HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE: Over 100 human rights defenders from around the world are in Dublin today and tomorrow to discuss their work, with particular emphasis on dangers faced by women activists.
The conference, which runs until tomorrow, is the third organised by Front Line, an Irish foundation dedicated to the protection of human rights activists. It was founded by Mary Lawlor, former director of Amnesty International Ireland.
Participants at the Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders come from some of the most volatile and repressive countries in the world - including Colombia, Tunisia, Iraq, Burma, China Zimbabwe, Liberia and Sudan.
Aloysius Toe, from Liberia, began his work as a teenager when he witnessed summary arrests and executions by armed forces loyal to the then president Charles Taylor.
He organised human rights "clubs" around the country, promoted human rights education in Liberian schools and set up a network of 245 human rights workers.
His work led to his imprisonment, to his house being raided, murder threats to his wife and attempts on his life. Liberia is a country "still in chaos", he says.
"Liberia will need 15 to 30 years to grapple with its serious problems." Addressing the opening session, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said Ireland was "committed to positive and sustained engagement in in the ongoing UN reform process".
"Resources are more important than rhetoric. We will continue to put our money where our mouth is. For many years, we have been in the top 10 voluntary donors to the Office of the UN Commissioner for Human Rights and this substantial support will continue," he said.
