A/HRC/31/55
risks that they face.15 They make visible the situation of defenders at risk in particular
contexts, pressuring States to be accountable for their protection. Gender analysis should be
integrated into human rights monitoring programmes, in particular, from the perspective of
intersectionality. This would ensure that the specific experiences of women and transgender
persons are, along with those of men, understood and incorporated into the design of
protection measures.
71.
A number of actors provide emergency grants to defenders in immediate danger.
Emergency grants that have easy and fast application processes, quick response times and
that allow defenders discretion in using funds most appropriate to their personal situation
have helped many defenders cope with threats and attacks.
72.
Relocation initiatives have helped defenders to remove themselves from immediate
danger and to have some time for rest and respite. In some cases, defenders have found
safety in another location within their own country; at other times, they have to seek refuge
abroad. Relocation initiatives may take different forms: from emergency shelter in safe
houses to temporary hosting arrangements with sympathetic civil society organizations, to
shelter city programmes, to the provision of scholarships and fellowships at universities.
73.
In emergencies, the search for safe accommodation and workspace is often
conducted on an ad hoc basis. Defenders are able to relocate more smoothly and safely
when networks and organizations that support them have them readily available. Relocation
is often a stressful experience. Structured relocation initiatives that allow defenders to
continue their work while away, help them to forge links with host communities, provide
support for their families and allow for flexibility in their duration of stay help defenders to
manage the uncertainty, isolation and challenges of relocating elsewhere. While such
initiatives can be developed anywhere, they usually require the contribution of local
organizations with the capacity to raise and manage funds, negotiate hosting requirements
and respond appropriately to the specific risks and vulnerabilities of defenders, providing
them with the support they need. A number of civil society organizations that manage
relocation initiatives have helped defenders to capitalize on their time away by creating
opportunities for them to build their networks of contacts, conduct advocacy, support
human rights education in host communities and strengthen their knowledge, skills and
abilities.
74.
It is important that States create and support temporary international relocation
initiatives for defenders at risk. A number of States offer protection by issuing special visas
or residence permits to defenders on political or humanitarian grounds, and by providing
funding and support to local governments and civil society organizations providing shelter
and services. For example, in Brazil and Spain, programmes provide support and temporary
protection for defenders at risk; in the Netherlands, “shelter cities” are available for
defenders; in Germany, the State issues visas on political or humanitarian grounds and
provides financial support to defenders; and in Ireland, a humanitarian visa scheme
provides support for defenders at risk. Civil society organizations that manage relocation
initiatives have found that strong relations with relevant government officials have helped
them to overcome challenges when obtaining visas and negotiating immigration status for
defenders at risk in a timely way.
15
For example, see Mesoamerican Women Human Rights Initiative, Violence against women human
rights defenders, report 2012-2014, and the reports of the Observatory on the Protection of Human
Rights Defenders.
13
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