There is need for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) to enhance their security in order for them to work effectively.
Salome Nduta, a protection officer from the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (NCHRDs) has said.
According to her, human rights defenders must ensure the environment they are working in is conducive by conducting a thorough risk assessment.
“Cases of physical assault, harassment, death and intrusion of privacy on HRDs have been on the increase of late. Last year alone saw more cases of office breakings of high ranking organisations. This hinders the work of HRDs,” Nduta said.
She was speaking over the weekend in Nakuru town during a four-day workshop training on security of human rights defenders.
Nduta said that journalists as HRDs have not been spared whereby they face frequent physical assaults and harassment as it was witnessed a couple of months ago where journalists from Nakuru were assaulted while doing their work.
“All HRDs face threats and when you face any threat, make sure you register the matter with the relevant institutions for an appropriate action. As HRDs, you need also to work as a team and have cordial relations with other state and non-state actors for an effective working environment,” said Nduta.
25 human rights defenders drawn from Nakuru and Baringo counties attended the training.
She advised them to have a contingency plan and understand the people’s culture from where they are working as this contributes greatly to their security.
“Do not ignore the little things but focus on everything that endangers your work. Then work out a plan that will deal with these vulnerabilities,” she added.