The EU Mechanism for the protection of human rights defenders was designed to support defenders in the most at risk situations. Those defenders are usually located in regions where access is difficult, due to a lack of adequate infrastructure or internet connection. For this reason, in the past years, ProtectDefenders.eu has made substantial progress in enhancing the Mechanism’s outreach efforts, reaching new categories of defenders located in isolated regions of the world.
Our partners have taken decisive steps to expand outreach, address the need for localization, and develop strategies to support new groups, such as young defenders and those with disabilities. As a result, a record 93% of the organizations supported via the EU HRD mechanisms were not affiliated with Consortium partners, significantly extending ProtectDefenders.eu’s impact and empowering local actors on the frontline. Furthermore, an unprecedented 97% of the defenders supported by ProtectDefenders.eu were either based in the most difficult countries or belonging to the most at-risk groups.
Supporting Young Defenders through Capacity Building programmes
One of the most representative examples of successful outreach is the support delivered to Students for Global Democracy-Uganda (SGD Uganda), a grassroots human rights, student-led organisation based in Uganda, one of the countries where human rights defenders face the highest levels of persecution.. This organisation has set out to empower students and youth to participate effectively in the democratization process through the promotion of principles of leadership, good governance and sustainability.
The human rights situation in Uganda has deteriorated sharply in recent years. Fundamental rights and freedoms have been severely restricted since the onset of COVID-19 and the national elections in January 2021. As a result of widespread attacks on civic participation, it is very difficult today to operate as a human rights organisation and to speak up about human rights in the country. In this context, LGBTIQ+ and youth defenders have been particularly targeted.
In light of this situation, with financial support from FIDH in the framework of ProtectDefenders.eu, Students for Global Democracy-Uganda (SGD Uganda) implemented a holistic project including the launch of a digital and physical security training for 127 student HRDs and pro-democracy young activists. The training has enhanced the knowledge, capacity and skills of student HRDs, and mostly female young HRDs and pro-democracy young activists in underserved communities, to understand the concepts of human rights, human rights defenders, safety and security and how best to respond to attacks in course of their work. This training addressed the needs of young people who, despite representing a large segment of the Ugandan population, are underserved and lack access to expert training in security, advocacy, and legal assistance to protect themselves while carrying out their work.
This support made it possible to place young human rights defenders – who are often “overlooked due to their age” and “lack of experience” – at the centre of human rights activism and to recognise their capacity for action and advocacy and for building collective self-protection networks.
Strengthening the capacities of HRDs with Disability
Defenders with disabilities face a higher number of threats compared to other categories of defenders. And this is especially true in Africa, where restrictions of civil liberties, such as freedom to demonstrate peacefully, freedom of expression, and freedom of association, are systematically violated. For this reason, Protection International in Africa, within the framework of ProtectDefenders.eu, worked towards the establishment of a regional network of Human Rights Defenders with Disability.
As part of its support, PI firstly identified a total of 45 HRDs with disabilities and their organisations from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Secondly, it held a regional conference that brought together 30 HRDs with disabilities from the three different countries with several Protection Service Providers, to discuss and evaluate common challenges and reach common solutions. Ultimately, the recommendations were presented by the HRDs on 11th October 2023 in a three-day regional conference that brought together HRDs, Civil society organisations and National Human Rights institutions from five East Africa countries, namely, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The HRDs also formed a group that they will use for communication and share experiences, opportunities and work together for advocacy and fundraising.
During 2023 and the first year of implementation of this new phase and with the coordination of the Secretariat, Protection International collaborated with other Consortium partners, namely Urgent Action Fund, and DefendDefenders on the topic of HRDs with disabilities.
The collaboration with HRDs with disabilities and their respective organizations creates a powerful synergy that amplifies the voices advocating for the rights of those with disabilities. HRDs with disabilities play a crucial role in elucidating the specific needs and barriers faced by individuals like themselves. By doing so, they pave the way for a more comprehensive understanding that enables protection actors to tailor their strategies, plans, and programs, to better address their unique challenges. This collaborative endeavor not only promotes a more inclusive and supportive environment but also charts a course for a future where the rights and protection of all individuals, including those with disabilities, are at the forefront of human rights initiatives.
Localising Support for the Empowerment of Most-at-Risk HRDs
As these stories exemplify, the Mechanism for the protection of human rights defenders has proven to be a critical tool in addressing the challenges faced by defenders operating in high-risk and isolated regions. By expanding its outreach and adopting a more localized and inclusive approach, ProtectDefenders.eu has significantly widened its impact, reaching new and underserved groups, including young defenders and HRDs with disabilities. These efforts underscore the importance of tailoring support to meet the specific needs of diverse defender communities.
Through targeted initiatives like capacity-building programs for young defenders in Uganda and the establishment of a regional network for defenders with disabilities in East Africa, ProtectDefenders.eu has empowered individuals and organizations to continue their vital work under difficult circumstances. These success stories highlight the transformative potential of a collaborative and inclusive approach to human rights defense.
As the Mechanism continues to evolve, it continues to strive for the resilience of human rights defenders worldwide and reinforces its commitment to safeguarding their invaluable contributions to justice, equality, and freedom, regardless of who they are and wherever they operate.
