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Annual Report

2009 Contents/foreword

Foreword Table of contents Human rights defenders are key actors in the rule of law, Foreword 2 the struggle against impunity and the establishment of democracy in any society. They sometimes have to work Focus clandestinely, often at the risk of their own lives and “off the radar” of mainstream media. Israel Carías assassination trial: hints of justice in Guatemala 4 2009 has been another very challenging year for human rights defenders. Unfortunately, the number of “The lack of legal support for the agrarian struggle is a major problem”, cases of harassment, threats, forced disappearances interview with Claudia Samayoa, and assassinations remained very high over these director of UDEFEGUA 6 twelve months. In , defenders have deliberately been accused of Protection collaborating with guerrillas, leading to systematic What is a Protection Desk? 7 stigmatization, noted by UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Margaret Sekaggya as one of the essential causes for defenders’ insecurity in DR Congo: and human the country. In Burundi, Ernest Manirumva, a prominent rights defenders in danger 8 defender from the anti-corruption organization : Sexual minorities OLUCOME, was stabbed to death at his home in April defenders at risk 10 and his colleagues who led the campaign “Justice for Uganda: 10 years after Ernest Manirumva” consequently received serious death Johannesburg, challenges remain 12 threats. In the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, impunity prevailed for the murders of the journalists Serge Maheshe, Didace Namujimbo, Bruno : E-Defenderh, a new space Cirambiza and the human right defender Pascal to protect human rights defenders 13 Kabungulu. The aftermath of the military coup against Colombia: A campaign for the Manuel Zelaya in Honduras was marked by heavy right to defend defenders 14 repression against demonstrators and media, whilst defenders in faced tremendous difficulties due to emergency and anti-terrorism laws preventing citizens Sri Lanka: Limiting freedoms to enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms. in a post-war environment 16 These are just a few examples of the abuses suffered by : Protection in a country defenders in some of the countries where Protection in transition 17 International runs its global protection programme, Protection and security for HRDs dedicated to advising defenders on improving their in 18 security and to the fulfilment of national and international obligations regarding their protection. Advocacy Whilst the above-mentioned methods of harassment Protection through advocacy are quite evident, some governments have also on the EU Guidelines 20 developed less visible techniques to muzzle defenders. Publications In Uganda for instance, MP David Bahati introduced the draft anti-homosexuality bill, which seeks to New publications 22 heavily criminalize homosexuals and to prohibit what Best practices: A study on national has been named the “promotion of homosexuality protection mechanisms 23 through advocacy work”. In addition to a serious Financial report 25 violation of the fundamental right to sexual orientation, this represents a clear threat to the internationally recognized right for human rights defenders and their

2 Foreword

organizations (in particular LGBTI defenders) to Between September 2008 and December 2009, defend all human rights. Protection International’s five Protection Desks (Nepal, This tendency to criminalize and restrain defenders’ Guatemala, Uganda, Colombia and DR Congo) activities through repressive measures taken by the delivered security and protection trainings to 1,478 executive, legislative or judicial powers is increasing defenders. They also provided continuous advice to in several countries, for example in Latin America. To more than 600 defenders and their organisations from address this worrying trend and develop preparation more than twenty countries from all over the globe. and prevention strategies, Protection International’s Through its advocacy programme, Protection partner - UDEFEGUA (Unit for Protection for International emphasized the fact that the primary Human Rights Defenders in Guatemala) and Aj Noj responsibility to protect HRDs lies with States and key - Protection Desk Guatemala (a project jointly run stakeholders, either in their own territories or through between UDEFEGUA and Protection International) their foreign policies and diplomatic missions. organized an international forum on the Throughout the year 2009, Protection International’s criminalization of HRDs in November 2009. work in this area aimed at reinforcing preventive action. Throughout 2009, Protection International continued Besides, PI collaborated with the its activities in the areas of capacity building on Missions in developing and setting up their local protection and security, research, advocacy and implementation strategies of the EU Guidelines on video-advocacy, publication of manuals and human rights defenders. In order to increase pressure dissemination of tools and information through its from parliamentary bodies, PI further developed its website www.protectionline.org. Activities in the network with national parliaments in Spain, Belgium, field have also increased with the opening of two the United Kingdom and Germany, to set up a forum new Protection Desks in Colombia (in partnership of Members of Parliament willing to contribute to the with PAS – Pensamiento y Acción Social) and in the protection of human rights defenders. Democratic Republic of Congo (where Protection PI puts emphasis on field research and knowledge International has been registered as INGO). transfer through publications and visual media and in Protection Desks, an outcome of over 25 years 2009 published, amongst others, the documentary combined theoretical and field experience in the “Loktantra” depicting the role of human rights defenders protection of HRDs, are a PI concept and have been in the democratic transition in Nepal, a new protection integrated in its global strategy for the protection and manual for LGBTI Defenders and a comparative study on security of HRDs. PDs represent an innovative approach national HRD protection mechanisms. to field protection of human rights defenders. Working We would like to thank the institutions; donors and in close conjunction with local human rights individuals who made this work possible and helped organisations and defenders, Protection Desks are set up us contribute to improving the security of HRDs from to enhance the capacity of HRDs and their organisations so many different contexts throughout the world. to manage their security by improving security We are especially grateful to the human rights measures and protection mechanisms. In those defenders whose incredibly important and courageous countries or regions where HRD networks or units work continues to inspire us and teaches us new already exist, Protection Desks are set up to complement things every day. This report is dedicated to them. their activities through capacity building and training activities tailored to the networks’ specific needs. The team of Protection International

Published by Text Protection International aisbl Prepared by Quentin Noirfalisse. Article on Advocacy by Christoph Rue de la Linière, 11, B-1060 Brussels, Belgium Klotz. Article on DR Congo by Quentin Noirfalisse and Sophie Supervising Editor Roudil. Interviews, information gathering and review were made Christoph Klotz with the collaboration of the staff of PI and the Protection Desks. Design and layout Creative Commons Steve Ashton Except where otherwise noted, this work is Photos licensed under: http://creativecommons.org/ The staff of PI and its Protection Desks licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

3 focus

Israel Carías assassination trial: hints of justice in Guatemala

In impunity-plagued Guatemala, two hit men were found guilty during the trial for the assassination of peasant leader Israel Carías Ortiz in February 2007. The tribunal established a precedent by recognizing that Carías was killed due to his activities of defending human rights. Exeptionally, the court left the case open to investigate who ordered the assassination.

June 22nd 2009 marked a turning (ACIDEA). For many years he 1951 – was measured and returned to point in the fight against impunity in struggled not only against the the community in 2007. Guatemala: that day, the Tribunal in deforestation of the mountains in As a result of his struggle, Carías was Zacapa found two men, Jacobo Zacapa Department, but also to frequently subject to intimidation and Salguero and Manfredo Ramirez, reclaim about a thousand hectares of guilty of the 2007 murder of Israel common land situated in the village death threats from the finqueros. Carías Ortiz (age 33) and his two of Los Achiotes that had been taken According to Amanda Kistler, an sons Ledwin Anilson (age 9) and over illegally by finqueros (large observer for the Network in Ronald Aroldo (age 11). Israel Carías land-owners). Thanks to the action Solidarity with the People of was president of the regional peasant and the negotiations led by Israel Guatemala (NISGUA), these acts were farmers’ association (ACUS) and head Carías and the 80 families who part of a context of increased of the Association for Community supported him, this community land repression towards people claiming Development of Los Achiotes – effectively a state property since their right to land and resources, and

Peasants gathered in front of Zacapa’s court to ask for justice before the beginning of the trial for the murder of Israel Carías Ortiz

4 Focus

“had one sole objective: to compel him to observation (three sessions), in assassinations. The verdict, known as stop his campaign”. In February 2007, the course of which many pieces of “dejar abierto”, implies that the case is as he was heading to Zacapa with his evidence were produced that proved not completely solved and must two sons to get some medication, all the commitment of Carías: “We do not therefore be left open. At the end of three were assassinated. The want to claim land that already has the hearing, Israel Carías’ widow investigation quickly led to the papers. We fight for state-owned land. commented on the verdict: “It’s a little identification of two suspects. I am only the spokesman for the needs of something already”. The strong this community. I am not a judge, I do Protection International’s partner symbolic value of the verdict is what not take decisions. You are entitled to UDEFEGUA (Unit for the Protection prevails - for the memory of Israel this land”, before he declared in a of Human Rights Defenders in Carías and as a message to those who recorded speech, that “no matter Guatemala) offered protection to the benefit from the prevailing impunity the persecution, I will not take members of ACIDEA and carried out in Guatemala. But it also comes as a one step back”. a verification of the case in 2007. reward for the work that ACIDEA On June 22nd 2009 the Tribunal and UDEFEGUA accomplished with One year later, facing inaction from announced a historic verdict: not only the support by the Protection Desk- the public prosecutor, UDEFEGUA did it condemn the two suspects to 25 Guatemala. Claudia Samayoa, head of discovered that the killers were years in prison, it also recognized UDEFEGUA, emphasizes however threatening the community again and that Israel Carías had been that “the process has been long and is asked the police to arrest them in assassinated as a result of his still on-going today; the Israel Carías case accordance with the arrest warrants activities as a must remain at the heart of our agenda”, that were previously issued against and mandated an investigation to for the investigation commissioned them. In June 2008, the suspects were identify those responsible for the by the judge not to go unheeded. apprehended. At the same time, UDEFEGUA, after having analysed security-, practical- and law-related questions, came to the conclusion that Interview it was essential that Israel Carías’ Edgar Fernando Perez, lawyer of the plaintiff widow be registered as co-plaintiff during the legal proceedings. To compensate for her – and the “Thanks to the Israel Carías trial, it association’s – lack of resources, was made possible for a community UDEFEGUA offered its support to believe in the system and for the throughout the proceedings, hired a system to respond to that belief by lawyer, Edgar Fernando Perez (see pronouncing a condemnatory boxed text on the right), and succeeded sentence. The fact that the Tribunal in the case being transferred to the recognized the motive* is a major prosecutor in charge of crimes breakthrough in the fight against committed against human rights impunity, which has been the defenders. Hearings commenced in general rule in such cases. The March 2009. Throughout the excellent work done by UDEFEGUA proceedings, ECAP (Community and Aj Noj must also be pointed Studies and Psychosocial Action out: in this type of situation people Team), the Dutch platform against rarely dare to take action on their impunity and Protection International own because of the risks they bring of human rights, we cannot say we provided support to UDEFEGUA. upon themselves and because they live in a State that offers all the tend to be unaware of their rights. guarantees. Though one can note The help provided by Aj Noj and significant progress in terms of A historic verdict UDEFEGUA in the follow-up of the disclosure and defense, this does During the trial preparation phase, Aj proceedings and in preparing and not mean there are fewer violations Noj (Protection Desk-Guatemala) coordinating the mobilization has committed against the rights of assisted in evaluating and certainly contributed to the those most vulnerable.” coordinating the necessary security ongoing struggle against impunity. * The tribunal recognized that Israel Carías measures for the protection of Generally speaking, and although Ortiz was assassinated for his human rights witnesses and community members. the situation has improved in terms protection activities Aj Noj also carried out trial

5 focus

Interview Claudia Samayoa, Head of UDEFEGUA (partner of Protection International in Guatemala)

The lack of legal support for “ the land struggle is a major problem ” “The case of Israel Carías is was a defender, as is the use of a paradigmatic in several ways. First, video to prove he was nonviolent. he embodies the peasant leadership The lack of legal support for the land that refuses violence and chooses struggle is a major problem for most dialogue, which earned him defenders in Guatemala. But there considerable support amongst his are also poverty, malnutrition, community. He also worked with housing and healthcare issues. There environmentalists, which is fairly is no clear public policy regarding unusual; and he is one of the few land distribution and rural defenders who was killed with his development, there is no budget for children. It is an unprecedented fact healthcare, education or housing in having to confront the state, the that the judge accepted the testimony rural areas. As a consequence, powerful and the organized crime of the UDEFEGUA expert and human rights defenders must who constantly try to take control of recognized it as evidence that Israel address these needs in addition to land in Guatemala.”

Background

counted by Protection International‘s According to UDEFEGUA, the partner UDEFEGUA. The defenders that were most hit in 2009 Government’s response towards the were those working in the area of situation proved inadequate, if not women’s rights (52%), development worrying. The Agency for the Analysis (18.5%) and environment (8.5%). of Attacks against Human Rights Human Rights Watch’s world report Defenders was not set up, although the for 20091 points out that journalists, state agreed on its creation, and the particularly those covering issues of Unit for Human Rights of the national corruption, drug trafficking and police was pushed aside. The country impunity, are often the target of has also been suffering from the threats and aggressions. aftermath of a civil war that lasted for Guatemala Violence toward women is another 36 years and ended in 1996. President: Álvaro Colom Caballeros acute issue in Guatemala. In February Population : 14 million 717 women killed 2009 the Committee Figures of attacks against defenders on the Elimination of Discrimination (2009/2008/2000): 353/220/59 The Commission for Historical against Women (CEDAW) called upon Attacks by gender (M/F): 32%/62%* Clarification (CEH) has estimated that the government to increase efforts to Protection Desk: set up in October 2008 over 200,000 people were killed during tackle violence against women, to curb Coordinator: Jabier Zabala the conflict and that 93 percent of the poverty and social exclusion and to Partner: UDEFEGUA human rights abuses were committed * 6% institutional eliminate disadvantages encountered by state security forces. The Human by women on the labour market. In Rights Office of the Archbishop of 2009, 717 women were assassinated The year 2009 was particularly difficult Guatemala (ODHAG) estimates that (most of them after being raped and for human rights defenders in 99 percent of these crimes remain mutilated), compared to 687 in 2008. Guatemala, as 353 aggressions against unpunished. Impunity also prevails them (compared to 220 in 2008) were for crimes committed today. 1 Human Rights Watch, World Report, 2010, p.225

6 protection

What is a Protection Desk?

Protection Desks are a concept developed by Protection International. They are structures allowing for easier access to information for a large number of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) and help individuals and organisations to identify and assess security-related risks in their particular contexts. When partnership with a local organisation or HRD network is possible, PI Protection Desks are located within our partners’ facilities and activities are carried out together.

We consider Protection Desks to be the most effective way to meet direct needs faced in the field, as we: 1 Act locally while being part of a comprehensive 3 Share, at a local level, progress made in other national and international network; countries related to legal texts, mechanisms, policies and experiences in protection and security; Support advocacy efforts towards the authorities 2 carried out by local organizations with the aim of Serve as a meeting point for local organizations development and implementation of legislation and 4 offering them the possibility to forward their protection mechanisms for human rights defenders; messages on a regional and global level.

Protection Desks

Belgium: PI’s headquarters in Brussels Nepal: 2006-2009 Uganda: 2008 Guatemala: 2008 Columbia: 2009 RDC: 2009 Thailand: being set up

In 2009, PI has seen an expansion of October 2009, with PI as sole benefiting 1,400 defenders in Protection Desks (PDs). In addition to manager). Additionally, preperations countries where Protection Desks are those established between 2006 and were started for the establishment of a established but also in Honduras, 2008 in Nepal, Uganda and Protection Desk in Thailand. Nicaragua, El Salvador, , Sri Guatemala, new PDs were opened in Between September 2008 and Lanka, , and in the East and Colombia (in March 2009, together December 2009 these five Protection Horn of Africa. The PDs also with PAS, Pensamiento y Acción Social, Desks delivered, together with PI’s provided almost 600 defenders with Social Thought and Action) and the Research and Training Unit, 84 follow-ups on the management of Democratic Republic of the Congo (in trainings on protection and security, security-related risks.

7 Africa: DR Congo

Journalists and human rights defenders in danger

Since 2004 Protection International has been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, supporting the work of HRDs by focusing on their protection and security through trainings and case monitoring. In addition, PI has persistently carried out advocacy activities in favour of Congolese HRDs upon the EU Delegation and EU member states, the diplomatic missions, the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), and has accompanied the local NGOs in their activities of advocacy upon local and national authorities concerning HRDs protection. The end of 2009 marked a turning point for PI’s work in the DRC, when a new Protection Desk opened in Bukavu (South Kivu).

In 2009 the human rights situation in Laurent Nkunda. In exchange, military operations, which also the East of the country deteriorated. In Rwandan forces were given impacted negatively on HRDs and January, an agreement, signed permission to enter in the East of DRC journalists who spoke out to denounce between the Congolese President for five consecutive weeks, carrying the human rights violations and the Joseph Kabila and his Rwandan out joint military operations against abuses which took place. counterpart Paul Kagame, led to two the Democratic Forces for the military operations resulting into an Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu PI increases its activities in increase of violence and human rights rebel group, some of whose members DR Congo took part in the Rwandan genocide. violations against civilians from both The establishment of a Protection The consequences of these military government forces and rebels. Desk in Bukavu in October 2009 operations and the rebel response (see boxed text), allowed PI to Through this agreement, the Rwandan were disastrous for the civilian increase and improve its activities in army contributed to putting an end to population, with countless occurrences favour of defenders. During the year the CNDP rebellion (National of internal displacement, looting and 2009 PI continued to organize Congress for the Defence of the mass rape. Civilians in eastern DRC training courses in protection and People) and to the arrest of its leader continue to bear the brunt of these security for HRDs, HR NGOs and journalists of Radio Okapi, a UN and Fondation Hirondelle sponsored radio network. In coordination with local networks of HRDs, PI also followed up on several cases of HRDs at risk, through personalized security advice and advocacy with authorities.

PI conducted advocacy activities with EU diplomatic missions in the DRC for the adoption of a local implementation strategy of the EU Guidelines for HRDs. Furthermore, PI worked with Congolese NGOs on the drafting of a provincial bill for protection of HRDs in South Kivu, and to raise awareness among the members of provincial parliament Congolese demonstrators asking for justice for the assassination of the human rights and political authorities on this defender Pascal Kabungulu project. Finally, PI observed some

8 Africa: DR Congo

judicial cases related to the murder of Commons (London, June 24th 2009), information and expression is a defenders in Bukavu. organized with the All Party cornerstone in the building of a Parliamentary Group on the Great democratic state and the rule of law. Looking back on the Lakes of Africa. Maheshe trial Impunity for Kabungulu During the trial and the subsequent and Cirambiza cases In 2007 and 2008 PI observed the trial press conferences, PI called for a of the alleged killers of Radio Okapi re-examination of the case by a The assassination of Serge Maheshe is Serge Maheshe, who was civilian rather than a military unfortunately not an isolated case. shot dead in Bukavu in June 2007. The jurisdiction (in accordance with the Only to give one example, PI along trial took place at the first instance with Congolese NGOs called for the 2006 Congolese Constitution and and appeal before the Bukavu unblocking of the Kabungulu file. international standards), for in-depth Military courts and ended in May Pascal Kabungulu was the executive investigations and for DRC to comply 2008 with the three suspects secretary of Héritiers de la Justice, a with international fair trial norms. PI sentenced to death. Several human major human rights organisation in the also deplored the fact that death rights organizations, including PI and DRC, and vice president of the regional sentences were issued in contradiction the MONUC, noted that a number of human rights umbrella group in the with the right to life as it has been set serious violations occurred during Great Lakes. He was assassinated in up in the Congolese Constitution. In the investigation and court hearings, Bukavu in 2005, and his case is still the recommendations attached to the including many violations of the waiting for an examination by a rights of the defendant, which Maheshe report, PI insists on the need jurisdiction. The same can be said for generates a risk of miscarriage of to accelerate the reform of current Bruno Koko Cirambiza, a journalist at justice. Moreover, the hearings took military penal and judicial codes, Radio Star (Bukavu) who was killed on place in a climate of intimidation which still include dispositions August 22nd 2009 in unclear towards the plaintiff, lawyers and the contrary to the Constitution, as well as circumstances. PI also called for the observers. PI’s observations of the on the need for Congolese authorities examination by an independent Maheshe trial led to the compilation to implement an effective strategy to jurisdiction of the Didace Namujimbo of an extensive report, which was fight impunity for violations case, another journalist at Radio Okapi presented at press conferences in committed against journalists and who was assassinated in Bukavu in Kinshasa on May 22nd 2009 and in other HRDs. In this context, a law on November 2008. The Namujimbo trial Brussels on June 24th 2009. The report the protection of HRDs (including started at the beginning of 2010, and was also at the centre of a conference journalists) is currently being drafted, was observed by PI, Congolese NGOs organized at the UK House of reminding that freedom of and the MONUC.

Opening of the Protection Desk Bukavu

In order to make the project sustainable and to increase the assistance to defenders, PI opened a Protection Desk in Bukavu (South Kivu) at the end of 2009. The main objective of the Protection Desk is to strenghten HRDs’ protection and security, and to closely follow up on their situation, so as to strengthen their capacity to network concerning protection issues. Actions for 2010: 1 Support and strengthen HRDs’ 4 Raise awareness and inform networks and platforms local authorities and the 2 Develop an Early Warning/ international community on the Reaction system for HRDs situation of HRDs in the DRC in danger 5 Support the civil society in 3 Observe the trial involving the launching specific actions 6 Train HRDs to analyze risks, alleged killers of Radio Okapi concerning the HRDs manage security and elaborate journalist Didace Namujimbo protection security plans.

9 Africa: Uganda

Sexual Minorities Defenders at risk

Discrimination against sexual minorities is increasing in Africa. These persecutions are paired with legislative processes seeking to stigmatize and condemn sexual minorities. In 2009, the Parliament of Uganda debated a bill that provides for the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality”. At the end of 2009, the law was not adopted yet. In view of this homophobic atmosphere, Protection International, through its Protection Desk-Uganda (PD-U), has joined the Civil Society Coalition for Human Rights and Constitutional Law in order to follow LGBTI defenders’ security closely, and help them develop strategies for reacting to intimidation.

Besides, a 2005 constitutional amendment prohibits same sex marriage, but the bill goes even further. In its current state, the bill not only repeats the possibility of a life-long imprisonment sentence for people proven guilty of homosexuality, it also provides for the capital punishment of “aggravated homosexuality”, an unclear concept which would aim at people having a sexual relationship with Kasha Jacqueline, Mawanda Nikki, David Kato, Frank Mugisha and Pepe Julian Onziema people under 18, disabled or HIV- have been at the forefront of the struggle against David Bahati’s anti-homosexuality bill positive people and “serial offenders”. “You cannot say to me that people are born countries where homosexuality is Failure by any person to denounce any homosexual acts within 24 hours is homosexuals. The cause is the influence of illegal. In Rwanda for example, 2 punishable by three years of prison. the western world.” These words alone, homosexuality has never been declared This would include parents, siblings, pronounced by Ugandan MP David illegal but still causes social isolation teachers, doctors etc. The proposed Bahati, 36, a member of President and stigmatization, as certain media law also seeks to prohibit what it calls Yoweri Museveni’s NRM party (the and politicians frequently manipulate “promotion” of homosexuality through National Resistance Movement), are a the issue and sometimes bring up the advocacy work, which is a threat to symbol of the growing stigmatization possibility of banning it. In the past, the internationally recognized right and prejudice against sexual minorities Emmanuel Kilini, Archbishop of the for human rights defenders to promote in certain African countries. Today, Episcopal Church of Rwanda, has and protect all human rights. homosexuality is considered illegal in described homosexual relationships as 38 countries on the continent, and can a “moral genocide”, and security forces It is no accident that this bill should attract a death sentence in Mauritania, arrive at this precise moment. PD-U seem to follow his discriminatory Sudan, Somalia and northern Nigeria. believes that one of the explanations example, as they proceed to multiple In April 2009 Burundi prohibited could be the vulnerability of the arbitrary arrests of LGBTI defenders. homosexuality at the same time as it Museveni regime, which has been in abolished the death penalty. Those A few months after the passing of the power for 23 years. After the riots that identified as having engaged in a Burundese law, a bill was drafted in took place in September 2009 and voluntary homosexual relationship are Uganda at the initiative of MP David caused around twenty people to die in now facing a sentence of 2 to 3 years in Bahati. The name of the bill says it all; the streets of Kampala, and with the prison and a fine of up to 100,000 “Anti-homosexuality Bill” and the prospect of the February 2011 Burundian francs ($84), which provisions therein are even more presidential elections, “it is always easier amounts to almost three times the draconian than in Burundi. The to point at a minority rather than to try average monthly salary in Burundi. Ugandan Penal Code already provides and solve other problems like corruption”, Violations of the rights of sexual for a possibility of life imprisonment for says a defender. “The bill proposed by the minorities are not however limited to any person who “has carnal knowledge of Honourable David Bahati could foster his

2 Anti-gay bigots plunge Africa into new era of hate any person against the order of nature”, an personal ambition, but above all it is crimes, The Observer, 13 December 2009 inheritance of British colonialism. destined to meet the desires of people in

10 Africa: Uganda

higher places. James Nsaba Buturo, the the coalition, PD-U closely follows the responses to minimize identified risks. Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity, the situation and the security of LGBTI PD-U also organized several training had already warned he would try to defenders; is part of analysing cases of courses on security management for introduce an anti-homosexuality law.” threats and violations perpetrated LGBTI defenders and remains in close Human Rights Watch’s 2010 world against them; and assists in risk collaboration with many of their report says at least 5 people were assessments and subsequently leading defenders. Thanks to this work, arrested and charged with developing a strategic response for each LGBTI defenders have become more homosexuality in 2009 in Uganda. specific case to reduce the risk of the aware of their own security and their individual and their organisations. ability to manage it. The challenge PI’s action PD-U has also offered its expertise in remains to mainstream security into all In response to the bill, Protection risk assessment and security aspects of defenders’ life including Desk-Uganda and PI’s local partner, management for all members of the during free time where defenders EHAHRDP, got actively involved in coalition. This included a visit to remain exposed to risks in public places Uganda’s Civil Society Coalition on organizations in order to discuss as a result of their sexual orientation. Human Rights and Constitutional Law, threats they were facing, to understand Link: then consisting of 28 organizations. As the security strategies already in place, Uganda’s Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights a member of the security committee of and to jointly develop adequate and Constitutional Law: www.ugandans4rights.org

Interview Frank Mugisha, Executive Director of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG)

We worked with progressive churches “ and diplomatic missions to stop the bill Q. Had you anticipated the emergence Ugandan churches. When I heard” of the bill? about the introduction of the bill into Frank Mugisha: Yes, I have seen it Parliament I instantly informed all of coming and in a sense I was SMUG’s local partners and mobilized prepared for it. The Minister of State the LGBTI community so as to keep for Ethics and Integrity has always anybody from panicking and assure talked about implementing a law them that we would do everything in against the ‘promotion of our power to stop this law. We created homosexuality’, and the issue landed solidarity groups through relations in the media well before the bill was with local, national and international proposed. We had felt this growing organizations for human rights and homophobia before through the international media. After they had must not accept to bring the law into increased resistance we experience condemned the law, we witnessed a force if it is adopted by Parliament, we coming from the anti-gay groups, certain change of attitude in the local must stress on the supremacy of which are organized by the churches media, which beforehand did not international law over local law. cover favourable points of view for and their leaders. Ugandans are 90% Q. What has been the role of Protection LGBTI persons. We called for Christians, and if their religious International and its Protection demonstrations all around the world leaders tell them to be hostile Desk-Uganda? to prevent the passing of the bill, we towards homosexuals, they listen. worked together with progressive F.M: The Protection Desk-Uganda has Q. Who supports the law and how did churches in Uganda and other worked along with us to analyse and you react to it? countries to condemn the supporters assess the risks we face in terms of F.M: The greatest support comes from of the law, and we worked with security. It has played a crucial role churches and local and international diplomatic missions so that they within the coalition of civil society, Christian organizations, although should demand the withdrawal of the and its recommendations were very law-makers and officials also support bill by the government of Uganda. But useful during the period that followed it. Conservative religious groups in we still need to be careful: it is a the introduction of the bill, allowing America have what’s more brought a parliamentary bill, we must therefore the defenders to work out security moral and financial support to the make it clear that the government plans in a very hostile environment.

11 Africa: Uganda

10 years after Johannesburg, challenges remain

More than a hundred defenders from all over Africa gathered in Kampala, from April 20th to 23rd, 2009, for the All-Africa Human Rights Defenders Conference. It was the occasion to assess the achievements made since the first conference of this kind, held in 1998 in Johannesburg, and to take a look at the future.

The needs and challenges faced by victories claimed in our struggles against subject that would repeatedly be Human Rights Defenders need not impunity and violations of these rights”, brought up during the deliberations only consideration and coordination Mr Hassan Shire Sheikh, Executive and discussions at the conference. from a local point of view, they must Director of EHAHRDP, declared In addition, the presentation delivered also be addressed on a regional, and during the conference. even a continental scale. Basing itself by María Martín, a member of on this, the East and Horn of Africa Promote legislations on Protection International’s Research and Human Rights Defenders Project defenders protection Training Unit, on best practices and (EHAHRDP), Protection International’s In concrete terms, the Kampala lessons learnt in terms of legislation and partner in the East and Horn of Africa, summit led to the establishment of a national policies regarding defenders in hosted the All-Africa Human Rights Pan African Human Rights Defenders Latin America, initiated discussions on Defender Conference in Kampala from Network (PAHRD-Net), whose what could be done in this regard on April 20th to 23rd 2009. That is, more mission is to implement the Kampala African level. The resolutions expressed than a decade after the first one, held Plan of Action (KAPA), and whose at the end of the negotiations identified in 1998 in Johannesburg. Participants had, at the time, agreed on a series of actions to be undertaken, so as to identify the challenges faced by defenders and improve their security.

In 2009, more than 100 defenders from 45 African countries, as well as many international partners, including PI, met to examine the results obtained since the Johannesburg conference. Broadly speaking, the major issues remain: harrassment, intimidation, legal obstructions to their work and in some cases assassinations still prevail on the continent, participants stated in the Kampala Declaration of HRDs. Workshop at the Johannesburg +10 All Africa Human Rights Defenders Conference in Kampala However some progress has been noted, like the appointement of a main contribution will consist of security and protection as the central Special Rapporteur of the United rendering technical assistance to all concern of human rights defenders in Nations on HRDs and a Special the existing sub-regional networks. the course of their work and suggested Rapporteur of the African a study of the means of promoting Commission on Human and Peoples’ Protection International’s presence at specific legislations for the protection of Rights on HRDs; or the setting up of the conference was useful for several defenders on national and regional regional networks of defenders resaons. Ahead of the conference, PI level. Through its partnership in having contributed to increasing had the opportunity to train Protection Desk Uganda with the awareness of HRDs’ work. “We have defenders from the East and Horn of East and Horn of Africa Human come a long way over the last ten years. Africa on security and protection Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP), In terms of protection, collaboration, issues. The training course was able Protection International remains development of a movement for human to focus participants’ attention on committed to provide support in rights on the continent, and in terms of the security aspect of their work, a these areas.

12 latin america: honduras

E-defenderh, a new space to protect human rights defenders

On June 28th 2009, a military coup human rights abuses (notably during d’état overthrew Manuel Zelaya, the the anti-coup demonstrations President of Honduras who had been organized by the National Popular elected in 2006 for a four-year non- Resistance Front, a wide coalition of renewable term. The coup took place grassroots organizations and political after Zelaya’s decision to hold a poll parties aiming at restoring Manuel Workshop jointly run with E-defenderh regarding a possible revision of the Zelaya and drawing up a new for the women NGO “Visitación Padilla” Constitution that would allow him to constitution), as well as the tendency of run for a second term. Originally a Micheletti’s de facto government to use Guatemalan Human Rights Defenders conservative, Zelaya had changed repression to establish its authority. Protection Unit), was able to initiate a political positions during recent years In the aftermath of the repression of working relationship with E-defenderh and moved closer to Latin America’s the demonstrations, when several during a forum organized by the left-wing Presidents, such as Evo hundreds of people were arbitrarily Center for Justice and International Law Morales and Hugo Chavez. When he arrested, the Center for the Prevention, (CEJIL). Through conducting trainings, attempted to revise the Constitution, Aj Noj was able to support risk analysis Treatment and Rehabilitation of Zelaya faced the opposition of the and the development of security plans, Torture Victims and Their Families Honduran Congress, Supreme Court thereby reinforcing the capacities of (CPTRT), the Committee of Families of and army, which refused to organize E-defenderh staff. In addition, a dozen Disappeared Detainees of Honduras the referendum. Beyond the political trainings, including two on digital (COFADEH), and the Association to motivations of the coup, the security, were given to Honduran Promote Participatory Citizenship deteriorating situation with respect to organizations. Overall, a high degree (ACP) created E-defenderh, a new human rights must be spotlighted too. of sensibility regarding the need for initiative dedicated to the protection of Less than three months after Zelaya’s security-related risk management and human rights defenders. Its aim is to removal and his replacement by the implementation of protection give more visibility to their work and Roberto Micheletti (Liberal Party) on measures is emerging. According to the very same day, more than a dozen to demand safeguarding of their the website defensoresenlinea.com, political assassinations had been rights by the state. the medium-term objective of registered. Human Rights Watch in Aj Noj, the Protection Desk launched in E-defenderh is to draft and introduce their report on the situation of human Guatemala by Protection International a law and mechanism of protection rights in 2009 highlighted numerous in partnership with UDEFEGUA (the to the National Congress.

Mery Agurcia, of the Committee of the Families of the Disappeared in Honduras Interview (COFADEH), and coordinator of the E-Defenderh platform in Honduras

Q. What do you feel has been the impact Similarly we can highlight that should focus on the support of of the work carried out in Honduras by introducing the issue of security into Honduran organizations in terms of Aj-Noj – Protection Desk-Guatemala the internal discussions of defenders’ protection, which would in support of organizations of organizations has led to systems of help institutionalizing the system of defenders who are in danger? recording security incidents as well as recording, monitoring and M.A: We consider the most visible a systematic process of reflection that documenting incidents, and help impact to be the awareness-raising has fostered the emergence of new adopting general policies and amongst leaders of HRDs and their behavioural patterns among social minimal levels of protection, organizations regarding the need to actors who benefited from the work of providing a progressive shift create secure spaces to carry out Aj-Noj – Protection Desk-Guatemala. towards security management for their activities and reduce the risks Q. How do you feel the cooperation between the organizations and their faced by their staff and associates. HRDs and organizations of the members. This coordination must A strategic understanding between E-Defenderh platform and Aj-Noj focus on the local level, the one at the different organizations has been should evolve in order to remain most which defenders are most exposed, put forward so as to be able to share useful to organizations at risk? due to the weakness of the rule of concerns and risks with regard to M.A: In coordination with the small law and to the lack of political will defenders’ security. space of the E-Defenderh platform, it to support defenders in danger.

13 Latin America: colombia

A Campaign for the right to defend defenders

As a response to the increasing threats and abuses against Colombian defenders and to the stigmatization of social and non-governmental associations, a wide campaign for the right to defend human rights defenders was launched on September 9th 2009 in Bogota. Its objective: to exert coordinated and continued pressure on the Colombian government to improve the situation of defenders and to raise awareness of their work among the population.

observed numerous abuses perpetrated against them, “including threats, murders, and forced displacements”. 5 Ms Hina Jilani estimated in her report that violence affected the whole of civil society “including State officials working on human rights related questions”, but some groups, notably trade unionists, ethnic minorities, women and internally displaced persons were particularly targeted. Since the visit of Hina Jilani, abuses against defenders have intensified continuously. The DAS wiretapping scandal In June 2009, Protection International, in partnership with PAS (Pensamiento y Acción Social, or Social Thought and Action), concluded the setting up of a Columbia-based Protection Desk in a particularly vulnerable climate, as the weekly newsmagazine Semana had four months earlier confirmed

Martin Sandoval Rozo, Colombian defender, from a video produced by PI for the Campaign one of the concerns raised by Hina Jilani in her 2002 report; the use of “certain practices by the police and the “the essential reason for the insecurity of Infiltrations of Congress by army against human rights defenders, human rights defenders”. 3 paramilitary groups, extrajudicial particularly the holding of intelligence files executions of civilians by the army, The mission of the Special Rapporteur containing false information” on attacks against the Supreme Court – confirmed the observations made by defenders and “telephone-tapping of these practices have often been Hina Jilani, her predecessor. After her NGO offices”). Since 2004, Colombian denounced by human rights visit to Colombia, the then Special intelligence (DAS, Departamento defenders, who in return have been Representative of the Secretary-General Administrativo de Seguridad) had constantly accused of collaborating of the United Nations 4 on the situation been conducting – through an with the guerrillas and being of HRDs had concerns about “the internal cell known as the G3 group terrorists as well as having had their climate of intimidation and insecurity” – a large-scale spying operation work being labelled as “subversive”. in which defenders were working. She (phone-tapping, e-mail interceptions, After her mission to Colombia in surveillance) on individuals September 2009, Margaret Sekaggya, 3 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation UN Special Rapporteur on the of human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya – 5 Report of Mrs Hina Jilani, Special Representative situation of human rights defenders, Addedum – Mission to Colombia (7-18 September of the Secretary-General of the United Nations 2009) – para 60. on the situation of human rights defenders, pointed out in her report this 4 A this time, her title was Special Representative, Mission in Columbia (23-31 October, 2001), perpetual stigmatization, which is which became Special Rapporteur afterwards E/CN.4/2002/106/Add.2, page 3.

14 latin america: Colombia

considered critical of President Alvaro of Margaret Sekaggya, a wide defenders, amongst which Ramiro Uribe. The targets of the operation campaign for the right to defend Orjuela Aguilar from the Comité de were politicians of the opposition, human rights defenders was launched derechos humanos del Ariari, Luis judges, journalists and diplomats, but on September 9th 2009 in Bogota as a Guillermo Perez from the also national as well as international response to the “waves of assassinations, International Federation on Human human rights defenders forced disappearances, sexual violence, Rights and Martin Sandoval Rozo organizations. The objective of the death threats, raids and the theft of from the Comité permanente de DAS was no less than to hinder, if not sensitive information”6 and to the derechos humanos de Arauca. neutralize, their activities. impunity for the – sometimes fatal – Protection Desk Colombia abuses committed against defenders. participated in the steering Semana writes that an investigation “Without you democracy will not exist. committee in charge of coordinating was initiated by the public prosecutor Without your struggle and your work the campaign. In cooperation with all but was limited to surveillance peace will never be achieved. Without you, actors involved, PD-Colombia was operations that were carried out human rights would be forgotten in thus able to take part in the drafting between 2002 and 2005 in spite of Colombia and in the rest of the world”, Ms and revision of press releases, reports evidence indicating that they went on Sekaggya declared. The campaign was and urgent actions, while at the same until the revelations at the beginning supported by 274 organizations, time preparing several key activities of 2009 and beyond. “In September 2009, amongst which were several dozens of and represent the campaign coalition during the debate in Congress, Democratic Colombian and South-American in meetings with diplomats, Pole party member of Parliament Gustavo 7 organizations as well as international authorities and the Church. Pedro presented evidence showing that organizations, including Human defenders were not paranoid when over the Rights Watch, Amnesty International It will be easier to assess the overall last ten years they denounced threats and and Protection International. results of the campaign, and attacks aiming at preventing them from particularly the impact of Protection pursuing their work”, says Beatriz Protection International produced a Desk Colombia, at the end of 2010. video for the campaign showing Pedraza, coordinator of the Colombian However, it is essential to stress the fact testimonies of several Colombian Protection Desk. that Margret Sekaggya has taken up all of the campaign recommendations in 6 http://www.colombiadefenders.org/ From the Roundtable on page.asp?p=4664 the report she will present to the Guarantees to the Campaign 7 http://www.colombiadefenders.org/signatories.asp Human Rights Council in March 2010.

In November 2008, a few months before these revelations, HRD organizations Which are the changes advocated for by the campaign? joined in four platforms and several social organizations engaged in a Putting an end to impunity Putting an end to unfounded dialogue with the Government in order 1 for abuses committed 4 judicial procedures, as this to establish the necessary measures to against defenders by holding form of persecution often guarantee human rights defenders can impartial investigations leads to depriving defenders carry out their work. As a result, in leading to convictions of of their liberty by April 2009 a National Roundtable on perpetrators. manipulating testimonies Guarantees (Mesa Nacional de and information and Putting an end to bad practices Garantías) was created. It brings fabricating evidence. 2 by State intelligence, i.e. the together social sectors, human rights use of false or defamatory The Colombian state offers organizations coalitions, Government information in civilian, 5 protection programs to human representatives, the United Nations military or police intelligence, rights defenders. But there is a High Commissioner for Human Rights, leading to defenders being need to structurally improve and the embassies of the G24. “It was the sued (in unfounded judicial them as they do not cover all only possibility for civil society and the investigations), harassed and vulnerable groups. Moreover, Colombian Government to resume the delegitimized. a rise in aggressions and common effort to build the National Plan of abuses perpetrated against Putting an end to systematic Action on Human Rights”, Beatriz defenders calls into question 3 stigmatization of HRDs by Pedraza explains. its efficiency. State authorities which tend The DAS scandal adds to a long list of to associate their work to unacceptable abuses frequently guerrilla movements. observed in Colombia. In the presence

15 asia: sri lanka

Limiting freedoms in a post-war environment

After the end of the civil war, which challenge to human rights defenders pitted governmental military forces and other members of Sri Lankan against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil civil society. Eelam (LTTE), in May 2009, there has In January 2009, the European Union been little progress in the invited Protection International to Sri strengthening of democracy in Sri Lanka to work with defenders and Lanka. The last months of the war the EU diplomatic missions in order have had a tragic impact on the civil to develop a Local Implementation population with more than 15,000 Strategy (LIS) of the EU Guidelines wounded and between 7,500 to as for Human Rights Defenders. many as 20,000 civilians killed Protection International had between mid January and early May previously visited the country for 2009. Over that same period, 300,000 research for its Protection Manual for civilians were trapped in combat LGBTI Defenders in 2008. zones without access to food or medical assistance 8. PI observed that In defiance of restrictions on mobility the post-conflict political context was ordered by the government and the characterized by three essential army, around twenty defenders from features: the negation of fundamental all over the country took part in a freedoms (such as freedom of speech workshop aimed at formulating and association or movement), the recommendations for the drafting of erosion of democratic practices and an effective LIS, which were then the concentration of power in the discussed by members of the hands of one family, that of President’s diplomatic community. “Over the next Mahinda Rajapaksa who came to few months, as the situation in the power by a margin of votes in 2005. country for defenders and journalists deteriorated”, explains PI representative Within this context, human rights in Asia, “PI and other organisations such defenders faced considerable as Amnesty International recognised that Political poster difficulties. Emergency anti-terrorism perhaps there was a need to work with laws, which remained in force in defenders directly, giving advice on defenders’ offices, which were subject 2009 obstructed the enjoyment of immediate security concerns and perhaps to monitoring and surveillance, hence fundamental freedoms guaranteed even suggesting ways of coping with the defenders suggested other places by the 1978 constitution and hindered then high levels of aggression”. they themselves identified as “safe” defenders from doing their work for to not draw unwanted attention the promotion and protection of Thanks to the financial support of the when meeting with outsiders or human rights in the search for Royal Embassy of the Netherlands in internationals. justice and equality. Colombo, Protection International undertook two more brief missions to Using feedback from defenders given The Prevention of Terrorism Act, Sri Lanka in the second half of the year during these trainings and meetings, moreover, threatened the right to to assess the follow-up of the PI contributed to the development of freedom of thought, conscience and recommendations, hold security a strategy that was presented to the religion, the right not to be tortured, management trainings and meet with European Union in September 2009. the right to life and finally the right to individual defenders at risk. A total of PI also gave suggestions to the enjoy the fundamental principles of 60 defenders were trained and European Union on how to increase justice, such as presumption of meetings were convened with more their involvement with the Sri innocence. The blurring of roles of the than one hundred defenders, including Lankan government and civil society army and law-enforcing institutions journalists and LGBTI defenders, to for better compliance with have also presented a significant discuss the threats they face and ways universally recognised human rights to improve their security. Due to the and fundamental freedoms 8 International Crisis Group, Sri lanka Conflict History, http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/key-issues/ prevailing situation in the country, enshrined in international human research-resources/conflict-histories/sri-lanka.aspx meetings could often not take place in rights law in Sri Lanka.

16 asia: nepal

Protection in a country in transition Persistent hurdles remain on the road to justice and lasting peace in Nepal. In May 2009, the UCPN (Maoist) party (Unified Communist Party of Nepal – Maoist), who won the 2008 elections, withdrew from the government. A new government coalition led by the CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal – Unified Marxist-Leninist) was formed. Impunity for human rights violations committed during and after the decade long conflict by both the Royalist government and Maoist forces, and weak state institutions continue to obstruct the peace process of the young democratic republic.

Developed with the support of the human rights of LGBTI persons was During the first part of 2009, the British Embassy in Nepal as part of the final frontier in the struggle for Protection Desk Nepal, a pilot project their Foreign and Commonwealth the universal recognition and initiated and supported by PI in 2006 Office (FCO) Tool kit to Promote and enjoyment of human rights. She continued to hold security management Protect the Human Rights of LGBT applauded the contribution that those trainings, both inside the country and People, PI launched its Manual for the defending the rights of LGBTI at a regional level (for LGBTI defenders Protection of LGBTI Defenders. The persons in Nepal and across the globe as well as other HRDs from South event was presided over by Mrs make to this struggle and offered the Asia). PI also facilitated relocation of Sheba Rosier, political secretary of the support of the Embassy and the threatened defenders from Nepal and British Embassy in , British Government to encourage Sri Lanka and coordinated protection representatives from the National them to become more vocal and processes for several emergency cases Human Rights Commission (NHRC) increase their visibility. “You’re in collaboration with Peace Brigades and defenders from all over Nepal. making history for us in Nepal”, said International, embassies, the Office of In her speech, Sheba Rosier one of the young LGBTI defenders the High Commissioner for Human mentioned that the protection of the after the ceremony. Rights (OHCHR) and local networks.

Video – Loktantra: Democratic Transition in Nepal

On May 28th 2008, Nepal became a federal republic after 239 years of Hindu monarchy and 10 years of a Maoist rebellion led by , better known as Prachanda (“the fierce one”). In August 2008, Prachanda was elected Prime Minister by the Constitutional Assembly, which, after the April elections, was mostly made out of Maoists. Civil society organizations and HRDs played an important role in the change of regime. Because of their involvement, many of them faced threats, harassment, torture, testimonies of these defenders about Loktantra! Democracy! exile and in some cases murder. that period, a turning point which A documentary by Pascale Boosten Through this documentary, which saw the “people’s movement” open and Eric Juzen, 25 min. covers the recent , a new era for Nepal. In Nepali, Languages: English. from the royal “coup” of February this movement is called Loktantra, Subtitles: French, Spanish 1st 2005 to the events of May 2008, which is also the title of the Protection International offers the documentary.

17 asia: nepal/Thailand

Protection in a country in transition (continued)

In the first quarter of the year, Union asked the Protection Desk Protection Desk Nepal will be Protection Desk Nepal and PI Nepal to develop a strategy to support developing its own activities and continued their regional consultations, the implementation of these mandate, independently from PI. In which were commenced in November recommendations which included the near future, PI will fill in gaps 2008. The consultations, the first of awareness raising about defenders, that are identified with defenders in their kind in Nepal, covered the five victims and other marginalized Nepal, such as supporting local HRD development regions and included groups, increasing the knowledge of organisations to set up their own marginalized defenders (such as victims and defenders regarding security management, develop a civil LGBTI and women defenders). The protection mechanisms and judicial society based victims and witness NHRC, the OHCHR and the EU remedy, and the strengthening of protection scheme in the context of Working Group on human rights human rights defenders networks to transitional justice in Nepal, or defenders lent their support to this ensure the protection of defenders at provide technical support to national legislations and policies successful and important activity. risk in coordination with other More than 600 defenders gave their for HRD protection. stakeholders and human rights input on their specific protection needs organizations. and formulated recommendations for Further reading: the improvement of human rights in By the end of 2009, PI decided to Regional Consultations: The Recommendations open a regional desk for South and Implementation Strategy Phase One 2009 the country, published in a report. http://www.protectionline.org/IMG/pdf/090427_ After the consultations, the European Southeast Asia in Bangkok. RC_Strategy_2_2_.pdf

Protection and security for HRDs in Thailand

An arms robbery in January 2004 gave rise to an onslaught of killings and attacks marking the intensification of a historically low-key conflict involving Malay Muslim insurgents in the three Thai Southern border provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, where approximately 80% of the population are Malay Muslims. With 2,3 million people (almost 3% of the overall Thai population, of which a large majority are Buddhists), Muslim minorities in Thailand face different situations depending on their location.

Whilst Muslims in Bangkok and its according to the ICG, the Muslim Several grave human rights violations outskirts (around half a million population, harbours a deep sense of occurred during the first years of the people) are fairly well integrated, this grievance against what it considers as conflict.O ne of the most gruesome is not the case in the South of the a historic discrimination “against the examples is what has become known country, where many Malay Muslims ethnic Malay Muslim population” and as the Tak Bai massacre in Narathiwat feel there is a lack of recognition for “the attempts at forced assimilation by province. On 25 October 2004, around their distinct culture, language (Yawi, successive ethnic Thai Buddhist 1,500 local Muslim men demonstrating related to the Malay language) and governments in Bangkok for almost a at a police station for what they century.” 10 Repressive measures religion. In 2005, the International considered was the unlawful arrest of against the insurgents implemented Crisis Group (ICG) claimed that six fellow villagers, were arrested by under the rule of former Prime separatist trends and frequent attacks security forces and transported to an Minister Thaksin Shinawatra seem to occurring in the Southern provinces army camp to be taken into custody. should not be viewed as “simply have aggravated this crisis. Seven men were allegedly shot, while another manifestation of Islamic terrorism. 78 others died during the journey, The violence is driven by local issues.” 9 9 Asia Report n° 98, 18 May 2005, http://www. crisisgroup.org/en/regions/asia/south-east-asia/ mostly from suffocation and crush thailand/098-southern-thailand-insurgency-not- Southern Thailand remains one of the jihad.aspx injuries. They had been stacked up poorest regions of the country and, 10 Idem and thrown on the army trucks like

18 asia: thailand

Protection and security for HRDs in Thailand (continued) cattle. To date none of the perpetrators remains high (since the flaring up of and identify the main stakeholders have been brought to justice. the conflict in 2004 more than 4,400 regarding protection issues. people have died), the working space According to PI Asia representative HRDs working in the South, on cases for HRDs slightly improved in 2009, Shaun Kirven “one of the results from such as the Tak Bai massacre, have often with them receiving less direct this workshop is that it evidenced the been threatened and hindered in their threats and intimidation and more need for defenders and organisations to work for justice and to end impunity. PI recognition for their work. However, work in coordination with each other and observed that they have been victims of a peaceful solution to the conflict that if agendas are really to be effective intimidation, persecution, enforced remains a distant future and the then inclusive platforms need to be disappearances and arbitrary killings. situation in the Deep South of created where those based in the South are The State has often accused HRDs of Thailand continues to be volatile with able to not only access the stakeholders in sympathizing with or even being part both the Emergency Decree and Bangkok but also set the agendas of the of the insurgency. Therefore, they have Martial Law still being in effect. bigger organisations working at a not been recognized as a legitimate part regional and global level.” of civil society, nor have they received PI started working with Southern Thai protection from the government. HRDs in March 2008 in collaboration Beyond the Southern Thailand Similarly, HRDs have often been afraid with the Cross Cultural Foundation context, the political situation in the of criticizing violations of international (CrCF) and the Working Group for country, ever since the military coup human rights and humanitarian law Justice and Peace (WGJP). From 2008 to of 2006 which ousted then Prime committed by members of the 2009, a number of activities were carried Minister Thaksin, has known many insurgency for fear of reprisals. The out, including training of university challenges and led to an increasingly students who organise aid camps for situation for Women Human Rights polarized society; the royalist yellow communities affected by the conflict, Defenders (WHRD) also continues to be shirt movement, roughly made up of and a visit of Thai HRDs to embassies challenging, for they are often criticized the urban middle and upper class, are of EU member states in an effort to and intimidated by conservative Islamic in direct opposition to the so-called strengthen the relationships between Red Shirts, whose supporters are groups in the region. Southern Thai defenders and the mainly farmers and workers from the Even though the rate of violence in European Union. PI continued to follow countryside and whose loyalty the Southern border provinces up on these activities throughout 2009 remains with the ousted Prime with continued advocacy and Minister. It remains to be seen what monitoring of the situation of HRDs. the impact of the increased From 19 to 21 April 2009, PI held a politicization and polarization of Thai workshop for about 30 participants, society will be on HRDs and the all of whom were members of important work that they do. organisations based in Bangkok, but In order to increase the effectiveness also working on the Southern Thai of its activities in Thailand, a Thai conflict. The aim of the workshop was translation of the “New Protection to develop a common approach Manual for Human Rights towards the situation in the South Defenders” was published. Also in 2009, plans were made to establish a more permanent PI presence in the region and set up an office in Bangkok to cover countries in the region in 2010. The regional office will first focus on Thailand, Nepal and , where PI has previously run programmes. According to needs and requests, however, there will be possibility for expansion to other Asian countries.

19 Advocacy

Protection through advocacy on EU guidelines During the first half of 2009, 171 attacks were registered against HRDs in Guatemala. In Africa, there was an increasing tendency to marginalize and even criminalize LGBTI people and the defenders working to defend SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) rights. These are just two examples of the dramatic situation faced by defenders in the countries where PI works. In 2009 PI advocacy was very much aimed at strengthening preventive action in mainly two areas. First, PI assisted EU missions in drafting local implementation strategies (LIS) of the EU Guidelines on human rights defenders jointly with partners and other human rights organisations. Second, PI initiated a network with EU (national) parliaments to protect HRDs, the MP4HRD network.

There is no doubt that the approval of on the grounds of protecting Until the end of 2009, the number of the EU Guidelines on human rights humanitarian law or human rights. publicly known LIS remained small defenders in 2004 - revised by the end Development of the Local and the information about 50 existing of 2008 under the French EU LIS – according to the EU Services Implementation Strategies Presidency - constitutes a major step - could not be validated by defenders ahead. The guidelines provide clear In 2007, under the German Presidency, or INGO’s, as all information on them recommendations to EU delegations the creation of Local Implementation has so far been kept confidential. EU and member state missions on how to Strategies for the EU Guidelines was Member States usually explain the collaborate with defenders in countries encouraged. Concretely, these strategies decision of confidentiality with two abroad. Several states such as Norway contain a country specific approach for arguments, that, by making the LIS followed the example and have the support and protection of defenders. public, they fear opposing national formulated similar instruments. Since The advantage of a local strategy clearly governments and second, that lies in deciding about the appropriate then, the support and protection of defenders themselves have requested actions in line with the local context. defenders forms an explicit and not to publicize them, fearing More importantly, it could initiate a crucial element of EU foreign policy. reprisals by authorities. process in which EU missions, jointly The Guidelines are based on the UN with defenders, their networks, the However, when checking on the Declaration for human rights defenders, wider civil society and even public ground with defenders networks, adopted in 1998 unanimously by 185 institutions, agree upon on how Protection International finds little states represented in the UN General support and protection of defenders evidence where a public strategy would Assembly. Unfortunately, today’s reality can be implemented in a coordinated endanger EU missions’ effectiveness in in many of the signatory countries tells and systematic way. supporting defenders. The fact that the another story. It is well known that EU would openly handle its strategy To PI’s knowledge, there are only a defenders suffer from all kinds of towards HRD protection would rather handful of countries where this process attacks and abuses, often with direct has been successfully concluded. A contribute to transparency towards involvement or the implicit consent much referred example is Nepal, where national authorities about its actions. from authorities. in 2006 EU missions together with On occasion of several annual EU-NGO This is where the role of third non-EU missions have set up a Working Fora on Human Rights, defenders have governments comes in. In the past years Group on human rights defenders, in expressed the opinion that the LIS there has been a growing awareness which HRD networks, the UN-mission should be known by them. According regarding the need to expand the in Nepal and the national human rights to their analysis, but also in the opinion responsibility to protect defenders Commission participate. The LIS Nepal of PI, there would be only a handful of towards third governments; states was publicly launched in 2007 and has countries worldwide where such a step should contribute to the protection of been accessible to defenders through would provoke direct negative defenders, be it on their own territory or the website of the EU delegation. Since consequences on defenders’ security. through foreign policy and diplomatic then, continuous collaboration has These individual cases need to be missions. This should not to be mixed contributed to joint actions such as field assessed in depth and specific strategies up with discussions about missions, enhanced capacities to need to be elaborated so that defenders humanitarian intervention, which often analyse security incidents as well as know what they can expect from the seeks to legitimize armed intervention protection and relocation capacities. EU in terms of their protection.

20 Advocacy

Moreover, in all countries where PI has In a public Conference in March 2009, Netherlands, PI and its local partner worked on the LIS in 2009, we found defenders in Nepal presented the results EHAHRDP provided technical no examples of defenders having of a Regional Consultation with 600 assistance on setting up a focal point for asked for a confidential EU strategy defenders from the five development HRDs and provided consultancy to due to the fear of reprisals. To the regions, which PI and Protection threatened journalists. In Burundi, contrary, they insisted on their right to Desk-Nepal had organised in late 2008. several meetings with leading human be consulted in the process and for the In its systematisation for the EU rights organisations, lawyers, journalists strategy to be shared with them. It is working group on human rights and members of the French, Belgian and therefore necessary to clearly identify defenders, Protection Desk-Nepal Dutch diplomatic community where those few countries where defenders identified specific measures according held on new legislations and their insist on a confidential strategy. to 6 objectives as follows: improved negative impact on HRDs. For the same reason, together with awareness of defenders, victims and In Ethiopia, with the support of PI other INGOs, PI has repeatedly asked other marginalized groups and generate and on invitation by EU missions, the EU to provide the list of countries greater accessibility to the NHRC local partner EHAHRDP provided claiming to have a LIS, so that (National Human Rights Commission, advice on an Ethiopian LIS, which defenders can contact respective EU OHCHR (Office of the United Nations was finally approved in November delegations. Until the end of 2009, no High Commissioner for Human Rights 2009 under the Swedish Presidency. information on this had yet been in Nepal) and the EU, in order to close In DR Congo, PI had numerous granted. According to PI this poses a the gap between grassroots level and meetings with EU missions and was clear contradiction and raises the these institutions; support defenders to invited by the EU Working Group on question of how a strategy, not known set up a safe house mechanism; human rights to provide expertise on to defenders themselves, can be strengthen defenders networks with several emblematic cases and trial effectively implemented and revised to stakeholders to ensure their protection observations undertaken by PI. PI support them. In fact, this approach when at risk; encouraging state also continued to emphasise the goes against the EU’s own policy. The authorities to develop constitutional and need for a LIS. legal mechanisms for the protection of EU document “Ensuring Protection – In conclusion it can be said that besides defenders; monitoring of the European Union Guidelines on Human Nepal (2007) and Ethiopia (November recommendations and documentation Rights Defenders” clearly states that 2009), no new LIS were reported in the of best practices. The EU working group “EU Missions should involve human rights 20 priority countries where PI works. defenders and their organizations in the worked along these recommendations. drafting and monitoring of local strategies”. By end of 2009 a revision process of the Collaboration with LIS had been initiated. parliaments on emblematic The described difficulty to reach an agreement with the EU for a During the EU-Presidency of Czech cases and promoting new coordinated approach to the LIS, has Republic, PI undertook several missions protection mechanisms motivated many HRD networks and to Turkey to make recommendations on In 2009 PI further developed its INGOs to put pressure on individual a LIS. Meetings were held with both the approach of networking with national EU Member State countries and EU EU-Delegation and the embassies of the EU parliaments. In 2008/09 PI achieved delegations in third countries to come Czech Republic, the UK, Belgium, an intensive consultation with Members forward with an effective and Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany and of Parliament (MPs) and human rights/ inclusive LIS. France. PI contributed to the creation of foreign affairs commissions of the a platform covering a wide range of parliaments of the UK House of Protection International Turkish defenders, with LGBTI Commons, Spanish Congress, German involvement in the LIS networks, trade unionists and Muslim Bundestag and Belgium Chambers In Asia, PI was invited to provide human rights organisations, which Senate/Congress, which have all shown advice on LIS consultations with came up with a draft LIS and provided interest in collaborating with PI on HRDs in Thailand and Sri Lanka. ongoing recommendations to the EU targeted action for the protection of Defenders provided recommendations missions on the process. Yet, until end defenders. PI suggested to set up a to the EU on how to promote the EU of 2009 no LIS had been agreed upon parliamentary network, with the aim to Guidelines, such as setting up a for Turkey. contribute to the formulation of new working group of diplomats and In several other countries such as protection policies and gain better defenders to meet regularly, or to Rwanda and Burundi, bilateral practices leading to more targeted and translate the Guidelines in Tamil and meetings with EU Missions were held to coordinated action for the protection of Sinhala and publish translations provide information and contribute to defenders whose rights are being widely in local languages. Yet until the the drafting of a LIS or to set up focal violated or who are in danger. end of 2009, no LIS had been shared in points for HRDs. In Rwanda, on For this purpose, PI has developed a these countries. invitation of the Embassy of the network of Members of Parliament

21 Advocacy/Publications

Protection through advocacy on EU guidelines (continued)

(MP4HRD). This network will questions and hearings were parliament of South Kivu to pass a coordinate its approach with other launched. In February and September provincial motion for the protection of relevant actors conducting advocacy respectively, PI assisted in round journalists and other HRDs. with parliaments, such as Amnesty tables with German MPs and with the Unfortunately the initiative was not International or Peace Brigades German HR Ombudsman, both in approved by parliament and will need International who have a long Nepal. On invitation of the UK House to undergo a second round of standing work experience with MPs. of Commons Great Lakes discussions in 2010. Local HRD The work with MPs draws on PI’s Parliamentary Group in June, PI networks estimate that a higher interest experience when it was still part of presented the report from its trial of parliaments from other countries, PBI as the PBI EU office from 1998 to observation of the murder case of who have already approved such 2007 and organised the first hearing Congolese journalist Serge Maheshe legislation or motions, will encourage of defenders from Colombia and and in July and September met the the South Kivu parliament to adopt a Guatemala at the EU Parliament in Human Rights Commission of the similar one and become more engaged 1998, and initiated the first resolution German Bundestag to follow up on the in HRD protection. PI sees many for HRDs in the national parliaments PI initiative for an EU parliamentary opportunities in the elaboration of of Belgium (2003) and Spain (2007) network for defenders protection. policies for the protection of HRDs and with Amnesty International, the PI also supported initiatives of EU MPs will therefore focus on the OMCT and other INGOs. linking up with their colleagues in systematisation and promotion of Even though PI’s activities in 2009 countries where PI works. In the already existing initiatives of the kind were very much focussed on setting Democratic Republic of the Congo, for (see article on “Protection of human up the necessary technical example, PI assisted an initiative of rights defenders: Best practices and infrastructure, several parliamentary HRDs and MPs from the regional lessons learnt. Vol.I” publication). New Publications Protection Manual for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Defenders

By exploring sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) rights in different contexts and Protection Manual giving examples of issues that can affect the security of LGBTI defenders, this manual aims at For lGBti DeFenDers integrating protection and security into LGBTI defenders’ work plans and lives. It does so, through risk analysis and subsequent suggestions on the drafting of security and protection plans and processes. These elements are based on the same logical processes PI uses for all defenders. The underlying argument is that LGBTI defenders face repression and violations like all other defenders and yet, face additional threats because of their, discrimination and lack of equality before and subsequent protection from the law.

ReseaRched and WRitten by shaun KiRven, enRique eguRen Authors: Shaun Kirven, Enrique Eguren and Marie Caraj. and MaRie caRaj 2nd edition – Protection International 2009. 179 pages. New Protection Manual for Human Rights Defenders In the new manual, Protection International is putting forward management logic that can be taken up in different organizational environments and structures, arriving at the same outcome: New Protection Manual the incorporation of the security plan into the work plan. This manual thereby aims at ownership for HuMan rigHts defenders by human rights defenders of the whole security-protection logic and process. Ownership is a component of security itself. The manual contributes to independence and sustainability of security-protection of human rights defenders. Protection International differentiates between the security of the human rights defenders – towards him/herself– and the protection of the human rights defender – from other stakeholders towards the human rights defender. Authors: Enrique Eguren and Marie Caraj.

ReseaRched and WRitten by shaun KiRven, enRique eguRen and MaRie caRaj 3rd edition – Protection International 2009. 212 pages.

22 Publications

New Publications (continued) Summary and recommendations from the trial observation Executive summary of the Maheshe proceedings (DR Congo) and recommendations from the trial observation report of the Maheshe proceedings before the military Court in South-Kivu (DR-Congo) and Trial observation and monitoring is a key part of the advocacy work to struggle against impunity monitoring of the appeal lawsuits

Congolese in order to ensure that trials exist, that they are fair, and to avoid any interference intended to hide Author: Sophie Roudil, in collaboration with Isabelle Fery the truth. Taking into account the general state of impunity in DR Congo, especially with regard to violations against Human Rights Defenders, including journalists, in 2007 and 2008, Protection International carried out a trial observation of the presumed killers (and individuals alleged to be behind the killing) of the Okapi Radio journalist Serge Maheshe, who was killed on the 13th June 2007 in Bukavu (DR Congo). The trial, which took place before the Military Jurisdictions, respected neither the norms of a fair trial nor led to the manifestation of the truth. In spite of this, three civilians were condemned to death in May 2008, two of whom are in prison. Maheshe proceedings, Bukavu, 2007-2008, pictures SR Author: Sophie Roudil, 2nd edition – Protection International 2009. 8 pages The full trial observation report is available in French.

Best practices: a study on national protection mechanisms

The existence of legislation and institutions for HRDs at a regional and international level is now well known. Notable examples are the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the United Nations in 1998, or the position of the Special PANTONE 144 Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, created in 2000 to focus on issues regarding HRDs, nowadays known as the Special Rapporteur on HRDs, Protection of human rights defenders: occupied by Margaret Sekaggya from Uganda. Since 1999, the Organization of American best practices and lessons learnt States (OAS) has adopted annual resolutions on defenders in Latin America and the

Volume I: Legislation, national policies and Caribbean, and created an entity dedicated to defenders within the Inter-American defenders’ units

Commission on Human Rights (CIDH) in 2001. Africa and Europe have also developed Research and Training Unit specific organs and mechanisms on HRDs issues. Protection International

The Declaration on Human Rights Defenders adopted by the United Nations is not legally Researched and written by María Martín Quintana and Enrique Eguren Fernández binding, but through a number of articles, for example Article 12, it reminds States of the fact that they are supposed to guarantee the security and protection of defenders. The declaration contains principles and rights based on human rights norms that are included in legally binding texts such as the ICCPR (the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), which came into force in 1976 and State parties to the ICCPR are therefore legally obliged to be committed to the application of the Declaration.

Over the past years PI has contributed to the development of national mechanisms for the protection of defenders in Latin America, Asia and Africa. These policies and pieces of legislation have been adopted on the basis of the UN Declaration on HRDs after advocacy and cooperation among local and international organizations. Mechanisms and legislation: what are the impacts? Protection International’s Research Unit has carried out an in-depth study of the nature and the impact of national protection mechanisms on defenders. This long term investigation, carried out on the basis of interviews with defenders and officials, took place in 16 countries, over three continents. The results are included in a two-volume handbook entitled “Protection of human rights defenders: Best practices and lessons learnt”. The first volume, “Legislation, National Policies and Defenders’ units”, was published in 2009, and the second, which more specifically focuses on practical aspects of defenders’ protection, is to be published in 2011.

Protection of human rights defenders: best practices and lessons learnt. Volume 1: Legislation, national policies and defenders’ units. 144p. (http://protectionline.org/Protection-of-human-rights.html)

23 publications

Interview Enrique Eguren Fernandez, the co-author of the handbook, along with María Martín Quintana, shares with us his view on the issues raised by national protection initiatives

Q. What is a national protection Defenders opposed to ad hoc tools mechanism? consider those to be merely a formal Enrique Eguren: It is a system response to the national and designed to improve the protection international pressure, only used to of human rights defenders in dampen the pressure by giving countries where they are attacked as responses that have no real impact, a consequence of their work. These and enabling those who attack mechanisms are created by official defenders to go on doing so in total organs (i.e. recently created or ad hoc impunity. A second issue is one organs, or newly created functions regarding the bureaucratic barriers attached to pre-existing organs, like that these tools generate, and which the Office of theO mbudsman), and only make the work of defenders by ad hoc governmental policies and ‑more complicated when they want pieces of legislation. In Southern to hold investigations or take countries these developments have offenders to court. It has also been asking questions. We think it is mainly taken place in Latin America, suggested to us that the financing of important to relegate questions that where protection mechanisms exist these mechanisms could have been are too general to the background or are under discussion in five used to improve the response (how does this mechanism have to countries (, Guatemala, capacity of state institutions (e.g. the be?) and choose a more pragmatic Columbia, Mexico and ). There police or the judiciary). approach: how can we improve the are thoughts and debates on the On the other hand, those in favour protection of defenders subject in the Democratic Republic of these initiatives admit their pragmatically? This allows us to of the Congo and in Nepal as well. weaknesses but also feel that they can work on protection from the beginning, without neglecting Q. Some defenders reckon that these open the door to an improvement in fundamental questions. mechanisms are not the best way to protection, be it by making the access solve protection issues. How do you to places otherwise inaccessible easier Q. What does this handbook represent explain that opposition? (e.g. inside the walls of security forces) for you? or by providing an immediate support Q.E: Q.E: The defenders working in each This question has been raised (e.g. funds for the relocation of country are the real actors of the several times during the interviews. defenders, means of communication, existing changes. We, as Protection Is it necessary for the state to create escorts) that can solve serious International can provide an added specific mechanisms (laws, offices, protection issues, at least on the short value by offering our advice on the policies) dedicated to the protection of term. We see that sometimes we can lessons learnt in other countries by defenders, or is it better to make sure make good use of the potential lying defenders and international that institutions (the legal system and in these mechanisms, while at the organizations, and by giving the security forces) will fulfil their same time bearing in mind that the information on, and support to the obligations and guarantee protection? entire state apparatus (and not only current and future discussions on It is an important debate, because one office) is the one responsible for the subject. We hope this handbook mechanisms made available to human protection. Taking the necessary represents a source of information on measures to guarantee an appropriate rights defenders generally have very the lessons learnt and best practices protection of human rights defenders limited power of implementation, in a for defenders in all countries. The is the responsibility of the executive legal sense (these are secondary pieces handbook is a symbol of our work in and the judiciary. of legislation) as well as in a practical many aspects: it is a compilation of one, since these organs lack the Q. Why is it important to work on these the effective work carried out by necessary resources and are unable mechanisms? defenders in many countries, with to either launch an investigation or to Q.E: Given the tragic situation whom we collaborate directly in wield any political power to human rights defenders have to face many cases through our Protection guarantee an appropriate protection in many countries, we think it is best Desks. We feel it is a step forward in for defenders. to make propositions instead of the protection of defenders.

24 FINANCIAL REPORT

Protection International AISBL-Financial Report Year ended 31 December 2009

The report on the Annual Accounts for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2009 of the A.I.S.B.L. Protection International. All figures are provided in Euros.

Balance 31/12/2009 31/12/2009 31/12/2008 Auditors Opinion ASSETS In our opinion the financial Fixed Assets 8138.97 8230.25 statements ended December 31 Equipment and furniture 8138.97 8230.25 2009 present fairly the assets, Current Assets 158912.11 408816.24 liabilities, financial position and Amount receivable 128166.43 67173.21 results of the AISBL. Without Current investments and cash at bank 30745.68 341643.03 prejudice to formal aspects of TOTAL ASSETS 167051.08 417046.49 minor importance, the accounts are kept in accordance with legal LIABILITIES and regulatory requirements Funds of the association 78982.86 35456.33 applicable in Belgium. Accumulated profits 78982.86 35456.33 Debts 88068.22 381590.16 Braine le Comte, 23rd March, 2011 Suppliers 23391.17 39880.52 Patricia VANOSBEECK Taxes, remunerations and social security 58177.05 29841.48 Expert-Comptable IEC Deferred income 6500.00 311868.16 TOTAL LIABILITIES 167051.08 417046.49

Results Thank you Year 2009 Year 2008 We would like to thank all I. OPERATING INCOME AND CHARGES individuals, groups and institutions Operating Income who have supported our work in Sales manuals and DVD’s 3638.17 192.50 2008 and 2009. Provision of services 6311.09 35576.59 Donations 54.56 4059.52 We would especially like to thank: Grants 945501.56 458393.90 Diakonisches Werk Germany other operating income 2729.83 17106.92 Total operating income 958235.21 515329.43 EIDHR Operating Charges Embassy Finland Nairobi Services and other goods -458375.03 -256628.05 Embassy NL Colombo Remunerations and social security -444678.05 -226659.48 Embassy NL Kinshasa Depreciations -5006.49 -3855.73 other operating charges -373.16 -1928.91 Fondation Hirondelle Total operating charges -908432.73 -489072.17 Federal Ministry for Cooperation and Development BMZ Germany Operating result 49802.50 26257.26 Foreign Affairs Ministry Belgium II. FINANCIAL INCOME AND CHARGES Foreign Affairs Ministry Germany/ Financial income 2487.68 1321.66 ifa e.V. (Zivik) Financial charges -1794.03 -2094.05 Foreign Affairs Ministry Norway Profit before tax 50496.15 25484.87 Norwegian LGBT Association III. EXCEPTIONAL INCOME AND CHARGES Pax Christi NL Exceptional income 0.00 0.00 Peace Brigades International Exceptional charges 0.00 -15484.87 Germany Profit for the year 50496.15 10000.00 The fund for global human rights Profit for the fiscal year to be allocated 43526.53 10000.00 Washington Profit brought forward from previous year 35456.33 25456.33 Private Donations. PROFIT TO BE CARRIED FORWARD 78982.86 35456.33

25 About Protection international

In countries where the respect for human rights and freedoms is constantly challenged, Human Rights Defenders play a key role in supporting the existence of a free and just society and, consequently, face intimidation, security incidents and violence. Protection International’s contribution towards supporting defenders is to implement comprehensive protection programmes, designed so that they can undertake their activities in as safe an environment as possible.

For that purpose, Protection International’s programmes will focus on: • empowering defenders and increasing their capacity to effectively manage their own protection and security, • raising awareness amongst authorities concerning their legal duties to ensure defenders’ protection in order to comply with international standards for the protection of defenders and human rights, • promoting the collaboration of all key stakeholders in protection (i.e. third-party governments, international and regional bodies, and, generally, any institutions or entities with a role to play in promoting this notion), • undertaking research and systematisation of activities in relation to the main protection issues at stake, • publishing manuals, videos and other tools on protection.

We, at Protection International, believe in putting our commitment into practice by: • ensuring that our contributions are made in partnership with the defenders we work with, respecting and promoting their own voices and their spaces, without interfering in their working objectives, • delivering our activities both in the countries where defenders face repression and attacks, and also in the political centres where relevant decisions are made by those who hold the balance of power, • paying special attention to promoting the protection of isolated or non-fully integrated groups of defenders, • trying to do our work in a low-key manner, crediting the defenders themselves as the central players in this struggle, • working in close collaboration with peer organisations and other key stakeholders in protection.

26 with the support of

Supporters

EMBASSY OF FINLAND NAIROBI

the fund for global human rights

Co-partners

27