Speaking and moderating a “world cafe” in the regional consultation meeting, on impunity and human rights defenders, organized by Gulf Center for Human rights in the presence of the Special Rapporteur of Human Rights Defenders, Michel Forst.

The consultation identified common trends in attacks against HRDs in the region and obstacles they have to access to justice, the causes that lead to impunity for human rights violations against HRDs, how investigations and prosecutions of these violations are carried out through the region, and how mechanisms implemented contemplate measures to combat impunity for human rights violations.

The meeting was attended by 42 individuals representing the wide diversity that exists among HRDs in terms of geography, issues covered, gender, age, and ethnicity.

“After more than 70 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 20 years since the adoption of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), gross human rights violations continue to be widespread and have a profound impact, which impedes building a world free of fear and terror, a world in which freedom, justice, equality, and human dignity prevail.

Despite the many mechanisms at the United Nations and national regional organizations for the protection of HRDs and WHRDs, the main challenge is the lack of a safe and empowering environment for HRDs, which constitutes a flagrant violation of the spirit of the two declarations.”