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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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2014
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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Ethnic minorities
- LGBTQI+
- Women
- Year
- 2015
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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2015
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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Elements of a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders 2014, para. 131a
- Paragraph text
- [Member States should:] Ensure that defenders can conduct their work in a conducive legal, institutional and administrative framework. In this vein, refrain from criminalizing defenders' peaceful and legitimate activities, abolish all administrative and legislative provisions that restrict the rights of defenders, and ensure that domestic legislation respects basic principles relating to international human rights law and standards;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Global trends in risks and threats facing human rights defenders 2015, para. 96c
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur encourages the United Nations to:] Strengthen knowledge of, and attention to, defender issues in United Nations bureaux and regional and country offices. Provide training to officials in those entities regarding the mechanisms for the protection of defenders and the needs of certain specific groups of defenders; Ensure that resident coordinators systematically provide assistance and protection to human rights defenders who are threatened;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Use of legislation to regulate activities of human rights defenders 2012, para. 103
- Paragraph text
- States, including prosecutors, should ensure that criminal cases against individuals, including human rights defenders, are subject to an impartial and independent investigation in compliance with due process standards. All unsubstantiated cases should be closed immediately, with individuals being afforded the opportunity to lodge complaints directly with the appropriate authority.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Elements of a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders 2014, para. 131d
- Paragraph text
- [Member States should:] Provide national institutions with broad and solid mandates, and make sure that they are adequately resourced to be able to operate independently and to be credible and effective. Publicly acknowledge and support the important role of these institutions, including in providing protection to defenders and fighting impunity;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2014
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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2014
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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2013
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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Large-scale development project and human rights defenders 2013, para. 82a
- Paragraph text
- [In the context of the post-2015 development agenda, States should:] Ensure that the post-2015 development agenda is guided by internationally agreed human rights principles and standards, both during its development and its implementation, and that it ensures the active and meaningful participation of affected communities and individuals advocating their rights in the implementation of all development goals, and strengthen their capacity to do so;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Large-scale development project and human rights defenders 2013, para. 82b
- Paragraph text
- [In the context of the post-2015 development agenda, States should:] Recognize the important role of human rights defenders in developing and implementing the post-2015 development agenda in the outcome document, and also recognize the right of defenders to participate in such processes, monitor progress, hold those responsible to account at the national and local levels and be protected from violations in this context.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Large-scale development project and human rights defenders 2013, para. 83b
- Paragraph text
- [Private companies should:] Adopt a policy commitment to respect all human rights that is approved at the highest levels of the organization, and perform ongoing human rights impact assessments in a meaningful way and in every project, with the full participation of potentially affected communities, those defending their rights and, especially, those traditionally marginalized or excluded from decision-making;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Vision and Working Methods of the Mandate 2014, para. 107
- Paragraph text
- As the central function of the mandate is the protection of the rights of human rights defenders, the Special Rapporteur will place a greater emphasis on the aspects of his duties having to do with promotion of those rights. He will focus his attention on good practices relating to the protection of human rights defenders and to the promotion of the defence of those rights, and on achieving extensive awareness of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Violations committed against defenders by non-State actors 2010, para. 66
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur would like to make the following recommendations.] [To States] Ensure prompt and independent investigation of all violations of the rights of defenders, the prosecution of alleged perpetrators regardless of their status, and provide victims of violations with access to justice and just and effective remedies, including appropriate compensation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2013
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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2011
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
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
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. 120
- Paragraph text
- Restrictions on media and press freedom, and impunity around violations against journalists and media workers defending human rights can foster a climate of intimidation, stigmatization, violence and self-censorship that can have a chilling effect on their work. States should publically recognize the role of these defenders and ensure prompt and impartial investigations and the prosecution of those responsible for violations against them.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Role of national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights and as protectors of human rights defenders 2013, para. 119e
- Paragraph text
- [To Member States:] Governments and other branches of the State should refrain from unduly interfering with the independence and autonomy of national human rights institutions. Any instance of intimidation, stigmatization, harassment or attack against members or staff of national institutions should be promptly investigated, with perpetrators brought to justice and remedy provided to victims;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 115a
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that civil society and human rights defenders:] Develop strategies to raise general awareness about the right to defend rights and to be protected for exercising that right, including through promoting the self-identification of human rights defenders, building social support for human rights and the work of defenders, and disseminating the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Protection of journalists and press freedom 2010, para. 94
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur commends the courageous work of journalists and citizen journalists, who often risk their lives to inform the public. The Special Rapporteur encourages journalists and citizen journalists to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and to report honestly, objectively and in an ethically responsible and independent manner, so as to enhance their credibility and protection.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Women human rights defenders and those working on women’s rights or gender issues 2011, para. 109
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that member States:] Ensure that violations against women defenders and those working on women's rights or gender issues committed by State and non-State agents are promptly and impartially investigated and that those responsible are punished in an appropriate manner. Fighting impunity is essential for the security of this group of defenders;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Gender
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Women
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph