Report: The Targeting of Human Rights Defenders, Journalists, and Political Opponents in Hybrid Warfare and the Path Forward

Introduction and Context

In an era defined by hybrid warfare—where traditional forms of conflict converge with non-traditional tactics such as cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and psychological operations—human rights defenders (HRDs), journalists, and political opponents face unprecedented threats. 

These individuals, who champion human rights and expose abuses, are increasingly becoming the primary targets of authoritarian regimes using hybrid warfare strategies. This report aims to explore the vulnerability of HRDs, journalists, and political opponents in such conflict scenarios, assess the psychological and social impacts of these threats, and advocate for an integrated approach to protect them.

The Vulnerability of Human Rights Defenders, Journalists, and Political Opponents

Human rights defenders, journalists, and political opponents are inherently vulnerable in hybrid warfare environments. These individuals often serve as the moral compass of societies under threat, speaking truth to power and highlighting human rights abuses. In hybrid warfare, however, their work makes them prime targets for systematic attacks.

These individuals face multifaceted threats, including physical violence, harassment, threats to their families, and digital surveillance. Governments seeking to suppress opposition or discredit critical voices use a combination of physical tactics (e.g., detention, torture) and non-physical tactics (e.g., cyberattacks, smear campaigns) to neutralize these individuals. The use of digital tools allows these regimes to track, intimidate, and silence HRDs, journalists, and political opponents with alarming precision.

Psychological and Social Impact

The constant threats faced by HRDs, journalists, and political opponents exact a heavy toll on their mental and emotional well-being. The fear of being arrested, tortured, or assassinated creates an atmosphere of chronic stress and anxiety. For journalists, the added threat of losing credibility through disinformation campaigns or being targeted for their reporting leads to a deep sense of isolation and distrust.

Moreover, the social impact extends beyond the individuals themselves. Families are often forced to endure the trauma of seeing their loved ones targeted. 

Communities are left without key voices advocating for justice and truth, weakening the fabric of civil society. This creates a cycle where the very individuals working to uphold democratic values are systematically silenced, often with long-term consequences for the broader society.

Technology in Protection and Targeting

Technology plays a dual role in both protecting and targeting HRDs, journalists, and political opponents. On one hand, technology offers new means of protection, such as secure communications tools, encrypted messaging apps, and digital surveillance systems that help HRDs stay one step ahead of their perpetrators. These tools can safeguard their privacy, aid in documenting abuses, and assist in international advocacy efforts.

On the other hand, authoritarian regimes have also embraced technology to monitor, track, and intimidate those they deem a threat. 

Cyberattacks, hacking, and surveillance techniques are increasingly used to infiltrate the digital lives of HRDs and journalists. The 2021 hack of Pegasus spyware, for example, demonstrated how states exploit sophisticated technology to monitor activists and journalists. The growing reliance on digital platforms for activism and journalism has, unfortunately, made these individuals more susceptible to attack.

International Legal Frameworks

Several international legal frameworks exist to protect HRDs, journalists, and political opponents, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). These documents provide important guarantees of freedom of speech, protection from arbitrary detention, and the right to participate in political life. However, these protections are often inadequately enforced, especially in conflict zones or authoritarian states.

For instance, while international law may recognize the right to free expression, governments frequently circumvent these laws by using hybrid warfare tactics to target HRDs and journalists without formally violating international norms. The lack of a robust enforcement mechanism allows these abuses to persist, highlighting the need for stronger international action.

Geopolitical Landscape and Hybrid Warfare

The increasing use of hybrid warfare by authoritarian regimes has made the landscape for HRDs, journalists, and political opponents more perilous. Hybrid warfare blends military, non-military, covert, and overt tactics to achieve geopolitical objectives. States like Russia, China, and Iran have been known to employ these strategies to undermine opposition, silence dissent, and maintain control over their populations. For example, 

Russia's use of cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns in Ukraine has been a clear demonstration of hybrid warfare tactics that directly target civil society.

These tactics not only disrupt the political landscape but also exacerbate the already dangerous environment in which HRDs and journalists operate. The blend of physical and digital tactics makes it increasingly difficult to track and resist oppression, putting the lives of those fighting for human rights and democracy at even greater risk.

Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists: A Multi-Layered Approach

To adequately protect HRDs, journalists, and political opponents, a multi-layered approach is required. This approach should incorporate several strategies:

• Physical Security: Ensuring the physical safety of HRDs and journalists in conflict zones, providing them with resources for secure accommodations, emergency evacuation plans, and protection when facing direct threats.

• Digital Safety: Empowering HRDs with tools and resources to safeguard their online presence. This includes training on encryption, VPNs, and secure messaging apps to protect against hacking and surveillance.

• International Advocacy: Governments, NGOs, and international organizations must work together to amplify the voices of HRDs and hold oppressive regimes accountable for targeting them. Advocacy efforts can involve calling for sanctions, supporting international pressure, and engaging in diplomatic efforts.

• Grassroots Support Networks: Establishing local networks of support that provide psychological aid, legal defense, and financial resources. These networks are crucial in building resilience within civil society, allowing HRDs and journalists to continue their work in the face of adversity.

Global Solidarity and International Advocacy

Protecting HRDs, journalists, and political opponents requires a global effort. International cooperation among governments, human rights organizations, and civil society actors is essential in ensuring that these individuals receive the protection they need. The establishment of safe spaces for refugees, the funding of emergency response initiatives, and the enforcement of international laws that protect freedom of expression are all vital elements of a global strategy to combat hybrid warfare.

International advocacy must also seek to expand existing legal frameworks and ensure that states are held accountable for violations against HRDs and journalists. This includes not only strengthening international treaties but also holding individual perpetrators of abuses accountable through international courts, such as the International Criminal Court.

Case Studies/Examples

A number of HRDs and journalists have faced severe consequences as a result of hybrid warfare tactics. The case of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist killed in 2018 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, highlights the extreme risks faced by those who challenge oppressive regimes. His murder was a stark example of how the state used a blend of traditional violence and covert operations to silence dissent.

Similarly, the case of Russian HRD Alexei Navalny, who survived a poisoning attempt and was later imprisoned upon his return to Russia, illustrates how hybrid warfare tactics, such as disinformation, digital surveillance, and physical violence, target individuals who challenge authoritarian power.

Support for HRDs in Conflict Zones

In conflict zones or authoritarian regimes, HRDs face heightened threats. Protection in these areas requires specific support, including:

• Evacuation assistance for HRDs in immediate danger.

• Medical care for those affected by violence or harassment.

• Financial aid to allow HRDs to continue their work from safer locations.

• Providing trauma counseling and legal aid to help HRDs cope with the ongoing threats they face.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The targeting of human rights defenders, journalists, and political opponents in hybrid warfare is a growing crisis that requires immediate and comprehensive action. Governments, international organizations, and civil society must work together to protect these vital voices of dissent. A multi-layered approach that includes physical security, digital safety, advocacy, and grassroots support is essential to ensuring that HRDs and journalists can continue their crucial work without fear of persecution.

We call for stronger international cooperation, more robust legal frameworks, and greater solidarity in the face of this emerging global threat. Only through collective action can we safeguard the rights of those fighting for justice, democracy, and human dignity in the face of rising authoritarianism and hybrid warfare tactics.

References

1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). United Nations General Assembly.

https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/

2. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (1966). United Nations Treaty Collection.

https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-4&chapter=4&clang=_en

3. Human Rights Watch. (2020). “They Want Us All to Be Silent”: The Persecution of Journalists in Russia.

https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/07/22/they-want-us-all-be-silent/persecution-journalists-russia

4. Amnesty International. (2018). A Dangerous Place: The Rise of Hybrid Warfare and its Impact on Human Rights Defenders.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/research/2018/12/a-dangerous-place/

5. Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. (2021). United Nations Human Rights Council.

https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-reports-human-rights-defenders

6. Pegasus Project (2021). The Spyware Scandal that Exposed How States Targeted Journalists and Human Rights Defenders.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/research/2021/07/pegasus-project/

7. The Case of Jamal Khashoggi. (2018). Human Rights Watch and the Global Outcry Against Saudi Arabia.

https://www.hrw.org/report/2019/06/19/something-will-happen-murder-jamal-khashoggi

8. Freedom of the Press. (2020). Reporters Without Borders.

https://rsf.org/en/world-press-freedom-index

9. Alexei Navalny: The Poisoning and Imprisonment of Russia's Leading Dissident. (2021). BBC News.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56720589

10. Hybrid Warfare in Ukraine: (2022). NATO Review.

https://www.nato.int/docu/review/articles/2022/01/26/hybrid-warfare-in-ukraine/

11. UNESCO. (2021). The Role of Journalists in Defending Democracy and Human Rights.

https://en.unesco.org/themes/freedom-expression

About the Author

Dean Bordode is a retired advocate and lifelong champion of human rights, social justice, and the protection of vulnerable populations. Drawing from a rich family legacy of lawyers, judges, and law enforcement professionals, Dean has dedicated much of his life to advocating for fairness, equality, and dignity for all individuals, particularly marginalized communities.

With a career rooted in union activism and the fight for labor rights, Dean has become a vocal advocate for human rights defenders, journalists, and political opponents who face persecution, especially in conflict zones and under authoritarian regimes. His advocacy has consistently highlighted the intersection of civil liberties, geopolitics, and the growing risks posed by hybrid warfare.

In addition to his advocacy, Dean is passionate about the importance of empathy, mindfulness, and sustainable practices in creating a more just society. He is deeply invested in environmental issues and global issues such as the protection of LGBTQIA+ rights, gender equality, and the fight against climate change. Dean holds a strong belief in the transformative power of collective action and global solidarity in facing the most pressing human rights challenges of our time.

Through his advocacy, Dean continues to push for stronger protections for those who stand up for democracy, freedom of expression, and human dignity, both at the local and international levels.