The Scottish Human Rights Defender Fellowship

The Scottish Human Rights Defenders Fellowship was established in 2018 to support those at risk for their work in protecting human rights around the world through a 3 to 6-month temporary relocation programme at the University of Dundee. Through this period, we provide diverse opportunities in research, capacity building, advocacy, holistic security and professional development for HRDs, in a needs-based programme which is accessible, sustainable and impactful in supporting, protecting and enabling defenders in the long-term. We do this by: 1)Supporting Human Rights Defenders’ resilience and wellbeing practices during this period of rest and respite, enabling them to continue or develop sustainable working practices, especially regarding holistic security and protection (including a feminist approach toward wellbeing and economic security), and organisational change around wellbeing and HRD specific psychosocial risk 2)Equipping HRDs with increased technical knowledge and livelihoods skills in areas such as research, leadership, language, advocacy, human rights mechanisms, security and protection 3)Strengthening defenders’ international and national networks through expert, legal, advocacy and research coaching and support, to better enable them to achieve substantive change in their country or thematic contexts 4)Enabling HRDs capacity to identify, access and mobilise international solidarity, protection and support networks through education, research and awareness raising activities