EN

Dear Minister Steven Vanackere,

I am writing to call on you and the Belgian Government to commit to providing additional support for the protection of human rights defenders at risk at global level, in the context of the Belgian Presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2010, and in partnership with the future EU External Action Service. EU Guidelines on human rights defenders have been adopted and revised; local strategies have been approved at field level in more than 60 countries; however there is still a long way to go before full implementation of these guidelines.

The Belgian Government has frequently taken action on behalf of human rights defenders at risk. This support recognises the legitimate role of human rights defenders as key agents of social change. I call on you and the Belgian Government to move up a gear by prioritising the protection of human rights defenders, and more specifically to push for the appointment of field focal points who can play an active role in contacting and protecting human rights defenders at risk.

The appointment of such focal points would help human rights defenders identify the Belgian embassies and the EU as key actors able to provide them with practical support, in accordance with the core values of the EU, giving these values increased status and credibility and facilitating their more effective implementation.

This would in addition confer increased legitimacy on, and recognise the importance of, the work being done by human rights defenders.

Yours sincerely

Please sign Front Line's Petition to Minister Steven Vanackere, urging him to commit to providing more support for the protection of human rights defenders