Defend International

Defend International

Founded	2007 in Norway
Type	Non-profit NGO
Location	Global
Services	Lobbying, awareness raising, research, human rights campaigns, peace-building
Fields	Defending human rights, diplomacy, peace, justice
Website	www.defendinternational.org

Defend International (commonly known as DI) is an international non-governmental organisation whose mission is "to respond to grave violations of human rights and International Humanitarian Law, monitor the implementation of preventive measures that are designed to end impunity for the perpetrators of these crimes, conduct medical research that may either directly or indirectly improve the health standard of communities, and to promote peace and democracy through cultural relations and diplomacy."^[1] Based in Norway, DI focuses on the Middle East and North Africa region and has as its main objective the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The organisation is made up of voluntary members and representatives.^[2] Since its establishment in Oslo in 2007, Defend International has collaborated with many civic and humanitarian organizations as well as agencies of various nations.^{[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]}

The structure is based on national, sub-regional and regional networks of individuals and civil society organizations. Dr. Widad Akrawi is currently the president of Defend International.^[11][12]

Defend International is a partner of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, an initiative led by the United Nations Foundation^[13][14] and a member of the Peace One Day NGO Coalition^[15] and Peace Now.^[16]

Work

As a non-state actor, Defend International targets governments, parliaments, international institutions and non-governmental groups or organizations.^[17]

A beach event was held by Defend International in memory of Alan Kurdi and other refugees, 4 September 2015^{[18][19][20][21][22][23]}

DI works on the following key areas:

• Defending the rights of minorities (e.g., Christians outside of western countries and Yazidis) and ending modern-day slavery^[24][25][26]
• Ending Capital Punishment^[27][28]
• Stopping Torture^[29]
• Protecting the rights of Prisoners of Conscience and Civil Society Activists^[30]
• Defending Children's Rights^[31]
• Defending Women's Rights^[32]
• Defending the rights of Human rights defenders^[33]
• Defending the rights of Refugees^[34]
• Reviewing healthcare policies and human rights legislation^[35]
• Safeguarding the Environment^[36]
• Promoting Disarmament and International Security^[37]

Humanitarian Campaigns and Charitable Activities

Defending Women and Girls

The organization has identified strategies to address violence against women and child marriages^[38]

It has called for an end to female genital mutilation,^[39] the elimination of all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls,^[40] and called on UN negotiators of the Arms Trade Treaty to include a legally-binding provision to prevent armed gender-based violence.^[41]

In 2014, it engaged in developing the proper "tools and resources that can be utilized and replicated by supporters to ultimately identify the key gender and empowerment activities that are required to ensure that the next generations" of victims like the Yazidis are empowered through better understanding of their peaceful religion and culture.^[42]

Defend International has endorsed an international treaty on violence against women and girls worldwide and is a member of Everywoman Everywhere Coalition.^[43]

Defend International provided humanitarian aid to Yazidi refugees in Kurdistan region, Iraq, December 2014^[44]

Defending Yazidis, Christians and Kobane

Through partnerships 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, Kobane and the Christians.^[45][46][47]

Speaking of women and girls kidnapped by ISIS, President of Defend International said that ISIL uses slavery and rape as weapons of war against Yazidis and Christians.^[48] She asked the international community to intensify the efforts aimed at rescuing women and girls enslaved by ISIL.^[49]

Asked about Kobane, Dr. Akrawi, said that “a massacre can be avoided, if there is a well-organized and well-defined plan on how to deal with IS – a plan that sets out the strategic and tactical activities to be undertaken at the international, regional and local levels,” adding that journalists, humanitarian- and human rights organizations are not allowed to pass through Turkish checkpoints near the border.^[50]

Charity

In October 2014, President of Defend International was awarded the International Pfeffer Peace Award, which she dedicated to all victims of persecution, particularly the Yazidis, Christians and all residents of Kobane.^{[51][52][53][54][55][56]}

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to defend international.

• Defend International official site

References