Dublin: 110 human rights defenders from 85 countries join Front Line for Dublin Platform
More than a hundred Human Rights Defenders from around the world attended the formal opening of Front Line’s “5th Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders” Dublin Castle from 10- 12 February. The Dublin Platform is one of the biggest international gatherings of human rights defenders and brings together human rights defenders from every region of the world. “Despite their radically different backgrounds and issues the one thing they all have in common is that they are at risk for their legitimate work in defense of the human rights of others” said Mary Lawlor Director of Front Line.
Further Information
The Dublin Platform is one of the biggest international gatherings of human rights defenders and brings together human rights defenders from every region of the world. “Despite their radically different backgrounds and issues the one thing they all have in common is that they are at risk for their legitimate work in defense of the human rights of others” said Mary Lawlor Director of Front Line.
The human rights defenders attending the Dublin Platform work on issues as diverse as campaigning against illegal logging and the protection of the environment, working to end the trafficking of women and children and forced prostitution, to protect the cultural rights of indigenous peoples or to ensure full equality for members of sexual minorities.
Key note speaker UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navanethem Pillay paid tribute to the courage of HRDs who put their lives on the line everyday, to protect the rights of others.
“Mine is not just a ritual tribute, but rather the expression of a deeply-held conviction. I have put that conviction into practice many times in my life not only as a human rights defender and the co-founder of an international nongovernmental organisation. As a judge and a UN official I also strove to be an available and attentive interlocutor of civil society as, at heart, I remain a human rights defender”.
The High Commissioner commended the work of Front Line and one of the central messages of her speech was the need to improve the effectiveness of protection measures for human rights defenders at risk.
“It is of vital importance to discuss at this forum and elsewhere–and as often and as visibly as possible–ways and means to minimise risks for human rights defenders, improve their safety, and foster an environment conducive to human rights advocacy”, said Ms. Pillay.
Also speaking at the conference, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin T.D. congratulated Front Line, the organiser, for their outstanding work. “Human Rights Defenders put their own lives at risk to break the deafening silence of indifference and complacency. Without human rights defenders, the voices of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in society would not be heard” said Minister Martin.
Mary Lawlor, Founder and Director of Front Line emphasised how despite the commitments made by governments over the years, the space for human rights defenders in many countries is steadily shrinking and the risks are increasing. “Human Rights Defenders are people who make extra-ordinary sacrifices, often putting their own lives at risk. They are usually either on the move or on the run. They are the people who change society,” said Ms Lawlor.
Other guest speakers included UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Ms. Margaret Sekkagya.
In addition to the core agenda of the Dublin Platform the conference will also include special sessions on recovery from trauma, the special risks faced by women human rights defenders and digital security.
For further Information or to interview any of the participants in the Dublin Platform please contact :
Jim Loughran, Head of Communications, Front Line Mobile + 353 (0)87 9377586
or
Conor McGuinness Mobile + 353 (0)87 934 5603
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