Support and Human rights Intervention in Elections and Legal Defense

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Support the SHIELD Project

Please help support the SHIELD Project (Support and Human Rights Intervention in Elections and Legal Defense) to protect journalists, human rights defenders, and other individuals in Zambia seeking to exercise their constitutional rights. With presidential elections approaching in the summer of 2026, the goal is to create the country’s first coordinated system of support for those facing abduction, torture, surveillance, and politically motivated detention.
 
HERE’S WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE ON THE GROUND:
• Legal representation for detained human rights defenders and pro-democracy voices, including recruiting and training pro bono lawyers; developing legal templates (e.g., habeas corpus, urgent bail motions); and establishing and operating a 24/7 legal hotline.
• Case Tracking Infrastructure to monitor arrests, detentions, and abuses in real-time.
• Media and Advocacy Support to amplify stories, counter disinformation, and build international pressure.
 
WHY THIS MATTERS NOW:
The defunding of USAID has left a vacuum — one local that attorneys are courageously trying to fill. They are doing this with limited resources, no formal funding stream, and under constant threat of retaliation.
 
THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN:
We understand the necessity of standing behind those who continue to speak up when the costs are highest. Your support can help launch this team from the ground up.
 
TO LEARN MORE: 
 
WHAT YOUR DONATION CAN DO:
  • $20: buys transport for a pro bono lawyer to reach a detained journalist or Human Rights Defender (HRD)
  • $50: funds a day’s accommodation for a pro bono lawyer to attend SHIELD’s human rights intervention training
  • $75: Supports the development of one digital legal template for urgent motions
  • $100: Covers internet bandwidth for one month for the case management platform
  • $150: Pays filing fees for a strategic public interest litigation in the High Court
  • $250: Pays for transportation for an African-based expert in human rights defense to attend SHIELD's training for lawyers
  • $500: Funds one community-based organization to advocate for rights and democratic participation
  • $1,000: Supports production of an advocacy video in local languages to reach communities throughout Zambia
 
 
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