5) Description of initiative: Front Line was founded in Dublin in 2001 with the specific aim of protecting Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), people who work, non-violently, for any or all of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Since that time, Front Line has supported HRDs in over 90 countries through a personalized, fast and flexible program of tangible support that includes elements of immediate and long-term protection, networking, training, and access to the mechanisms of the UN and other regional bodies.

Front Line’s main focus is on human rights defenders who face persecution or violence as a result of their work on behalf of their fellow citizens. In this capacity, Front Line: runs a grants program to provide for the security needs of HRDs; mobilizes campaigning and lobbying among local/state governments and international / inter- governmental organizations on behalf of defenders at immediate risk (in emergency situations Front Line can facilitate temporary relocation); conducts research, and publishes reports on the situation of HRDs in specific countries and regions. The organization also develops resource materials and capacity building seminars that address HRD personal security & risk assessment.

Front Line projects are generally undertaken in close partnership with individual HRDs and human rights organizations that it has identified through its network. Through its headquarters in Blackrock, Co. Dublin and its advocacy office in Brussels, Front Line promotes awareness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is working to ensure that the principles and standards set out in the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (known as the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders) are known, respected and adhered to worldwide.

6) Description of innovation: Mary Lawlor established Front Line in 2001 because no other organisation existed which worked exclusively the address the protection and security needs of HRDs. The Front Line program is based on a personalized system of tangible, round-the-clock support that includes the components of protection, training, networking and advocacy.

Since 2001, Front Line has been expanded and defined by the expressed needs of HRDs themselves; its core strength is that it expands the space to allow HRDs to continue their work. In emergency situations, Front Line has mobilized successful lobbing campaigns on behalf of many HRDs. Equally, Front Line has lobbied the Irish government to allow for the provision of temporary humanitarian visas for HRDs at immediate risk. As a result of Front Line’s efforts, the Irish Government has implemented an emergency structure to review urgent cases and raise them directly through the EU. Front Line also works through the UNSRSHR and has a rolling internship to support its office.

In June 2004 during Ireland’s tenure as President of the European Union, the EU adopted the first guidelines on HRD. Front Line was instrumental in the adoption of these guidelines, having been commissioned by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs to prepare a consultation paper for discussion by the Irish Government with their EU partners.

Front Line manages: a grants program that provides immediate, tangible support to HRD at risk; training seminars that advance HRD security /capacity; technology workshops that clarify opportunities/threats associated with internet and computer technology; international seminars that address the challenges confronting women HRDs; bi-annual Dublin-based Platforms that bring HRDs together with UN, EU, and national governments to foster exchange between HRDs and leaders of the international community; detailed reporting of abuses against HRDs in countries such as Rwanda, Brazil, Indonesia and the DRC.

7) Delivery model: Front Line works in partnership with global HRDs through a network of vetted relationships. This contact base (numbering over 1,200 active participants), is continuously developed through the organization’s combined program of field training, small grants, urgent advocacy, emergency & humanitarian visas and the bi-annual Dublin Platform which brings HRDs from over 70 countries together to network, share ideas and rest from their work as defenders of civil, political, economic, cultural, social rights and freedoms.

In 2006, Front Line has issued small grant assistance in the form of security/emergency/anti-impunity support to 58 human rights defenders in 30 countries. Applications for this program have increased by 61 percent in 23 months as word of the program has spread. The organization also performs field-training sessions in concepts of general HRD security & capacity, IT security & capacity and similar tactics specific to women HRDs. In 2006 alone Front Line has completed training sessions in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, India, Zimbabwe, Bishkek, and the DRC.

Front Line’s partner-based relationship with HRDs allows for direct and focussed two-way communication. Through this unique arrangement, Front Line is able to solicit valuable advice on possible actions and respond to needs that are expressed by HRDs. Front Line is in regular contact with HRDs via an electronic newsletter that is drafted in 5 languages (Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish) and which is designed to stimulate continued feedback. The organization also conducts regular security/protection training in partnership with HRDs and publishes reports in partnership with local human rights organizations that address the situation of HRDs in specific countries. Finally, Front Line operates a 24/7/356 HRD emergency hotline that is maintained in each of the languages specified above. Through this system the organization provides a secure system for HRDs to communicate Front Line staff.

8) Key operational partnerships: Front Line works in partnership with a network of HRDs in more than 90 countries and maintains effective working relationships with a wide variety of international NGOs and gov./intergovernmental organizations. All of Front Line’s activities are in direct response to needs and requests expressed by HRDs.

To expand its network, to improve organizational efficiency, and to increase international action/awareness for HRDs, Front Line collaborates with a number of organizations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH), World Organization Against Torture (OMCT), Human Rights First, Urgent Action Fund, and International Service for Human Rights. Front Line has also worked with specialist organizations such as Peace Brigades International and Privaterra on specific aspects of protection.

Front Line also works closely with the Irish Government in mutual support of at-risk HRDs. In 2004, Front Line lobbied the Irish Government and drafted the consultation paper that led to the creation of the EU Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. Front Line has furthered this success by securing continued support for HRD during the Dutch and British EU Presidential terms. The organization presently maintains a second office in Brussels in order to continue to foster active relationships within the EU, the UN and individual state governments.

Front Line also regards each of it’s funders as active partners.

9) Financial model: Front Line provides its services through the individual and often combined delivery of the previously described local and web-based mechanisms that comprise its program. Each is also delivered according to its tested method of delivery and is founded on a partner-driven approach.

Front Line recognizes that its resources are limited. Accordingly, the organization has established an annually revised system of “priority countries” that is based on a combination of need, feasibility, and its existing contact network. While Front Line provides regular support to HRD in over 70 countries, priority is given to the following: Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, DRC, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Iran, Israel/Palestine, Indonesia, China/Tibet, India, Russia/Chechnya, Turkey & Central Asia.

          • Costs as percentage of income: 0%

          • Financing: The organization is funded by a consortium of private and public sources, which provide programme-specific and unrestricted funding through the facilitation of one-time, annual and multi-year grants. These sources include: government funding, foundation support, private donations, and corporate sponsorship.

Front Line maintains financial stability through the continued development of its existing network of private and public funding partners as well as further engagement with targeted individual donors and the general public of Ireland.

Major Funding Sources: Atlantic Philanthropies, Denis O'Brien Foundation, Oak Foundation, Sigrid Rausing Trust, Ireland Funds, IrishAid, Swiss Government, Norwegian Government.

10) Effectiveness

          • Project outcomes: Through the combined elements of its protection program, Front Line has enabled hundreds of HRDs and organizations to challenge their governments to respect human rights and the rule of law. In many cases, HRDs with whom Front Line has worked have been released from incarceration and have been allowed to continue their work as a result of the organization’s involvement. The impact of this effort is substantial in that each HRD that Front Line helps is able to continue their work to defend the rights of their communities. Front Line presently has over 1200 active HRD partners with whom the organization is in regular contact.

          • Number of clients in past year: In 2006 (Nov 21) Front Line has issued over $195,000 in small grant support to 58 human rights defenders working throughout the world. The organization has also issued over 1,200 Urgent Action appeals seeking immediate recognition and support for specific HRD cases among leadership circles within the international community. Front Line has continued to facilitate its established HRD fellowship program, which brings HRDs to the Front Line Blackrock office for projects and training as appropriate to their needs. The organization has also provided local, regional & international HRD training seminars and workshops on the topics of security/capacity-building, IT Security and Women HRD issues to over 150 HRDs in Guatemala, India, Sri Lanka, Bishkek, Zimbabwe and the DRC.

11) Scaling up strategy

          • Stage of the initiative: Scaling Up stage.

          • Expansion plan: Front Line’s commitment is to provide tangible support to HRDs. As such, the organization will maintain the structure of each of its programmatic areas while expanding its network of HRDs and partner organizations. Within this structure, Front Line will expand its grants program at a rate that matches the program’s increasing application rate. Front Line will also strengthen its position as an advocate for HRD among EU and UN bodies. In July, Front Line opened an advocacy office and Brussels to ensure that EU support for HRDs is expanded as individual governments assume the EU Presidency. The organization will also continue its management of the Frank Jennings Internship programme, which provides practical support to the office of the UN Special Representative on HRDs. Finally, Front Line will advance its recently launched HRD internship in partnership with Peking University.

12) Origin of the initiative: Mary Lawlor is the former Executive Director of the Irish Section of Amnesty International. In 2001 she left Amnesty to found Front Line because no other organisation existed which worked exclusively to address the protection and security needs of human rights defenders. Ms. Lawlor felt that to work with HRDs at risk, a particular approach was needed which was not possible in larger NGOs. Her mission was clear: to proactively defend those who risk their lives in order to champion the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. What began as a previously untried mission of support has become Front Line: a fast growing and effective NGO that provides solidarity & tangible assistance for human rights defenders in over 90 countries.

Contact Information:
Charlie  Lamson
Head of Development
Front Line: The International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
(NGO)
16 Idrone Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)1 212 3750
Fax: +353 (0)1 212 1001
Email: charlie@frontlinedefenders.org
Website: www.frontlinedefenders.org