2.1 Advancing National Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders
2nd November, 10:00 – 12:00 pm, Room: Intan Suite
Background: National protection mechanism for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) is important for them to work safely. Such mechanisms can be in the form of legal instruments, policies, guidelines, networks, emergency assistance system, etc. that provide protection to HRDs and recognises their work.
With increasing cases of violations against HRDs, it is more essential to adopt protection mechanisms to protect HRDs and their right to defend human rights. However, Asia is the region with the least number of policies/laws related to protection of HRDs.[1]
Mongolia became the first country in Asia to have human rights defenders’ law in 2021, however with some Articles that are deemed to limit rights of HRDs. There are NGO led initiations in countries like Nepal, India, Kazakhstan where draft laws have been developed and national/provincial network have been created for the protection of HRDs. Likewise, draft laws have also been presented before the House of Representatives and Senate in the Philippines.
This session will bring together HRDs who have been part of the advocacy towards creation of national protection mechanism and learn from their experiences to advocate for a more comprehensive national policies and instruments as well as CSO-led networks, emergency assistance mechanism. It further aims to explore ways to create awareness on the need of protection mechanisms for HRDs.
Objectives
- To evaluate the implementation and initiatives of national protection mechanisms
- To identify methods to advocate for national protection mechanisms for HRDs in Asia
[1] https://www.focus-obs.org/
This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.
