Amnesty International launches new global campaign to stop the wave of attacks against those defending human rights
281 people killed in 2016 for defending human rights, up from 156 in 2015
Human rights defenders facing unparalleled global assault amid demonizing rhetoric, clampdowns on civil society and rampant use of surveillance
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Community leaders, lawyers, journalists and other human rights defenders across the world are facing unprecedented levels of persecution, intimidation and violence, warned Amnesty International today as it launched a new global campaign demanding an end to the onslaught of attacks against brave individuals standing up to injustice.
“What we are witnessing today is a full-frontal assault by governments, armed groups, corporations and others with power on the very right to defend human rights. Human rights defenders bear the brunt of this global attack,” said Salil Shetty, the Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“From President Putin to President Xi and President el-Sisi, leaders across every continent are increasingly dismantling the foundations needed for a free, just and equal society. By removing their right to protest, placing them under surveillance, and targeting them and their communities with harassment, threats and physical attacks, governments are choking off the oxygen supply to those standing up for our rights.”
In a new briefing, ‘Human rights defenders under threat – a shrinking space for civil society’, published today to accompany the new campaign, Amnesty International details the unprecedented dangers those defending human rights face. It has become an increasingly deadly pursuit: In 2016, 281 people were killed globally for defending human rights, up from 156 in 2015, according to evidence from the NGO Front Line Defenders.
“Authoritarian leaders intent on crushing human rights would have us believe that only they have our best interests at heart, but they don’t. It is in fact those who defend our human rights who are standing up for us – and they face persecution for daring to do so. Now in 2017, the plight of human rights defenders has reached crisis point because of the measures abusive states have taken,” said Salil Shetty.
Canada must follow through on commitments to protect human rights defenders
In December of 2016, Canada announced new guidelines for protecting human rights defenders. The guidelines state that Canadians “expect their government to help build respect for human rights at home and around the world” and that “promoting respect for human rights is at the heart of Canada’s international engagement.” Amnesty welcomes Canada’s commitments and looks forward to meaningful action to support and protect human rights defenders in all countries where they are under attack.
“We are heartened that Canada is acknowledging the seriousness of the crisis that human rights defenders are facing and we look forward to consistent implementation of the guidelines announced last year to support these brave people who play an absolutely critical role in their communities,” says Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada. “But Canada’s commitments must go further still, including by pressing for human rights protections in its trade dealings with countries ranging from China, Mexico and Colombia to the United States. Canada must also acknowledge that far too many individuals and communities have suffered human rights abuses associated with the operations of Canadian extractive sector companies overseas and make good on its longstanding commitment to appoint an extractive sector Ombudsperson without delay.”
Growing arsenal of tools used to crack down on defenders
The combination of mass surveillance, new technology, the misuse of laws and crackdowns on peaceful protests has created unprecedented levels of danger for human rights activists, the briefing warns.
Among the emerging trends is the rampant use of new technologies and targeted surveillance, including online, to threaten and silence activists.
Exiled Bahraini human rights activists are tracked by their government using spyware, and governments across the world are ordering companies to disclose encryption keys and decrypt personal online communications with little thought to the consequences. In the UK, police have put journalists under surveillance in order to identify their sources.
In places like Mexico and Russia, troll networks are increasingly generating trending misinformation campaigns to discredit and stigmatize human rights defenders like journalists.
These new trends add to the already dangerous arsenal of tools of suppression, including killings and enforced disappearances, crackdowns on the right to peaceful protest and misuse of criminal, civil and administrative laws to persecute human rights defenders.
Amnesty International notes that in 2016:
At least 22 countries saw people killed for peacefully standing up for human rights;
In 63 countries, they faced smear campaigns;
In 68 countries, they were arrested or detained solely because of their peaceful work; and
In 94 countries they were threatened or attacked.
“When they are not threatening or harassing them, governments of all persuasions are attempting to cultivate open hostility towards human rights defenders by peddling demonizing rhetoric that portrays activists as terrorists or foreign agents. This could not be further from the truth,” said Salil Shetty.
“The question now is: Are we going to stand by and let those in power continue their efforts to erase human rights defenders – who are often the last line of defence for a free and just society? Or will we stand up and get in the way?”
Amnesty International launches new global campaign to protect human rights defenders
In light of the unprecedented dangers human rights activists face, Amnesty International today launched a new campaign calling on states to recognize the legitimate work of those working to stand up for the inherent dignity and equal rights of all people, and to ensure their freedom and safety.
Amnesty International demands that countries implement what they committed to when the United Nations adopted the Declaration on human rights defenders in 1998. The Declaration calls on states to recognize the key role and contribution of those who defend human rights and to establish effective measures to protect them.
The global campaign will spotlight the cases of individuals facing imminent danger because of their human rights work, and lobby governments and put pressure on decision-makers to strengthen legal frameworks. Amnesty International will also continue to investigate attacks against activists, and work hand-in-hand with local communities and campaigners to mobilize people to take action.
“From Frederick Douglass through to Emily Pankhurst, Rosa Parks, B.R. Ambedkar and Nelson Mandela, history is replete with stories of ordinary people who refused to accept the status quo and stood for what is right,” said Salil Shetty.
“That spirit of bravery is still alive today. Whether it is the likes of Malala Yousafzai or Chelsea Manning, there are people here and now taking enormous risks for us.”
“Without their courage, our world is less fair, less just and less equal. That is why today we are calling on everyone – not just world leaders – to stand with human rights defenders.”
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For media requests, please contact: Jacob Kuehn, Media Relations: jkuehn@amnesty.ca // 613-744-7667 x 236
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Learn more and take action at www.amnesty.ca/wedefend.
