Life as a Defender of Human Rights

Life as a Defender of Human Rights: Sihem Bensedrine

You may be wondering what it takes to be a human rights defender. These are men and women on the front lines in their home countries, advocating for justice, often in the face of significant danger to their lives and health. Why do they do what they do, what are the risks they face and what is at stake? Sihem Bensedrine shares her story:

My involvement with human rights began when I was a reporter for the newspaper LePhare, in Tunisia, and I started to investigate the human rights situation and civil liberties in my country.

When we are witnesses to violations and to things that affect human dignity, then we do not have the right to turn away. From the moment you become a witness you have a responsibility, which is to tell what you have seen – to be a witness. From this moment, you cannot return, and you become a target of those who govern. Those who govern do not like witnesses who denounce what they do. From that time onwards, I became a target of repression.

In 2001, I did an interview on the human rights situation in Tunisia at a London television channel. I spoke of what I knew about the human rights situation, about the dysfunction of justice, about torture, and about corruption, which I really don't like. As soon as I landed in the airport back in Tunisia – practically while I was still on the airplane – the authorities arrested me and took me to prison.

My imprisonment has not deterred me. I cannot do anything but fight, because I too want to live in my country as a free citizen one day. My objective is that all Tunisian citizens will be free to enjoy their citizenship. This is the essence of my struggle, and for me the only thing worth doing.

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