Objectives and steps of immediate reaction to a detention:

Establish an ad hoc working group to react to a detention.

1 - Protect the life and freedom of members of the organisation.

2 - Locate geographically the detained persons, using a map, the trip

plan, the last contacts made, call contacts and actors in the field, etc...

3 - Work out which armed actor has detained the person, why, and to

what end.

- Using the geographical location of the detained person(s), along with background knowledge (you may have to infer causes for the deten- tion if you do not yet know them). It will thus be possible to arrive at a reasonable guess of who is detaining the person, or at least arrive at a short-list of possible suspects.

- Contact authorities (if adequate and necessary and possible)

4 - Achieve the release of the defender from detention unharmed.

- As a general rule, it is important not to focus on getting an agreement rather on getting an actual “exit” or release, leaving negotiations until after the defender has been.

- Assess the armed body concerned (in collaboration with regional authori- ties where possible/necessary), either directly in the case of a security forces body, or by using intermediaries- the assistance of other bodies such as churches, local dignitaries or elders, the International Red Cross commit- tee, etc... For this reason it is crucial to be able to rely on these contacts. This assessment will aim to ascertain the reason for the detention, and attempt to obtain the immediate release of the defender detained. Consider alerting other human rights defenders and humanitarian organi- sations so that they are aware, and are able to take the necessary steps jointly for extra weight. Where abduction with probable injury to the defend- er is suspected (such as an abduction carried out by a “hit squad”), it is important to act as quickly as possible and to focus action as much as pos-sible on the obvious leaders (where relevant) of the group responsible for the abduction, or on the political bodies close to those responsible that are most likely to react to national and international pressure..

- Alert consulates if the detained person is from another country.