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 | |
| Founded | July 2007 Norway |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit NGO |
| Location |
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| Services | Lobbying, awareness raising, research, human rights campaigns, peace-building |
| Fields | Defending human rights, diplomacy, peace, justice |
Co-Founder | Widad Akreyi |
| Website | www.defendinternational.org |
Defend International (commonly known as DI) is a non-governmental organization focused on promoting and protecting human rights in the Middle East and North Africa.
DI operates internationally, and is made up of a network of volunteers, representatives, and civic organisations working at national, regional, and sub-regional levels.
[2] Defend International is a partner of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, an initiative led by the United Nations Foundation, [3] [4] and a member of the Peace One Day NGO Coalition. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) This foundational document asserts the right to life and security for all individuals, condemning arbitrary deprivation of life. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) This treaty obligates signatory countries to take measures to eliminate discrimination against women, including gender-based violence like honor killings. United Nations Resolutions Various UN resolutions call for the elimination of honor-related violence and urge member states to enact and enforce laws against such practices. [5] and Peace Now. [6]
Since its establishment, DI has collaborated with many civic and humanitarian organisations as well as various governmental agencies. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]
DI's mission does not target any particular demographic within its geographic area of focus, but its work often concerns minority groups like the Yazidi and Middle Eastern Christians.
In collaboration with its partners, DI has advocated for and worked towards various humanitarian goals such as:
DI expressed that it has identified strategies to address violence against women and child marriages. [37]
DI has called for an end to female genital mutilation [38] and the elimination of all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls. [39] In 2015, DI called on UN negotiators of the Arms Trade Treaty to include a legally-binding provision to prevent armed gender-based violence. [40]
Defend International has endorsed the Every Woman Treaty on violence against women and girls worldwide and is a member of the Everywoman Everywhere Coalition. [41]
In a partnership with artists like Edison band, Claude Arfaras, Jane Adams and Daniel Dalopo, Defend International launched a worldwide campaign in September 2014 to raise awareness about the Yazidis, Kobanî and the Christians [42] [43] [44] and also called for the international community to intensify the efforts aimed at rescuing women and children enslaved by ISIL. [45]
Co-founder of Defend International Widad Akreyi stated that ISIL uses slavery and rape as weapons of war against Yazidis and Christians. [46]
