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Observatoire global de la politique publique nationale sur la protection des défenseurs de droits humains

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Tools for citizens

Tuesday 30 March 2010

Citizens are, of course, the first beneficiaries of the defenders activities. In conflict areas, massive human rights violations perpetrated against civilians and social groups stigmatised for their political, religious and ethnic membership would go unnoticed without the presence of defenders.

Without the defenders activities, systematic impunity in certain countries

Diminishes the citizens confidence in its institutions
Discourages the citizen taking legal and non violent action
Ruins the State’s legal system
Bars the reconciliation process

To combat impunity, reinforce citizens control in ensuring the State respects its obligations and to protect the defenders of all rights and freedoms , the citizen can:

Act now by expressing his/her opinion to the authorities responsible for protecting defenders; under News Defenders you will find specific examples.
Join a local or national organisation active in defender protection
go in the field as a international observer to protect defenders
disseminate the UN Declaration on defenders
support ProtectiOnline by donating

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