EMHRF 2011 Annual Report
Copenhagen, Tunis, July 26, 2012. Today, the Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders (EMHRF) is releasing its Annual report, which focuses on its activities during the year 2011 aimed at supporting human rights defenders.
One year after the Arab uprisings, the results are mixed and the wave of changes sweeping the region is far from over. If democratic elections have taken place in four countries – Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Libya -, abuses persist and many challenges still lie ahead for the region.
Driss El Yazami, President of the EMHRF, notes that: “in all the countries, though in some more than in others, there is a need to consolidate the initiated reforms and strengthen the national reconstruction and transformation efforts, in various fields and notably equality, pluralism and diversity, the aspirations of the Arab societies’ youth, the constitutional and institutional reforms, in the field of justice in particular, the social rights and aspirations of the people, and the debates and projects related to transitional justice.”
Major human rights NGOs, weakened over the past years, and the new initiatives backed by the civil society have a significant role to play in upholding the demands of the population and fostering a space conducive to tangible and sustainable reforms.
In light of the above, the Foundation has strengthened its capacities to remain mobilized and significantly present in the developments, giving priority to ethics, responsiveness, collaboration and local involvement.
Hence, the Foundation reinforced its support to human rights defenders at risk, especially in Syria, and adapted its action to strengthen the capacities of new actors – acting mostly in remote regions – to promote democratic reforms in transitional contexts.
This report is available in English, French and Arabic.
EMHRF Activity Report: