Workshop 1 – Security for Human Rights Defenders

12/9/2003 - Working Group B (Anglophone) Chair:

Noeline Blackwell Rapporteur:

Donncha O’Connell Volunteer:

Rosemary Warner

NOTE: This workshop focused to a considerable degree on the PBI manual to which there was a very positive and constructive response. Many of these general responses are not included in what follows:

A Zimbabwean speaker said that it would be very useful if adapted to that country’s situation but stressed the need for an ‘underground’ physical network to facilitate escape etc.

Links to the existing Front Line online manual were proposed and it was agreed that this would take place soon.

The role of embassies in security was seen as important and, again, it was agreed to include something on that in the manual.

Another speaker stressed the need to include experiential learning in the manual.

In response to a question on diminishing the level of threat (apart from keeping oneself safe) it was pointed out that this was beyond the scope of the manual.

The importance of local intelligence (re organised crime) was emphasised as something that probably couldn’t be dealt with fully in a manual.

An Indian speaker spoke of the need to address ‘collectives’ as much as NGOs; the particular problems experienced by women, lesbians and bisexuals; and the problem of resources given the resource-intensive nature of security.

The usefulness of satellite phones was emphasised especially in situations in which travel was hazardous.

A speaker from Sierra Leone said the manual would be very useful for girl witnesses before the Special Court of that country and for activists in neighbouring Liberia.

A Zimbabwean speaker stressed the need for life survival skills (empowerment etc.) before security training – this should be treated as a positive and not a negative factor.

The importance of long-term planning regarding security was stressed by a speaker from a funding organisation. She also highlighted the fact that outside allies could create added vulnerability and they needed to be told about this.

A Nigerian speaker said that what worked most quickly on the ground was often the exchange of money and, in this connection, emphasised the need for security funds.

A speaker from Freedom House said that the use of encryption software sometimes attracted more attention with the result that some HRDs asked that it be not used.