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Berlin/Uganda: Call me Kuchu - film on the life of murdered LGBTI human rights Defender David Kato Premieres at Berlin International film Festival posted on: 2012/02/09

As the Berlin International Film Festival this weekend premieres “Call Me Kuchu” – the story of murdered gay rights defender David Kato - the inflammatory Anti-Homosexuality Bill is once again before the Ugandan Parliament.

France: Human Rights Organisations Call for Refusal of Request for extradition of Dr Mourad Dhina by Algerian Authorities posted on: 2012/01/24

A coalition of ten international and national NGOs today addressed French Prime Minister François Fillon in a public letter calling for Alkarama’s executive director Dr Mourad Dhina not be extradited to Algeria, where he risks torture.

Strasbourg: Front Line welcomes European Parliament resolution on greater EU support for human rights defenders at risk posted on: 2010/06/17

“Front Line strongly welcomes the new resolution passed by the European Parliament plenary session today (Thursday), which pays tribute to the invaluable work of human rights defenders and sets out a range of new and renewed recommendations, including on issuing emergency visas and providing shelter in Europe, as additional forms of protection provided by the EU,” said Mary Lawlor, Executive Director of Front Line, in Dublin today.

Geneva/Dublin/Paris: New report “NIGERIA: Defending Human Rights: Not Everywhere, Not Every Right”. posted on: 2010/05/11

Front Line and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), publish today a report entitled “NIGERIA: Defending Human Rights: Not Everywhere, Not Every Right”.

Dublin: Defending Hope in Gaza - a photographic exhibition documenting the impact of Operation Cast Lead opens in Filmbase posted on: 2010/01/11

Palestinian human rights defender Khalil Shaheen launches “Defending Hope in Gaza” a new photographic exhibition by Front Line documenting the courage of human rights defenders under siege. The exhibition shows how the people of Gaza are bravely struggling to survive, while the work of human rights defenders is restricted by limitations on freedom of movement. Defending Hope in Gaza will run in Filmbase from 11-24 January. Admission is free - Open 9.30am - 5.30pm Monday-Friday, 11:30am- 5:30pm on Saturdays and 11:30am-3pm on Sundays.

Dublin: Irish launch of the international campaign “Colombia: Human Rights Defenders Under Threat” posted on: 2009/10/29

At an event in Dublin today a coalition of Irish and international NGOs joined forces to launch a campaign for the protection of human rights defenders under threat in Colombia. The members of the coalition, ABColombia, Front Line, Trócaire and Christian Aid highlighted the fact that while the recent establishment of a formal dialogue on human rights with Colombia is a positive initiative more should be done since human rights defenders in Colombia still face a critical situation.

Germany: Granting Tolerance Prize to Shirin Abadi posted on: 2008/10/08

Shirin Abadi, a lawyer and an Iranian human rights activist, was awarded with the 2008 Tolerance Prize by the Protestant Academy of Tutzing. The prize is granted to people known for their peaceful efforts within political regimes, cultures and religions.

Concerns over attempts to block three human rights organisations from gaining UN consultative status posted on: 2006/07/26

26 July 2006

Front Line is gravely concerned with reports that some member states of the UN Economic and Social Council Committee (ECOSOC) on NGOs are attempting to block or stall three human rights organisations from gaining UN consultative status because their human rights work concerns violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The three human rights organisations in question are the Danish National Association for Gays and Lesbians; the Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany and the International Lesbian and Gay Association Europe.

UN Consultative status allows international, regional, sub regional and national NGOs to contribute to the programs and goals of the UN. The 2,700 NGOs that currently have consultative status with the UN serve as technical experts and advisors and can attend UN international conferences.

Consultative status is given to NGOs by UN-ECOSOC upon recommendation by the 19 member states of the UN-ECOSOC committee on NGOs.

Campagne internationale consacrée aux défenseuses des droits humains, Novembre 2004 posted on: 2005/05/17

Une campagne d’envergure internationale consacrée aux défenseuses des droits humains a débuté le 25 novembre dernier lors du forum de la société civile asiatique qui s’est tenu à Bangkok. L’objectif principal de cette campagne est d’informer et de sensibiliser la population mondiale aux problèmes rencontrés quotidiennement par les défenseuses des droits humains et la nécessité pour eux d’être protégés. A cette occasion, des militantes et défenseuses des droits humains, issus de différentes branches et ayant des champs d’action variés, des associations à but non lucratif, des ONG, ainsi que d’autres membres de la société civile se sont rassemblés afin de discuter ensemble et d’élaborer des solutions pour contrer ces problèmes.

International Campaign launched on Women Human Rights Defenders, November 2004 posted on: 2005/05/16

An International Campaign on Women Human Rights Defenders was launched on 25 November 2004 at the Asia Civil Society Forum in Bangkok. The campaign is a global mobilisation to bring international attention to the concerns of Women Human Rights Defenders and their need for protection. It will involve women and human rights activists in different fields and sectors, grassroots groups, NGOs, social movements and other members of the civil society. Front Line is part of the International Coordination Committee for the Campaign. The Campaign has been launched with an International Statement highlighting the situation of women human rights defenders and the specific challenges they face.

Guide to the International Criminal Court for Human Rights Defenders, September 2004 posted on: 2004/10/21

Human Rights Watch has published an excellent guide to how human rights defenders can work with the International Criminal Court (ICC)entitled How Nongovernmental Organizations Can Contribute To the Prosecution of War Criminals. The guide answers some of the frequently asked questions about the Court. In particular it explains how NGOs can contribute to the Court’s work of prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide at the international level. It does so by answering frequently asked questions about the International Criminal Court and the way NGOs can contribute to its efforts. Further information on the ICC can also be found on this website at Tools & Manuals/The International Criminal Court - Information for Human Rights Defenders.

Not a Happy 5th Birthday for Human Rights Defenders, Dec 2003 posted on: 2004/07/25

“In the last five years we have sadly seen an increase in the attacks on human rights defenders around the world,” said Mary Lawlor, Director of Front Line, at an event in Dublin to mark the 5th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

In the last week we have seen an attempt by a group of 10 men in balaclavas and armed with machetes to kill human rights defender Victor Rosa in Guatemala. At the same time human rights defenders Madeleine Afite and Franka Nzounkekang were threatened and harassed by the authorities in Cameroon because of their work to expose torture.

In China Jiang Lijun is beginning a four year prison sentence for “incitement to subvert state power” because he posted political views in favour of democracy on the Internet. In Tunisia human rights lawyer Radhia Nasraoui is entering the seventh week of a hunger strike in protest against threats and harassment from the Tunisian authorities.