Front Line is launching a new “Book of Testimonies” which is the personal testimonies of 50 human rights defenders from around the world who attended the 5th Dublin Platform in February 2010. Every one of the human rights defenders quoted in this book is at significant risk because of their legitimate human rights work.

Further Information

Bety Carino from Mexico was one of those who attended. Sadly since then Bety was killed during an attack by paramilitary groups on an aid convoy in Oaxaca, Mexico.

“TODAY WE WANT TO LIVE ANOTHER HISTORY: WE ARE REBELLING AND WE ARE SAYING ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, TODAY AND HERE WE WANT TO SAY THEY ARE AFRAID OF US BECAUSE WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF THEM, BECAUSE DESPITE THEIR THREATS, DESPITE THEIR SLANDER, DESPITE THEIR HARASSMENT, WE CONTINUE TO WALK TOWARDS A SUN WHICH WE THINK SHINES STRONGLY; WE THINK THE TIME OF THE PEOPLES IS COMING CLOSER, THE TIME OF UNREPRESSED WOMEN, THE TIME OF THE PEOPLE AT THE BOTTOM.” BETY CARIÑO February 2010

The Dublin Platform was established in 2001 as a safe space in which human rights defenders can share experiences, learn from each other and come up with new and more effective strategies to enable them to continue their work without the risk of harassment, intimidation or arrest.

“Human rights defenders could take the easy option, ignore the needs of those around them and focus on making a better life for themselves. Instead they give all their passion, energy and commitment to the struggle for human rights – and for that they pay a heavy price” said Mary Lawlor, Executive Director of Front Line in Dublin today.

“They are stigmatised by politicians and in the media. They are labelled as enemies of the state and subjected to threats of imprisonment or assassination. Their families may be at risk and they face being isolated within their communities. But human rights defenders rise above the pressure and the pain to maintain their vision of a better society and to offer hope to others”, said Ms Lawlor

This is why Front Line works to: Protect One Empower a Thousand – the people who despite the violence and the threats continue their struggle for human rights for all.

“I REALISE TOO THAT MANY OTHER WOMEN ARE SUFFERING AND MY WORK IS ALSO WITH THEM. I WANT TO SPEND MY TIME WITH THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LOVED ONES AS I LOST MY HUSBAND, WHO WAS SHOT TWO YEARS AGO. BUT, AS I FIGHT FOR JUSTICE, I ALSO WANT THAI OFFICIALS NOT TO THINK THAT ALL MUSLIMS ARE INSURGENTS.” YAENA SALAMAE FROM THAILAND

The Front Line Book of Testimonies is available from Front Line in either hard copy or PDF formats For further information contact Jim Loughran - Head of Communications Front Line – Tel +353 1 212 37 50 or mobile 087 9377586