For human rights defenders seeking urgent
assistance, click here
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The System of Solidarity and
Support (SOS) is an initiative of The International Network for Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net),
a collaborative initiative of groups and individuals from around the world
working to secure economic and social justice through human rights.
A flexible vehicle to harness the
collective voices and resources of the Network, the SOS is comprised primarily
of a rapid response system that coordinates actions between and amongst members
of the Network and other partners to prevent serious human rights violations
from occurring and increase protection for human rights defenders under threat.
The support that is available by means of ESCR-Net's SOS has emerged from
collective work across the Network's membership in an effort to operationalize
international solidarity in the face of injustices or serious threats.
Primarily, ESCR-Net serves as a
platform for members to initiate solidarity actions by means of sign-on
letters, petition campaigns or other vehicles. The Network has historically
done this by means of its Discussion
Groups, website and other
media. The present site is intended to bolster the Network’s capacity, by
facilitating the rapid action
of a wide number of members and supporters of the Network in response to serious
threats against human rights defenders or imminent rights violations.
At times, ESCR-Net also generates
Urgent Action Appeals in cases of imminent human rights violations or
situations where members are under threat. Collective appeals generated on
behalf of the Network’s membership follow a series of established Guidelines and protocols which
have developed over recent years. See here
for examples of recent collective appeals issued by the Network.
ESCR-Net also works to build the
capacity of its members and partners to bolster their personal and
organizational security, access complaints mechanisms, connect with specialized
advice, access resources and tools and identify possible funding resources for
security measures and legal defense. See here for more resources to promote
and bolster the security and protection of human rights defenders.