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The bracelet, developed by the Civil Rights Defenders (CRD) group, combines the use of GPS and social media to trigger alerts within seconds of an assault or kidnap.
In the event of an assault or abduction, the bracelet sends an alarm to the CRD headquarters, to nearby contacts - including security forces - and the public at large via Facebook and Twitter.
The alert sent includes the real-time GPS location of the aid worker under attack, thus facilitating a quick response.
It is intended the bracelets will place a new type of pressure on would-be kidnappers, who wish to escape identification and criticism on a national and international level.
“The fact that the whole world will immediately be aware of an attack forms a virtual, defensive perimeter around human rights defenders, who are at risk, as these regimes want to avoid international attention and criticism,” the CRD said.
In the first stage of the rollout, 55 units will be distributed to aid workers working in locations across the world. Continued rollout of more bracelets will depend on the levels of funding received by sponsors and the public.
“Most of us, given the chance, would like to help others in danger. These human rights defenders are risking their lives for others to have the right to vote, or to practice religion or free speech. These are rights that people in some parts of the world take for granted every day,” said Robert Hårdh, Executive Director of Civil Rights Defenders.
“The Natalia Project makes it easy for anyone to contribute to the safety of human rights defenders to allow them to carry on their crucial work, either showing strength in numbers, by ‘liking’ or following on social media, or by donating directly to support the ongoing work.”
The project is named after civil rights worker Natalia Estemirova, who was kidnapped and murdered within 24 hours in the North Caucasus.
Work began on the project following the death of Estemirova, with the CRD believing the killing could have been prevented had the authorities had a prompt alert of the kidnapping and been provided with Estemirova’s whereabouts.
