Human Rights Defenders Build Capacity on Information Protection

22 June 2011

Defenders of human rights are said to be vulnerable to violation of their rights. Information they on violation they gather needs protection and therefore the lawyer or defender ought to be conversant with crucial security measures not only their very own selves, but also the information.

The seriousness of the matter can be illustrated to an opponent in violation suit who kidnaps the lawyer by accomplices and his laptop computer essentially bearing exhibits, testimonies and other investigative information necessary for the on-going trial is seized and finally dashed away with.

The vulnerability of the defender and his data, now an issue on the rise, prompted the on-going capacity building workshop on the theme: “Digital security and the physical protection of defenders of human rights in Central Africa” in Bonapriso, Douala.

Organized by regional civil society organization, Network of Human Rights Defenders in Central Africa, REDHAC, with the support of Freedom House and the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa, the knowledge-acquiring event seeks to also assure the defender of his physical protection both personal and through organizations defending the rights of defenders.

To REDHAC’s Executive Director, Ngo Mbe Maximilienne, “We will organize the training in all our focal points come 2011-2012, as a broader way of promoting and defending human rights.”

The workshop that runs from June 22-24 is being facilitated by Gabriel Mugaruka, Amnesty International’s physical protection and security facilitator and Guy Cédric Mbouopda, IT Consultant.

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