Human rights partnership launched in Scotland
Two international human rights campaigners will come to Scotland for three months to study under a new research fellowship.
Two international human rights campaigners will come to Scotland for three months to study under a new research fellowship.
Participants will soon be invited to apply for the scheme which will combine study at the University of Dundee with the opportunity to build relationships and share expertise with Scottish human rights and equality organisations.
The Scottish Human Rights Defender Fellowship will be a partnership between the Scottish Government and the University of Dundee, supported by the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) and campaign groups Front Line Defenders, Amnesty International, Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund and Beyond Borders.
The Scottish Government said it is part of on-going work to promote human rights.
Equalities Secretary Angela Constance MSP said: 'Across the globe there are people defending basic human rights that everybody should be able to take for granted. From standing against torture, arbitrary detention and discrimination, to campaigning for access to housing, health care, education, food and water.
'Often this requires great self-sacrifice in the face of persistent difficulties, abuse and even threats to personal safety. As a country that firmly believes in human rights and equality, we will stand shoulder to shoulder with them and offer practical help where we can.
'This fellowship provides a place of safety so participants can carry out research, develop new skills, build networks and return better equipped to continue their work fighting for the fundamental rights we need to demand for each other.'
The initial 2018 fellowship, with two recipients visiting from September, will cost £35,000.
Professor Nick Fyfe, Dean of the School of Social Sciences at the University of Dundee, said: 'We are proud to be the host partner for the Human Rights Defenders Fellowship.
'With significant expertise in human rights and an interdisciplinary approach championed by our Institute for Social Sciences Research, we are confident that the fellows will find a strong and welcoming community of human rights researchers ready to help them make the most of the three months they will spend working with the Scottish Government, Scottish universities and Scottish civil society organisations.'