This film explores the powerful role that people can play as Human Rights Defenders. From Europe to Africa, Asia and the Americas, the film looks at the huge impact that individuals with passion are having on their communities, whether defending political rights, sexual and reproductive rights, rights to basic healthcare, social and economic rights, or the right to express ones sexual orientation.
It looks at the work and character of five people who are fighting for the rights of others in different parts of the world, and it shows the impact of their work on those whose lives have been changed.
 In Algeria, Tom Sheahan travels under cover to help Amine Sidhoum who faces the charge of carrying prohibited material - his business card - on his jail visits in Algiers. Amine is fighting for the families of people who have disappeared or are persecuted by the state. In the Philippines, where abortion is illegal and the Catholic Church has a strong grip on access to health advice and contraception, Gina Conde is working to educate women on their rights.
Discrimination against homosexuals in Latvia is on the increase, and lawyer Linda Freimane has set up and organisation to provide resources for gays and lesbians. While across the world in the Dominican Republic, it's AIDS and HIV infection which is the scourge for Marisol Baez. She's fighting for the rights of her community - one of the poorest in the country - to basic healthcare and advice
Land rights are a key issue in developing countries. In Nigeria, many people live in dilapidated conditions on squatted land. They live under the constant threat of eviction by the government. Felix Morka believes that everyone has the right to a home, and has worked with squatter communities to educate them and to enable them to put up a legal fight against eviction.
Five moving personal stories about five extraordinary people.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 21 December 2007 )
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