A/HRC/RES/31/32
Noting the statement given by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human
rights defenders during the interactive dialogue with the Human Rights Council at its thirtyfirst session, and deeply regretting the assassination, following death threats, of persons
addressing human rights in the context of land and environmental issues, including
indigenous leaders,
Noting also that previous resolutions on the present subject pertain to the promotion
and protection of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights,
Reaffirming that States have the primary responsibility and are under the obligation
to protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons,
Reaffirming also that everyone has the right, individually and in association with
others, to promote and strive for the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
including all civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights,
Welcoming the steps taken at the national level to implement economic, social and
cultural rights, including the enactment of appropriate legislation and adjudication by
national courts,
Recognizing the positive, important and legitimate role of human rights defenders in
promoting and advocating the realization of all economic, social and cultural rights,
including by engaging with Governments and contributing to the efforts in the
implementation of the obligations of States in this regard, and welcoming the steps taken by
some States to create a safe and enabling environment for the defence of human rights,
Stressing that everyone, individually and in association with others, shall be free to
determine themselves which rights to address, at the local, national, regional and
international levels, through the exercise of their rights, including through advocacy,
reporting and seeking information on human rights violations and abuses by States and nonState actors,
Welcoming the fact that indigenous peoples are organizing themselves for political,
economic, social and cultural enhancement, and in order to bring to an end all forms of
discrimination and oppression wherever they occur, and welcoming also the work of human
rights defenders in that regard,
Mindful that domestic law and administrative provisions and their application should
not hinder but enable the work of human rights defenders, including by avoiding any
criminalization or stigmatization of the legitimate role and important activities, consistent
with the Declaration, of human rights defenders and the communities of which they are a
part or on whose behalf they work, and by avoiding impediments, obstructions, restrictions
or selective enforcement thereof contrary to relevant provisions of international human
rights law,
Underscoring that the legal framework within which human rights defenders work
peacefully to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms is that of
national legislation consistent with the Charter and international human rights law,
Deploring the use of policies and legislation that restrict, hinder or limit the
activities of human rights defenders in contravention of relevant provisions of international
human rights law, and judicial harassment or threat thereof against human rights defenders,
including those addressing economic, social and cultural rights, and underlining the
obligation of States to prevent and stop such practices,
Underlining the fundamental importance of access to justice through an independent
and impartial judiciary,
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