believes were renewed threats against other leaders of five defenders had been released and freed of the next day to say it had that threats against human rights defenders in the foundation. Front Line Defenders all charges. contacted her by phone and Below: A role play with Tarek Togo are fuelled by a culture of impunity. responded with a security grant and held Training of Trainers workshops in digital received additional information Alghorany (left) and Jasper Throughout the year Front Line Defenders’ multiple meetings with Mukami and her security were held for Zimbabwean human on her situation. Since then, Maposa (right) preceeded Protection Coordinator held ongoing meetings colleagues in an effort to advise them on their rights defenders and East African human Bernadette has reported that discussion of how to reduce the with the National Coalition of Human Rights security plans. rights defenders in September. Two she is feeling more secure and likelihood of being assaulted by Defenders in Kenya. Njoki Kamau of the Despite the threats, Vice-chair Victor workshops on personal and organisational L to R: Women’s rights defenders, Marie has resumed her human rights the police, and how to lessen the Coalition described the situation in Kenya, “As Munene is adamant: “We just cannot sit back security were held in Tunis and Istanbul as part Misukyo, SOFIBEF and Bernadette work. impact if one is assaulted, at the human rights defenders, we are like antelopes while our rights are being denied... we have to of the Security Course for Arabic and English- Ntumba, AMCAV with Natacha O’Brien, Security Course workshop for in a wild forest: there are lions all around, and continue.” speaking human rights defenders, with partic - Front Line Defenders in DRC in April. Arabic and English-speaking they can strike at any time.” In Senegal when five LGBT human rights ipants from Africa and the Middle East. After HRDs held in Tunisia. In August and November, visits were carried defenders and members of “Sourire de one of the workshops, Musa Usman Ndamba French language digital security training at the Dublin Platform.

ZimbabWe

In a field mission carried out in late September in Zimbabwe, two months after the country’s general elections, Front Line Defenders held meetings with human rights defenders at risk in Harare, Bulawayo and Kwekwe to understand their post-election concerns. There was rising anxiety among key civil society actors about what the new political dispensation had in store for them; and a wave of judicial proceedings against prominent human rights defenders contributed to the anxiety. In the period leading up to the elections, several human rights defenders had faced threats, and some were arrested on unsubstantiated allegations of attempts to manipulate the electoral process. According to Jasper Maposa, programme manager at Zimbabwe Youth in Politics (ZOYP), a civic education group based in Kwekwe, “there was a general strategy to silence all organisations that could open the eyes of the people.” A major problem relates to the continued police and judicial harassment of prominent from Cameroon said “I have been working meetings now include human rights defenders. Mahlangu Magodonga of Zimbabwe Women Arise (WOZA) with many organisations at the international situation updates and our staff reported that she has been held in police custody up to 53 times and sent to prison level but the organisation I found more have changed their behaviour. practical and more efficient is Front Line It is still very dangerous work three times since 2003. WOZA as an organisation has been on trial up to 12 times as a Members of WOZA, Nolwandle Simunyu but it is a good start. I am now result of its advocacy work. on left and Mahlangu Magodonga on Defenders.” The State has started using the charge of “operating an illegal organisation” against right, with Front Line Defenders Hassan Gesey, Radio Station Director in translating the Front Line some prominent human rights defenders including Abel Chikomo of the Human Rights Protection Coordinator Aloys Habimana Mogadishu, Somalia, gave the following Defenders Workbook on NGO Forum and Jestina Mukoko of Zimbabwe Peace Project. in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in October. feedback, “Since I began the Security Course Security into Somali.” [] our office has totally changed. Our daily

[DISPATCHES ] REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE 8 9 regional reports Americas “i don ’t want money, i want accompaniment and visibility, ”

This year has seen serious threats and attacks against human rights defenders in the region, Grants from targeted defamation campaigns against I Due to the high risk of attacks from environmental defenders in Guatemala, to armed groups, a grant was given to increased intimidation of human rights lawyers Corporación Acción Humanitaria por la and journalists in Haiti. In many countries the Convivencia y la Paz del Nordeste space for civil society continues to shrink and Antioqueño (CAHUCOPANA) in Colom- violence against human rights defenders is on bia, for safe transport for three the rise. community leaders and members of the Front Line Defenders visited Nicaragua in organisation to travel to Medellín to take March to establish links with human rights part in meetings on HRD security. defenders. Meetings were facilitated by the “We managed to show the National Unit Centro Nicaragüense de Derechos Humanos for Protection the risks faced by leaders (CENIDH). Human rights defenders reported Venezuelan human rights defenders at a Front Line Defenders workshop on the EU Guidelines. of CAHUCOPANA after many incidents on issues such as violence against women training and networking and responses over a long period were reported to the and children, lack of freedom of expression by the EU Missions on individual cases Ministry of Interior. We persuaded them and of association, impunity, corruption, police of human rights defenders at risk. Human rights Other advocacy work with the EU included to carry out an evaluation of the risks violence, and indigenous communities and the defenders called on the EU to move from words raising the case of Colombian human rights faced by our staff.” environment at risk. to action, regretting that embassies were defender Father Alberto Franco, who had A workshop on the EU Guidelines was closing. “I don’t want money, I want accompa - shots fired at his vehicle in February. The EU I A grant to the Asociación para el organised in Caracas, Venezuela in March. niment and visibility,” stated one participant. Delegation responded immediately that it Avance de las Ciencias Sociales Twenty-one HRDs and five EU representatives The EU Delegation said that it could do more on would discuss the case with Member States. Left to right: Jess Sundin, Committee to Stop FBI Repression, Ralph Poynter, husband of (AVANCSO) paid for improved security of attended, with discussions on improving all topics identified by the HRDs but that “On A few days later it informed us that Delegation former US defense lawyer Lynne Stewart whose request for compassionate release from the windows, a reinforced steel door, access for human rights defenders to EU and every issue, the slowest Member State and Member State representatives had visited prison in Texas had been denied in October, and Caitriona Rice, Front Line Defenders. A CCTV security cameras and a motion framed copy of Seamus Heaney’s poem ‘From the Republic of Conscience’ was presented Member State funding, the need for more determines the speed of the EU train.” the HRD’s offices to discuss the situation with detector, following a break-in and a him. to Ralph. Lynne had quoted Seamus Heaney when she spoke at the Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders in 2003. Lynne was eventually released in January 2014. brutal attack on the caretaker of the In August, Front Line Defenders travelled to organisation at its offices in Guatemala Guatemala to attend a crisis meeting of City. this type of training strengthens and helps us national and international NGOs coordinated who participated in a workshop on personal “We have been able to return to our to continue doing our work on both individual haiti by COFADEH, the national body responsible and organisational security held in Colombia work with a certain amount of normality. and collective levels.” A series of digital for documenting and reporting on attacks on in April: “The themes/subjects were very Our researchers are now able to restart security trainings were held in Mexico and human rights defenders. There had already positive. They were of much interest... in their work with the communities and In August, Front Line Defenders Colombia throughout the year and a been 595 attacks on HRDs in the country in addition to being timely to the reality that we hold meetings in our office.” travelled to Haiti where there is the first half of the year and a defamatory live in today. The methodology was very workshop was held in Honduras in December. increasing concern for the security of In December, Front Line Defenders was campaign was launched against them. The enjoyable, participative and we got to work on I HRD Fernando Perisse who founded human rights defenders and space for invited to speak at a seminar on the protection aim of the meeting was to develop a shared the reality of participants’ lives. It was an informal social movement called Via civil society. In the last year, at least six of human rights defenders, jointly organised strategy for the protection of human rights theoretical but also practical and simple and Sertaneja in Brazil, has received threats cases were reported of HRDs being by the Brazilian Government and the defenders. easy to comprehend. [...] I am very grateful and anonymous phone calls and is facing directly targeted, and hostility against European Union during the World Forum on Front Line Defenders also travelled to New for all the support to the work we do as 21 criminal charges due to his work civil society in the public discourse Orleans, Tucson and New York in the USA to human rights defenders in Colombia, since Human Rights in Brasilia. [] has increased. Issues such as against corruption in public policy and find out more about risks faced by individuals spending. A grant for office security was corruption, forced evictions, abuse Above: Graffiti of the word “Volé” (for and organisations working on human rights. of power and gender violence ‘voleur’ meaning thief) on the office gate provided (photos below). of human rights lawyer Mario Joseph in Human rights defenders reported police “The feeling of greater security gave us provoke risks to HRDs. harassment, intimidation and arson attacks for Human rights lawyers are particu - Port au Prince. more courage to face the struggle in their work on behalf of workers’ rights, which we are involved. We know that our larly exposed. Patrice Florvilus, Below: Rosnel Jean-Baptiste and Charles housing rights, migrant rights, prisoner rights, Director of Défenseurs des safety is not perfect, but we now have Vena Jean of Tet Kole Ti Peyzan, an LGBTI rights, reproductive rights and environ - greater peace to develop our activities .” Opprimées/Opprimés, received association working on land rights and mental rights. Information security and privacy, threats and a summons to appear the rights of peasants and small farmers. and FBI / police persecution were also issues in court in connection to his work of significant concern. on a case of forced eviction which Front Line Defenders attended a meeting of ended with the death in police the Mesoamerican Initiative of Women Human custody of a camp resident. Another Rights Defenders in Suchitoto, El Salvador, lawyer was arrested on false charges where 160 women human rights defenders for his work on a corruption case from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El which allegedly involved members of Salvador gathered to strengthen regional links the President’s family. and advance strategies for protection and A climate of intimidation was well-being. A mission and training on digital denounced by independent security in December further strengthened journalists and groups supporting links with human rights defenders in El women victims of sexual violence. Salvador, where HRDs who work on issues Increased visibility has brought more related to forced disappearance and victims risks for LGBTI groups with a number of torture, together with environmental rights Above, left to right: Ludwin Hernandez, Comité Ambiental de Cabañas of HRDs working on sexual defenders who oppose mining companies (CAC), Rina Navarrete, Asociación de Amigos de San Isidro (ASIC), Padre orientation and gender identity face increased risks. Santos Neftalí Ruiz Martinez, CAC and Maria Gerarda Leiva, supporter reporting threats and break-ins to Front Line Defenders continued its security of ASIC, at the Titihuapa River which would be environmentally affected their offices. and protection training work in the region. We if the Australian mining corporation Ocean Gold gets the concessions received the following feedback from an HRD for exploitation of the gold mine in El Salvador.

[DISPATCHES ] REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE 10 11 regional reports Asia

The situation facing human rights defenders in human rights defenders to support our Asia has remained critical in the past year. cause.” HRDs are victims of extrajudicial killings, When a number of HRDs were convicted arbitrary arrests, detentions, judicial and sentenced in Vietnam in January, the case harassment, and other forms of intimidation. was immediately raised with the EU During a visit to Cambodia , Front Line Delegation in Hanoi and an update was sent Defenders met with human rights defenders requesting it to observe the appeal trial in April. and community activists at Boeng Kak Lake, The Head of the EU Delegation published a Borei Keila, and a community near Phnom statement on the day of the sentencing, calling Penh Airport - all facing eviction to make way on the Vietnamese authorities to “review the for real estate developments. We visited Yorm sentences immediately.” A day after the con - Bopha at the Correctional Centre in Phnom firmation of the verdicts by the appeals court Pratubjit Neelapaijit (left) and Margareth Aritonang (right) discussing how to improve Penh. Yorm is a community leader from the on 23 May, the Head of the EU Delegation met security measures in the home at the Asia Training of Trainers for HRDs at risk. The Boeng Kak Lake community who was serving with the Vietnamese authorities to protest their small group of WHRD shared their insights with a group of male HRDs to create a a three year prison sentence at the time due plan with gender dimensions identified. Left to right: Yin Srin, Eng Thorn, Chheav refusal to allow international observers to to false accusations against her for her work Sopha, Ath Samnang, Tim Sak Mony, members attend the trial. On 31 May the Delegation defending her community’s right to land. In of the Borei Keila community in Cambodia. issued a public statement condemning the November, the Supreme Court released her verdicts. [] “front Line defenders has on bail and her case will soon be referred to September, Front Line Defenders organised a the Appeal Courts for retrial. Following the always actively supported forum on the protection of HRDs jointly with mission, Front Line Defenders made a Left: Following a Training Protection International, Prachatai, and Thai of Trainers workshop in odhikar in its struggle to submission to the Universal Periodic Review Netizens Network, supported by the EU Bangkok for Asian HRDs, on Cambodia. defend human rights in Delegation to Thailand. The forum brought Ryan Mendoza, Joy Icayan In May, Front Line Defenders travelled to ” together more than 100 at-risk grassroots and Sonny Resuena bangladesh. for meetings with HRDs in Lahore, Pakistan HRDs who advocate for community and envi - conducted a workshop Karachi and Islamabad. The complex political, ronmental rights together. The forum provided supported by Front Line geographical and religious context in Pakistan Defenders in the Phili- HRDs with an opportunity to share Grants causes severe challenges for HRDs. Peter ppines for those working experiences on dealing with risks and to Jacob, Director of the National Commission on documenting and I When members of Housing Rights connect with national and international organ - for Justice and Peace, whom we met on investigating enforced Task Force in Cambodia feared reprisals isations working to protect HRDs at risk. A disappearances. mission and whose colleagues have been after the elections in July, Front Line representative from the EU Delegation spoke victims of extrajudicial killings and detention Defenders provided a grant for their about the practical support that it could said, "Front Line Defenders’ work brightens temporary relocation. Sia Phearum provide to HRDs under the EU Guidelines for the dream of a common future based on reported, “When my work has come HRDs. burma freedom and dignity for the entire human under threats, Front Line Defenders When Adil Rahman Khan of Odhikar family. Its work is a source of information and helped, protected and motivated me to human rights organisation in Bangladesh was Front Line Defenders undertook a encouragement for human rights defenders continue to help grassroots victims. I am arrested in August and charged with research mission to Burma in April. working in hard and unpredictable conditions.” not alone. I feel safe and strong to “publishing false images and information” and Although there has been some A training on personal and organisational continue my work as human rights “disrupting the law and order situation” progress in the country as a result security for Pakistani HRDs, which was defender in Cambodia.” following the the organisation’s publication of of political reforms, serious supported by the EU Delegation, took place Shahzad Ahmad, Director of Bytes for a fact-finding report about human rights challenges remain. Front Line in Islamabad in December as a follow-up to All, a human rights organisation in I Three members of a rural women’s violations that occurred during the police Defenders met with HRDs who this mission. Pakistan with a focus on Information rights organisation based in a tribal area crackdown of a rally, the Front Line Defenders and Communication Technologies. have been imprisoned as a result of A Training of Trainers on personal and or - in Pakistan, who had faced threats and EU Office contacted the EU Delegation. Shahzad spoke about the importance of their human rights work and heard ganisational security was held in June with violence, including a bomb attack on It had already issued a local statement digital security for human rights testimonies of how they faced diffi - twelve HRDs from Burma, Cambodia, their office, were supported to condemning the arrest and continued to defenders at the Tech Defenders event culties integrating into society after Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, temporarily relocate in May. monitor the case and attend trial sessions (by during the Web Summit in Dublin in they were released. working on economic, social, and cultural “Now we are proceeding to shift our Netherlands, Sweden, France, Germany). In October. Tech Defenders is a new Front Line Defenders organised a rights, defending religious minorities and initiative to build support within the office to another safe area and to restart October the court released Adilur Rahman workshop on the EU Guidelines for documenting torture and enforced disappear - technology sector for human rights our work with new spirit and courage.” Khan on bail. He said,”Front Line Defenders Human Rights Defenders in ances. A human rights defender from Aceh, defenders. Photo: Cheery Zahau, Institute of Chin has always actively supported Rangoon in October. 17 HRDs Indonesia reported, “After the training, I Affairs; Isabell Poppelbaum, EU I In Bangladesh, Front Line Defenders Odhikar in its struggle to defend learned about the types of practical facilitated a workshop, with the support of Delegation; Bo Bo Aung, Earth Rights supported Shahed Kayes and his human rights in Bangladesh. International, in a small group discussion support the EU can provide under the Front Line Defenders, for 15 HRDs working on organisation, Subornogram Foundation, When my colleagues and I on practical actions to improve the EU Guidelines, and about best religious intolerance in Indonesia.” with a grant for legal fees to deal with a were facing intimidation from implementation of the EU Guidelines on practices from other countries. A Training of Trainers on digital security took number of lawsuits filed against Shahed state authorities and I was HRDs at the workshop on the EU Diplomats from the British, Czech, place at the same time, bringing together nine for his work promoting environmental detained, Front Line Guidelines in Rangoon, Burma. French, German, and Norwegian HRDs from Burma, India, Pakistan, and awareness and the rights of women and Defenders supported us and Embassies and the EU Delegation Vietnam. Digital security workshops were also children. “My team and I are working to helped mobilise international attended the workshop with the purpose of building sustainable contacts with HRDs. held with HRDs from India (Kashmir), Pakistan save the livelihood of 12,000 islanders Robert Sann Aung, who attended the workshop and has been promoting the situation and China (Tibet) during the year. and the environment of Mayadip and of HRDs who face charges for campaigning against the Letpadaung mining project in A mission was undertaken to northern Nunertek islands, from the illegal sand Left to right: Arshid Mehmood, northern Burma said, “Human rights defenders in Burma have to work in a dangerous Thailand to meet with labour activists and grabbers for the past four years. It was Democratic Commission of and threatening environment in the fight for true democracy. We do not have control of HRDs working on community rights and the almost impossible for me and my team Human Development (DCHD), our lives and no one can give us protection. After meeting with you and receiving a Front right to water. Judicial harassment has been Mary Lawlor, Front Line Defenders, to run the cases against us by the Line Defenders’ ID card, I have more courage to represent defenders who have been the main tool used by authorities and Tanveer Jahan, DCHD, Pokpong Government. Without Front Line charged in court. I deeply believe that Front Line Defenders can physically and mentally companies to silence HRDs and to prevent Lawansiri, Front Line Defenders in Defenders’ help we could not continue help activists in Burma.” them from conducting their work. In Lahore, Pakistan in May. our work.”

[DISPATCHES ] REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE 12 13 regional reports Europe and Central Asia

The situation for human rights defenders in Europe and Central Asia deteriorated during Grants 2013. The ‘Foreign Agents’ Law in the Russian russia I A grant was provided for the temporary Federation produced a negative impact on relocation of journalist Yafez Hazanov Since the introduction of the Foreign Agents law, which determines that any organisa - public opinion across the region due to smear who works with Radio Free Europe / tion receiving foreign funding and involved in broadly defined 'political activity', must campaigns labelling NGOs and human rights Radio Liberty in Azerbaijan. He had register as a foreign agent, more than one thousand NGOs have been subjected to defenders as ‘foreign agents’. Human rights Left to right: Irina Buchinskaya, Embassy of the received threats and was blackmailed inspections and dozens brought to court. LGBTI organisation Coming Out was one of defenders continued to face threats, intimida - Netherlands, Harry Putker, Embassy of the Netherlands, due to his work reporting on human the first organisations to be found guilty under the Foreign Agents Law. Administrative Sandra Ljubinkovic, Integrated Security Trainer, Maria tions, judicial prosecution and physical attacks rights violations and had to relocate charges against the organisation and its director were later dropped but in October, a civil Chichtchenkova, Front Line Defenders, Anara Ibrayeva, in several countries in the region. during the politically fraught period of the suit was brought against the organisation with the hearing scheduled for March 2014. NGO Dignity, Johnny Kramer, Embassy of Germany, In February, Front Line Defenders took part presidential election. in a forum ‘Cooperation, Solidarity, Support’, A research mission to Chechnya in April gave Front Line Defenders the opportunity to Zauresh Shutova, Frederich Ebert Stitfung, at the discuss the legal strategies of local human rights organisations to deal with the ‘Foreign Platform for Human Rights Defenders in Kazakhstan. which brought together human rights I A grant was given to Society Without gents’ law. In Chechnya, cases of human rights violations that involve law enforcement defenders from Turkmenistan , Kazakhstan , Violence, an organisation working on personnel are often not investigated and the impunity for perpetrators is carefully Kyrgyzstan , Uzbekistan and Tajikistan . The gender equality in Armenia, for a protected, including by the federal authorities. HRDs raised concerns about the lack of reinforced steel door, three security Human rights groups working with asylum seekers and migrants have been subjected solidarity initiatives and regional mechanisms cameras and external storage for the to smear campaigns and organisations working on prisoners’ rights are facing increased to deal with human rights problems common security videos. The organisation had risks. In June, the Russian Parliament adopted a federal law banning the ‘propaganda to the region, and adopted recommendations been receiving threats and hate of non-traditional sexual relations’ among minors which was directly targeted at the to strengthen regional cooperation. messages from groups opposed to a LGBTI community, and significantly affected the work of human rights defenders working Front Line Defenders facilitated a panel new gender equality law introduced in on issues such as sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV prevention. discussion at the round-table, “Freedom of May. An administrative lawsuit against human rights defender Stanislav Dmitrievsky, Association and Assembly in the OSCE “We were receiving threats and requesting that the report on human rights violations ‘International Tribunal for Chechnya’, region: What the Ukrainian Chairmanship can messages about destroying our office. be recognised as an extremist publication, was finally rejected in July. Front Line do?” in Kiev in February and a digital security With the help of this urgent grant we Defenders had provided Stanislav Dmitrievsky with a grant for legal aid and sent a legal training was held in Ukraine in June. enhanced our security system and observer to the third hearing in the trial. When HRD Nazlie Bala was attacked and increased the safety of our staff In September, Front Line Defenders organised a training in personal and organisational severely beaten in Kosovo in March, Front members and volunteers. After having security for LGBTI rights defenders from across the Russian Federation. In November, Line Defenders raised the case with the EU installed the cameras and door, we Front Line Defenders Special Representative to Kosovo who started to go to work with less fear.” reported that it was monitoring the police in - undertook a mission to the vestigations closely and had issued a Russian Federation to statement condemning the attack. meet with organisations In July, Front Line Defenders carried out a working on the rights of Above: Human rights lawyer Zinaida Mukhortova from Kazakhstan was held in forced psychiatric confinement for three months due to her human rights work. Legal proceedings against Zinaida on the basis of alleged mental health problems began in 2011 after she mission and held a digital security training in prisoners and reform of lodged complaints of government interference into judicial proceedings. Front Line Defenders worked on her case throughout 2013. Moldova where the human rights situation in the penal system. the Transnistria region is particularly alarming. Corruption remains a huge issue, there are was also due to speak at a conference, and reliable reports of the use of torture in the EU Office worked behind the scenes to detention facilities and the lack of financial ensure these issues were raised publicly. A security for human rights organisations makes training on personal and organisational Polina Baliaeva (left) and it difficult to sustain their work. security and digital security for Kyrgyz human Svetlana Bondarenko rights defenders working in the south of the Front Line Defenders attended the Platform (right) practice strategies country was held in Turkey . for Human Rights Defenders in Kazakhstan for avoiding assault at a in August, which was created by human rights workshop for LGBTI Front Line Defenders took part in the 3rd defenders as a space in which to discuss the Russian HRDs. Forum of Belarussian human rights defenders challenges they face and develop strategies in Lithuania in October. Delegates adopted a for protection. resolution calling on the Belarussian Human rights defenders expressed authorities to abolish article 193.1 of the particular concern at the increasing pressure Criminal Code of Belarus which penalises on independent media which is further unregistered human rights organisations. The restricting the limited space for democratic Oub Titiev is head of the Human Rights delegates also addressed the worrying discussion in the country. Front Line Centre ‘Memorial’ office in Chechnya. An situation of Belarussian human rights defender Defenders facilitated a session on protection ongoing concern for Front Line Defenders Ales Bialiatsky, who is serving a 4.5 year mechanisms and stress management for has been the lack of progress into the prison term. Although Ales is allowed to human rights defenders. investigation of the murder of Oub’s receive correspondence, his communications colleague, human rights defender Natalya The situation of human rights defender are closely monitored and he is in almost Estemirova (in portrait), who was Azimjan Askarov in Kyrgyzstan , currently complete isolation. His case remains a priority kidnapped and killed in July 2009. The for Front Line Defenders. serving life imprisonment for his human rights alleged perpetrator, Alkhazur Bashaev, work, was a key concern. Participants at the was killed in a military operation so the In December, Front Line Defenders attended forum deplored the Kyrgyz authorities’ case is now officially considered closed a press conference of the Macedonian repeated refusal to investigate his case. When despite a parallel investigation conducted Helsinki Committee and the LGBT Support Kyrgyz President, Almazbek Atambaev visited by newspaper ‘Novaya gazeta’ and Human Centre to launch the “Love for All” campaign Brussels in September, the Front Line Rights Centre ‘Memorial’ contesting the for LGBTI rights defenders in Macedonia . In Defenders EU Office used the opportunity to finding. Front Line Defenders has the last year there has been an increase in the continued to advocate for a full and advocate among EU and Kyrgyz officials on number of attacks against LGBTI rights (L to R): Zarema Akhmedova, Kheda Omarkhadzhieva and independent investigation into the killing. behalf of Azimjan and in opposition to the defenders including five attacks on the LGBT Inna Ayrapetian, NGO Sintem, Russian Federation - Chechnya. proposed foreign agents law. The President Support Centre. []

[DISPATCHES ] REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE 14 15 regional reports Middle East and North Africa egypt

In March, Front Line Defenders undertook a While the Arab Spring raised hopes of “the dublin platform enriched my ideas mission to Sinai, Egypt, where we had noted with progress, in many countries across the region Grants concern an increasing number of arbitrary arrests the situation remained difficult for human rights and will have a very positive influence and detentions of HRDs. We heard from HRDs I Front Line Defenders provided a defenders. The extensive media focus on on my input into the draft constitution." about the situation since the revolution and the security grant to the Coalition of Free dramatic developments in Egypt and Syria risks they face following the rise of fundamental - Lawyers in Syria, whose office was enabled some countries to remain in the ist armed groups in the area. attacked by a militant group. The grant shadows. Front Line Defenders met Massaad Abu Fajr paid for a metal door, windows and Front Line Defenders undertook a mission to who advocates for the rights of Bedouin people. security CCTV cameras for their office, Sudan in April to assess the situation for Left: Samia Al-Aghbari, who documents and He had spent 30 months in jail, accused of the cost of medical treatment for an human rights defenders. The country had reports on human rights violations in Yemen, mobilising protesters to demonstrate against injured human rights defender and witnessed grave human rights violations and particularly those against journalists, at the house demolitions on Egypt’s border with the temporary relocation for the families of excessive use of force by the security forces to Dublin Platform in October. Gaza Strip, and is now trying to establish an NGO two others. counter massive protests. The ongoing for the rights of the people of Sinai. Abu Fajr was violence by government forces, the Janjaweed selected to a committee to draft Egypt’s new con - I Vice president of the Collective of militia and armed opposition groups forms the stitution. Attending the Seventh Dublin Platform Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders backdrop to continued harassment, arbitrary he described the challenge of defending human (CODESA), Ali Salem Tamek, has been arrests, incommunicado detentions and rights in an “independent, safe, third way” imprisoned on more than seven torture of human rights defenders by Massaad Abu Fajr from Egypt at between the oppressive state on one side, and occasions due to his human rights work. Sudanese military and security forces. the Dublin Platform in October. armed groups or terrorists on the other. He said, He was mistreated while in detention and Freedom of expression and freedom of “the Dublin Platform enriched my ideas and will have a very positive influence on my went on hunger strike a number of times association have been increasingly curtailed. input into the draft constitution." to protest against his detention and the In particular, NGO members, journalists and A meeting was held with Women’s Group for Human Rights (WGHR), a non-profit group prison conditions. Since his release in student activists have been targeted. founded by activists who want to support women and marginalised groups in their 2011, he has suffered from a number of In June, Front Line Defenders travelled to communities. They described how the situation has worsened since the police and army medical conditions and required surgery. Yemen to meet with human rights defenders lost control and due to the increasing influence of Islamist militant groups. WGHR had A Front Line Defenders grant contributed and to carry out research, in cooperation with to change office premises three times due to repeated threats received online and written toward his treatment. the Yemen Organisation for Defending Rights on the walls of the building. As the situation deteriorated in Sinai, the WGHR received a and Democratic Freedoms, on the situation of security grant for safe I Grants for living costs for a short human rights defenders. HRDs who are transport so they would be period were provided to LGBTI rights engaged in the National Dialogue, gave an The new office of Women’s Group for Human this time without being tracked." able to carry on their work. defenders in the Gulf region who had lost insight into how the human rights situation is Rights (WGHR) with the security of windows In September, Front Line Defenders and doors reinforced, funded through a Front In July Front Line their employment and had been likely to develop. Journalist Abdul Karim Al- participated in a workshop in Turkey Line Defenders security grant. Defenders gave two ostracised from their communities due to Khaiwani, an active member of the National for Syrian journalists, organised by the security grants to the their association with an LGBTI Dialogue, attended the Seventh Dublin Committee to Protect Journalists and Movement for Non-Violence organisation. Platform in October which he said gave him the Rory Peck Trust. The aim of the and Peaceful Struggle due an opportunity to hear about experiences of workshop was to find sustainable On 14 February, the EU Office participated in a to an escalation of threats in HRDs in other countries with similar situations and cohesive solutions to the crisis demonstration in solidarity with imprisoned the region. One was for to Yemen. faced by Syrian journalists covering Bahraini human rights defenders in front of the legal fees, relocation of the The situation for human rights defenders in the conflict. Participants identified Embassy of Bahrain in Brussels for the 2nd Director and his family, and Bahrain remained a serious concern. In April, the need for a joint emergency anniversary of the uprising. In tandem with this an counselling support for Front Line Defenders took part in a press NGO advocacy campaign was launched on response for journalists, stronger staff. The second paid for conference in the House of Lords in London to Bahrain in an effort to influence the EU-GCC networks for sharing information safe transport for seven coincide with the start of the Formula 1 Grand ministerial meeting to be held on 30 June. and a plan for joint advocacy with HRDs from the north to the Prix in Bahrain, and a meeting organised by south of Sinai. Redress with Bahraini human rights defenders and international NGOs, to discuss the role NGOs could continue to play in supporting Bahraini human rights defenders and their the international community. Course for English and Arabic speakers with families. Front Line Defenders welcomed the release workshops held in Tunis and Istanbul and a At the end of June, EU Special Representa - in September of Iranian lawyer Nasrin meeting in Cairo. The HRDs began by tive for Human Rights, Stavros Lambrinidis, Sotoudeh who had been detained since 2010 assessing their organisation’s office security. travelled to Bahrain. He stressed to Bahraini for her legitimate and peaceful human rights They held meetings with their colleagues on authorities the importance of the prompt work. She is still under a travel ban and risks and threats, and discussed which release of human rights defenders, “both on prohibited from practising law. strategies had been effective. At the first human rights grounds and to promote national During the year, Front Line Defenders met workshop the HRDs covered risk assessment, reconciliation.” On 1 July the EU High Repre - with Kuwaiti and Bidoon HRDs to understand threat analysis, digital security, wellbeing and sentative Catherine Ashton released a the challenges in their efforts to achieve full security planning. Following the production of statement in which she called “for the release rights for stateless Kuwaitis, known as security plans, the HRDs returned for the of those arrested in the context of peaceful ‘Bidoon’, who face discrimination and exist as second workshop to discuss the positive political activities.” a marginalised community. A protest elements in their plans and how to reduce Human rights defender and blogger Ali movement among the Bidoon community, weaknesses. Tarek Alghorany based in Tunisia Abdulemam, who had been in hiding in pressing for more rights, including citizenship, said “I’ve learned that through planning we Bahrain and managed to escape with his had led to serious crackdowns by the can have better security measures than relying family in 2013, gave the following feedback, authorities and targeting of human rights on trial and error or instinct.” [] "Thanks to the tools and tactics I mastered L to R: Radhwan Al Haimi, Yemen; Rebecca Saade, Digital Security Trainer; Nedhal Al defenders. Human rights defenders from Bahrain, from Security in a Box when cooperating with Salman, Bahrain, in a role play illustrating security strategies during a demonstration, Above: Kuwaiti Bidoon human rights defender Abdulhakeem Al-Fadhli in Taima village Front Line Defenders I was able to stay in at the first of two workshops on the Security Course for Arabic and English-speaking Egypt, Sudan and Yemen together with HRDs just days after his release from prison when the case against him was dismissed. hiding for two years and communicate for all HRDs at risk. Copyright Tarek Alghorany. from Africa participated on the Security

[DISPATCHES ] REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE 16 17 award promotion Front Line Defenders Award Front Line Events

The 2013 Front Line Defenders Award for The Finalists were: From 24 to 26 February, Mexican human has conducted ground-breaking research and imprisoned and/or persecuted human rights Human Rights Defenders at Risk was rights defender Elia Escobedo Garcia visited issued authoritative reports on the country’s defenders. After the readings the floor was presented to Mauritanian anti-slavery activist Ireland to participate in the Front Line human rights record and compliance. opened up to the audience for a lively Biram Dah Abeid by President of Ireland Mam Sonando (Cambodia) - journalist and Ruth Mumbi (Kenya) - community mobiliser, Defenders Spring Speaker’s Tour in Dublin at On 3 April, US political theorist and activist, questions and answers session. Michael D. Higgins at a ceremony in Dublin, Director of one of only three independent radio and founder and national coordinator of the Jameson Film Festival and Trinity College Professor Noam Chomsky , spoke at the From November 26 to 28 Syrian human Ireland on 3 May. The Award honours the work stations in Cambodia, Beehive Radio. Bunge la Wamama, the women’s chapter of a Dublin and at the Irish Centre for Human inaugural Annual Front Line Defenders Lecture rights defender Yara Bader visited Ireland to of an individual who has made an outstanding movement that conducts advocacy and Rights, Galway. Elia has campaigned for 11 held in partnership with University College participate in the Front Line Defenders Winter contribution to the protection of human rights Mansoureh Behkish (Iran) - women’s rights campaigning on issues of social justice and years for justice for her daughter who was Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. The lecture Speaker’s Tour. She had three speaking in the face of considerable personal risk. activist and supporter of non-violent accountability. murdered in 2002, and has worked tirelessly entitled ‘Solidarity and the Responsibility to engagements; one at Trinity College Dublin (in Biram Dah Abeid is the founder and director resistance. She has spent the past three with the organisation Nuestras Hijas de Protect’ was chaired by RTÉ’s Bryan Dobson, association with the Department for Near and of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abo - decades empowering survivors and victims of Bahtiyor Hamraev (Uzbekistan) - dedicated Regreso a Casa (May Our Daughters Return and explored the issues faced by human Middle Eastern Studies), one at University litionist Movement (IRA Mauritania). Despite human rights abuses. campaigner and head of the Djizak regional Home) to combat femicide in Ciudad Juarez rights defenders and activists trying to make College Cork (in association with the UCC the legal abolition of slavery in Mauritania, branch of HRSU (Human Rights Society of in Mexico. Elia’s story is part of the narrative their voices heard among the competing Centre for Global Development and the Centre hereditary slavery remains endemic. It is David Rabelo Crespo (Colombia) - secretary Uzbekistan). Sadly, Bahtiyor passed away, of ‘Blood Rising’, a feature documentary by agendas of state, media and political interests. for Criminal Justice and Human Rights) and estimated that there are between 140,000 and of the Board of Directors of CREDHOS, a after a long illness, in May 2013. Irish director Mark McLoughlin and Irish artist On 15 November, as part of the Dublin Book one at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, 160,000 people enslaved and the Global human rights NGO. He is currently serving an Brian Maguire which premiered at the Festival, Front Line Defenders and Irish Pen Galway. Yara has played a key role in reporting Slavery Index 2013 has ranked Mauritania as 18 year sentence following an unfair trial. Jameson Film Festival 2013. came together to mark the Day of the on the daily developments in Syria since the number one in the world for slavery. On 5 March, Front Line Defenders, in Imprisoned Writer at the Smock Alley, Black beginning of the uprising in early 2011. She is As a direct result of his work to eradicate association with the Department of Near and Box Theatre in Dublin. Irish poet and prose married to jailed Syrian human rights defender slavery, Biram Dah Abeid has been Middle Eastern Studies at Trinity College writer Theo Dorgan, Irish Newstalk radio Mazen Darwish, who is also a journalist and threatened, defamed, harassed and arrested. Mural of the finalists for the Award (courtesy of the Iran Group) - Mansoureh Dublin hosted a public talk with Dr. Ahmed broadcaster Shona Murray and Afghan who, up until his arrest, was the Director of the In April 2012 he was “disappeared” to a secret Behkish, Iran, Biram Dah Abeid, Mauritania, Bahtiyor Hamraev, Uzbekistan, David Shaheed . As UN Special Rapporteur on the journalist and human rights defender Jamila Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Crespo, Colombia, Mam Sonando, Cambodia and Ruth Mumbi, Kenya. government facility and denied contact with Situation of Human Rights in Iran, Dr. Shaheed Omar all read extracts from writings from Expression. [] his family and legal assistance. Following an international outcry, he was released in September 2012. Despite the constant harassment and threat of arrest, he has sworn to continue his struggle until slavery is finally eliminated. In his acceptance speech, Biram asked for international support, “Dear friends, your greatest and most necessary support will be in helping us to call upon Mauritania to break with duplicity and bring its national laws into line not only with the international commitments that it has adopted as a sovereign State, but also with its claims to being an Islamic Republic, while subscribing to the principles of equality, fairness and humanity enshrined in original Islam.” []

The Day of the Imprisoned Writer - Emer Liston, Irish Pen, Jamila Omar, Afghan human rights defender, Theo Dorgan, Irish poet and prose writer, Shona Murray, Newstalk presenter, Julianne Moore, Dublin Book Festival, Timmy Conway, Irish Pen, Michelle Foley, Front Line Defenders.

Senator Ivana Bacik participating in a peaceful protest at the Iranian Embassy in Dublin during the Iranian presidential elections in June.

“biram dah abeid refuses to accept a flawed or failed society where many live in fear as inevitable. instead, he has the courage to envisage an equitable world free from The Inaugural Annual Front Line Defenders Lecture in partnership with University College Dublin (UCD) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD) - Bryan Dobson, journalist Kazakh human rights defender Alima intimidation... ” Biram Dah Abeid from Mauritania receives the award from President Michael D. Higgins, and broadcaster with RTÉ, Mary Lawlor, Front Line Defenders, Maria Baghramian, Abdirova led the Front Line Defenders President Michael D. Higgins applauded by Denis O’Brien, Chairman of Front Line Defenders. UCD, Noam Chomsky, linguist, philosopher and political activist, Tom Pegram, TCD. Women’s Mini-Marathon Team in June.

[DISPATCHES ] REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE 18 19 dublin platform

(IACHR) and the Office for Democratic Institu - tions and Human Rights of the Organization The Seventh Dublin Platform for for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and human rights defender Mata Coulibaly (Cote D’Ivoire), standing in for Reine Human Rights Defenders at Risk Alapini-Gansou, Commissioner and Special Rapporteur of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), “you have given the world a window through which we see human rights commented on the work of the ACHPR. violations committed every day. but you have also given us a window Hassan Shire of the East and Horn of Africa ” Human Rights Defenders Project chaired a into the best of human endeavours. panel discussion on the challenges faced by Eamon Gilmore TD, Tánaiste and Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade HRDs working in areas of armed conflict which drew on the experiences of Martha Diaz (Colombia), Jean de Dieu Mulikuza The Seventh Dublin Platform for Human (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Razan Rights Defenders took place in Dublin Ghazzawi (Syria) and Wazhma Frogh Castle on 9-11 October 2013, and brought (Afghanistan). together 135 human rights defenders from Another panel discussion on the specific 90 different countries making it the largest risks facing women human rights defenders, Platform that Front Line Defenders has chaired by Noeline Blackwell of the Board of hosted. Front Line Defenders, featured expert Every Dublin Platform is special and presentations from Raisa Borshigova (Russian unique, reflecting the wide range and Federation – Chechnya), Zainab Azmat diversity of the extraordinary human rights (Pakistan), Morena Herrera (El Salvador) and defenders who come together to share Ghada Shahbandar (Egypt). experiences, learn from one another, A panel on protecting and expanding an discuss relevant issues and engage with enabling environment for HRDs, chaired by decision makers from governmental and Andrew Anderson, Front Line Defenders intergovernmental bodies. Deputy Director, included contributions from All of these HRDs are at risk because of Yevgeniy Zhovtis (Kazakhstan), Érina Batista their non-violent work for the human rights Gomes (Brazil) and Geoffrey Wokulira of others. They face death threats and Ssebaggala (Uganda). physical violence, denigration and loss of The informal discussions and the working employment, arrest and harassment and group contributions throughout the three days sometimes torture. Examples of threats were also extremely rich, with participants and attacks were shared in often harrowing building lasting bonds across linguistic and testimony, but the focus was also on cultural divides. strengthening mechanisms for protection, As digital security is vital to enable human engaging the international community, rights defenders to communicate quickly, Clockwise from top: holding perpetrators accountable and effectively and safely, there was a digital Group photo from security hub operating throughout the Dublin Castle; providing support to those under attack. Eamon Gilmore TD, The formal sessions were facilitated by a Platform in Arabic, English, French, Russian Tánaiste and Irish team of simultaneous interpretors through and Spanish. Some 60 HRDs took part in a Minister for Foreign Arabic, English, French, Russian and one-day pre-Platform digital security Affairs and Trade; Spanish with whispered interpretation awareness session in five language Mary Lawlor and provided in Chinese, Khmer, Kiswahili, workshops to provide a focus on key aspects Yolanda Oqueli, Korean, Portuguese, Thai, Turkish and of digital security and providing information on Guatemala; Denis security measures which could be easily O’Brien, Chairman of Vietnamese. Front Line implemented by HRDs on their return home. Defenders, with On day one, the Chairman of Front Line Fabbi Kouassi, Togo. Defenders, Denis O’Brien, welcomed the par - ...continued over > ticipants to Dublin and introduced the Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Clockwise from top left: Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, Eamon (L to R) Ghada Shabander, Gilmore TD, who gave an inspiring keynote Egypt, Morena Herrera, El address. Executive Director of Front Line Salvador, Zainab Azmat, Defenders, Mary Lawlor addressed the Pakistan, Raisa Borshigova, session with her opening presentation paying Russian Federation – tribute to the extraordinary work of the human Chechnya, and Noeline Blackwell, Front Line rights defenders both in the room and abroad. Defenders Trustee; (L to R) Maina Kiai discussed his work as UN Special Érina Batista Gomes, Brazil, Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala, Peaceful Assembly and of Association, and Uganda, and Yevgeniy Zhovtis, Stavros Lambrinidis, EU Special Representa - Kazakhstan; Carlos Perez, tive for Human Rights, described the human Ecuador; El Ghalia Djimi, rights commitments of the EU. Western Sahara; Maina Kiai, UN Special Rapporteur on the On day two, Deborah Benchoam and Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Snjezana Bokulic presented the work of the Assembly and of Association; Inter-American Commission on Human Rights Felix Diaz, Argentina;

[DISPATCHES ] REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE 20 21 dublin platform

“recently, the company sold some land to the local mafia who are also against our “in reality we do not know who is our enemy. they used to have the decency to warn you. community. now more groups are against our community. Last year, two women from the now they do not warn you. ” HRD Pakistan community were shot dead by the local mafia. the firearms used were assault rifles traced to the local police station. ” HRD Thailand “i don ’t feel i was born in the wrong body. i was born in the wrong society. ” HRD Costa Rica

On one of the evenings, Front Line Defenders also convened two well- attended public panels at the Gresham Hotel. The first, co-hosted with the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI), discussed situations facing women human rights defenders and the second, co-hosted by the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN), discussed the challenges faced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) rights defenders. Participants at the Platform enjoyed cultural presenta - tions throughout the proceedings including Liam Ó’Maonlai at the opening ceremony, the Moran family at the welcome reception and Keith Donald at the closing ceremony. At this closing ceremony, two of the par - ticipants also performed: Karla Lara (Honduras) sang and Wang Jianfen (China) played the long Chinese flute. []

Clockwise from top: Iryna Khalip, Belarus, Siobhan O’Donoghue, National Women’s Council of Ireland, Agnes Daroczi, Hungary, at the side event for women human rights defenders co-hosted by National Women’s Council of Ireland; Awa Wade, Senegal (left) and Michel Forst, Front Line Defenders Trustee (right); Pictured at the side event for LGBTI human rights defenders, co-hosted by Gay & Lesbian Equality Network (Front Row, L to R): Olena Shevchenko, Ukraine, Natasha Jiménez, Costa Rica, Craig Dwyer, GLEN, Elkhan Baghirov, Azerbaijan; (Back Row, L to R): Andrea Rocca, Front Line Defenders, Brian Sheehan, GLEN, Tiernan Brady, GLEN, Eimear O’Reilly, Clockwise from top left: Shahed Kayes, Bangladesh, Ashrafun GLEN, Olumide Makanjuola, Nigeria, Nahar Misti, Bangladesh and Finn Plekkenpol, Front Line Igor Yassin, Russian Federation; Defenders volunteer; Andrew Anderson, Front Line Defenders Pictured outside Dubin Castle (Lto R): Deputy Director and Abdiaziz Ibrahim, Somalia; Ruth Mumbi, Stavros Lambrinidis, EU Special Kenya and Astronadc Pereira, Brazil; Shawan Jabarin, Palestine, Representative for Human Rights, in interview with Shona Murray, Newstalk FM; Razan Ghazzawi, Wang Jianfen, China, Mary Lawlor, Syria, and Martha Diaz, Colombia. Front Line Defenders.

[DISPATCHES ] REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE 22 23 campaigns campaigns Campaigns in 2013

This year saw Front Line Defenders continue to advance tactics of campaigning to support human rights defenders at risk with the aim of elevating their visibility, legitimacy and recognition. To do this the Campaigns team advanced initiatives launched in the previous two years and developed new Banner for Multiple Exposure series. efforts in collaboration with HRDs in their countries to utilise various media and social media outlets to impact public it to present human rights defenders discourse locally and internationally. stories in groundbreaking new ways. Following the success of the RadioHRD Using technology in this way, Front Line Campaign in Colombia in 2012, in which Defenders hopes to reach new radio public service announcements audiences and to engage local public (PSAs) were broadcast on radio stations discourses around the world for greater throughout the country about specific respect for and protection of human HRDs at risk, Front Line Defenders and rights defenders. MOVICE (the Colombian implementing As Front Line Defenders continues to partner) developed a how-to guide for experiment with new tactics, delivery this type of campaigning, and translated mechanisms for campaigns, outreach the manual into five languages. By strategies and public engagement to October 2013, two new RadioHRD support human rights defenders, it is campaigns were launched – one in becoming increasingly clear that the Honduras and one in Macedonia. empowerment of HRDs in their local Honduras has one of the highest rates of contexts through the creative use of killing of HRDs in the world, while the various types of media can have an Macedonia campaign focused on LGBTI Preview of ‘La Lucha’ Graphic Novel. impact. Ultimately, to ensure the ability defenders who are facing a rise in of HRDs to conduct their work in safety, an violence against them. In Honduras, Front Line Dublin. The book will be published in 2014, aware and concerned population must be Defenders worked with ACI-Participa, and a digital version will be launched as well. activated for support. Through its campaigns, APUVIMEH and ACROIRIS for the campaign, At the Web Summit, a five-page interactive Front Line Defenders is working with local while in Macedonia, the LGBTI Support sample from the book was displayed as an HRDs around the world to develop tactics to Centre and the Helsinki Committee of iBook on the iPad device, demonstrating the achieve local victories and share those lessons Macedonia spearheaded that effort. versatility of the platform and the ability to use with colleagues everywhere. [] In addition to these campaigns, Front Line Defenders worked with MOVICE in Colombia to launch Phase II of the PSA campaign, moving to television. The first PSA TV advert focused on David Rabelo Crespo, a From left to right: Kocho Andonovski, LGBTI Support Centre; Uranija Pirovska, Colombian human rights defender who was Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Macedonia; and Andrea Rocca, Front framed for murder and sentenced to 18+ Line Defenders, attending a press conference in Skopje, Macedonia to announce the RadioHRD campaign focusing on LGBTI rights defenders. years in prison. The other five cases were broadcast through the end of the year into 2014. Front Line Defenders used video advocacy as a means of presenting greater context and information about human rights defenders at risk, launching a web-based monthly video magazine programme called Multiple Exposure in November. Each episode features three or four short video documentary pieces about human rights defenders at risk and explores larger issues that they are working on. The premiere episode featured an interview with Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, a former human rights defender, who had been one of the first recipients of a Front Line Defenders security grant when the organisation was first established, as well as a spotlight on a Burmese human rights defender and a segment on the Foreign Agents Law in Russia, by which many human rights defenders are being targeted by the state. Front Line Defenders released a short demo version of a major graphic novel book project focusing on women human rights defenders in Mexico at the October 2013 Web Summit in

[DISPATCHES ] REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE 24 25 resources

WORKBOOK ON SECURITY: PRACTICAL STEPS FOR THE SEVENTH DUBLIN PLATFORM REPORT AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AT RISK BOOK OF TESTIMONIES

The Workbook on Security is designed to raise awareness about security issues and to help human rights The report seeks to identify the main themes and highlight the issues which emerged in the defenders consider how to mitigate threats. The workbook takes human rights defenders through the steps to discussions at the Seventh Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders at Risk in October 2013. producing a security plan – for individuals and for organisations. It follows a systematic approach for assessing To complement the report, the Book of Testimonies contains personal testimonies from 69 of the 135 their security situation and developing risk and vulnerability reduction strategies and tactics. human rights defenders who attended the Dublin Platform. I Available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish I Available in English

PROTECTION HANDBOOK TRIAL OBSERVATION HANDBOOK The Protection handbook is intended as a quick reference tool for human rights defenders, in which to find helpful and practical suggestions on how to deal with threats, intimidation and attacks in order to improve their personal and FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS organisational security. I Available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish. The Trial Observation Handbook for Human Rights Defenders (Front Line Defenders 2012) is designed as a resource to enable trial observers to accurately report on trial proceedings and to contribute to the protection of HRDs facing prosecution by highlighting injustice and the lack of due process. I Available in English. SECURITY-IN-A-BOX – TOOLS AND TACTICS FOR YOUR DIGITAL SECURITY

Security in a Box is a toolkit of peer-reviewed free and open source software and guides for STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL: improving the security and privacy of stored information and communication. The aim of the PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS toolkit is to provide an understanding of the risks involved in electronic communication and provide a practical step by step guide towards the implementation of practical solutions. IN COLOMBIA, INDONESIA AND ZIMBABWE I Available in Amharic, Arabic, Bahasa, Burmese, English, Farsi, French, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Tibetan, Turkish and Vietnamese. This report documents the threats faced by human rights defenders and identifies the creative strategies that they have developed to improve their security. I Available in Bahasa, English, Spanish. THE EUROPEAN UNION: WHAT IT CAN DO, GETTING IT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION: TAKE ACTION WHAT IT CAN DO, GETTING IT TO TAKE ACTION INSISTE, PERSISTE, RESISTE, EXISTE: WOMEN’S HUMAN This handbook shows what protection human rights defenders can expect from EU Delegations and Member State RIGHTS DEFENDERS’ SECURITY STRATEGIES Embassies and how to proceed to get the EU to take action. It also gives some tips for effective strategies for lobby and advocacy towards the EU and contains a quick reference table for requesting EU action. Produced together with Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights and Kvinna Till Kvinna, this report describes I PROTECTION HANDBOOK Available in Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish. the strategies used by women human rights defenders to combat the specific threats they face. FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS I Available in Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

WHAT PROTECTION CAN UNITED NATIONS FIELD PRESENCES PROVIDE? GUIDEBOOK ON THE APPLICATION PROCESS

The handbook gives a summary of the type of support and protection UN agencies can provide locally to human FOR A SCHENGEN VISA rights defenders. It is intended to give practical and helpful suggestions to human rights defenders on how to This is a useful tool for human rights defenders to better understand the Schengen visa application process. The engage constructively with the UN. Schengen Area comprises 26 European countries with a common visa policy. With a view to help speed up the visa I Available in Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish. delivery process, the guidebook provides useful tips for human rights defenders at risk who need to come to Europe for temporary relocation, in order to flee insecure and stressful environments. I Available in English, French, Spanish.

ANNUAL REPORT ON GLOBAL TRENDS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

The report provides a snapshot of the situation for human rights defenders in 2013 on both the global and All of these resources are available on our website at www.frontlinedefenders.org/resources regional level. I The report will be available in Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish. To order a copy of any of our publications please send an email to info@frontlinedefenders specifying the publication and language requested.

[DISPATCHES ] REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE 26 27 rest and respite financial reports Supporting Human Rights Defenders 2013 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

Throughout the year, Front Line Defenders experiences of working for the rights of his FRONT LINE DEFENDERS EXPENDITURE OVERVIEW supported 26 human rights defenders from 17 community in the face of corporate mining EXPENDITURE 2013 countries, to take a short break from their interests, at a screening of the award-winning 66% stressful work, to study English or to spend documentary film ‘Gold Fever’ (www.gold - some time with family members. fevermovie.com) which was co-hosted by Rapid and Practical Galym Ageleuov , Director of the human Front Line Defenders, Oxfam Ireland, Trocaire Support for HRDs rights organisation Liberty in Kazakhstan, and the Latin American Solidarity Committee. came to Dublin to do independent work on a Jamila Omar , a media expert and advocate book and documentary related to his work. He for women’s rights in Afghanistan, spent three Fundraising had closely followed the events in Zhanaozen months on Fellowship and rest & respite in in December 2011, when violent police Dublin. Reflecting on her time in Dublin, she Galym Ageleuov, Kazakhstan. repression of a strike by oil workers resulted noted, “Being disconnected from my country in the deaths of fourteen people and left sixty- and receiving health treatments and support Administration four people wounded. He had met with for my well-being enabled me to rebuild my victims, participated in a press conference on capacities and prepare to start my work as a the case and provided information on the human rights defender once again. It was an court proceedings using social media. He added support to reduce the level of tension 4% International Advocacy faced defamation in pro-government media as and stress I experienced in my country and Visibility for HRDs a result. because of my job as a human rights defender At the end of his stay he said, “Thanks to my and female journalist. I am also grateful for 13% 17% two-month stay in Dublin, I no longer perceive several meetings that I have had with staff at the pressure I was subjected to as dangerous. Front Line Defenders office, sharing my The hue and cry in pro-government media, thoughts and knowledge about the challenges which manifested itself in films, articles etc., in Afghanistan and I gained new knowledge EXPENDITURE BREAKDOWN has more or less come to an end. I have re- and thoughtful ideas from each meeting.” [] Said Yousif Al-Muhafdha, Bahrain. evaluated and assessed my resources, recognising the constant need to increase 15% – Protection Coordination of HRDs 11% – Visibility and Legitimacy them, including both international and for HRDs / Campaigning government contacts, as well as contacts with Front Line Defenders is grateful for the generous the human rights defender community.” support of the following donors: Alima Abdirova , Director of an organisation called Aru ana which provides support to €200,000+ 22% – Security Grant 11% – Security Training single-parent families in Kazakhstan came to and Capacity Building Dublin for two months to study English. Irish Aid Assistance for HRDs “Ten years ago I set up an organisation for European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) single parents and orphans. I haven’t had a Adessium Foundation break in a very long time. It was so nice to José Antonio Gutiérrez, Latin Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs come to Ireland, a fairytale country.” Hikma Agoub, Sudan, near the Front America Solidarity Centre (left), Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Line Defenders office in Dublin. Oscar Morales, Guatemala (right) at Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) 11% – 2014 Dublin Said Yousif Al-Muhafdha , acting Vice- Platform for HRDs President of the Bahrain Center for Human the screening of the Gold Fever Sigrid Rausing Trust documentary in Dublin. 4% – Fundraising Rights came to Dublin for a month in the summer to take a short break and work on €100,000 - €199,000 7% – International Advocacy for improving his English skills. Before he left he the Protection of HRDs at Risk “it was so nice to come to ireland, 13% – Administration: Core Salary, noticed a difference, “I was kept in solitary Lifeline: Embattled NGO Assistance Fund ” Foundation for a Just Society Operations and Evaluation 4% – Rest and Respite and confinement in December 2012 and January a fairytale country... Fellowship Programmes 2013 and when I was released in February my Oak Foundation hand would shake. Not any more. I think it Open Society Foundations 2% – Multi-lingual Resources for HRDs was stress.” Hikma Agoub , is a human rights lawyer and €50,000 - €99,000 Director of the Aid Centre for Legal Advice and Advocacy which provides legal aid and psy - American Jewish World Service chosocial support to women and those Hivos detained for defending human rights in Sudan. The Ireland Funds WHERE THE MONEY GOES: She came to Dublin for some rest and respite Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs for four weeks in the summer. She said, “It Security Grant Assistance for HRDs ...... 891,336 was a very good opportunity to see that as a €5,000 - €49,000 Rest and Respite and Fellowship programmes ...... 175,455 human rights defender, we are not alone, Security Training & Capacity Building ...... 434,198 Economist Group Charitable Trust working alone in our societies. Another or - Protection Coordination for HRDs ...... 577,185 Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dublin ganisation is looking after us. I became Multi-Lingual Resources for HRDs ...... 92,400 Overbrook Foundation stronger because you are standing by me, Visibility & Legitimacy for HRDs/Campaigning ...... 427,468 Rothco encouraging me. I will come to Sudan with this 2014 Dublin Platform for HRDs ...... 435,698 Taiwan Foundation for Democracy new energy. I will tell my colleagues. We work International Advocacy for the Protection of HRDs at risk ...... 290,316 The Body Shop in a very bad system, without enough Fundraising ...... 155,508 The Fairwind Foundation resources. But we are not alone.” Core Salary, Operations and Evaluation ...... 510,372 Guatemalan human rights defender Oscar The Roddick Foundation The Tikva Grassroots Empowerment Fund Morales attended the Dublin Platform in TOTAL Expenditure* ...... €3,989,936 October and stayed on in Dublin for one Tides Foundation Violet Jabara Charitable Trust month to study English. He shared his Alima Abdirova, Kazakhstan, *Official figures pending completion of 2013 Audit of Front Line Defenders Accounts. on a day out in Wicklow.

[DISPATCHES ] REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE FRERPOORTNST FR LOMIN THE E JANUARY – DECEMBER 2013

El Firmamento The Night Sky

Noches, muchas noches, Nights, many nights, que no veo el firmamento. that I do not see the sky Estará lleno de estrellas, pienso, It must be full of stars, I think, o la luna con su fulgor da derroche. or the moon might be offering its brilliance. Imagino las nubes pasear, I imagine the clouds, visitando estrellas y abrazando luceros visiting and embracing the stars, pienso en la mujer que quiero I think of the woman that I love, pero, ¿cómo sera la inmensidad? But how is the immensity? ¿La noche estará oscura o clara? Is this a bright or a dark night? Muere la noche al despuntar el alba, The night dies with the sparkle of the dawn, nace el día con el esplendor del aura, the day is born with the splendour of the aura, el firmamento para mí es cosa rara. the sky is unknown to me. Noches sin firmamento, Night without sky, no lo veo pero lo invento; I cannot see it but I imagine, la lluvia baila con el viento, the rain is dancing with the wind y el trueno suena como un lamento. and the thunder sounds like a lament. Enséñame como es el firmamento Show me how the night sky is, porque no lo observo hace tiempo; I haven’t seen it for a while, gris o azul estará el cielo, Grey or blue the sky must be, espero pronto superar este injusto encierro. I hope soon to overcome this unfair confinement.

23 January 2013, Picota prison, Bogotá.

David Ravelo Crespo , a Colombian human rights defender who has been imprisoned since September 2010 due to his human rights work. He was a finalist for the Front Line Defenders Award in 2013.

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