"More than 150 human rights defenders gather to lead change and fight repression, racism and discrimination", 29 Oct 2018

Marking the 20^th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and the 70^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, more than 150 human rights defenders from around the world are gathering in Paris to plan for the next 20 years of advancing human rights, and the struggle for change against repression, racism and discrimination.The Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018 comes at a time when, on an almost daily basis, a human rights defender (HRD) is reported killed, when criminalization and defamation have become standard risks, and when governments are failing their commitments made in 1998 to respect and protect HRDs... All over the world, ordinary people with extraordinary passion are speaking out for justice and equality in their everyday lives. These HRDs are teachers, factory workers, journalists or lawyers; they are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers. They are driven by their deep belief that people everywhere should be able to enjoy and exercise their rights. And they pose a challenge to authoritarians, corrupt officials and those who put profit over the protection of natural resources and communal rights to land....