UK Foreign Secretary backs human rights defenders on Human Rights Day

Notable human rights defenders have been sent letters from the UK Foreign Secretary on Human Rights Day (Tuesday 10 December).

The letters of support have been sent by David Lammy to three activists, two of whom are imprisoned. Ales Bialiatski is a Nobel Prize winning Belarusian human rights activist and Pastor Lorenzo is a Cuban religious leader.

Angie Zapata, a prominent indigenous leader and environmental activist from Colombia, has also been sent a letter of support.

Both Ales Bialiatski and Pastor Lorenzo are currently imprisoned. In their letters, the Foreign Secretary expressed his solidarity and support for their cases and urged the Belarussian and Cuban authorities to release them without delay.

Angie Zapata works in Colombia, ranked as one of the most dangerous places in the world to be an environmental defender and she frequently comes under threat from armed groups. In his letter, the Foreign Secretary expressed his admiration for her work, carried out under such challenging circumstances.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

I believe the protection of fundamental freedoms is vital to achieving peace, prosperity and dignity for all. 

I applaud the work of these brave activists as defenders of rights that all people should enjoy.

I want to make clear that we stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with these individuals and the many others imprisoned and castigated across the world for defending human rights. Where imprisoned, I call upon their governments for their immediate release.

Human rights defenders around the world risk their liberty – and often their lives - for their belief in upholding fundamental human rights for all, through protesting, documenting human rights abuses, supporting political prisoners and standing up for democracy and justice.

The FCDO works to support those who carry out such vital work, providing solidarity and help to those under threat, as well as those already imprisoned. UK funding supports flexible funds like Lifeline, which has provided almost 200 emergency grants to civil society organisations in around fifty countries since July to help support human rights defenders.