Focus Areas
PHRD's work is organised across ten interconnected domains, each addressing a critical gap in the protection of human rights defenders worldwide.
These areas are not siloed — they are deeply interconnected. A defender facing transnational repression may simultaneously need asylum assistance, digital security support, and international advocacy. PHRD works across all ten to provide holistic protection.
Documenting and countering state-sponsored persecution of dissidents abroad — including digital surveillance, physical intimidation, travel bans, and forced returns to countries where they face persecution.
Supporting human rights defenders through asylum procedures with legal representation, procedural guidance, and long-term integration pathways — recognising the specific evidentiary challenges defenders face.
Advocating for targeted EU and international sanctions against individuals responsible for grave human rights violations — holding perpetrators personally accountable regardless of their official position.
Engaging the European Parliament, Commission, and Council to strengthen protections for defenders and embed rule-of-law conditionality throughout EU external and internal policy.
Applying the Responsibility to Protect framework to advocate for early international action in situations where defenders and civilians face mass atrocity risks.
Building solidarity infrastructure that connects isolated defenders with resources, peer support, legal assistance, and international visibility — because isolation is one of the greatest dangers a defender faces.
Providing defenders with practical guidance and resources to protect themselves against digital surveillance, targeted hacking, device seizure, and online harassment campaigns.
Countering state-sponsored disinformation campaigns that seek to delegitimise, discredit, or isolate human rights defenders, civil society organisations, and their supporters.
Building rigorous, evidence-based case records that withstand legal and political scrutiny — supporting accountability mechanisms, truth commissions, and international prosecutions.
Training and empowering defenders through programmes including legislative theatre, advocacy skills workshops, security training, and resilience-focused capacity development.
Get support
If you or someone you know is a human rights defender facing persecution, intimidation, or danger — reach out to PHRD. We treat all enquiries with strict confidentiality and apply a do-no-harm standard in all our responses.
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