Acknowledgements

Protection of human rights defenders: best practices and lessons learnt
Acknowledgements
Many people made a direct contribution to this study. We first mention those on the
Protection Desks of the partner organisations of Protection International:
– Claudia Samayoa (Defenders’ Unit of Guatemala – Unidad de Defensores/as de Guatemala)
– Diego Pérez, Irma García y Julia Madariaga (Social Thought and Action, Colombia –
Pensamiento y Acción Social)
And in alphabetical order we would like to express our gratitude to:
– Carolina Aldana (We Are Defenders Programme, Colombia - Programa Somos Defensores)
– Adolphe (Asadho Bukavu, RDC)
– José Juan Alonso Ramírez (Programme on attacks against journalists and civil defenders of
human rights of the National Human Rights Commission, Mexico – Programa de Agravios a
Periodistas y Defensores Civiles de Derechos Humanos de la Comisión Nacional de los Derechos
Humanos -CNDH-)
– Albertine Amazani (Association for the fight to promote and protect the rights of women and
children -ALUDROFE-, Fizi and Baraka, RDC – Association de Lutte pour la promotion et la
protection des droits de la femme et de l’enfant -ALUDROFE-)
– Coronel Efraín Oswaldo Aragón (Human Rights Programme of the National Police, Colombia
– Programa Derechos Humanos de la Policía Nacional)
– Ignacio Arango (Penca de Sábila, Medellín, Colombia)
– Luis Arriaga (HRD Centre Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez, México – Centro de DDHH Miguel
Agustín Pro Juárez)
– Miriam Awad (Santa Marta Land of Hope Association, Colombia – Asociación Tierra de
Esperanza Santa Marta)
– Patrick Bakula Impempe (Dynamic movement of human rights activists -DADH-, Matadi,
RDC – Dynamique des activistes des droits de l’homme -DADH-)
– Franck Banza Ngoy (Friends of Nelson Mandela for the defence of human rights, ANMDH,
Kinshasa, RDC – Les amis de Nelson Mandela pour la défense des droits humains, ANMDH)
– Paola Barruti (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia
– Oficina del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos en Colombia)
– Dieudonné Basedeke Mongane (Walungu, RDC)
– Léonard Basilwango Mutumoyi (ACPD, Bukavu, RDC)
– Cyprien Birhingingwa (National Centre for the support of development and people’s
participation -CENADEP-, Kivu, RDC – Centre national d’appui au développement et à la
participation populaire -CENADEP-)
– Diana Paola Botero Morales (Governmental Human Rights Programme, Colombia – Programa
Gubernamental de derechos humanos)
– Cécile Bwabuy (Consultation and Thoughts on Action for Basic Development -CRADEB-,
Kitwit, RDC – Concertation et réflexion sur les actions pour le développement de base -CRADEB-)
– Laurent Bwenia-Muhenia (ASADHO, Kikwit, RDC)
– Owen Campbell (Peace Brigades International - Guatemala Project – Brigadas Internacionales
de Paz -Proyecto Guatemala)
– Jean Carlos (REPRDODHOC and RENADHOC, RDC)
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Protection of human rights defenders: best practices and lessons learnt
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Sandra Carvalho (Justicia Global, Brazil)
Francisco Cerezo Contreras (Cerezo Committee, Mexico – Comité Cerezo)
Marcellin Chamwa Murho (RDC)
Olimpia Chatá (Organisation of Ixquic Women of Petén, Guatemala – Organización de Mujeres
Ixquic de Petén)
Kizito Cimbembe (Collective for organisations of young supporters of the Congo, Université
Kinshasa-Institut supérieur études médicales -COJESKI UNIKIN-ISTM-, Kinshasa, RDC –
Collectif des organisations des jeunes solidaires du Congo, Université Kinshasa-Institut supérieur
études médicales -COJESKI UNIKIN-ISTM-)
Patricia Colchero (Human Rights Commission of the Federal District -CDHDF-, México –
Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Distrito Federal -CDHDF-)
Vanessa Coria (Centre for Justice and International Law -CEJIL- Central America, Costa Rica
– Centro por la Justicia y el Derecho Internacional -CEJIL- Mesoamérica)
Rosita Corrales (Organisation of Ixquic Women of Petén, Guatemala – Organización de Mujeres
Ixquic de Petén)
Edgar Cortés (All rights For All Network, Mexico – Red de Todos los Derechos para Todos)
Eréndira Cruzvillegas Fuentes (Human Rights Commission of the Federal District -CDHDF-,
Mexico – Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Distrito Federal -CDHDF-)
Jorge Cubides (Protection Programme, Government of Colombia – Programa de Protección,
Gobierno de Colombia)
Defender (Kontras Aceh, Indonesia)
Defenders - 13 individuals (Kenya)
Defender (Jagaran Media Centre, Nepal)
Defender (INSEC, Nepal)
Defender (Human Rights House, Nepal)
Defender (NEFIN, Nepal)
Defender (CVICT, Nepal)
Defender (Blue Diamond Society, Nepal)
Defender (HUDEP, Nepal)
Defender (LANCA, Nepal)
Defender (NDC, Nepal)
Defender (WHR, Nepal)
Defender (People’s and Human Rights Watch, Kenya)
Defender (WOREC, Nepal)
Defender (Amnesty International, Nepal)
Defender (National Human Rights Commission, Nepal)
Defender (NWC, Nepal)
Defenders (Democratic Republic of Congo: some 100 participants in various workshops in
Kinshasa, Kikwit, Mbandaka, Kinshasa, Matadi, North Kivu and South Kivu)
Defender (Mandera, Kenya)
Defender (Centre for Advocacy and Research Against Torture, Kenya)
Defender (The voice of those with no voice or freedom, South Kivu, RDC – Voix de sans Voix
ni Liberte)
Rafael Dias (Justicia Global, Brazil)
Mireya Duque (Corporación Avre - Support to Victims of Socio-Political Violence - emotional
recovery programme, Colombia – Corporación Avre - Apoyo a Víctima de Violencia Socio Política
Pro - Recuperación Emocional)
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Protection of human rights defenders: best practices and lessons learnt
– Oscar Gómez (Avre Corporation - Support to Victims of Socio-Political Violence - emotional
recovery programme, Colombia – Corporación Avre - Apoyo a Víctima de Violencia Socio Política
Pro - Recuperación Emocional)
– Alejandra González (“Tlachinollan” Mountain A.C, Mexico Human Rights Centre –Centro de
Derechos Humanos de la Montaña “Tlachinollan”)
– Diana Gutiérrez (Medellín Proxy, Colombia)
– Marta Falqueto (PPDDH-ES, CADH, Brazil)
– Gloria Flórez (Minga Association, Colombia – Asociación Minga)
– Marina Gallego (Women’s Peace Road, Colombia – Ruta Pacífica de las Mujeres)
– Lourdes Gutiérrez Ortiz (Unit for the Promotion and Defence of Human Rights of the
Secretariat of the Interior Ministry, Mexico – Unidad para la Promoción y Defensa de los
Derechos Humanos de la Secretaría de Gobernación)
– Kentaro Harriet (Human Rights Concern, Kampala, Uganda)
– Iduvina Hernández (Security and Democracy -SEDEM-, Guatemala – Seguridad en Democracia
-SEDEM-)
– Miguel Huerta (CNDH, Peru)
– Françoise Ikwapa (Women’s League for the development of and education in democracy -LIFDEDKitwit, RDC – Ligues des femmes pour le développement et l’éducation à la démocratie -LIFDED-)
– Olona Imbungu (Comprehensive Project for Human Rights in National Entities -PIDEN-,
Kitwit, RDC – Projet intégré pour les droits de la personne dans les entités nationales -PIDEN-)
– Judith (Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya)
– Miguel Jugo (Pro-Human Rights Association -APRODEH- Peru – Asociación Pro Derechos
Humanos -APRODEH-)
– Etienne Kabala (Association APDP)
– Justine Kakesa (Dynamic Movement for Congolese Youth -DJFC-, Kitwit, RDC – Dynamique
de la jeunesse congolaise -DJFC-)
– BKamau (Social Refund Center, Kenya)
– Georges Kapiamba (ASADHO, African Association for the Defence of Human Rights,
Kinshasa, RDC – ASADHO, Association africaine de défense des droits de l’homme)
– Albert Kawumbu (League for raising elector awareness, LICE, Kinshasa, RDC – Ligue de
conscientisation des électeurs, LICE)
– Blanchard Kepiasila Keke (Debout moeurs, Matadi, RDC)
– Abjata Khalif (Wagalla Centre for Peace and Human Rights, Kenya)
– Jeremie Kibukila (RADHF, RDC)
– Rosalie Kilunya Ndedi (Pax Christi, Kitwit, RDC)
– Célestin Kingenzi (AJPR, Kikwit, RDC)
– David Kisule (Integrity, Kampala, Uganda)
– Marie-Pierre Kitambala (Missionary Information and Action Centre, Kitwit, RDC – Centre
d’information et d’animation missionnaire)
– Joseph Kitungano (REPRODHOC, South Kivu, RDC)
– Angèle Kombe (Association of Congolese Women Lawyers -AFEJUCO- South Kivu, RDC –
Association des Femmes Juristes Congolaises -AFEJUCO-)
– David Koros (Centre Against Torture -CAT-, Kenya)
– Cintia Lavandera (Amnesty International, UK)
– Célestin Limbeya Omoho (The friends of Nelson Mandela for the defence of human rights,
ANMDH, Kinshasa, RDC – Les amis de Nelson Mandela pour la défense des droits humains,
ANMDH)
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Protection of human rights defenders: best practices and lessons learnt
– Jorge López (Organisation for supporting the sexuality of people with AIDS -OASIS-,
Guatemala – Organización de Apoyo a una Sexualidad Integral frente al Sida -OASIS-)
– Benjamin Lukamba (ASADHO, African Association for the Defence of Human Rights,
Kinshasa, RDC – ASADHO, Association africaine de défense des droits de l’homme)
– Vanesa Marcos (Peace Brigades International - Guatemala Project –Brigadas Internacionales
de Paz -Proyecto Guatemala)
– Javier Márquez Valderrama (Penca de Sábila, Medellín, Colombia)
– Hugo Martínez (Defenders’ Unit, COPREDEH, Guatemala – Unidad de Defensores, COPREDEH)
– Espérance Mayoka (Trade Union Confederation of the Congo, Kitwit, RDC – Confédération
syndicale du Congo)
– Olivier Mbala Matadi (Alternative Youth Foundation for the promotion of human rights -FAJHR-,
Matadi, RDC – Fondation alternative jeunesse pour la promotion des droits humains -FAJHR-)
– Pamphile Mbuangi Mayimbi (Socio-cultural Promotion Office -BUPOSC- and Collective for
organisations of young supporters of the Congo Kinshasa -COJESKI-, Matadi, RDC – Bureau
de promotion socio-culturelle -BUPOSC- et Collectif des organisations des jeunes solidaires du
Congo Kinshasa -COJESKI-)
– Jane Meriwas (Kenya)
– Hassan Mopembe (CONADHI -Mbandaka, RDC)
– Luis Mosquero (Living Together, Medellín, Colombia – Convivamos)
– Julien Muanda Lusala (League for the promotion of women and human rights -LIPFEDH-,
Boma, RDC – Ligue pour la promotion de la femme et des droits humains -LIPFEDH-)
– Philomène Mukendi (Angels from Heaven, Kinshasa, RDC – Les Anges du Ciel)
– Alain Mullenex (Peace Brigades International – Brigadas Internacionales de Paz)
– Norbert Musanga Amissi (REPRODHOC, RDC)
– Gabriel Muyui (Indigenous Ombudsman’s Office, Colombia – Defensoría Indígena)
– Loochi Muzaliwa (Justice for All - member of REPRODHOC- RDC – Justice pour Tous
-membre de REPRODHOC- RDC)
– Faith Mwende (Center for Rights, Education and Awareness -CREAW-, Kenya)
– Otsieno Namwaya (Media Center Of Africa, Nairobi, Kenya)
– Remy Ngabo (SEDI, South-Kivu, RDC)
– Nöelly Nkubukulu Bulumonano (Women as a pattern for peace -WOPPA-, Matadi, RDC)
– Elise Nyandinda (Women’s Network of associations for development -RFDA-, Uvira and Fizi,
RDC – Réseau des Femmes pour un développement associatif -RFDA-)
– Diana Nyawanda (defender, Kenya)
– Caleb Ochanda Twenya (Bware Youth Action Network, Nyanza, Kenya)
– Dr. Godrey Odongo (Amnesty International, Kenya)
– Elena Openshaw (Amnesty International, UK)
– Argentina Osorio (Organisation of Ixquic Women of Petén, Guatemala – Organización de
Mujeres Ixquic de Petén)
– Philippe Pagé (Peace Brigades International - Colombia Project PBI – Brigadas Internacionales
de Paz - Proyecto Colombia PBI)
– Mario Patrón (“Tlachinollan” Mountain A.C, México Human Rights Centre – Centro de
Derechos Humanos de la Montaña “Tlachinollan” A.C, México)
– Marie Pemba (Women’s league for the development of and education in democracy -LIFDEDKitwit, RDC – Ligues des femmes pour le développement et l’éducation à la démocratie LIFDED)
– Julien Pepe (Sexual Minorities Uganda -SMUG-, Kampala, Uganda)
– Mar Pérez (CNDH, Peru)
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Protection of human rights defenders: best practices and lessons learnt
– José Pilar (Zacapa Lutheran Church of Guatemala, ILUGUA – Iglesia Luterana de Guatemala
de Zacapa, ILUGUA)
– Jaime Prieto (expert, Colombia)
– Adrián Ramírez (Mexican League for Human Rights, Mexico – Liga Mexicana por los Derechos
Humanos)
– Luis Ramírez (Institute for Comparative Studies in Criminal Science -ICCPG-, Guatemala –
Instituto de Estudios Comparados en Ciencias Penales -ICCPG-)
– Enrique Riestra (Peace Brigades International - Guatemala Project – Brigadas Internacionales
de Paz -Proyecto Guatemala)
– Luis Rocca (Risk Assessment Commission - CNDH Peru – Comisión de Evaluación de Riesgos,
CNDH Perú)
– Carlos Rodríguez (Colombian Lawyers’ Commission, Colombia – Comisión Colombiana de Juristas)
– Pablo Saavedra (Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Costa Rica – Corte Interamericana
de Derechos Humanos)
– Fabien Safari (ACAT South-Kivu, RDC)
- Diana Sánchez (Asociación Minga, Colombia)
– Javier San Juan (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in
Guatemala OACNUDH – Oficina del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los
Derechos Humanos en Guatemala OACNUDH)
– Aura Selmis (Living Together, Medellín, Colombia – Convivamos)
– Agnès Shagayo (Association for Solidarity and Peace for Comprehensive Development
-SODAPI-, Uvira, RDC – Association Solidarité et Paix pour le Développement Intégré)
– Robert Shemamba (Mitumba Community Radio, Uvira, RDC – Radio communautaire Mitumba)
– Alejandro Silva (Labour Consultancy Centre -CEDAL-, Peru – Centro de Asesoría Laboral
-CEDAL-)
– Titi (Justice and Solidarity, RDC – Justice et Solidarité)
– Patrick Tumwine (Human Rights Network -HURINET-, Uganda)
– Iliana Tzin (Organisation of Ixquic Women of Petén, Guatemala – Organización de Mujeres
Ixquic de Petén)
– Germán Vargas (Association for Peace and Hope, Peru – Asociación Paz y Esperanza)
– Mónica Valencia Giraldo (Women’s Peace Road, Colombia – Ruta Pacífica de las Mujeres)
– Ruth del Valle (COPREDEH, Guatemala)
– Eduardo Vega (Peruvian Ombudsman – Defensoría Pública de Perú)
– Juan Antonio Vega (independent expert, Mexico)
– Passy Walumbuka (ELIMU Association, Uvira, RDC – Association ELIMU)
– Juliet Were Oguttu (Isis-Women’s International Cross Cultural Exchange Isis-WICCE-,
Kampala, Uganda)
– Roxana Yzusqui Rios (expert, Peru)
– Julie Zenga (League of Electors, RDC – Ligue des électeurs)
Finally this work could not have been done without the commitment and cooperation of all
the people of Protection International, and especially those who worked closely with us.
Our thanks go to Marie Caraj (from the team working on this topic), to our colleagues in
the PI office in Brussels, and our assistants Almudena Díaz Barrio, Ángela Díaz Barrio,
Jérôme Hieber and Steve Ashton.
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