“It all began sometime in early 2001, when out of the blue, I received a phone call from the International Secretariat of Amnesty International in London. The call came through our expert researcher who led Amnesty’s global work on the human rights situation in Somalia. His name was Martin Hill. He said to me, “Alex, I just want to give you a heads up that a human rights defender like you have never met has had to flee from Somalia and is coming to Canada. I have given him Amnesty International’s contact information in Canada, and you should be hearing from him soon after his arrival. Please provide all the assistance and support you can.”
This is how Alex Neve, who was Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada at the time, came to know Hassan Shire. They met a few weeks later in Toronto.
“Martin’s description was absolutely correct. I could quickly ascertain that this was a man – a human rights defender like no other. The strength of his conviction, his passions, his deep, abiding concern for all of humanity and his incredibly good nature, sense of humour and warmth were an unbelievable package and everyone who met him was captivated and inspired. You could not help but want to be part of his journey.”
After settling in Canada, through the assistance of friends and allies like Alex, Hassan worked closely with the Amnesty International Canada office. For several years, he attended and spoke at the organisation’s events, which Alex remembers vividly.
“I can picture him in large auditoriums addressing an audience of hundreds. I can picture him telling stories to four or five activists sitting around a table. He was always spreading the word, making sure people understood the very serious concerns about the human rights situation in Somalia. More importantly, Hassan shed light on the vital role of human rights defenders (HRDs). He wanted to make sure that people everywhere understood how essential the work of HRDs is and get a sense of the kinds of threats and danger that HRD in Somalia – and everywhere, face every single day.”
“One very memorable moment was when Hassan and an exiled HRD from Colombia addressed a large auditorium full of people at the Alternative People’s Summit that several organisations, including Amnesty, were running, parallel to the G8 Summit. That session between Hassan and the Colombian HRD was the most electrifying, impactful moment of that entire summit. People were captivated as they heard from the two HRDs. The ways in which they came together and amplified each other’s experiences, showing how the role and importance of HRDs, and the threats and challenges they face transcend any one country, and is essentially global. In some respects, that moment may have been part of what laid the ground for Hassan’s vision that eventually became DefendDefenders. He recognised how important it was for HRDs to truly come together across borders, to share experiences, to learn from each other, support each other, and protect each other, which is, of course, what DefendDefenders is all about.”
As Hassan’s vision started to take hold, he reached out to several people and organisations, sharing the idea of establishing an HRDs’ network in the East and Horn of Africa. He mobilised financial and institutional support from those who understood and agreed that this was something essential; something that could make a difference.
And so it came to pass that in 2005, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network was born, at the founding conference in Entebbe. Alex Neve was among those invited to attend the event.
“I was so thrilled, honoured and humbled when Hassan asked me to be there for the founding conference, and even to deliver some remarks alongside some incredible regional human rights activists and leaders. I remember the people I met, HRDs from countries throughout the region; having opportunities to converse with them and hear about the challenges and dangers they faced, but also the incredible, impactful, meaningful work they were doing, sometimes against great odds, with next to no resources to support the work they were trying to do. This gave me an incredible sense of how right Hassan was: that this network was so necessary.”
Alex continues to be an ally and friend to Hassan and DefendDefenders. Over the years, he has maintained a deep and very special friendship, professional connection and relationship with Hassan. He describes his feeling of awe and respect as he has watched something that began as a seed of an idea growing into an incredible organisation that is respected and relied upon as a source of protection and information; a vital research and advocacy organisation; a place for sophisticated and essential training programmes, education and awareness building; and a critical vehicle which can respond to urgent needs for safety and protection of HRDs throughout the East and Horn of Africa and beyond.
“When we first met, I would never have imagined where that journey was going to lead and the incredible impact that Hassan was going to have in the lives of not just a handful of people, but literally hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people, throughout the East and Horn of Africa, and much more widely than that.”
“It is astounding when I think of DefendDefenders‘ growth journey over these past 20 years. I can only imagine how powerful and important that journey will continue to be over the next 20 years. In today’s world, the role and importance of HRDs should be lifted and celebrated in every single country everywhere, because HRDs are truly the sentinels of our collective freedom and well-being.”