Defenders in Development

A global campaign to transform development so it advances the realization of human rights and safeguards those who defend them

People and communities should be able to exercise their human rights, meet their basic needs, and determine their own priorities for their lives, their lands and their future. Yet around the world, the space for civil society participation in development is shrinking, as governments and corporate actors restrict fundamental freedoms and limit the ability of communities to access information and shape crucial decisions. Those who speak out about megaprojects and other investment activities or struggle to defend their environment and human rights are often threatened, criminalized or subjected to violence.

In response, human rights defenders and accountability advocates from around the world are coming together to challenge the current model of development and usher in a new development paradigm that advances the realization of human rights and safeguards those who defend them.

What We Do

The Defenders in Development Campaign engages in capacity building and collective action to ensure that communities and marginalized groups have the information, resources, protection and power to shape, participate in, or oppose development activities, and to hold development financiers, governments and companies accountable. We utilize advocacy and campaigning to change how development banks and other actors operate and to ensure that they respect human rights and guarantee a safe enabling environment for public participation.

Who We Are

The Campaign is made up of all those who work with defenders or on issues of development and human rights - community organizations, human rights and environmental groups, defender security organizations, transparency and accountability NGOs, and indigenous peoples and women's networks. It is hosted by the Coalition for Human Rights in Development. We are currently formalizing campaign participation with an open call to endorse the Campaign Declaration. You can find the Campaign Declaration and initial list of participant organizations here.

How to Get Involved

  1. ENDORSE THE DECLARATION
  2. READ THE LETTER TO STATES AND DEVELOPMENT BANKS SENT ON DECEMBER 7, 2018
  3. SIGN UP TO LEARN MORE or send us an email

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REPORTS AND ADVOCACY RESOURCES

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

THE CAMPAIGN IN THE MEDIA

RESOURCES & TOOLS FOR THE SECURITY & PROTECTION OF HRDs

PD - emergency support     UAF - rapid response   Front Line Defenders - Security In-A-Box   Front Line Defenders - Workbook on Security for Human Rights Defenders   AHRD - Resources for Human Rights Defenders   ISHR - Toolkit for Promoting Business Respect for Human Rights   Protection International - Protection Manual for Human Rights Defenders