Over 200 organizations from all over the world have signed on to the open letter initiated by PBI UK endorsing the Nobel Peace Prize for the global community of Human Rights Defenders. As you know, the MagkaSama Project was founded in 2003 during the genocide in Darfur to support Human Rights and Human Rights defenders, and we think this is a great initiative we should all support.
The organization released the open letter earlier this month, and it is accompanied by a public petition: Human Rights Defenders for the Nobel Peace Prize. An excerpt from this open letter:
Despite this recognition and respect at the highest levels of the international community, human rights defenders are killed every day. HRDs who suffer disproportionately are those activists working at grassroots and community levels, in isolated regions and from marginalised populations, who lack networks and resources to command international attention. Human rights defenders can be community leaders, lawyers, journalists, environmental activists, victims of abuse, trade unionists and teachers.
It is for these urgent reasons that Peace Brigades International with the support of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Human Rights has nominated the global community of HRDs for the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize. It is the highest humanitarian achievement through which to recognise HRDs and celebrate their commitment to advocating for and building societies that are peaceful, safe, inclusive, tolerant, just and sustainable for all. The nomination is currently supported by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of HRDs and some governments, diplomats and parliamentarians around the world.
PBI UK made a short film by Helen Selka and Manuel Valcarce celebrating the courage and resilience of human rights defenders around the world. It highlights the importance of the support they receive from the international community.
PBI UK writes on their website, and we couldn’t agree more:
20 years ago, the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders was a milestone in human rights history. It recognised that human rights are not only granted by law, but upheld by those who struggle for their protection. The responsibility to protect human rights lies with all of us; every person can and should be a Human Rights Defender. Now more than ever, as human rights are under threat across the world, is the time for this global community of Human Rights Defenders to stand together.
December 9, 2018 will mark the 20th anniversary of the UN’s Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) and we invite you to sign this petition to endorse the Nobel Peace Prize 2018 for the global community of Human Rights Defenders!
