We have anonymised this case study to protect the defender and their family. For this article, we refer to them as “the defender”.
At Open Briefing, we provide fully tailored holistic and collaborative support to help human rights defenders navigate difficult and unpredictable high-risk contexts. In this article, we draw on reflections from Molly Rose Freeman Cyr, a safety and security consultant at Open Briefing, who supported a human rights defender from Burundi through a fast-changing and complex protection case. This case illustrates how flexible, context-specific planning can support defenders facing rapidly evolving risks.
We believe that international relocation is not usually the first or best response. As we outline in our report, ‘Rethinking international relocation: a strategy of last resort and strengthening support for activists in exile’, most security challenges can be better addressed through in-country strategies co-designed with defenders. However, in rare cases – like this one – relocation becomes the safest and only viable option.
Molly explains: “Many defenders and journalists have fled Burundi due to persecution, and most continue to work, but from exile. But even when a defender is in exile, it doesn’t mean they are safe. This makes trusted support networks particularly important and increases the need for careful planning. In contexts like this, tailored support can save lives.”
This case shows the complexity of making such decisions, and the importance of careful assessment and collaboration with partners.
‘As risks increased, the defender made the difficult decision to leave Burundi’
For a couple of years, the defender had faced increasing threats to themself and their organisation. Their work focused on supporting communities and addressing human rights issues. Although they viewed their work as straightforward and non-confrontational, authorities acted to silence them and their organisation.
‘Burundi has been a restrictive and difficult context for civil society for more than a decade’
Burundi authorities have imposed a highly restrictive context on civil society for more than a decade.
Authorities have forced independent journalists to leave the country, restricted or shut down organisations, and defenders report severe risks, including surveillance, forced disappearance, imprisonment, and extrajudicial killings. In this environment, threats can shift quickly, and the margin for safe organising is narrow. The defender’s experience reflects the reality faced by many who work quietly and consistently to support their communities.
As the risks increased, the defender made the difficult decision to leave Burundi. They travelled urgently and without their passport, which the authorities had withheld, and later reunited with their family after they were able to travel with their documents. Although the defender managed to leave Burundi, the nearby country they reached was not necessarily safe. We needed to carefully assess the situation, plan next steps, and coordinate support. This marked the beginning of a long period of uncertainty during which even simple decisions carried implications for the defender’s safety.
‘Crossing a border is not always enough to guarantee safety’
By the time Open Briefing became involved, after a partner organisation sent a referral, the defender had already left Burundi following several worrying indicators. Their options for onward movement were limited, and their family later joined them, bringing their own documents with them. Although they had reached a neighbouring country, the region still posed serious risks. Some countries cooperate closely with the Burundian government, meaning that crossing a border is not always enough to guarantee safety.
The defender said: “[When I left the country] I felt a little relieved to no longer be on Burundian soil, but I did not feel completely safe, as I was in a neighbouring country with a lot of traffic between my country and the country of asylum.”
‘Our first priority was to understand the defender’s situation and develop a path toward greater stability’
Molly began with a detailed risk assessment, covering what the defender and their family had experienced before leaving Burundi, how those risks might carry over into the neighbouring country, and how the defender’s lack of documentation affected their options.
Together, Molly and the defender developed a suite of contingency plans. There were practical signs that the defender’s situation might be changing. For example, being recognised in public, or hearing from family in Burundi that authorities were asking questions about their whereabouts. We matched each scenario with clear steps they could take. This created a structured way to understand and respond to developments while we continued planning together for the next phase of her safety.
Molly explains: “Frequent assessments helped us track how the defender’s situation was evolving and to decide when additional action might be needed. The assessments created a shared framework for decision-making.”
‘We used emergency scenarios to guide decisions while longer-term relocation options were explored’
Alongside the indicator planning, Molly helped the defender develop several emergency scenarios. These included what they could do if certain threats became more frequent – such as being recognised in public, facing new enquiries from local authorities, or observing signs of physical surveillance. These scenarios acted as short-term safety measures and were used to guide decisions while we explored longer-term relocation options.
“This type of planning can significantly reduce uncertainty for defenders operating in unfamiliar or unstable environments,” shares Molly.
The defender adds: “Having a safety plan from Open Briefing allowed me to feel equipped and armed, and more or less ready to face whatever might happen in terms of my safety and that of my family.”
‘Our wellbeing team offered the defender a space to manage the stress of uncertainty, isolation, and restricted mobility’
Securing international relocation took time. Open Briefing regularly checked-in, and using the contingency planning and risk assessments, monitored the situation to assess whether additional action was needed. During this time, the defender also accessed confidential wellbeing support from Open Briefing’s wellbeing and resilience team. This provided a space to manage the stress they were experiencing as a result of uncertainty, isolation, and restricted mobility.
Molly reflects: “Sometimes the first step is helping someone stabilise and reduce stress before planning next actions. In this case, the wellbeing support was an important complement to the safety and security work.”
The defender shares: “Regular meetings with Molly and the wellbeing team at Open Briefing helped me manage my stress levels and feel equipped to protect my safety and that of my family. And talking to a psychologist allowed me to express the feelings I had deep inside and to develop my resilience.”
‘Open Briefing collaborated with international protection organisations to find a viable relocation option for the defender’
Alongside the ongoing monitoring, Molly worked on mapping safer relocation options. This included evaluating countries where the defender might face fewer risks from cross-border surveillance, as well as identifying short-term funding opportunities that matched her professional background. Open Briefing collaborated closely with other protection organisations to explore possible pathways and, eventually, identify a viable relocation option.
“This was a good example of effective collaboration,” Molly says. “Different organisations played different roles, and that made it possible to move things forward.”
‘The defender is now rebuilding her life in a more stable environment’
Eventually, the defender and her family were able to travel safely to a new country. The defender is now beginning to rebuild her life in a more stable environment, and considering ways to continue her work in the future.
Molly shares: “Access to stability enables defenders not only to regain a sense of safety, but also to plan for their futures.”
The defender says: “Safety is being able to sleep without fearing that someone will come and take your life. Stability is knowing that you belong in the country where you are and that you can accomplish all your goals with the same rights and responsibilities as other citizens.”
‘Seek support before a crisis point while you still have the capacity to act’
Molly encourages defenders working in restrictive environments to seek support early: “Planning is much easier when people still have multiple decisions open to them and space to act. Seeking support before a crisis point can make a significant difference.”
The defender encourages others who may be facing similar risks to “be brave” and “seek help and support during this difficult situation.”
…
A note for funders and partners
Molly highlights an important consideration for funders working with defenders in high-risk environments: “Risk assessment and safety planning should be built into projects from the beginning. It is both a due diligence issue and a duty of care.”
Molly adds that flexible, context-specific support can have a significant long-term impact, especially for defenders who face fast-changing risks.
“Flexible funding mechanisms allow organisations like Open Briefing to respond immediately when defenders’ situations change – often in ways that directly affect their safety.”
Access further support and get involved
Open Briefing provides fully-funded assistance to activists facing threats related to their work. Please request support through our responsive assistance mechanism.
If you’re a foundation or philanthropist who believes in protecting the people who defend human rights, we’d love to hear from you. Contact our director of development, Vicky Nida at victoria.nida@openbriefing.org to discuss how you can join our incredible community of donors or read more about how Open Briefing works with foundations to strengthen civil society in our latest blog.