Defend International

Defend International (commonly known as DI) is a non-governmental organization focused on promoting and protecting human rights in the Middle East and North Africa region.[1] Defend International was founded in 2007.

Defend International
MottoPromotes peace and democracy through cultural relations and advocacy
FoundedJuly 2007 (2007-07)
Norway
TypeNon-profit
NGO
Location
  • Global
ServicesLobbying, awareness raising, research, human rights campaigns, peace-building
FieldsDefending human rights, diplomacy, peace, justice
Websitewww.defendinternational.org

The co-founder of the organisation, Dr. Widad Akreyi, was awarded the International Pfeffer Peace Award[2] and the 2017 Pacem in Terris Award for her "commitment to human rights for all."[3]

Structure

Defend International is made up of voluntary members and representatives. The organisation states that since its establishment, it has collaborated with many civic and humanitarian organisations as well as agencies of various nations.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

The structure is based on national, sub-regional and regional networks of individuals and civil society organisations.[12]

Partnership

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

Defend International states that it was formed to target 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 reports that it has been active in:

Humanitarian Campaigns and Charitable Activities

Defending Women and Girls

The organisation expresses that it 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]

According to Everywoman Everywhere Coalition, Defend International has endorsed an international treaty on violence against women and girls worldwide and is a member of Everywoman Everywhere Coalition.[42]

Defend International provided humanitarian aid to Yazidi refugees in Kurdistan region, Iraq, December 2014[43]

Defending Yazidis, Christians and Kobanî

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, Kobanî and the Christians.[44][45][46]

Speaking of women and girls kidnapped by ISIS, co-founder of Defend International said that ISIL uses slavery and rape as weapons of war against Yazidis and Christians.[47] She asked the international community to intensify the efforts aimed at rescuing women and girls enslaved by ISIL.[48]

Asked about Kobanî, Widad 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.

Charity

In October 2014, co-founder 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.[49][50][51][52]

References
  1. "About Defend International". Defend International. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  2. Linda Kelly (22 October 2014). "Dr. Widad Akrawi Receives the Pfeffer Peace Award". Fellowship of Reconciliation. Archived from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  3. "We must remember, compassion is contagious: Pacem honoree speaks from the heart". Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  4. "Defend International and Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights are raising their concern regarding the physical and physiological attacks suffered by the young men in Bahrain". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  5. "Defend International 'concerned about the recent massive wave of arrests in Western Sahara'". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  6. "Euskal / Basque PEN awards two Kurdish journalists facing execution in Iran". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  7. "Everywoman Everywhere Coalition: Europe Regional Working Group". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  8. "Defend International Listed as member of International Action Network on Small Arms". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  9. "Defend International endorsed a global choral project for peace". Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  10. "Defend International Condemns Bhutto Assassination". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  11. "Defend International: Morocco: Protect and Preserve Mass Grave Sites". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  12. "Turkey: DI Condemns Sacking of Respected Journalist". Defend International. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  13. "Defend International website". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  14. "The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves: Partner Directory". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  15. "Peace Day NGO Coalition" (PDF). Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  16. "Peace Now". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  17. "Syria: DI Calls For Release Of Two Kidnapped Church Leaders". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  18. "Refugee Crisis: Minutes of Morn For Alan Kurdi and other refugees". Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  19. "May Alan Kurdi's Death Inspire Us to Create a World Without Borders". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  20. "A Child's Body on a Turkish Beach". Archived from the original on 22 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  21. "A child of three". Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  22. "Alan Kurdi and Canada's Refugee Policy". Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  23. "Berlin Must Reform or Abolish Its Refugee Policy". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  24. "IS "Price List" For Yazidi And Christian Females Verified By UN Official". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  25. "Save The Yazidis: The World Has To Act Now". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  26. "DI Alarmed Over Humanitarian Tragedy in Iraq And Urges International Community To Intervene". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  27. "Iran: DI Speaks Out Against Death Penalty". Defend International. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  28. "Defend International condemned Executions of Two Kurdish Activists". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  29. "Lebanon: Three Videos Confirm Torture of A Child & Two Men". Defend International. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  30. "Prisoner of conscience: Al-Khaiwani". Defend International. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  31. "End Juvenile Death Penalty". Defend International. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  32. "Women's Rights Campaigner Negin Released on Bail". Defend International. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  33. "Bahrain: Judicial Proceedings Against Mr. Mohamed Al-Maskati". Defend International. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  34. "Mr. Bijan Ghahramani at Risk of Deportation to Iran". Defend International. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  35. "About Defend International". Defend International. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  36. "Mosul Dam In Danger Of Deadly Collapse". Defend International. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  37. "NGO Presentation to the UN First Committee 2008". Defend International. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  38. "President of Defend International, Dr. Widad Akrawi, talks about women's rights and honor killing in Kurdistan". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  39. "Defend International Calls For An End To FGM". Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  40. "DI 2013: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence". Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  41. "NY: DI Calls for Legally-Binding Provision on Preventing Armed Gender-Based Violence in ATT". Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  42. "Everywoman Everywhere Coalition: Europe Regional Working Group". Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  43. "Defend International reached out to Yazidi refugees in Kurdistan region, Iraq, providing humanitarian aid". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  44. "Defend International reached out to Yazidi refugees in Kurdistan region, Iraq, providing humanitarian aid". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  45. "Save The Yazidis: The World Has To Act Now". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  46. "EDISUN SONG "WHILE THE WORLDS ASLEEP" RAISING AWARENESS TO THE PLIGHT OF THE YAZIDI REFUGEES". Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  47. "Pacem In Terris Peace and Freedom Award 2017: Dr. Widad Akreyi". Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  48. "Save The Yazidis: The World Has To Act Now". Retrieved 2014-09-12.
  49. "Dr Widad awarded International Pfeffer Peace Prize". Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  50. "Dr Akrawi Dedicated Peace Award to Yezidis, Christians and Kobane". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  51. "Dr. Widad Akrawi Barış ödülünü Kobanê ve Şengal'e adadı". Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  52. "Peace award dedicated to Kobanî and Şengal". Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
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