Defend International (commonly known as DI) is a non-governmental organization focused on promoting and protecting human rights in the Middle East and North Africa.[1] DI was founded in 2007 in Norway.
Structure
DI operates internationally, and is made up of a network of volunteers, representatives, and civic organisations working at national, regional, and sub-regional levels.[2]
Since its establishment, DI has collaborated with many civic and humanitarian organisations as well as various governmental agencies.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]
Objectives
DI's mission does not target any particular demographic within its geographic area of focus, but its work often concerns minority groups like the Yazidi and Middle Eastern Christians.
Defend International provided humanitarian aid to Yazidi refugees in the Kurdistan region, Iraq, in December 2014[36]
DI expressed that it has identified strategies to address violence against women and child marriages.[37]
DI has called for an end to female genital mutilation[38] and the elimination of all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls.[39] In 2015, DI called on UN negotiators of the Arms Trade Treaty to include a legally-binding provision to prevent armed gender-based violence.[40]
Defend International has endorsed the Every Woman Treaty on violence against women and girls worldwide and is a member of the Everywoman Everywhere Coalition.[41]
Minorities
In a partnership with artists like Edison band, Claude Arfaras, Jane Adams and Daniel Dalopo, Defend International launched a worldwide campaign in September 2014 to raise awareness about the Yazidis, Kobanî and the Christians[42][43][44] and also called for the international community to intensify the efforts aimed at rescuing women and children enslaved by ISIL.[45]
Co-founder of Defend International Widad Akreyi stated that ISIL uses slavery and rape as weapons of war against Yazidis and Christians.[46]
