The EU Human Rights Defenders mechanism

Every year, the European Union Human Rights Defenders mechanism - ProtectDefenders.eu, offers life-saving support to hundreds of defenders and enables thousands to continue their human rights work with a higher level of security. In response to the aggravated risks defenders have faced worldwide in the context of Covid-19, ProtectDefenders.eu has delivered timely emergency responses to human rights defenders (HRDs), their families, and their communities, often with a holistic or multi-pronged approach. It has shown great efficiency and flexibility in continuing to deliver support, and has ensured at risk HRDs are empowered, resilient, and enabled to continue their work.