On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and the International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, a unified effort by a consortium of Luxembourgish non-governmental organisations has organised an exhibition which will open at Abbaye de Neumünster (neimënster), on Friday 1 December 2023.
This initiative aims to highlight and celebrate the steadfast dedication of human rights defenders worldwide and will run until 14 January 2024, before embarking on a tour across Luxembourg.
Since the pivotal 1999 adoption of 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, the role of Human Rights Defenders has been integral in our global society. These defenders, both women and men, strive for justice, equality and dignity, often amidst substantial risks and challenges, especially in contexts where fundamental rights are increasingly endangered.
In response to the contraction of civic spaces in various countries, five non-profit organisations have collaborated to launch this exhibition. This event aims to sensitise the Luxembourgish public to the vital importance of actively engaging in the defence of human rights and ensuring the safety of those who stand at the forefront of this struggle.
According to the organisers, this exhibition is more than an awareness campaign; it is a rallying cry for public mobilisation. It seeks to transform passive observers into active partners in the global pursuit of human rights protection. Through a series of inspiring portraits and personal testimonies, the exhibition aims to shine a light on the brave efforts of human rights defenders from various regions worldwide including Palestine, Tibet, Nepal, Guatemala and West Africa.
