The post Defend Our Defenders: Activists gather at the Union Buildings to demand protection for human rights defenders appeared first on groundWork.
MEDIA ADVISORY
DATE: 18 October 2024
Defend Our Defenders: Activists gather at the Union Buildings to demand protection for human rights defenders
WHAT: Human rights defenders will march to the Union Building in Pretoria to demand an end to threats and violence aimed at activists and community members. Under the “Defend our Defenders” campaign supported by more than 80 community and environmental justice organisations, calls for the development of law to protect whistleblowers and activists. The Campaign also calls for justice for all Human Rights Defenders who have been killed over the years.
BACKGROUND: Human rights and environmental activists have been and continue to be targeted for confronting undemocratic practices and violations of constitutional rights by corporate bodies and government. The assassination of Human Rights Defenders in South Africa remains an ever-present reality, threats and intimidation against activists and whistle-blowers are becoming commonplace. This needs urgent action and attention from the government.
WHY THIS GATHERING MATTERS: The threats, attacks and assassinations of whistleblowers, community, land and climate justice activists, continue to escalate with impunity. The silencing of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) is a threat to our democracy. It also infringes on the right to freedom of expression. The gathering intends to commemorate, honour, and spread awareness about the lives of those who have been assassinated, and the threats that human rights defenders currently face in many communities – especially mining communities around the country. The gathering is also a call to government actors, particularly the President of the Republic of South Africa, the Minister of Police, and the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services to acknowledge the significant role played by Human Rights Defenders in ensuring that the Constitutional rights of the poor and vulnerable are protected and that cases of violence and assassinations of defenders are taken seriously.
WHEN: Tuesday 22 October, 2024
WHERE: Pretoria – City of Tshwane
Starting Point: Old bus terminal – Struben street
End Point: Union Building
Time: 09:00 – 14:00
Memorandum for HRD Gathering 2024
Note: A more detailed media release will be shared with interested parties on Monday the 21st of October 2024
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FOR EDITORS/JOURNALISTS/MEDIA HOUSES
Media Access: Journalists and media outlets are invited to cover this significant event.
For media inquiries or to arrange interviews with representatives, affected community members and activists please contact:
Tsepang Molefe, groundWork Media Campaigner: +27 74 405 1257 media@groundwork.org.za
Nomatter Ndebele, CER Communications Coordinator: +27 76 731 4403, nndebele@cer.org.za
Carina Conradie, Life After Coal Campaigner: +27 71 571 4470, cconradie@lifeaftercoal.org.za
Relevant resources:
- HRD Attacks:
- We Know Our Lives are in Danger report
- Human Rights Defenders Part 1
- Human Rights Defenders Part 2
