Training and Manuals
Training
Although many human rights defenders face very severe risks as a result of their work they often don't give adequate attention to their own security. Their main focus is the human rights of others. They are generally overloaded with work and other commitments. They sometimes don't feel there is anything they can do which will make a difference.
In response to concerns expressed by human rights defenders about the challenges of addressing more effectively issues around security Front Line has developed a program of capacity building activities and resources in cooperation with other organizations.
One of the key issues currently being addressed by Front Line through its training programme is the question of stress management and how we can help HRDs cope with the stress created by their work. To help us plan this work more effectively we would be very grateful for your input and are open to your suggestions. You can send your suggestions directly to annerimmer@frontlinedefenders.org
Protection Manual for Human Rights Defenders
The Protection Manual for Human Rights Defenders was researched and written by Enrique Eguren of Peace Brigades International, European Office (PBI BEO) and published by Front Line.The purpose of this manual is to provide human rights defenders with additional knowledge and some tools that may be useful for improving their understanding of security and protection. The manual topics include risk analysis, evaluating threats, preventing and reacting to attacks and developing a security plan. It is hoped that the manual will support training on security and protection and will help defenders to undertake their own risk assessments and define security rules and procedures which suit their particular situation.
Front Line is developing an international network of human rights defenders who have experience of managing security and of delivering training in order to facilitate training programs based on the Protection Manual for Human Rights Defenders. Training workshops have been undertaken in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kyrgyzstan (for Central Asia), Jordan (for Iraq and Syria)and Guatemala. Workshops focused on the specific needs of Women Human Rights Defenders have also been held in Ireland and Sri Lanka for international groups of participants.
Protection Handbook for Human Rights Defenders
The Protection Handbook for Human Rights Defenders is an attempt to summarise and adapt the 'Protection Manual' in a more compact form. It was edited by Arnold Tsunga, Executive Director of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, and published by Front Line.The handbook is intended as a quick reference tool for human rights defenders, in which to find helpful and practical suggestions on how to deal with threats, intimidation and attacks and to improve their personal security situation.
Digital Security
Human rights defenders are increasingly using computers and the Internet in their work. Although access to technology is still a huge issue around the world, electronic means of storing and communicating information are getting more and more common in human rights organisations. However, Governments are also developing the capacity to manipulate, monitor and subvert electronic information. Surveillance and censorship is growing and the insecurity of digitally stored or communicated information is becoming a major problem for human rights defenders in some countries.
In response to requests from human rights defenders for support in this area Front Line has developed a manual on Digital Security and Privacy for Human Rights Defenders. In collaboration with the Tactical Technology Collective Front Line has also developed a package of tools and training materials called Security in-a-box: tools and tactics for your digital security, see also Video on NGO in a Box Security Edition
Front Line has also organised training workshops for human rights defenders with experts in the field of digital security in Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, Jordan (for Iraq and Syria) Russia (also for Central Asia), Tunisia (for the Middle East region), United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Zimbabwe.
Front Line Handbook for Human Rights Defenders: What protection can EU and Norwegian Diplomatic Missions offer?
The Front Line Handbook for Human Rights Defenders: What protection can EU and Norwegian Diplomatic Missions offer? was researched and written by Chris Collier and published by Front Line.The European Union (EU) and Norway have undertaken to promote the implementation of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders in "third countries" through their foreign policies. They have adopted guidelines on how they will contribute to supporting and protecting HRDs.
This handbook summarises the provisions of the EU Guidelines on HRDs and Norwegian guidelines on HRDs. It also draws on the results of the EU's own evaluation of the implementation of its guidelines carried out in the first half of 2006, which stipulated many steps that should be taken to implement the guidelines. The handbook details the ways in which the EU and Norway have committed themselves to supporting and protecting human rights defenders. It also makes suggestions to HRDs regarding how they might benefit from these policies.
Insiste Persiste Resiste Existe - Women human rights defenders' Security Strategies (Resiste)
Insiste, Persiste, Resiste, Existe: Women’s Human Rights Defenders’ Security Strategies (Resiste) by Jane Barry and Vahida Nainar is presented by Front Line, the Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights and Kvinna Till Kvinna.
Resiste brings us the voices of women human rights defenders (WHRDs) from all over the world. Each woman speaks from her personal experience of combating violence and discrimination in complex contexts – in situations of overt or hidden conflict, organised armed violence as well as rising fundamentalisms in Iran, Colombia, Nepal, Burma, Thailand, Algeria, Tunisia, Bosnia, Serbia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Resiste is a journey and an exhilarating celebration of resilience. The astonishing strategies that enable WHRDs to survive, thrive and succeed – despite the challenges and risks of the work, and the extremely limited resources and support. Resiste introduces the concept of ‘integrated security’ – coined by Colombian activists and echoed by other WHRDs across the world: a concept that challenges us all to redefine the militarized, disconnected concept of ‘security’ and recognize that integrated security is about feeling safe in all aspects of our lives – from our ability to feed our families to speaking freely about our governments.
Summary of Insiste Persiste Resiste Existe
Front Line Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Online Manual
The Front Line Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Online Manual examines how economic, social and cultural rights may be usefully, effectively and practically translated to the benefit of humankind.Front Line Civil and Political Rights Online Manual
The Front Line Civil and Political Rights Manual is designed for human rights defenders working on civil and political rights. It is an interactive manual, designed to be used online rather than as a printed document. It is a resource for all human rights defenders, including those who do not have a legal training.
Other Resource Materials
- Human Rights Defenders Fact Sheet
- This Fact sheet is designed to provide Governments and a wide range of professionals who frequently come into contact with human rights defenders with a rapid understanding of what a “human rights defender” is and what activities defenders undertake. The document is also designed to support the right to defend human rights; to strengthen the protection of human rights defenders from any repercussions of their work; and to provide a tool for human rights defenders in conducting advocacy and training activities.
- Claiming Rights Claiming Justice - A guidebook on women human rights defenders
- This guidebook was produced by APWLD in collaboration with individuals and organisations in the International Campaign on Women Human Rights Defenders. It is aimed to help women human rights defenders name the specific risks, violations and constraints they face in their work. It presents a practical discussion of the useful mechanisms developed by the state and also the civil society to provide redress and remedy, and to protect women human rights defenders.
- New Tactics in Human Rights: A Resource for Practitioners
- The New Tactics Workbook offers tactical innovations for those striving to advance human rights.
- Human Wrongs, Human Rights: A guide to the human rights machinery of the United Nations
- This guide will help NGOs, lawyers and individuals to find their way around the various human rights mechanisms of the United Nations.
- UN and Regional Mechanisms for Human Rights Defenders
- This guide describes regional UN programs in Europe, Asia and Africa.
- The International Criminal Court - Information for Human Rights Defenders
- Information on how to utilize the ICC and who to contact.