Resisting in exile: voices of human rights defenders

In 2022, a CIVICUS report found an increase in the number of countries curtailing civic engagement, with growing restrictions on fundamental freedoms, attacks and stigmatisation of defenders. Under such pressures, many activist defenders may see leaving their countries as their safest or only option.

Defenders in exile question if and how they can continue human rights work from abroad and how those who remain deal with a fractured human rights community.  

This event seeks to amplify the voices of exiled human rights defenders from around the world before the Council of States, UN experts, and international civil society colleagues. We aim to raise awareness of the plight of the persons in exile, discuss ways to strengthen support mechanisms for them, and inspire action to ensure exile does not become defenders' sole option.

The full list of speakers will be withheld for security reasons.
 
This side event will be available in both English and Spanish with interpretation provided.

This side event is co-organised by Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, Centre for Civil and Political Rights, DefendDefenders, International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights, International Service for Human Rights, and Martin Ennals Foundation.