Human Rights Defenders to Speak at Wilson Center

WASHINGTON -- Human rights defenders from 20 countries met last week with representatives of major faith communities at The Carter Center in Atlanta at the fourth annual Human Rights Defenders Policy Forum, organized by The Carter Center and Human Rights First. The meeting was co-chaired by former President Jimmy Carter and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour.

On Monday, September 10th, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, leading activists from Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America will present the outcomes of the Policy Forum and speak of their own experiences in combating mass violations in panel discussions at the Wilson Center. They are

Mossaad Mohamed Ali,

Coordinator, The Amel Centre for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture in South Darfur

Berenice Celeyta,

President, La Asociación para la Investigación y Acción Social - NOMADESC

(Association for Social Research and Action)

Kaari Betty Murungi,

Director, Urgent Action Fund-Africa

Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb,

Pastor, Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem

Introduction by

Michael Van Dusen

Deputy Director, Wilson Center

Moderated by

Neil Hicks

Director, Human Rights Defenders Program, Human Rights First

- 30 -