Seek safety in support networks

You’re an activist, you want change, but powerful people are threatening violence to stop you from achieving your goals. It is vital that you put in place measures to keep you and your colleagues safe. One proven mechanism is to develop national and international support networks that can be activated at times of heightened risk, harnessing public and/or international support to deter violence against you. This is a strategy that groups like Peace Brigades International have been using to keep human rights defenders safe for over 30 years.

You need to be aware why and how you might be at risk. Whose interests are you threatening? What or who might influence the behaviour of that individual or institution to deter them from hurting you or locking you up?

To effectively deter violence against you, you need to be able to create a political cost that those threatening you would pay if they attacked, and make sure that they are aware of that cost. What would make those people think twice before attacking you? Is it the threat of public uproar? Is it the possibility of a diplomatic sanction? Damage to their international reputation?

Impunity makes potential aggressors more likely to act, so you must do what you can to challenge that impunity.

Based on this analysis, you can begin to assemble a support network of citizens, NGOs, journalists, embassies, politicians, or United Nations (UN) experts who are attentive to your situation, primed to take action in the case of any threats to you and your colleagues, and capable of exacting a political cost against those who might attack you. You will need to make sure your adversaries are aware of the network, its weight, and its willingness to react.

Support networks should seek to prevent as well as respond to risks. You will likely face efforts to discredit or demonize your activism, thus making you more vulnerable to attack. To avoid this, you might ask organizations in your network to take actions that will legitimize your work, either publicly, or in private with those who would do you harm. Impunity makes potential aggressors more likely to act, so ensure that your network is vigorous in demanding justice and accountability for any and all attacks.

Your potential aggressors need to understand that the world is watching and their image is at stake.

Peace Brigades International, for example, takes a very hands-on approach to creating this deterrent. When invited by threatened human rights defenders, they will arrange for international volunteers to accompany the defenders in their daily work and embody that international concern. However, this is just one way to make your support network visible. A respected newspaper may publish a story based upon an urgent action issued by an NGO, an important diplomat may meet directly with the government agency or business that opposes your demands, a solidarity caravan may visit your community, or a UN Committee may speak out about your case.

You are the best positioned to know what will really keep you safe, choosing from a range of practical and political measures. But ensure you take the time to do the analysis necessary before you start to campaign, and look for opportunities to use support networks as part of your security strategy.

Originally published in Beautiful Rising.