Defenders to Challenge Faith Communities
to Protect Human Rights

Aug. 13, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 CONTACT:
Deborah Hakes, 404-420-5124

Harassed, labeled as traitors, and sometimes jailed for their work, human rights defenders come from backgrounds as diverse as the issues they advocate in their home countries. Many work from an equally diverse platform, one of personal faith.

Their untold stories are often dramatic—a Muslim woman advocating for women's rights within the framework of Islam, a Catholic priest with leukemia fighting for the civil rights of Haitians from exile in South Florida, or an Israeli labeled as an "Arab-lover" for documenting human rights violations against Palestinians.

"I was brought up as a Muslim and brought up to believe that God is just and Islam is just," said Zainah Anwar, executive director of Sisters in Islam, a Malaysian non-governmental organization. "Rejecting our religion in order to become a feminist is just not a choice—we want to be feminists and we want to be Muslim as well. We want to locate our search for justice, for liberation within our tradition, within our belief."

Human rights defenders from around the world will gather at The Carter Center on Sept. 6-7 to challenge faith leaders to become part of the solution. Defenders play a critical role in the same issues that are important to faith communities, yet there seems to be a gap in understanding each other's work.

"Economic justice, the alleviation of poverty, and prevention of human rights atrocities such as in Darfur are central tenets to both faith communities and the work of human rights defenders," said Karin Ryan, director of the Carter Center's Human Rights Program. "There are more opportunities for collaboration and synergy between the groups beyond Darfur. Human rights defenders play a vital role by alerting the world to escalating crises, preventing crimes against humanity and genocide. We should get to know them and listen to their views and concerns."

Defenders challenge expectations, fight stereotypes, and fight radicalism without weapons.

"There is a global human rights movement trying to build democracy from the grassroots level," said Ryan. "That is the antidote to radicalism. But people need to see what these defenders are up against and how important it is for all of us to amplify their voices."

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"Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope."

The Carter Center celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2007. A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in more than 65 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; improving mental health care; and teaching farmers in developing nations to increase crop production. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. Please visit www.cartercenter.org to learn more about The Carter Center.