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Protection of journalists and press freedom 2010, para. 81
- Paragraph text
- It is also worrying that the number of journalists forced into exile as a result of attacks, threats and possible imprisonment doubled between 2009 and 2010 compared with the previous year. While the host Government has the obligation to respect and to ensure the rights of all individuals within its territory, regardless of nationality or other grounds, the Special Rapporteur reiterates the obligation of all States to guarantee the protection of journalists and others who exercise their right to freedom of expression in their own countries in the first place.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Protection of journalists and press freedom 2010, para. 82
- Paragraph text
- Citizen journalists have come to play an increasingly important role in gathering and disseminating news, in particular in countries where press freedom is restricted, or in a disaster or conflict zone where professional journalists may not be present. While they cannot replace professionally trained journalists, they contribute to the public's access to a richer diversity of views, opinions and information. Like professional journalists, and for the same reasons, citizen journalists are subjected to acts of harassment and intimidation, including death threats, arbitrarily arrested and detained, prosecuted and sentenced to imprisonment and/or to harsh fines, and even assassinated. However, they enjoy less protection than professional journalists, as they do not have the support of media organizations and networks, and lack recognition as professional journalists.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Protection of journalists and media freedom 2012, para. 99
- Paragraph text
- The protection of journalists and combating impunity requires context-specific measures that address the specific risks in each situation and effectively addresses the root causes of attacks. While there are many organizations committed to ensuring the protection of journalists at all levels, there has not been much collaboration and joint strategies adopted at the international level. The Special Rapporteur thus welcomes the initiative to draft a United Nations joint Plan of Action on the Protection of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity and looks forward to its effective implementation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Protection of journalists and media freedom 2012, para. 97
- Paragraph text
- Laws that criminalize expression continue to be used by States to imprison journalists who disseminate "inconvenient" information. Journalists may be arrested and detained, particularly in the run-up to elections, often on the basis of vague anti-terrorist or national security laws. The Special Rapporteur is deeply concerned that the current number of journalists in prison is the highest since 1996. Criminal prosecution of journalists creates a "chilling effect" that stifles reporting on issues of public interest.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
The implications of States’ surveillance of communications on the exercise of the human rights to privacy and to freedom of opinion and expression 2013, para. 79
- Paragraph text
- States cannot ensure that individuals are able to freely seek and receive information or express themselves without respecting, protecting and promoting their right to privacy. Privacy and freedom of expression are interlinked and mutually dependent; an infringement upon one can be both the cause and consequence of an infringement upon the other. Without adequate legislation and legal standards to ensure the privacy, security and anonymity of communications, journalists, human rights defenders and whistleblowers, for example, cannot be assured that their communications will not be subject to States' scrutiny.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2013
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
The right to freedom of opinion and expression in electoral contexts 2014, para. 83b
- Paragraph text
- [Accountability mechanisms are a crucial means of ensuring that regulatory frameworks are enforced and abuses of power are rectified. Impunity is a root cause of the lack of safety faced by journalists. In the context of promoting free expression during electoral processes, States should:] Guarantee the safety of journalists and media workers; legislative and policy measures must be adopted to prevent attacks against journalists and to eradicate impunity in relation to episodes of violence and intimidation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2014
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Protection of journalists and press freedom 2010, para. 85
- Paragraph text
- Most important, the Special Rapporteur urges all States to end impunity for threats and attacks against and the murder of journalists, media professionals, associated personnel and citizen journalists. In particular, the Special Rapporteur calls upon the 12 countries with the highest rates of impunity (see para. 29 above) to investigate all violations thoroughly and to prosecute the perpetrators.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
The protection of sources and whistle-blowers 2015, para. 61
- Paragraph text
- National legal frameworks must protect the confidentiality of sources of journalists and of others who may engage in the dissemination of information of public interest. Laws guaranteeing confidentiality must reach beyond professional journalists, including those who may be performing a vital role in providing wide access to information of public interest such as bloggers, "citizen journalists", members of non-governmental organizations, authors and academics, all of whom may conduct research and disclose information in the public interest. Protection should be based on function, not on a formal title.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2015
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Violations committed against defenders by non-State actors 2010, para. 51
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur hopes that the present report will contribute to raising awareness of the responsibility of non-State actors to comply with the provisions of the Declaration on human rights defenders. It is paramount that non-State actors acknowledge the important role of defenders in ensuring the full enjoyment of all human rights by everyone. Non-State actors, including private companies, could play a key role in the promotion and protection of the rights and activities of human rights defenders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
On the Declaration on human rights defenders 2011, para. 102
- Paragraph text
- States should ensure that security legislation is not applied against human rights defenders as a means to prevent their human rights work. States must guarantee the possibility for human rights defenders to effectively monitor the application of security legislation. In the context of the arrest and detention of a person under security legislation, defenders should, at a minimum, have regular access to the detainee and to basic information on the substance of the charges on which the detainee is held.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2011
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Selected groups of defenders at risk: journalists and media workers, defenders working on land and environment issues; and youth and student defenders 2012, para. 117
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur is very concerned at the extraordinary risks that these groups of defenders face due to their work in defence of human rights. Most of these risks not only directly affect their physical integrity and that of their family members, but also include the abusive use of legal frameworks against them and the criminalization of their work. The Special Rapporteur is also extremely concerned at reports received indicating that State actors, including Government officials, State security forces and the judiciary, are the perpetrators of many of the violations committed against these defenders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Families
- Year
- 2012
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Large-scale development project and human rights defenders 2013, para. 77
- Paragraph text
- Communities and those defending their rights play a crucial role in shaping development policies and projects that are people-centred and non-discriminatory by impeding economic and political elites to monopolize the development of such policies and projects. Human rights defenders are key for ensuring the effective implementation of a human rights-based approach to development, as outlined above, which is why they should be able to carry out their activities without fear of intimidation or harassment of any sort. This is particularly relevant in the context of the discussion on the post-2015 development agenda. Civil society is calling for meaningful participation, higher levels of accountability from Governments and international institutions and the protection of human rights under the rule of law.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2013
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Elements of a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders 2014, para. 129
- Paragraph text
- States have the primary responsibility to ensure that defenders work in a safe and enabling environment. Such an environment should include a conducive legal, institutional and administrative framework; access to justice and an end to impunity for violations against defenders; a strong and independent national human rights institution; policies and programmes with specific attention to women defenders; effective protection policies and mechanisms paying attention to groups at risk; non-State actors that respect and support the work of defenders; safe and open access to international human rights bodies; and a strong, dynamic and diverse community of defenders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Women
- Year
- 2014
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Elements of a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders 2014, para. 131j
- Paragraph text
- [Member States should:] Ensure that acts of intimidation and reprisals against defenders who engage with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, and international human rights bodies are firmly and unequivocally condemned. Ensure that these acts are promptly investigated, perpetrators brought to justice and that any legislation criminalizing activities in defence of human rights through cooperation with international mechanisms is repealed.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2014
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Global trends in risks and threats facing human rights defenders 2015, para. 93a
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that States adopt the following measures:] Do more to disseminate the work of defenders and to support their work through campaigns and specific communication and information activities that pay tribute, in particular, to the contributions made by certain categories of defender, such as women; defenders of the rights of lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons; defenders working in the area of corporate social responsibility and land-related rights; defenders of the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples; and defenders who combat impunity and corruption;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Ethnic minorities
- LGBTQI+
- Women
- Year
- 2015
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Workplan and Future Activities of the Special Rapporteur 2015, para. 120
- Paragraph text
- While observing the working rules applying to special procedures mandate holders, the Special Rapporteur intends to interpret his mandate as widely as possible in order to make it as effective as possible, basing his approach on the results obtained by his predecessor and on the knowledge acquired and the working methods used. He means to explore new avenues and innovative working techniques, where that seems appropriate, and to inform the Council of his activities on a regular basis.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2015
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 83
- Paragraph text
- When the Special Rapporteur took up his functions in 2014, he knew that the expectations regarding his mandate were at least as great as the threats to the individuals who defend human rights and freedoms. He sought to open new doors and to push the limits of the mandate. Having benefited from a vast number of meetings and activities conducted over the past three years, he would like to continue and intensify these initiatives and give them time to bear fruit. The activities covered in this report therefore represent a work in progress. The Special Rapporteur is particularly keen to strengthen initiatives to improve the implementation of recommendations and resolutions on the protection of defenders. To that end, he would like to develop tools to measure their implementation and to focus on strengthening the capacities of national actors to act on recommendations and resolutions and make them a reality on the ground.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 81
- Paragraph text
- Today, recognizing the tragic and seemingly hopeless situations facing so many defenders is no longer the issue. Indeed, time and again, their plight has been reported, condemned and communicated by many. This dire situation does not allow us the luxury of sitting back and waiting. Let there be no doubt. It is our moral responsibility to embody the ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and it is urgent to take action. At the core of the Special Rapporteur's mandate is the duty to ensure that every effort is made so that people no longer have to die anywhere in the world for having defended human dignity and human rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
The use of encryption and anonymity to exercise the rights to freedom of opinion and expression in the digital age 2015, para. 59
- Paragraph text
- States should promote strong encryption and anonymity. National laws should recognize that individuals are free to protect the privacy of their digital communications by using encryption technology and tools that allow anonymity online. Legislation and regulations protecting human rights defenders and journalists should also include provisions enabling access and providing support to use the technologies to secure their communications.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2015
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Protection of journalists and media freedom 2012, para. 98
- Paragraph text
- The precarious situation of journalists is further exacerbated by a culture of impunity. Failure to undertake effective investigations and to prosecute those responsible for attacks against journalists perpetrates further violence and undermines the ability of journalists to report on similar matters in the future.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Selected groups of defenders at risk: journalists and media workers, defenders working on land and environment issues; and youth and student defenders 2012, para. 122
- Paragraph text
- The protection of journalists and media workers active on human rights issues should not be limited to those formally recognized as such, but should include other relevant actors, such as community media workers, bloggers and those monitoring demonstrations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
On the Declaration on human rights defenders 2011, para. 94
- Paragraph text
- States should take the necessary steps to guarantee the effective exercise of the right to freedom of association for all individuals without discrimination of any kind.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2011
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 85b
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Implement resolutions on the protection of defenders and monitor their continued implementation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Security and protection of human rights defenders 2010, para. 114a
- Paragraph text
- [Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur:] Urges States to: Decriminalize defamation and libel.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Protection of journalists and press freedom 2010, para. 80
- Paragraph text
- Impunity for those who attack and/or kill journalists remains a central obstacle to guaranteeing the protection of journalists. The Special Rapporteur is deeply concerned that perpetrators have enjoyed total impunity in 94 per cent of cases in which journalists were murdered in 2009, and in only 2 per cent of cases of attacks against journalists in 2009 were the offences tried before the competent authorities and the perpetrators and instigators prosecuted.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Fundamentalism and its impact on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 2016, para. 92h
- Paragraph text
- In this regard, the Special Rapporteur reiterates recommendations made in previous reports to the extent that they are applicable to this context, and makes the following recommendations to States: (h) Use ordinary provisions of the Criminal Code to prosecute extremist or terrorist acts and refrain from enacting legislation that specifically targets religious activities, religious organizations, civil society, human rights defenders and activists;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
Paragraph
Security and protection of human rights defenders 2010, para. 114a
- Paragraph text
- [Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur:] Urges States to: Investigate complaints and allegations on threats or human rights violations perpetrated against human rights defenders in a prompt and effective manner, and initiate appropriate disciplinary, civil and criminal proceedings against the perpetrators to ensure that impunity for such acts is eliminated and thereby greatly enhance the security of human rights defenders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
Paragraph
Violations committed against defenders by non-State actors 2010, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur remains concerned at the alleged unwillingness of certain States to investigate promptly and impartially violations against defenders committed by third parties. She once more urges States to protect human rights defenders effectively and ensure that all human rights violations committed against defenders are investigated and prosecuted, regardless of the status of the perpetrators. [...]
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
Paragraph
Women human rights defenders and those working on women’s rights or gender issues 2011, para. 107
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur is concerned at the large number of violations which appear to be perpetrated by agents or representatives of the State, including police officers, military, Government officials and the judiciary. These violations reportedly include arrests, mistreatment, torture, criminalization, wrongful sentencing but also stigmatization, threats, death threats and killings.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2011
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
Paragraph
On the Declaration on human rights defenders 2011, para. 98
- Paragraph text
- States should refrain from all acts of intimidation or reprisal against defenders who have sought to cooperate or have cooperated with United Nations human rights bodies, those who have availed themselves of procedures established by the United Nations, those who have provided legal assistance to victims, those who have submitted communications under procedures established by human rights instruments, and those who are relatives of victims of human rights violations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2011
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
Paragraph