The Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders, January 2002
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Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2001 09:35:37 +0300 (EEST)
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Subject: The Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders, January 2002
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Original sender: Mary Lawlor <[email protected]>
The Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders, January 2002
FRONT LINE
Defenders of human rights defenders
The International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights
Defenders
Friday, 21 Septembel-2001
Dear Friend,
Front Line, the International Foundation for the protection of Human
Rights Defenders, was established with the aim of defending the
defenders of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Front Line
supports human rights defenders in their activities and tries to
ensure that they come to no physical or mental harm because of their
work. Front Line regards a human rights defender as a person who works
non-violently for any or all of the rights enshrined in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. Front Line is an independent and
impartial body based in Ireland, with an international Leadership
Council.
To mark its international launch, Front Line will host a Platform for
Human Rights Defenders in Dublin Castle, Ireland from the 17th to the
19th January 2002 entitled:
Steps to Protection:
The Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders
Both the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mme Mary Robinson and
the UN Special Representative for Human Rights Defenders Mme Hina
Jilani have confirmed their participation and the platform will be
opened by the Irish Prime Minister Mr. Bertie Ahem.
The Platform will focus on the themes of:
- Impunity;
- Combating extreme poverty through the international human rights
framework;
- Maximising in-country legitimacy for human rights defenders;
- Physical and material security.
The format will be a mixture of plenary sessions and in depth working
groups. The Platform discussions will inform the work of Front Line in
the development of its future support strategies for Human Rights
Defenders.
The Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders will:
- Build on the Paris Declaration and Action Plan adopted at the Human
Rights Defenders Summit in December 1998.
- Assist in deepening strategies on prevention, protection and
impunity and will address the international community on matters of
substance
- Analyse and expose the reality of the repression of human rights
defenders as an attack on both the universality of human rights and on
the legitimacy of commitment to all human rights - cultural, civil,
economic, political and social.
- Allow human rights defenders from across the world to meet, exchange
experiences and learn from each other
To meet its aims, the Platform will have a variety of participants
with a range of experience of risk/harassment due to their human
rights work and with different responsibilities within their
organisations. A key challenge is to reach "unknown" human rights
defenders who are beyond current networks. Success will be measurable
if useful contacts are maintained between participants and with Front
Line.
At this stage, we want to notify you about the forthcoming conference
and we invite expressions of interest from those who may wish to
attend. As places are limited, priority will be given to individuals
who can maximise the benefits of participation by actively
contributing to discussion and transmitting lessons to other human
rights defenders at home.
Please share this invitation with any other human rights defenders
whom you think might be interested in this platform.
Looking forward to hearing from you, Yours sincerely,
Best wishes,
Mary Lawlor
Director
25 Main Street, Blackrock, Co.Dublin, Rep. of Ireland.
Telephone: +353-1-217 0339 / 217 0340
Email: [email protected]
Web: www. FrontLineDefenders.org
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