The invasion of Ukraine – an emergency situation

Human rights defenders need all the support they can get as independent voices are especially critical during times of war. Since the invasion, we have supported human rights defenders and independent journalists on the ground so that they can continue their important work.  

Through our Emergency Fund, we provide rapid assistance to human rights defenders in danger. This includes physical and digital security solutions, temporary relocations to safe places, and help to leave the country when threats become too serious. Among other things, we have: 

💛Provided emergency support to 350 journalists, including supplying first aid kits and flak jackets.  

💙Ensured that activists had the insurance, medical equipment, and satellite internet they needed to continue their work.  

💛Provided psycho-social support to journalists reporting from the frontline.  

💙Helped human rights defenders with urgent evacuations and temporary relocations to safe places. 

💙Worked with organisations to document war crimes.

Defending civil and political rights in the region for over 40 years

Civil Rights Defenders has worked with human rights defenders in Eurasia for over 40 years. Among other things, we support journalists so that they can continue their important work on the ground in Ukraine, as well as LGBTI+ organisations and organisations that work for women’s rights in Georgia.

Human rights in times of war

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the human rights situation has massively deteriorated in both countries. Civil Rights Defenders has supported human rights defenders and independent journalists on the ground in Ukraine since the beginning of the war so that they can continue their important work.