The Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) has been involved in human rights implementation in transitional countries in Europe and in the South since the beginning of the 1990s. Not all work is restricted to countries in transition, however. Cooperation also takes place in authoritarian contexts, where activities are typically implemented in close contact with branches of the state. It is a common feature that civil society tends to be weak in these countries. Yet even if civil society has developed, there is a need for interaction between the authoritarian state and external agencies supporting human rights. The degree of state control is typically high and necessitates that avenues are explored to establish trust between donors and relevant branches of the state – even in cases where donors support civil society development. This chapter looks into the dilemmas of engaging in human rights projects in authoritarian countries. It seeks to explore the strategies and choices that are made in these countries on the basis of two cases, namely, China and Rwanda. More specifically, the purpose of the chapter is to examine whether and, if so, how it is possible to secure the consolidation of human rights in such countries. A second concern is whether it is possible to cooperate on human rights ground with oppressive states without legitimizing continued oppression by state forces.

The chapter is divided into three main parts. First, the strategy for DIHR international programs is introduced and then the principles of implementation are discussed.