English PDF - East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders ...

50Journalists on the Frontline of Human Rights DefenceInternational campaigning and media workNatacha O’BrienFront LineProtection Coordinator for AfricaFront Line is an international organisation, which was set up in 2001 withthe aim of protecting, defending, supporting and acting on behalf ofHuman Rights Defenders, whose lives and physical, and mental health isat risk, due to their human rights work. Front Line addresses some of theneeds identified by defenders themselves, like protection, networking,© EHAHRDPtraining and access to the thematic and country mechanisms of the UnitedNations and regional bodies. Front Line conducts research and publishes reports on the situationof human rights defenders in specific countries in conjunction with local partners. It runs a smallgrants programme to provide for the security needs of human rights defenders at risk. Itfurthermore provides training in protection and IT security and is developing a network of humanrights defenders worldwide who are trained in training in protection of human rights defenders.Independent journalists play a critical role in documenting violations and corruption, questioningState activities. They promote and defend freedom of expression, “provided you are not'controlled' by State or other actors.” If a journalist cannot freely express his or her views fewother rights can be exercised.A journalist is a human rights defender when he or she is writing or discussing about issues,which seek to promote human rights and or expose human rights violations committed by thestate or by other actors. These include issues related to economic, social and/or other rights ofsociety such as state corruption and its effect it will have on the human rights of the people. In thesame vein journalists covering democratic reform can also be considered to be human rightsdefenders when they are reporting on the topic as a human rights issue.Many journalists in the East and Horn of Africa are persecuted because of their work, the patternvaries. In all countries in the region, journalists are harassed and face censorship.Strategic campaigning and media work on behalf of journalists can help individuals and improvethe situation of media freedom. Before campaigning on a case of a human rights defender at riskor being persecuted, it is necessary to do a situational analysis – mapping out what are the aimsand objectives of the campaign, who the key contacts are, and what external factors could affectthe campaign. When assessing aims and objectives – it is essential to be realistic and assess whatcan be achieved in conjunction with your organisation and with your network. There is need toassess who is responsible for the arrest/ arbitrary detention/judicial harassment and who can haveinfluence that person. It is also necessary to assess which international bodies can mediate. Thesecond phase is that of identifying which tactic you are going to use. Front Line has two principalcourses of strategic action: urgent appeal letters and networking.Urgent appeal letters are letters to the authorities in the country where the human rights defenderhas been targeted and requesting immediate action and protection on their case. Front Line aimsat sending these letters out within 48 hours of the incident in order to be most effective andprevent a human rights defender from being tortured or ill-treated. From experience it is knownthat most cases of torture and ill-treatment happen within the first hours of their detention. Thesame letters are also sent to the Irish Government, to the Office of the UN Special Representative