MONTREAL, March 18, 2026 — In a world where the number of autocracies now exceeds that of democracies and 72 per cent of the world’s population lives under autocratic regimes, human rights defenders face increasing repression, including surveillance, judicial harassment and violence. Faced with this reality, Equitas – International Centre for Human Rights Education is launching the Uniting to Protect Human Rights project, implemented with the financial support of Global Affairs Canada.
This two-year project (2026–2028) builds on Equitas’ flagship programs: the International Human Rights Training Program, Regional Sessions and an innovative South-South Knowledge Hub, to support and strengthen networks of defenders capable of acting collectively, even in the most restrictive contexts. Particular attention is paid to women, young people and LGBTQI+ people, who suffer disproportionate forms of repression.
“Repression no longer targets only individuals – it targets networks, solidarities, and collective knowledge that allow movements to hold together. Equitas’ training courses respond to this reality by building on the resilience and creativity of human rights defenders who work in these increasingly restrictive contexts.”
– Odette McCarthy, Executive Director, Equitas
Beyond individual skills, these initiatives develop the leadership of defenders, strengthen shared analysis and regional coordination, and foster multisectoral alliances between women’s, youth, LGBTQI+ and other civil society organizations. These conditions are essential for defenders to continue to protect fundamental rights, promote gender equality, and contribute to more democratic societies in the face of authoritarian dynamics.
The South-South Knowledge Hub is a central tool: it allows human rights defenders from communities across the Global South to exchange experiences, share promising practices and develop innovative solutions tailored to local realities, in an inclusive space that ensures that all voices, including those of marginalized groups, are heard.
Community-level change will be achieved through close collaboration with organizations in the Global South and regional networks across the four targeted regions, ensuring programs rooted in local needs and sustainable capacity.