Wellbeing through human rights practice 7/9

Human rights work connects defenders in meaningful ways, allowing them to experience what they feel is fundamental to their wellbeing. For some, living positively and continuing with their work in spite of threats was in itself an act of resistance.

 For such defenders, it is not a question of choosing between human rights practice and wellbeing – rather human rights practice is done to maintain wellbeing. …

the combat against repression was a healing process… the claim that “Yes, it was the state” was our way of healing the wound; it is an emotional need and also a statement to make us stronger, make ourselves feel less vulnerable, less alone. Our uprising is against loneliness; it is a trust network; it is love politics; subversive love… Woman, student and feminist defender, Mexico

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER HUB POLICY BRIEF 1 | JANUARY 2017-University of York 

 This Policy Brief is based on research findings from the project ‘Navigating Risk, Managing Security, and Receiving Support’ which examines the experiences of human rights defenders at risk in Colombia, Mexico, Egypt, Kenya, and Indonesia. Interviews and surveys were conducted with over 400 defenders between July 2015 and November 2016.