This site has been archived on 28 of April 2017
28/04/2017
HomeResourcesNews from the EU2015> EU launches innovative new mechanism to help human rights defenders

EU launches innovative new mechanism to help human rights defenders

EU News 375/2015

Brussels, 9 December 2015

On the eve of Human Rights Day, EU Commissioner, Neven Mimica, announces the first-of-its-kind EU comprehensive Human Rights Defenders mechanism.

On the eve of Human Rights Day (on December 10) EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, announced the first ever EU comprehensive Human Rights Defenders Mechanism. The initiative is set to become one of Europe's key tools to assist human rights defenders at high risk, including in remote areas, running until 2018.

(…)

Through the new mechanism, the EU will provide human rights supporters at risk with:

- Short-term support, including physical protection, legal and medical support, trial and prison monitoring, and urgent advocacy and relocation, among other actions;
-Medium-term support, including monitoring of their situation, early warning of risks, training on risk prevention and security (including digital security), and international, regional and national advocacy.
- Long-term support including support to national networks, advocacy, lobbying and development of strategies to counter restrictions and sanctions imposed on human rights defenders by states.

Source and additional information:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-6278_en.htm