The Human Rights and Social Entrepreneurship Development Center (HRSEDC) represents a bold evolution of the Human Rights First Aid Center concept. This initiative goes beyond structural changes, combining social entrepreneurship principles with traditional rights defense to create a forward looking, sustainable model for human rights advocacy.
A key dimension of this transformation is the mobilization of strong, standardized human rights defenders. These defenders are trained to uphold universal human rights standards while gaining practical tools to address today’s complex challenges. The HRSEDC emphasizes consistency, strategic thinking, and effectiveness, ensuring defenders can act decisively and responsibly in any situation.
For over two decades, Right to Life has built a strong network of human rights defenders making a real difference across Sri Lanka. Since the establishment of Human Rights First Aid Centers in 2009, nearly 1,000 defenders have been trained, with around 600 actively working today across 24 centers in 19 districts. Through ongoing training and awareness programs, these defenders are equipped to respond effectively to a wide range of human rights challenges in their communities.
In this new phase, 240 high-performing defenders have been selected for advanced capacity building programs aimed at developing them into globally standardized human rights defenders. Training spans all 24 centers and focuses on both knowledge and practical skills. Defenders learn about updated laws, intervention strategies, and referral mechanisms for victims of civil rights violations. Topics include land disputes, corruption, domestic violence, financial and microfinance issues, transportation challenges, farmers’ rights, public service matters, and consumer protection.
Defenders’ practical skills are rigorously assessed to ensure that knowledge is effectively translated into action. This includes their ability to prepare complaints, affidavits, and commission forms, enabling them to respond confidently and accurately to real world human rights challenges. Observations from these evaluations help identify areas for further growth, leading to the launch of nationwide online certification courses. The first phase has been successfully completed, with the second phase scheduled to commence in November.
Through these initiatives, the Human Rights First Aid Units of the HRSEDC are becoming stronger, more capable, and better equipped to tackle regional human rights challenges. This transformative initiative represents a decisive step toward building a well trained, standardized, and globally aligned team of human rights defenders, ensuring human rights protection remains credible, sustainable, and impactful.
Dulan Dassanayake (AAL)
Suneth Gajanayake (Project Coordinator)
