Defend the Defenders
On 10 December, we commemorate the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For 73 years, social movements have defended our fundamental rights: decent work has been achieved through strikes organised by trade unions, indigenous peoples have put an end to mega-mining projects, and youth mobilisation has placed climate justice at the top of the political agenda.
In Colombia, the Philippines, Palestine, Guatemala, Afghanistan... but also in Belgium, civil society is under pressure: from the suspension of their right to protest, to judgements limiting their right to take action, to attacks on the reputation of human rights defenders, to arrests and even murders.
On 10 December, Defend the Defenders, a broad coalition of trade unions and social movements, is organising actions across Belgium and in several other countries in solidarity with all these movements. We are literally shining a light on their commitment and our rights!
This year, events are taking place in Brussels, Sint-Niklaas and Verviers.
Our objectives
We demand that Belgium
- establish effective protection mechanisms for human rights defenders and environmental activists around the world;
- protects human rights defenders, environmentalists and social movements in its diplomatic contacts with governments around the world;
- pursues a foreign policy consistent with human rights.
Take part
Online challenge
Every day, human rights defenders are put under pressure, attacked, arrested and even murdered. And this is happening all over the world: in the Philippines, Afghanistan, Colombia, Guatemala, Palestine, but also in Belgium!
To draw attention to this appalling reality and to support them, we are going to make an action film, and we need your help! Take part by sending us a selfie before 2 December in which you are shouting into a megaphone. The more photos we receive, the more powerful the film will be!
Defending Human Rights Defenders in Belgium and the Philippines
In preparation for Defend the Defenders and Human Rights Day, we will have a discussion with Belgian activists Kat Berza from the Council for Health & Development (CHD) and Lorena Villareal from the Philippine Network of Food Security Programmes (PNFSP).
We will discuss the human rights situation in Belgium and the Philippines and how we can strengthen international solidarity.
The lecture (in English and Dutch) will be followed by a question and answer session with the audience and drinks.
Saturday, 4 December from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. @ De Markten
Action for human rights defenders
This year, you can find us from 6 p.m. onwards at the following locations:
- Brussels (Mount of Arts)
- Sint-Niklaas (Station Square)
- Verviers (Lion Bridge).
Defend the Defenders is an initiative of intal, Viva Salud, Solidagro, FOS, SamaSama, Solidair met Guatemala, Honduras Werkgroep, Masereelfonds, ACV Puls, Centrale Generale FGTB and many other social movements.