The work of human rights defenders is not only essential to protect fundamental rights and freedoms; it is also critical to improving societies and strengthening democracy. In addressing the systemic causes of conflict, they are agents of social transformation.
However, despite their fundamental role for peace and justice, they constitute a group that is often criminalized and subjected to all kinds of threats and attacks, including assassinations.
Within the framework of the World Peace Congress, ICIP and the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation (ACCD), on behalf of the Cities Defending Human Rights, will hold a workshop on Sunday 17 October that will explore the multiple connections between defending human rights and building peace.
This workshop will discuss tools and strategies to respond to the needs and risks of human rights defenders. Several Catalan programs and initiatives to support human rights defenders and the important work they do will also be presented.
Panelists:
- Czarina Musni, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, Philippines
- Victor Ochen, African Youth Initiative Network, Uganda
- Sahar Francis, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Palestine
- Sílvia Juventeny, Catalan Refugee Aid Commission
This workshop is part of the program of the World Peace Congress, which will be held in Barcelona from 15-17 October. Registration for the Congress, which is free, is required to attend the workshop or to follow it online. You can register here.