Liberian Human Rights Ambassador Adama Dempster recently stood alongside leading human rights advocates from around the world at the 12th Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders, held from October 23 to 25 in Dublin, Ireland. Organized by Front Line Defenders, the event brought together nearly 100 frontline defenders from diverse nations to share strategies, network, and emphasize the critical need for global solidarity in protecting human rights.
This year’s gathering, held biennially since 2002, welcomed dignitaries including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty, EU Representative on Human Rights Olof Shoog, Front Line Defenders’ Executive Director Alan Glasgow, and Ireland’s Minister of State Sean Fleming. They underscored the importance of collaboration and resilience in tackling global human rights challenges.
In his address, Ambassador Dempster honored the courage and sacrifices of defenders worldwide. “This gathering is a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to protect human rights and honor those on the frontlines,” he said, calling for sustained efforts to safeguard human dignity.
The platform addressed the escalating risks human rights defenders face, including surveillance, harassment, and violence. Many of the defenders present work under extreme conditions, facing threats from both state and non-state actors. The event’s discussions aimed at equipping participants with tools for physical and digital security, self-care, and advocacy, as well as providing opportunities to connect with high-level decision-makers.
“The Dublin Platform is a safe space where defenders can strategize and gain skills essential to their safety and success,” said Alan Glasgow of Front Line Defenders. “It is a place where hope and solidarity can spark action.”
Participants included LGBTIQ+ rights advocates, journalists under threat, Indigenous land defenders, and those fighting corruption and corporate abuses. A tribute at the Human Rights Defenders Memorial in Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens honored hundreds of defenders killed in 2023 for their peaceful activism, with Front Line Defenders reporting at least 300 deaths in 28 countries last year alone.
Through panel discussions, testimonies, and working groups, the Dublin Platform strengthened the collective resolve to build a future where human rights are universally respected and defenders can operate without fear of retaliation.
