SOS | System of Solidarity and Support - October 2012

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ESCR-Net has advanced the development of a System of Solidarity and Support (SOS) for situations where Members face serious threats to their lives or livelihoods as a result of their activities to defend and promote human rights. Since early 2012, ESCR-Net has leveraged the collective voice of the Network’s Membership multiple times in the form of Urgent Action letters, several of which were subsequently acted upon by the UN Special Rapporteurs. Members requiring urgent support were also able to access the necessary assistance by drawing on the capacities of members specialized in human rights defenders protection. Plans are currently underway to develop a micro-site for the SOS which will make available information related to the protection and security of human rights defenders, securely gather information about anticipated or existing human rights violations, broadly disseminate Urgent Action alerts through various online media tools, and facilitate action by Members and supporters in solidarity with human rights defenders under threat. See here for Urgent Action letters transmitted by ESCR-Net.

For more information, contact Thea Gelbspan tgelbspan[at]escr-net.org