Human Rights Defenders - Overview
Human rights defenders work to protect the vulnerable and hold human rights violators to account. Because of this work, many become the victims of "disappearances", political killings, arbitrary arrest, torture and intimidation -- the very violations from which they have struggled to protect others.
For Amnesty International, supporting human rights defenders at risk is a central part of the defense of human rights. Unless human rights defenders are free to carry out their legitimate work, those who face discrimination and human rights abuses can have little protection or hope for justice.
Our program of support for human rights defenders includes research, long term support for defenders particularly at risk, and timely action appeals when dangers to the lives and safety of human rights defenders increase.
You can participate in this work by taking part in the following action appeals.
Profiles
Colombia: Colombia is one of the dangerous places in the world to speak out for your rights. Indigenous rights activist Kimy Pernía was "disappeared" on June 2, 2001. He is among scores of human rights defenders targeted for their legitimate work.
Guatemala: Observers have described Guatemala as being in a "human rights melt-down". Death threats, attacks and other acts of intimidation against human rights defenders take place every day. Family members believe Mayra Gutiérrez -- a university professor and women’s rights activist who has not been seen in two years -- was one of the victims.
Russian Federation: Russian journalist and environmentalist Grigory Pasko was set free on parole on January 23 after serving two-thirds of his four-year sentence on treason charges in a prison colony in the Russian Far East. Grigory Pasko's release is a victory for the millions of people who campaigned tirelessly on his behalf. But Amnesty International is calling for continued pressure on the Russian authorities to stop his continued persecution.
Mexico: On Friday October 19, 2001, Digna Ochoa, a leading Mexican human rights lawyer, was killed in her office. More than a year later, very little progress has been made toward bringing those responsible to justice.