Emergency support to human rights defenders in the Euro-Mediterranean

In particular and exceptional cases.

Membership in the Network is not a precondition. The Foundation’s mandate is not to support Network members but rather all organisations whose activities fall within the mandate of the Foundation.

The criteria vary and are not restrictive. Each request is handled on a case-by-case basis. In principle, emergency support is provided to human rights defenders when the latter can show that an intervention will help counter threats against their live as well as help reinforce the visibility and pursuit of their activities at a strategic timing. Examples: Initiatives whose outcome depends critically upon timely intervention – e.g., the launching of an awareness-raising program immediately before the implementation of reforms by the State; Individuals facing serious health problems associated with human rights violations and requiring prompt intervention.

Yes. The Foundation’s prime responsibility is to support human rights organisations and defenders in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Israel. However, human rights organisations and defenders based outside these countries may be supported by the Foundation if their action has a positive impact on one or several of those countries.

The Foundation emphasises the need for applicants to provide a detailed breakdown of the amount requested and an explanation of the reasons for requesting an urgent intervention.

A request will never be denied if the applicant explains why the documents requested by the Secretariat cannot be provided.

The Foundation applies strict principles of confidentiality to every request it receives. In other words, the names of recipients, their country of origin or residence, and the amounts provided are never mentioned publicly. These principles of confidentiality are also applied during the review of the application and the decision-making process, in contacts with the requesting organisation or with other organisations, as well as in the transfer of funds.

From the moment the Secretariat has all the information needed to process the request and the urgent character of the situation has been ascertained, the request will be dealt with within a maximum of 10 days. In exceptional cases, in particular when delays could seriously threaten the health or safety of the applicant, the decision will be made more quickly.

When an application meets the funding criteria set by the Foundation’s Board, it is reviewed and decided upon at a Board meeting. The Board meets two or three times a year, depending on requirements.

When a funding request is rejected, the applicant is promptly informed of the Board’s decision. Even when a funding request is denied, the Board may decide to follow up on the applicant’s situation. The Board may either advise and encourage the applicant to approach other organisations, or it may encourage and facilitate action by other organisations that are in a better position to support the application.

The Network is not involved in the Foundation’s decision-making process or in its internal operations. The Foundation is independent from the Network.

The Foundation is devoted to providing material support to individuals and organisations involved in the struggle for respect and promotion of human rights in countries of the southern and eastern Mediterranean. For its part, the Network provides, among others, political support to its members in the Euro-Mediterranean region. They have different mandates but their actions complement each other. The Foundation works in close cooperation with the Secretariat and Members of the Network in order to benefit from their expertise and obtain reliable information on the situation of human rights organisations and defenders in the field. For more information on the differences and complementarities between the Network and the Foundation, please go to http://www.emhrf.org/en/REMDH.php