Human rights defenders

Fighting for respect for human rights is a high-risk activity, and groups and individuals in more than 80 countries who commit themselves to this struggle are often targeted by State authorities and private groups. Human rights defenders are victims of threats, attacks, arrests, arbitrary detentions and acts of torture. Since its creation, OMCT has been a pioneer in the protection of human rights defenders by denouncing the repression to which they are subjected. In 1997, OMCT established the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in partnership with the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). This unique collaboration is based on the complementary approaches of the two organisations and makes full and profitable use of their respective NGO networks. In 2007, OMCT established « Defend the defenders », a sponsorship project with Swiss personalities aiming at mobilising public opinion, the only counterweight to the arbitrary power of States. [Read more…]