Human Rights Defenders

Human rights defenders expose violations and campaign for redress for victims. They are the people who on their own or with others take action to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights for all. The important thing is not who they are, but what they do. Human rights defenders take peaceful action and believe everybody has equal rights.

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Pro-democracy activists in Syria face 15 years in prison

8 October 2008

Twelve people are charged with "weakening national sentiment" for attending a meeting of the Damascus Declaration for Democratic National Change.

Video: Anna Politkovskaya remembered, danger for activists continues in Russia

7 October 2008

Two years after the murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, human rights activists and journalists are still at risk in the Russian Federation, in particular in the North Caucasus region.

No truth, no justice 40 years after Mexico City massacre

2 October 2008

Forty years ago, the Mexican army opened fire on students peacefully demonstrating in Tlatelolco, Mexico City, on 2 October 1968.