International Attention and the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

Janika Spannagel is a postdoctoral researcher at Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, where she currently studies the diffusion and contestation of academic freedom norms at the Cluster of Excellence "Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS)". She previously co-developed the Academic Freedom Index. Her background is in researching human rights and political repression.

"Based on a broad range of empirical data, Janika Spannagel demonstrates the potential of campaigns supporting human rights defenders. At the same time, she addresses serious risks and possible pitfalls. Her study thus harbors important lessons which yet need to be learned. A ‘must’ for all human rights practitioners."Heiner Bielefeldt, Professor for Human Rights at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany, and former UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief"This thought-provoking publication examines the efficacy of the international human rights regime in protecting human rights defenders at risk. It is essential reading for anyone interested in how, and under what conditions, international attention produces protection benefits for defenders in repressive contexts."Alice M. Nah, Associate Professor at Durham University, UK“This excellent book offers a nuanced study of global efforts to recognize and protect human rights defenders. Spannagel weaves together case-study research, interviews, and sophisticated analysis of meticulously collected data. Highly recommended, both for its substantive contribution and its well-informed discussion of the uses and challenges of human rights data.”Ann Marie Clark, Professor of Political Science at Purdue University, USA

• Introduction Part I: The ‘Human Rights Defender’ in International Politics 1. A Short History of the ‘Human Rights Defender’ 2. Unpacking the ‘Human Rights Defender’ Theory of Change Part II: Can UN Attention Protect Human Rights Defenders? 3. What Do the UN’s ‘Independent Eyes and Ears’ See and Hear? 4. Making a Difference: The Protective Effect of UN Casework Part III: Defenders’ Protection and Human Rights Change in Tunisia 5. The International Protection of Tunisian Defenders under Ben Ali 6. Translating Protection into Human Rights Change for Tunisia Conclusion