“Natalia Project has been a game changer” – Génesis Dávila

Human rights defenders who work to promote and protect human rights in their communities across the world are often threatened and attacked to stay silent. 10 years ago, Civil Rights Defenders launched the Natalia Project, the world’s first assault alarm and community-based security system for human rights defenders. In the event of an attack, participants in the project can send out a distress signal so they can be located quickly and get help.

”The reason why we keep fighting every day is because we have hope. We truly believe that we can make the world a better place.”

Natalia Project participant Génesis Dávila is the director and founder of Defiende Venezuela, a human rights organisation fighting for accountability and justice for victims of political persecution, people in arbitrary detention, and others who have been subjected to government-sanctioned attacks in Venezuela.

Having a Natalia Project device helps her feel safe

In Venezuela being a human rights defender puts Génesis at risk of the very same political persecution she is trying to document.  

“I face different threats on a daily basis. In general, they come from the Venezuelan regime. They harass human rights defenders because we try to protect people who are in danger and victims of human rights violations. This is something that puts us at great risk.”

“It is really exhausting because then you don’t have space for other things. It’s the feeling of being chased all the time. It puts you under stress. You feel that you are never safe, wherever you are.”

That is why Génesis has participated in the Natalia Project, the world’s first security alarm system for human rights defenders at risk, since 2019. In the case of an attack, the alarm is activated, and a distress signal goes off. Civil Rights Defenders and a network of human rights defenders can start investigating the situation within minutes.

“For me, my Natalia has been a game changer. It helped me feel safe. Just having this tiny device with me, knowing that there was someone on the other side of the world just waiting for my call, being ready to act if something happens gave me such a confidence. That changed everything.”

The Natalia Project device is built to be durable and easy to use and take wherever is needed. 

“Everywhere I go, I bring my Natalia. If I’m about to fly somewhere, I check my passport, cellphone and my Natalia. It makes me feel safe. It’s my lucky charm.” 

“I face different threats on a daily basis. In general, they come from the Venezuelan regime. They harass human rights defenders because we try to protect people who are in danger and victims of human rights violations. This is something that puts us at great risk.”

“To deal with threats is something that is really exhausting because then you don’t have space for other things. It’s the feeling of being chased all the time. It puts you under stress. You feel that you are never safe, wherever you are.”

The human rights fight is a fight for all

The Natalia Project provides an important tool for human rights defenders to use against repressive regimes, as it makes it harder for repressors to silence human rights defenders in darkness.  

“Regimes have their police, their intelligence, their military, they have guns, they have the justice system under control. We only have our voice. With the Natalia Project, we now also have a team in Sweden protecting us.”  

Despite the bleak situation for human rights in Venezuela and many other parts of the world, Génesis stresses the fact that there are more people who want democracy and human rights, than those who want repression. She hopes more and more people, regardless of background, will join the fight:  

“Anyone who wants to support human rights can do it. You don’t have to be a lawyer, or someone waving a flag. You just need to advocate for human rights, and that will be enough.” 

Support our work

You can support brave human rights defenders like Génesis by supporting our work with assault alarm and community-based security system for human rights defenders who are in danger via the Natalia Project. Civil Rights Defenders are ready to act around the clock when the alarm goes off.