We Defend People's Civil and Political Rights

Civil Rights Defenders works for and together with human rights defenders fighting for democracy and civil and political rights across the world. Our task is to make sure that they can work smarter, faster, and safer. Through advocacy, litigation, and public campaigns, we defend human rights. We also act as Sweden’s civil rights watchdog. With your support, we can accomplish more.

We partner with and support human rights defenders in more than 300 organisations in 50 countries on four continents.

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We partner with human rights defenders globally

Asia

Repressive legislation is being introduced in country after country to intimidate important voices into silence. We ensure that those who defy the risks and are brave enough to resist receive support in the form of international attention, security solutions, and emergency response when danger arises.

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Africa

The young people have taken the lead in the fight for peace and democracy in the region. We support the new generation of human rights defenders who are pushing to control their own future. We are also working to increase the security of our established partner organisations.

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Eurasia

Lack of respect for human rights is pervasive across the region. Regime critics and dissidents are imprisoned on political grounds. Freedom of speech is heavily restricted. Repressive laws are adopted on a regular basis, making it increasingly difficult for human rights defenders to carry out their work.

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Europe

Populism and increased discrimination against minority groups are spreading in Europe. Together with human rights defenders, we work with LGBTI+ issues, freedom of expression, and more. We also work in Brussels to ensure that human rights are high on EU’s agenda.

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Latin America

Latin America is one of the world’s most dangerous places for human rights defenders. We work long-term with security trainings and digital solutions that enable human rights defenders to document human rights violations safely.

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Sweden

In Sweden, we work, for example, against racism and hate crimes, ethnic discrimination, and to strengthen the Sami people’s rights. Through legal processes and advocacy work, we raise the issues to a political level and hold those in power accountable. 

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Security and innovation

Human rights defenders around the world are regularly subjected to threats, harassment, forced disappearances and arbitrary detentions by authoritarian regimes. Through trainings, emergency assistance, and providing innovative security solutions, Civil Rights Defenders supports human rights defenders to continue their important work. Together with our partner organisations, we offer training in digital, physical, as well as psychosocial security.

Capacity for strong human rights actors

A strong civil society is key to a sustainable democracy. We partner with human rights organisations in some of the world’s most repressive countries and provide support in professional development as well as long-term financial support to increase their capacity to drive change.

Engagement leads to change

We work to engage the public, civil society, corporations, and decision makers, to stand up and take action for democratic principles and human rights. Through public campaigns and advocacy, we create pathways for engagement and support to human rights defenders worldwide.

Accountability for those in power

We work to ensure respect for people’s fundamental rights and freedoms. On our own, and together with human rights defenders in our network, we evaluate laws and proposed legislation, as well as their implementation by the authorities. We engage in legal processes and hold those in power to account when human rights are violated.

Smart Solutions to Global Problems

Being a human rights defender is dangerous and many who are on the front lines are subjected to systematic threats. Harassment, surveillance, death threats, and persecution are just a few examples. In addition to direct partnership and long-term support for thousands of human rights defenders, we have global support programmes. The global programmes provide security, innovation, community, and emergency support for our partners.

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Core International Crimes

Grave violations of human rights, such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, are committed over the world. The perpetrators rarely face prosecution. Through legal means, we work to keep dictators awake at night and hold them accountable to achieve justice for their victims.

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Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award

The Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award is an award for outstanding work in defense of civil and political rights. It is awarded every year by Civil Rights Defenders.

With the award, we recognise a prominent human rights defender who, despite the risk to their own safety, continues the struggle for civil and political rights. 

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Publications

Our reports and publications cover civil and political rights in many of the world’s most repressive countries and regions. The reports are written by Civil Rights Defenders, or in cooperation with our partners.

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Areas of expertise

Civil Rights Defenders is monitoring the situation for civil and political rights both globally and in Sweden. Within our team, we have experts on a range of topics and regions. Don’t hesitate to contact us.

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