Opening of Front Line's EU Office in Brussels
Brussels, 29 November 2006 – Irish EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevy has cut the ribbon to formally open the EU Office of Front Line, on 29 November, the first-ever International Women Human Rights Defenders Day. “I'm pleased to open the Front Line's office in Brussels, since this Irish-based international organisation has demonstrated the vital role human rights defenders can play, and the need to work for their protection”, stated the EU Commissioner.
Founded in Dublin in 2001, Front Line provides support and security for human rights defenders. This support is provided through a grant programme, training, advocacy, research, a fellowship programme. Front Line regularly publishes reports on the situation of human rights defenders.
Front Line has established an office in Brussels to more effectively follow-up on the EU Guidelines for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders adopted under the Irish Presidency in June 2004 and to more effectively lobby the Commission and other EU institutions on behalf of human rights defenders.
Human rights defenders at risk in Uzbekistan
Abdujalil Boymatov, Deputy Chair of the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan, took part in the opening before meeting several EU representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council.
Abdujalil Boymatov said: “The European Council Meeting of 13 November agreed to extend sanctions against the Uzbek Government on human rights grounds but to open the possibility of bilateral talks. The current situation provides for an historic opportunity to press for real change in the human rights situation in Uzbekistan”.
The Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan calls on the EU to press in particular for: · The release of 14 human rights defenders unjustly imprisoned and detained in psychiatric hospitals as a result of their legitimate work for human rights and 5 family members of a human rights defender imprisoned because of his work; · The legal registration of independent human rights organisations including the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan which has applied six times for registration without success; · An independent commission of inquiry into the human rights violations in Andijan in May 2005.
29 November, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day
The 29th of November also marks the first-ever International Women Human Rights Defenders Day. “It is important to recognise and implement a gender specific approach of the EU guidelines, as women human rights defenders face risks particular to their gender, committed by both state and non-state actors, including their families and communities, because they may challenge and defy cultural, religious or social norms about the role and status of women in society”, stated Mary Lawlor, Director of Front Line.
In a position paper issued today, eleven women’s rights and human rights non-governmental organisations, including Front Line, call for: · The adoption of specific conclusions by the General Affairs External Relations Council taking note of the risks and obstacles faced by Women Human Rights Defenders in the exercise of their activities, emphasizing the urgency and necessity of enhancing their protection and stressing the importance of applying a gender perspective in addressing human rights defenders issues; · The incorporation of gender-specific recommendations and implementation tools into the Handbook on the Implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders (as drafted under the Dutch Presidency); · The dissemination of gender-specific recommendations for the protection of Women Human Rights Defenders to all EU missions as soon as possible and their full implementation. · The incorporation of the gender-specific recommendations in training for mission staff on Human Rights Defenders to ensure specific focus on issues related to Women Human Rights Defenders.
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For further information, contact Vincent Forest, Head of EU Office, tel. +32 2 230 93 83, mobile: +32 486 36 87 60, email: vforest@frontlinedefenders.org, website: www.frontlinedefenders.org