HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS UNDER CONSTANT ATTACK

LAST year Amnesty launched its BRAVE campaign, which has worked to highlight the dangers faced by human rights defenders around the world.

Its latest report, Deadly but Preventable Attacks: Killings and Enforced Disappearances of Those who Defend Human Rights, reveals the shocking numbers of people who have been attacked, lost their lives or disappeared without trace in their fight to protect the vulnerable and improve society.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. Decades on from the landmark document’s publication, fundamental human rights continue to be ignored and abused.

Why are human rights defenders targeted?

Amnesty’s report revealed the myriad reasons why activists are attacked. Some are targeted because of their job, others for standing up to those in power, or for raising awareness of a political or social issue.

Some activists are at risk of attack for both what they do and who they are. These include those defending the rights of women, LGBTI people, refugees and other minority groups.

Women in particular face danger because of a so-called “double-discrimination” – they are attacked for both their sex and being a human rights defender.

In many cases they challenge the accepted norms and stereotypes in their society to fight injustices. Others are attacked just for where they live, such as in a war zone or where communities are in the grip of organised crime.

For more information visit www.amnesty.org.uk/brave