Human Rights Defenders

Human rights activism: super big or super small or what strategy in times of aggressive populism and post-democracy

Leave a Comment / Global, Human Rights Defenders, Preparedness / Gaia Balbo

Attacks on human rights activists are frontal, powerful, and effective. The weakening and marginalisation of human rights activism follow two paths. The strategy of resilience and vitality of civil activism is moving in two opposing directions – super big (protests) and super small (volunteering and civic activism). New generations of students, intellectuals, and activists recognise the challenges facing democracy, freedoms, and rights but are determined to change the world.

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Cyber protection for human rights activists in key international instruments

Leave a Comment / Global, Human Rights Defenders, Preparedness, Science & Technology / Gaia Balbo

There are major threats posed by digital technologies and AI when these are used malevolently against human rights activists. It is worth addressing key recent instruments containing provisions designed to counter such threats.

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When mental health becomes disabling: supporting the human rights workforce

1 Comment / Curated 7, Curated Series, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Equality and Non-Discrimination, Human Rights Defenders, Preparedness / Gaia Balbo

Amidst environments burning with hostility, violence, harassment, criminalisation, and political repression, the human rights workforce operates at front and rear under pressure. Coupled with experiences of injustice, urgency and institutional pressure, their psychological well-being is often threatened, at times to a disabling degree.

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Reducing the mental health toll on environmental human rights defenders

Leave a Comment / Curated 7, Curated Series, Environment, Human Rights Defenders, Preparedness / Gaia Balbo

Environmental rights defenders have been recognised as human rights defenders. This mitigates the costly daily price of being frontline against environmental destruction, which regularly results in a disproportionate toll on mental health and in loss of lives.

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From eco-anxiety to empowerment: cooling down the fear of a heated future

Leave a Comment / Curated 7, Curated Series, Environment, Human Rights Defenders, Preparedness / Gaia Balbo

Eco-anxiety, though not a clinical disorder, impacts personal resilience. Addressing it requires therapeutic safe spaces and restoring personal agency to help individuals cope with the emotional weight of climate change by fostering empowerment amid planetary challenges.

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Caring for colleagues: how to help without being a psychologist

Leave a Comment / Curated 7, Curated Series, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Human Rights Defenders, Preparedness / Gaia Balbo

Five evidence-based strategies are offered to support the mental wellbeing of humanitarian colleagues—without being a psychologist. Grounded in academic research, these strategies provide practical tools to care for others responsibly, without overstepping or causing unintended harm.

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Attacks on civil and non-governmental organisations in Latin America

1 Comment / Alumni Regional Correspondents, Civil and Political Rights, Democracy & Governance, Human Rights Defenders, Latin America - Caribbean, Preparedness / Gaia Balbo

These past few years and with growing intensity these past few months, governments in Latin America have been passing laws to censor and prevent civil and non-governmental organisations receiving vital funds from international donors, a violation of human rights.

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Avoiding compassion fatigue: staying compassionate without emotional overload

1 Comment / Curated 7, Curated Series, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Global, Human Rights Defenders, Preparedness / Gaia Balbo

Human rights work demands deep compassion, often leading to emotional overwhelm. To avoid burnout and fatigue, it is worth exploring relevant steps for maintaining balance and well-being in such an emotionally demanding profession.

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Why mental health is essential to the future of human rights work

2 Comments / Curated 7, Curated Series, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Human Rights Defenders, Preparedness / Gaia Balbo

Mental health is not only a human right but also a vital asset in defending all other rights. It is worth exploring the overlooked mental health toll on human rights professionals and calling for systemic care and support.

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Introducing Curated #7: Safeguarding Mental Health of Human Rights Professionals

1 Comment / Curated 7, Curated Series, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Environment, Gender, Global, Human Rights Defenders, Preparedness / Gaia Balbo

Welcome to our seventh Curated series, which provides a space to reflect on mental health in relation to human rights professionals, by drawing on discussions developed within the EMAlumni Association and related Mental Health Support Group providing peer support, emotional first aid, and access to tailored resources.

Introducing Curated #7: Safeguarding Mental Health of Human Rights Professionals Read More »

Human rights activism: super big or super small or what strategy in times of aggressive populism and post-democracy

Cyber protection for human rights activists in key international instruments

Reducing the mental health toll on environmental human rights defenders

From eco-anxiety to empowerment: cooling down the fear of a heated future

Attacks on civil and non-governmental organisations in Latin America

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