Watchdogs needed everywhere

– Human rights defenders have a fundamental role to play in any political system. Not even one government can claim that there is no need for watchdogs that follow their actions and report about human rights violations, said HRH´s Executive Director Maria Dahle at the opening of the anniversary conference 13 October in Oslo. (19-OCT-04) 

Read the speech below

Opening address, Maria Dahle, Executive Director, Human Rights House Foundation
October 13th, 2004

Dear friends,

1
Human rights activists are under attack. In many countries it is becoming increasingly dangerous to defend the rights of others and to speak up against oppressive regimes and political opponents.

Almost every day we hear reports from our partners of violations of their right to be a human rights defender.

A few weeks a go, burglars broke into the Human Rights House of Sarajevo and stole computers with sensitive files and archives, leaving more expensive equipment behind. In Belarus human rights organisations in our network have been shut down by the authorities. In the Russian Federation new laws restrain the activities of human rights defenders.

2
I am mentioning these examples not because they represent something unique, but rather because they happened only within the last few weeks and affected organisations that are part of our network of Human Rights Houses. Similar examples can be found all over the world.

In many countries human rights defenders risk their lives and even the lives of their colleagues and families in order to defend the rights of others. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon, and in recent years we have seen signs that it is becoming increasingly dangerous to be a human rights defender. Our partners and friends report of increasing persecution. This worries us, and we have a responsibility as human rights activists to address the problem. 

3
This conference addresses a very important issue: The right to be a human rights defender. Human rights defenders have a fundamental role to play in any political system. There is no country in the world that can claim to have a perfect system for the protection of human rights. Not even one government can claim that there is no need for watchdogs that follow their actions and report about human rights violations.

There are countless examples of how human rights activists have managed to change oppressive laws, entice governments to free political prisoners, or to initiate democratic reforms. Therefore, human rights defenders must be allowed to work freely and without danger, or else it represents a danger not only to the human rights defenders themselves, but to society as a whole.

4
The Human Rights House Network celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Since the beginning in 1994, the main aim of the Network has been to improve the work for human rights. Human Rights Houses enhance co-operation and collaboration among organisations and strengthen solidarity among them. They make organisations more visible and put human rights on the agenda.

But most of all, a Human Rights House increases the security of human rights defenders and activists and provides a base from where they can pursue their goals more efficiently and at less risk.

5
We wanted this anniversary conference to focus on the activist. By gathering human rights defenders from all over the world, as well as intellectuals, artists, politicians, researchers, and others who share a common goal of strengthening the work for human rights, we wanted to discuss how to protect the right to be a human rights defender. We all have different experiences and knowledge, and we are gathered here to share those experiences for the benefit of others.

6
This conference is important to our organisation and to the network. It adds weight to our work internationally and gives us a chance to present ideas and views to authorities and decision-makers. Furthermore, this conference makes it possible for activists from throughout the network of Human Rights Houses to meet with colleagues and activists from other organisations and institutions.

7
Because this is an anniversary conference of the Network of Human Rights Houses, the conference could have been held at any of the Houses. Six established Houses and six emerging Houses constitute a network of more than 70 human rights organisations. The Norwegian Human Rights House was established in 1989. For fifteen years we were located on the other side of town in a house that eventually turned out to be too small. This summer we moved into these new offices which were officially opened in August. Therefore,
I am proud to welcome you all to a “brand new” Human Rights House.

Welcome to the conference and welcome the Norwegian Human Rights House!