Defenders' stories

‘Witnessing the realisation of human rights in our countries would be a great joy because that is what we work towards.’

'Daily challenges are quite difficult sometimes. But I am convinced that, when we do good, when we commit to human rights, whatever the difficulties that come before us, we will always be able to overcome them in full solidarity.'

'If we work together to make sure that issues are more visible, that happen in Africa, civil society organisations, I think, will be achieving more.'

'International advocacy is a tool to advance our human rights work, but it is also a tool that will support us in consolidating our protection as women human rights defenders.'

Bonnie Florencia Shariff, woman human rights defender from Madagascar, speaks about the importance of inclusive societies in a world that is becoming increasingly globalised. 

'People in certain areas do not need big hotels, they do not need a huge stadium, they just need the nature to sustainably live and survive.'

'One day, we should be entitled to go back to our hometown, but the condition is: with democracy, with freedom, with human rights, and without fear.'

'In the outside world, people see a China that is different from the real China. I think I have the responsibility to speak up and let people know the truth.'

'I chose to be a human rights defender by, hopefully, protecting those who don't know where to find a solution when there are human rights abuses happening to them.'

Our fourth and final story in our series of Chinese lawyers' profiles illustrates the courageous story of Qin Yongpei, a Chinese human rights lawyer who in his efforts to shed light on government misconduct, was unfairly detained by the Chinese government.

Two years ago, not many people outside the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong would have heard the name Chow Hang-tung. Today, her name is on every Hongkonger’s lips.

Any country that claims to respect the rule of law, must establish a fair legal system. However, in a totalitarian regime, those in power refuse to be constrained by law or respect citizens' legal rights. They choose to persecute, suppress and arrest lawyers who persist in defending civil rights. One famous example in China is lawyer Yu Wensheng, who was sentenced to four years in prison for 'inciting subversion of State power.'