Margarita Assenova is a political analyst and journalist, who served as a research consultant for the CSIS Eastern Europe Project.
Margarita Assenova – USA & Bulgaria
Read this interview on ngoCHR about the theme The Commission is too soft on dictatorships.
Accompanying human rights activists to protect them from danger Liam Mahony, Peace Brigades International, USA Peace Brigades International (PBI) sends international observers to accompany human rights activists who are threatened by the government or paramilitary organizations. They serve as a reminder to perpetrators of human rights abuse that the international community is watching. In the event of an abduction, the observer alerts authorities in the country, their own native government and activists around the world. This brings the influence of the foreigner’s government and international contacts to bear on the perpetrators. Although the volunteers are the most visible symbol of the accompaniment tactic, the success of the approach depends on an international awareness of the situation through an extensive support network of concerned individuals and supporting organizations. This network is ready to apply special pressure in crisis situations involving PBI volunteers and the people they are protecting. Through e-mails, faxes and letters sent to authorities in the country in which the crisis is occurring, the recipients are made aware that the eyes of the international community are upon them. In selective situations, PBI also uses a high-level alert network of influential political and diplomatic authorities when it wishes to apply potent pressure. These are people who have especially strong influence on the government authorities in the country concerned. Margarita Assenova is one of them. (Read more on NewTactics).
Read her article Educating the European Way.
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